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The Waking
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I cannot go.
We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.
Light takes the Tree, but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.
This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.
--Theodore Roethke
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Joy's Updates - Straight from the Horse's Mouth.
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Friday, June 24, 2005
Antisocial Security
grrrrrr, double grrrrr, and grrrrr again!!
I went to Clarksville to the social security office yesterday to apply for my SSI and had all my stuff that is required to do that. I got there, got a number, and waited. There weren't too many people waiting, so it didn't take long at all to get to the window. The woman behind the plexiglass-covered window with a hole cut in it called my number, and while I was gathering my stuff and getting up, she called the next number. The next-number people said, "94 is coming." I got to the window and here's our conversation:
She: (glaring at me) Yes?
Me: I want to apply for my social security.
S: How old are you?
M: 61 ... I'll be 62 in October.
S: It's too early.
M: What?
S: You can't apply now. It needs to be during the month before your birthday. Then you aren't even eligible to get it until after you've been 62 for a month, so you won't get a check until December.
M: OK
S: So make an appointment in September. (handed me a paper) This is what you need to bring.
M: I have it here now.
S: Well, it's too early. You can't apply now.
M: The social security website said to apply 3 months before my birthday.
S: It used to be 6 months, then 3. Now it's one.
M: So anytime after September 3? I can come then?
S: Yes, anytime during September.
M: My cousin who works for social security in Murfreesboro didn't tell me this. Do you know Sally Wright? She used to work in Nashville and knows someone in this office.
S: (first remote sign of being human and less of a frown) No, I don't know her.
M: Do I need to make an appointment?
S: It might keep you from having to wait.
M: OK, thank you.
She was quite surly and curt. I tried really hard not to act like a teacher. I've been warned by Sally about that. It's frustrating to try to take care of things when we think we're supposed to and then waste all that time. I'm so paranoid about all this and am afraid I won't do something right and will not get my money. It's not that much anyway, but since social security comprises about 1/3 of my total retirement pay, it's a big deal to me. I'm already working on ways to stretch the money I have to last till the end of the year since I have some extra and knew I wouldn't get SSI until a couple of months after my birthday.
They need to update the website. I need to call first before I go back. I'm thinking about going to Sally's office instead even though it's farther. Some things are worth it.
2:35:00 PM
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