jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 3, 2022 10:05:22 GMT -5
Tela, I had a crowned tooth form a cavity under the crown and forced the tooth to be pulled. They attempted an implant and it failed perhaps due to my nasty smoking habit. They offered to redo it at no cost, I was waiting to see if idiot stick(me) would stop smoking. This was about 5 years ago and the cost for one molar was at least $6000, maybe more. I just got dental insurance and it's cost is reduced somehow due to Medicare discounts. Not sure if insurance covers implants... The first year the insurance reduced cost of a crown by about 15%. The second year and subsequent years it is supposed to cover 50% of the cost. The insurance is about $1000/year for hub and wife. food for thought... Insurance is crappy to deal with. I haven't met my 500 deductible. After 500 out of pocket, I have to pay 20%. My total then is 720 for the root canal and crown. Which seems to me to be a good price.
I had one molar pulled. (I'm only missing that one.) He tried to talk me into a implant. I told him I wouldn't live long enough to justify the cost! LOL! Yes those very low prices Tela. I'd jump ! |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 3, 2022 10:06:23 GMT -5
"While the cost of dental care without insurance can be high, dentists and dental staff should be flexible in working with patients in ways that meet their needs. One of the simplest ways to reduce procedural cost is to encourage lifelong preventative maintenance dental visits. Like a well maintained car, it’s much easier to pay for an oil change than it is to replace a seized engine. Our bodies are similar. Regular cleanings prevent tooth decay and reduce the chances of a costlier root canal or extraction in the future."
Great info Dave.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 3, 2022 10:07:53 GMT -5
Insurance is crappy to deal with. I haven't met my 500 deductible. After 500 out of pocket, I have to pay 20%. My total then is 720 for the root canal and crown. Which seems to me to be a good price.
I had one molar pulled. (I'm only missing that one.) He tried to talk me into a implant. I told him I wouldn't live long enough to justify the cost! LOL! Yes those very low prices Tela. I'd jump ! Yeah, I like this guy. He advertises himself as the implant king, but he didn't push me on it. He did DH's dentures. My old dentist left practicing. So glad I found the new guy. No pain, either. |
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 3, 2022 12:50:57 GMT -5
My apologies for for getting back on topic, noticed this guy in the backyard while I was cleaning some of last Oct's Arkansas Quartz. He looks a bit more orange than red, must be a UT variety!!  IMG_4189 by Findrocks, on Flickr I took this one a while back and previously posted;  IMG_1956 by Findrocks, on Flickr And to get back to off-topic, one of the Hawks let me get a bit closer the other day;  IMG_4187 by Findrocks, on Flickr |
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Post by mohs on Aug 3, 2022 14:39:32 GMT -5
ah the life cycle  HankRocks we know what that hawk is eyeing right after that anole is done w/ its tasty blue dragon treat so it goes ... |
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Post by 1dave on Aug 3, 2022 14:42:58 GMT -5
My apologies for for getting back on topic, Apology accepted for the next billion times, but only if you make a habit of it. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 3, 2022 16:22:34 GMT -5
A chilled dove for your hawk HankRocks. That orange dragonfly is over the top. I want one. The lizard shot is for real. Love it.   |
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 3, 2022 16:30:10 GMT -5
Our Dove population is down substantially from 15 to 20 years ago. They were everywhere, with some pairs having 2 nestings during the season. You could go outside in April or May and not hear anything except Doves. The predator birds have been on the increase in the last 10 years and have really done their part to reduce the population. I think I notice less squirrels in the last two years. The predator birds are learning how to catch those as the dove population declines.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 3, 2022 18:31:42 GMT -5
I don't mind the predator birds taking out a few sparrows, doves or mockingbirds now and again, so long as they leave the hummingbird population alone.
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 3, 2022 18:42:45 GMT -5
I don't mind the predator birds taking out a few sparrows, doves or mockingbirds now and again, so long as they leave the hummingbird population alone. I guess that a Hawk catching a Hummingbird would be almost impossible the way they move. I have seen Mockingbirds chasing Hawks!!, they are a very fearless bird. |
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Post by mohs on Aug 3, 2022 19:08:55 GMT -5
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 3, 2022 19:10:41 GMT -5
I don't mind the predator birds taking out a few sparrows, doves or mockingbirds now and again, so long as they leave the hummingbird population alone. I guess that a Hawk catching a Hummingbird would be almost impossible the way they move. I have seen Mockingbirds chasing Hawks!!, they are a very fearless bird. Henry, I've seen mockingbirds have dogfights with crows five times bigger than them. I hate crows, I always root for the smaller mockingbirds. They are fearless! |
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 3, 2022 19:24:16 GMT -5
I guess that a Hawk catching a Hummingbird would be almost impossible the way they move. I have seen Mockingbirds chasing Hawks!!, they are a very fearless bird. Henry, I've seen mockingbirds have dogfights with crows five times bigger than them. I hate crows, I always root for the smaller mockingbirds. They are fearless! You can add cats, dogs and even people to the list attack targets. If any of them venture into the mockingbird's no-go zone around their nest they will attack. I have a few swoop down at me over the years. I have noticed that they are smart enough to make their attacks from blind side. There's a good reason they are the State Bird of Texas!! and a very prolific song bird. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 3, 2022 19:32:37 GMT -5
I don't mind the predator birds taking out a few sparrows, doves or mockingbirds now and again, so long as they leave the hummingbird population alone. Jean, the hummers are way too fast for the hawks. The hummers will actually dive bomb them if they get too close to a nest. I watch them harass the hawks all the time and the hawks just ignore them. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 3, 2022 19:53:46 GMT -5
hummingbirdstones Robin, I believe they are too fast most of the time, but the hawks here are smart and fast. They swoop in from a long distance and nab! But you are right, I've yet to see a hummer that obviously met it's end by hawk. Cats are a much bigger hazard, around here.
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Post by mohs on Aug 3, 2022 22:12:47 GMT -5
some may remember
of my long story
whilst on a smoke break
of a dark shadow
that swooped from the sky
snatched attached dragon
in the garden of paradise
after that sad occasion
I had to go back to work
no rest for the mohs
...mostly
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 4, 2022 11:02:06 GMT -5
HankRocks The quail have all but disappeared over the 35 years we have lived out here in farming country. Haven't seen a quail in 10 years. The brush rows between the fields held many. Less dove too and probably for the same reason. All this happened about the same time farming has disappeared. The younger generation ain't too interested in the hard work aspect and are only interested in selling the farm. Sad to see but that is the case. No more men in overalls meeting at the country cafe ! Lots of urban folks buying the farms for estate life and builders putting houses in. And lots of 'no trespassing' signs. The whole corner of the county was purchased by the wealthy, re-annexed into a new town and converted to a modernistic high end subdivision. Next to that development 12,000 acres with 12 miles of river frontage was purchased and converted to a concert/eventing center. So much for access to over half of the the prettiest land in our community.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 4, 2022 11:08:55 GMT -5
HankRocks The quail have all but disappeared over the 35 years we have lived out here in farming country. Haven't seen a quail in 10 years. The brush rows between the fields held many. Less dove too and probably for the same reason. All this happened about the same time farming has disappeared. The younger generation ain't too interested in the hard work aspect and are only interested in selling the farm. Sad to see but that is the case. No more men in overalls meeting at the country cafe ! Lots of urban folks buying the farms for estate life and builders putting houses in. And lots of 'no trespassing' signs. The whole corner of the county was purchased by the wealthy, re-annexed into a new town and converted to a modernistic high end subdivision. Next to that development 12,000 acres with 12 miles of river frontage was purchased and converted to a concert/eventing center. So much for access to over half of the the prettiest land in our community. Sad to hear. We have experienced a population explosion. I moved here in 76- everything has changed, and not for the better in my book. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 4, 2022 11:29:47 GMT -5
On a positive note, I still keep my ponds and constructed wetlands filled with water. It requires some maintenance but keeps the wildlife happy and active.
The wetlands are perfect mosquito habitat but you won't find them here. Tadpoles, frogs, dragonflies, wetland bird species, etc eat them faster than they can produce. They serve perfectly for the lower end of the food chain.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 4, 2022 11:40:51 GMT -5
HankRocks The quail have all but disappeared over the 35 years we have lived out here in farming country. Haven't seen a quail in 10 years. The brush rows between the fields held many. Less dove too and probably for the same reason. All this happened about the same time farming has disappeared. The younger generation ain't too interested in the hard work aspect and are only interested in selling the farm. Sad to see but that is the case. No more men in overalls meeting at the country cafe ! Lots of urban folks buying the farms for estate life and builders putting houses in. And lots of 'no trespassing' signs. The whole corner of the county was purchased by the wealthy, re-annexed into a new town and converted to a modernistic high end subdivision. Next to that development 12,000 acres with 12 miles of river frontage was purchased and converted to a concert/eventing center. So much for access to over half of the the prettiest land in our community. Sad to hear. We have experienced a population explosion. I moved here in 76- everything has changed, and not for the better in my book. From a salt-of-the-earth farming community populated by good ole boys to destiny #1 for well-to-do African Americans here Tela. And some very entitled and racially arrogant folks at that. Talk about culture shock lol. I came from urban Atlanta and am used to the complexity of mixed races. But many of the locals were none too happy. A rare sight these days:  |
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