Some good stuff, some less than good

It was one year ago today, September 23, that the Great Flood took place. I am still a nervous wreck when I hear some sound I cannot identify but I do have clean and organized rooms to accompany my frayed nerves!

In reading the news on-line this a.m., it was reported that indeed someone had been killed in that wreck yesterday on the freeway. From the article, it seems a small pick-up truck was cut off in traffic by another car, swerved to get out of the way, entered the median and then came back on the road, wildly out of control. A sedan then swerved to avoid the truck and hit the light post, killing the passenger and seriously injuring the driver. The article does not say what happened to the truck, if they collided or not, or if other injuries were sustained, but did say the police are in search of the first vehicle that caused the upset in the first place. When Justin was learning to drive, more or less against his wishes, I would remind him that people tend to think they are the most important ones on the road, and to keep that in mind when driving. Their protective shield of steel and plastic tends to make people feel invincible or powerful, and greatly self-important, and sometimes, that ends badly. As it did yesterday.

On another note, the manatees are out in the river, enjoying the last of the warm days this season. It surprised me to spot them, frolicking and splashing outside the basin area, rather than where they normally carry on. Actually they are eating the grasses along the perimeter but they make it appear like so much fun.

The other morning I got a message from my neighbor, wondering why I was not posting the Bible passages on Facebook any longer. That was odd, because I never stopped doing it. Hmmm….Later, another friend from WI contacted me via Facebook wondering if I was having so much fun that I didn’t have to mess with Facebook…okay, what? It seems my privacy settings were strangely set in such a way that nothing I posted on the Wall was showing up, but folks could see my replies to other people’s postings. More than one person wrote later to express their relief that I was back, telling me they missed my morning postings from the Scriptures. Take THAT, you Facebook shunners!

Last week, I received a very nice letter from one of my high school teachers, in response to a note I sent him earlier in the year. He apologized for typing his letter but said it was easier to type than to write these days, due to arthritis in the hands and fingers. Howard mentioned that getting a ‘thank you’ at this juncture in his life makes up for the heart-ache and struggles of those days (not because of me, of course!!!), which is the icing on the cake. My friend, Judy J., lost her brother this late winter and she remarked at how many of her brother’s former students and kids he coached had come to the hospital to express their thanks for his guiding hand and continued influence in their lives. After she told me this, I decided to write to my teachers whom I thought were especially influential to me and let them know how they helped me, or blessed me, as the case might be. Howard is the only one who replied, although I did not expect to be acknowledged. Every time my fingers hit the keyboard, I am thankful to Miss Liese for teaching me how to touch-type!

Yesterday I bought a small cylinder of candy-coated cashews from a vendor at the Quilt Show. Some I ate in the car on the way home from Rita’s, waiting to open them when her son was not with us, as he has a peanut allergy and I didn’t want to cause a problem. The rest I ate here at my desk for lunch today, and now have quite sticky fingers and keys! Must get the alcohol to clean the keys and the pressurized air to remove the nasty crumbs. Oh, they were tasty!

I am hearing the faint roll of thunder in the distance, which my niece an hour south of me reported was tormenting them right now. In regard to funeral/memorial service for Marian, her mom, who passed away on Sunday---it seems there will be such next weekend as the family is coming from WI for a wedding taking place. It makes good sense to have both events when the brothers and sisters are in town, though I might have to sit this one out, unless my niece or Justin really wants me to come. Sure don’t want to cause any trouble or make anyone uncomfortable with my showing up---you know?

Monday I have set an appointment to meet with lady friend, Diane, who also invests money for me so we can discuss what in the world is going on with these markets. She has some suggestions for shuffling things around for added protections and I would prefer to meet in person instead of over the phone for stuff like this. Either way, I often have no clue even if she looks me straight in the face. But I like spending time with her, so no matter what, it’s a win!

Martie might be coming for dinner tonight, but had to see how her sister came out of surgery. June is having a cardiac catheterization done today and Martie wanted to hear what was going to happen in case she had to rush to June’s side. June has, it seems, some congestive problems which I was not aware of, and perhaps this procedure today will relieve some of her congestion. A few days ago Martie said the doctors thought she had pneumonia but it must have been disguising the real problem. Either way, I decided to make some dinner for myself and enjoy an evening at home.

For Bible study on Thursday, I picked up a dozen doughnuts to share with the group, bringing home more than half of that number. It ended up being two boxes shared since Harold and Lucy brought some, too. It didn’t matter to me---I brought the rest home to enjoy another time. When I went to get one for my breakfast this a.m., I had to fight the ants for it!!! Yikes!!! Immediately I got a trash bag, dumped the box in, and put it outside the door for later. Connie was on the 4^th floor and heard me come out, so she offered to take it down for me. I explained I would take it later but wanted to get the ants out of the house. She reminded me that the pest people come next week and I am so ready for their visit!

It was late when I went to sleep as I watched the debate and the programs following it last night. I slept until nearly 8:00 a.m. today, waking only once in the wee hours. My morning dream involved my moving in some place, and then having to be away. When I came home, I was greeted by several friends and discovered all my decorating had been done, with Dee and Julia doing a ‘hanging’ in my absence! One wall had pictures of my sisters displayed, and other areas had decorator items placed about, making for a homey appearance. I also remember looking in my pantry or a closet and noticing how neatly I had placed all my stuff, whereas my neighbors in similar quarters had a big mess. It’s funny because I don’t even have pictures of my sisters to hang on a wall. How does Dee do it????