I have worried all night about what I was going to write this morning about the State of Lubbock.  I wanted to do something really intelligent, since this is my first real post to my first real blog and I'm as excited as a hungry puppy in a butcher shop.  I decided that doing something intelligent was pretty much beyond my capabilities, so I will settle for something less, which may tell more about me than I want to reveal.
     In Lubbock, when I was growing up, we didn't go to the doctor much.  To start with, doctors were expensive.  In addition to that, my family was healthy and not sick much at all, so there was no necessity.  That situation has changed, unfortunately.  I now go to the doctor much more than I think a Lubbock boy should.
     One of my doctors has a discreet sign at his admitting desk.  "If you are more than fifteen minutes late, please understand that your appointment may be cancelled and rescheduled," it says.  Adjacent to that sign is another which says, "Please turn off your cell phone."  The cell phone sign doesn't list a penalty.
     My last visit there, I arrived ten minutes early and waited for twenty-eight minutes before an assistant escorted me into an exam room and took my vitals.  She asked some questions, wrote some notes in my file and said, "The doctor will be right in," as she closed the door.
     Forty-seven minutes later, by my watch, an over weight young fellow rushed in and said, "How've you been, Mr. McIntyre?"
     I said, "My name is McLaughlin.  I've been fine."
     "Good, good!  That's good to hear! Let me listen to that old ticker." I would rather he refer to my heart differently---its the only one I have.  He pushed an icy cold stethoscope up under my shirt and listened intently while I shivered.
     "Sounds good to me, Mr. McCutcheon.  Have you had a stress test lately?"
     "My name is McLaughlin.  My cardiologist gave me a stress test in February and I had him send you the results.  They should be in my file there."  He flipped hurriedly through the file several times and then changed the subject.
     "I see your A1C is within proper limits Mr. McDermott.  You getting any exercise?
     "McLaughlin.  I work out at the Kroc Center most every day.  My endocrinologist says it has helped."
     The doctor's cell phone rang.  He discussed a real estate deal for a short time, then hung up and called an assistant.  He asked her to deliver a file and a key to someone across town, then turned back to me.
     "Now, Mr. Mc---uh, uh, do you mind if I just call you Mac?  You are doing fine.  I want you to lose fifteen pounds, keep up that exercise and come back to see me in six--no, make that four months.  I must go---I'm late for a seminar on how to maximize profits in a medical practice.  It is difficult for me, but I'm learning to not get so personally involved with my patients."
     I have been very lucky.  For most of my life, I've only seen doctors for insurance physicals.  Now, when I'm getting too old to fight back, they are getting even.
                                                                              Y'all have a good day---
                                                                                                              Jim