03/21/2009 Sat

Gee, finally some news about someone else that is dramatic and interesting. My brother-in-law was on the train that collided with the truck carrying Mercedes-Benz cars somewhere. He was not injured, thank Goodness. (No serious injuries are being reported.) Don and I went out to try and rescue him but got within yards of the train and the conductor ran everyone off saying he was taking the train back to the station momentarily. So David wound up getting back to his car and driving back home anyway. He had his cell phone cut off because the battery was low so we couldn't call to ask him to get off the train. We wanted to surprise him and I guess we did that job too well.

David said the truck driver was just beyond help mentally. He was running around in circles, beating the ground and was inconsolable. The police carried him off, we think to help him, not to arrest him. He got stuck on the tracks because the truck was low-lying and had called 911 for help when the train came and hit his truck. I feel sorry for him as I know he has months of questions coming his way and this was probably his only means of making a living. And to lose all that inventory of Mercedes. I hope they were insured heavily. The driver was someone local as I heard a man telling a policeman about the guy last night while Don was trying to ask another policeman about going up to the train to help get someone off.

The next portion of the blog is intended to be humorous. I hope everyone takes it that way. Otherwise, Milo is in big trouble with all of you.

Last weekend, John and Lauren visited and enjoyed watching Milo play with water from his favorite game, "water pistol". John called my babe "she" several times so I just wanted to say that my "babe" is an adult male and wants to be identified as such. This is what I wrote John and Lauren a little while ago:

"About Milo, he has been upset with me for allowing John to think HE is a girl kitty. He is most definitely a boy cat and a macho one at that. Grayson is normally scared of him because Milo has ATTITUDE. John, I also think he is pretty but I have to call him handsome out loud or he gets insulted - I also make the mistake of calling him my baby when he is a fully-grown adult. Sometimes, I am molly-coddling him and he just turns around and bites (a nip really) me for my efforts. Guess he only likes the babying sometimes.

He is getting way more brazen about the shower business, sometimes sleeping in the shower stall because (I guess) he does not want to miss the morning shower. I just bought myself a shower bench which he thinks is convenient for use as a bed at night and also as a shelter from the shower in the morning. Now, when I am ready to start the shower, he gets right under the nozzle and stares at it intently as if he can figure out how to catch that water if he could just be closer when the water starts to come out. So far, I am protecting him from the full water impact but one of these days, that young man is going to get a bath, water, shampoo and all. I am playing water pistol with him again. He has been reminded of that game and he doesn't want to give it up. I am glad the three of you got to see that comedy as it gives me lots of joy to see him want to play a game". Water pistol is his favorite game. He tries to catch the water with his front paws and is frustrated that it never works. He just can't catch it. But he jumps all around on the floor trying with all his might to succeed in catching some of the water drops.

End of the funny papers.
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You might already know that we (Dr. Asher and me) may have to get a doctor to stitch my scalp back together in one spot at least. He and LeAnn are afraid the skin around the wound is dead and will NEVER heal without intervention. I am hoping very hard that they are wrong and that the thing will start some fast healing. I am trying to get the scabbing to give way without force so someone can see what lies beneath (I hope it is bone and not brain - just kidding of course). Picture this for a humorous thought: I am supposed to put a wet wash cloth on my head atop the bad area for 20 minutes or so before a shower to try and soften the scabbing, then gently massage that area during the shower with the palm of my hand. We hope this will loosen up the scab and it will come off naturally. We don't really want a bleeding event. The scabbing feels pretty deep in that one spot but I am trying this method as often as I have time or rather make time to do. Milo thinks going around with a washcloth on your head is a sign of mental illness. You should see the looks. He almost runs away from me but decides it is too amusing to miss.

The Carolina women are up 10 points in their tournament right now. There is 5:45 left to play in the second half. Go girls. The men play at 5:45 tonight and Duke plays even later. I am wondering how one could even make the decision on whether Lawson should play. If I were the coach I believe I would leave it up to the player - if he can do any good at all for the team. When I have had foot injuries and surgeries before, I sure couldn't have had all that impact or I would have been screaming in pain. Now the girls are up 11 points but Sylvia Hatchell (the coach) looks really angry about some call. The other team is at the free throw line and has made their 2 free throws so now Carolina is 9 points ahead with 4:43 to play. Man, you would have to be in such good shape to play this game. Marathons might be easier. The women have won 85 to 80. A win is a win.

Now the men have won also. What a good day for me and Don! He is sooooo very happy. Lawson played but I think he was in some pain especially the second half. Still he did a great job. Duke is playing now. I usually peter out before the end of these late games but I will hang in as long as I can. I have to be up early for church tomorrow so I may have to catch a few highlights in the middle of the night or tomorrow.

So much for my stories so far today. I'll be back another time with more.