Kiwanis speaker this morning was from Success by Six which is a national strategy focused on improving school readiness. Local strategies, goals and objectives vary but the ultimate outcome is that young children enter school ready to succeed. hmmmm. Back in my day we were just chucked in and expected to get on with it, we certainly weren't given any preparation in order to succeed.
After I did the meals on wheels I called at the hospital to find out how the mother and baby from yesterday were doing. Was pleased to learn that the mother went home today and the baby should go to full term. Said a heartfelt "Thank you God".
Larry gave me a card signed by members of staff with little words of appreciation on it. I gather it is a monthly thing, and I am this month's star....ha, ha, ha.
Seven of us from Emmanuel went to lunch at an Italian restaurant in the Tribal area with one of the best views in Shawnee. I enjoyed the conversation and the fellowship, but the meal was a disaster because there were too many customers and too few staff. The service was slow but that didn't matter so much, we were talking, what was worse was the rudeness we encountered when we were kept waiting to pay our bills. No one apologised, they just got very stroppy with us for getting impatient. Even worse - from my point of view - was that there was a fly in my food, it was obviously on the plate when the food was ladled on top of it, and when it came to light I couldn't finish the meal. And when I tried to mention it -when paying - they just got more stroppy. When I got home I looked on their website to find an address to complain to. Instead I found an invitation to write a review. Thinks "I'll give them a review!!!!!" When I had posted it I printed off a copy and hand delivered it, so they would know about it.
In the news....in North Korea. Everyone has been saying they have not seen any photos of the Kim the younger, so the dear leader has opened up the family photo album, so now we know what he looks like. TV anchormen labour the point that he has no experience, doesn't know anything about anything, but he likes rollerblading, so should be a good fit.
The big story in California is about Meg Whitman (the founder of e-bay) who is running for Governor and her big election thing is illegal immigration and the fact that employers should be prosecuted for employing illegal aliens. It transpires a former maid, who worked for her for nine years is an illegal alien. But she used a relative's social security number when she was first employed and was sacked just before Meg Whitman announced she was running for Governor. So depending on your politics Meg Whitman is either the worst kind of hypocrite, or has been set up for a character assassination. She did hold a Press Conference (she had to as the issue a major part of her election campaign) and insisted she did not know the maid was illegal, and that she - the maid - was being manipulated.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday
Went to the hospital to do my chaplaincy round but as I stepped into the lift a very distraught occupant, seeing my chaplain's gear, asked me to pray for her daughter who was just admitted from a car wreck, into the Mother and Baby Unit, six months pregnant. I was the only chaplain in the hospital, Larry had left to do a funeral so I put my round on hold while I dealt with this emergency situation.
The expectant mother did not seem too bad, she was fully conscious and had crawled out of the wreck, the main concern was the survival of the baby. The mother was having an ultrasound scan when I went into the room and she was told the baby weighed two and a half pounds. Amazing how they can know that.
This evening, instead of the meal at the church, we went to the Mini Putt course and had it there. The Mini Putt is owned by the Pottawatomie Nation, it's in the Tribal area, and the Chief allowed the church free access to it for the evening.
Setting out the food.
The course is so huge. Much bigger than any I've seen, but then they have the space here.
I think I am going to set this photo on my computer desktop, to remind me to stop eating. The friend I am with is the ex wife of the Pottawatomie Chief and she asked her husband if we could use the area for the evening.
Changing the subject - this is Halloween in the Dollar Store.
The expectant mother did not seem too bad, she was fully conscious and had crawled out of the wreck, the main concern was the survival of the baby. The mother was having an ultrasound scan when I went into the room and she was told the baby weighed two and a half pounds. Amazing how they can know that.
This evening, instead of the meal at the church, we went to the Mini Putt course and had it there. The Mini Putt is owned by the Pottawatomie Nation, it's in the Tribal area, and the Chief allowed the church free access to it for the evening.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
28th September
The cooler weather is such a blessing, I am not stepping into a furnace when I get in the car in the morning. The temperature gets up to 90 during the day, but the mornings and evenings are a lot cooler. Like the Mediterranean.
I went to the gospel singing at the Senior Centre this morning. There wasn't a big crowd there so I contributed a little piece on Fanny Crosby, she's one of the best known of all hymn writers so I told of the things they might not have known about her.... she had inflammation in her eyes when she was six weeks old and the quack who saw her put mustard plasters on her eyes, which is how she lost her sight. She wrote a little poem when she was eight -
Oh what a happy soul I am,
Although I cannot see;
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy,
That other people don't;
To weep and sigh because I'm blind,
I cannot, and I won't."
She also once said "when I get to heaven the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Saviour". There was a murmur of 'amens', I was glad to note they were listening to me.
During 2010 the songwriter George Hamilton IV undertook a tour of Methodist chapels celebrating Fanny's outstanding contribution to gospel music, His presentation included stories of her productive and charitable life, some of her hymns and a few of his own songs.
I last saw George Hamilton IV at Eldon Road Baptist Church in Eastbourne. He gets about.
There seemed to be a lot going on in the news today. This morning - streaming live from the University of Texas in Austin - was a shooting and the University was locked down. A student went into the library with an assault rifle randomly shooting, but mercifully didn't hit anyone, he then killed himself. At the same University in 1966 someone climbed up into the clock tower then began shooting, killing 16 people and injuring over 30 others. The Republicans make a big thing of guns, and being allowed to carry them, but it seems to me - in view of all the shootings that go on here - that it is insanity. The general population in Britain aren't walking round with guns and we have far less shootings pro rata.
The other big story which you will have had yourselves was Kim Jong-un promoted to a 4 star general, prior to the North Korean Workers Party meeting on Wednesday - they haven't met for 30 years and the last time they did it paved the way for the current dear leader to take over. It is said that this is the son with the dictator gene, I'd have thought that going to school in Switzerland would have made him more reasonable, he is also a big US baseball fan, but apparently not. There is obviously a lot of unease here, as I expect there is at home, at this young man taking over a nuclear nation with a starving population.
A bit of local news is that Oklahoma is the 5th worst state in the nation for road accidents. There were 647 fatal crashes last year, which seems rather high.
The other big story which you will have had yourselves was Kim Jong-un promoted to a 4 star general, prior to the North Korean Workers Party meeting on Wednesday - they haven't met for 30 years and the last time they did it paved the way for the current dear leader to take over. It is said that this is the son with the dictator gene, I'd have thought that going to school in Switzerland would have made him more reasonable, he is also a big US baseball fan, but apparently not. There is obviously a lot of unease here, as I expect there is at home, at this young man taking over a nuclear nation with a starving population.
A bit of local news is that Oklahoma is the 5th worst state in the nation for road accidents. There were 647 fatal crashes last year, which seems rather high.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday 26th September
The weather is getting cooler. I wore a little jacket to church this morning, and although it heated up during the day this evening was really cool.
Sitting up in bed this morning, sipping my tea, reading last Sunday's supplements - courtesy of dear sister - I came across an interesting article on kitchen knives by Tom Parker Bowles. He was reviewing the kind of knives I've always longed for, but would never in a 100 years afford.
He said something I found interesting about chopping onions - and who among us never chops onions??
So here it is - one way to demonstrate the perfect edge on a knife is to slice an onion. demonstrating it, he took one apart at an astonishing pace, and when it was sitting in a neat diced pile he scooped it up and held it towards my face and eyes. I recoiled expecting a waft of tear inducing allium but there were no tears. an onion is made up of cells filled with sugars and acid. if you press they pop and out comes the acid, making you cry. but if you just cut nothing escapes.
I went to the adult Sunday school which is becoming so popular there was practically standing room only when I arrived 15 minutes late. Then to the 10.30 Service. I had a nap this afternoon before going to the course on centering prayer at 4 o'clock. They're very keen on education here! Rosalyn goes to that as well and invited me to dinner with her and Bruce this evening, which was unexpected and very pleasant. We went to an Italian restaurant.
Sitting up in bed this morning, sipping my tea, reading last Sunday's supplements - courtesy of dear sister - I came across an interesting article on kitchen knives by Tom Parker Bowles. He was reviewing the kind of knives I've always longed for, but would never in a 100 years afford.
He said something I found interesting about chopping onions - and who among us never chops onions??
So here it is - one way to demonstrate the perfect edge on a knife is to slice an onion. demonstrating it, he took one apart at an astonishing pace, and when it was sitting in a neat diced pile he scooped it up and held it towards my face and eyes. I recoiled expecting a waft of tear inducing allium but there were no tears. an onion is made up of cells filled with sugars and acid. if you press they pop and out comes the acid, making you cry. but if you just cut nothing escapes.
I went to the adult Sunday school which is becoming so popular there was practically standing room only when I arrived 15 minutes late. Then to the 10.30 Service. I had a nap this afternoon before going to the course on centering prayer at 4 o'clock. They're very keen on education here! Rosalyn goes to that as well and invited me to dinner with her and Bruce this evening, which was unexpected and very pleasant. We went to an Italian restaurant.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Saturday 25th September
Apart from a trip to Save-A-Lot for supplies for Bubbles - catfood, distilled water, cat litter - I spent a lot of the day on a project on the computer, and making moves on its your turn.
The weather has cooled slightly, it's in the 90s instead of in triple digits.
At this time of year, in this part of the country, organisations are having chilli cook offs. Competitions to see who can cook the best chilli, and there was one tonight at Emmanuel. It was also a fund raiser to buy new albs for the young people who help in the services.
There were eleven pots of chilli entered. I asked to be directed to the mildest, I know how hot they are eaten here. A few people brought desserts, and there were the usual drinks of boxed wine, cold tea, and water. Afterwards various members put on a variety show.
The weather has cooled slightly, it's in the 90s instead of in triple digits.
At this time of year, in this part of the country, organisations are having chilli cook offs. Competitions to see who can cook the best chilli, and there was one tonight at Emmanuel. It was also a fund raiser to buy new albs for the young people who help in the services.
There were eleven pots of chilli entered. I asked to be directed to the mildest, I know how hot they are eaten here. A few people brought desserts, and there were the usual drinks of boxed wine, cold tea, and water. Afterwards various members put on a variety show.
There was a western theme. I admire so much the people who do the centre pieces for the tables, they are always just right.
Tim Sean the youth pastor was the MC.
Unusual names.....Verl; Lavern; Cleda; Elwynna; Relta; Ricia;
Kaden; Espi; Kolby; LaRuth and Autumn.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday/Friday
Our Kiwanis speaker on Thursday was a member doing a power point presentation of trips to Ireland, Italy and Iceland which was quite interesting. He made the point that Europeans eat so late in the evening and I told him it was a culture shock for me to find the restaurants heaving at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I'd asked a friend in North Carolina if that was general in America, or is it just in Oklahoma, and he said it is just this part of the country, where everyone goes to bed and gets up much earlier than anywhere else. But then Carolinians and people generally in the east consider themselves more refined and civilised than the midwest.
I didn't do the meals on wheels, I thought I'd have a complete week off.
And instead of lunch with the group at Emmanuel I went to the chapel service at the hospital where they had a speaker from a Cowboy Church in a nearby town. Cowboy churches are distinctively western, often meeting in a rural setting in a barn or metal building, or old western building. Baptisms are usually done in a cattle tank (no wonder Carolinians and New Englanders think they're a bit rough down here). The preacher at the chapel service looked like a cowboy (although half the population here wear cowboy boots and stetsons) but he bounced around with his floppy Bible like a television evangelist. He told us that earlier that morning he had been roping in steers (or whatever it is they do) on his ranch.
The Veterans Park opposite the church was designated as the place for the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial and work has been going on all the summer. Today they put the archway up and it all looks very nice.
Today Friday I was at the hospital. There was nobody around when I got there, I took a list and started on the 2nd floor. Larry did pass me by in a rush saying he'd been to a death on ICU, and was going to a funeral. After I'd got half way round I decided to go and have lunch and was pleased when Pattisue joined me. She helps out the local Democrats (and politics are getting increasingly manic as the General Election approaches) so she is a source of information on who's who on the local political scene.
I didn't do the meals on wheels, I thought I'd have a complete week off.
And instead of lunch with the group at Emmanuel I went to the chapel service at the hospital where they had a speaker from a Cowboy Church in a nearby town. Cowboy churches are distinctively western, often meeting in a rural setting in a barn or metal building, or old western building. Baptisms are usually done in a cattle tank (no wonder Carolinians and New Englanders think they're a bit rough down here). The preacher at the chapel service looked like a cowboy (although half the population here wear cowboy boots and stetsons) but he bounced around with his floppy Bible like a television evangelist. He told us that earlier that morning he had been roping in steers (or whatever it is they do) on his ranch.
The Veterans Park opposite the church was designated as the place for the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial and work has been going on all the summer. Today they put the archway up and it all looks very nice.
You can see from the flags what a stiff breeze there is here most of the time, it does make the high temperatures a bit more tolerable.
There are quite a few new benches around the Memorial donated by organisations and businesses in Shawnee.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday
I have felt a bit better today, the discomfort has lessened somewhat.
I didn't do the meals on wheels as I went to lunch with the pastoral care team - which I was elevated to when I became a volunteer chaplain at the hospital. I gather they meet monthly, and the church pays for the lunch as a 'thank you' gesture for what we do. Although as I am working for the hospital rather than Emmanuel I am not sure I should be eligible, and I get free meals at the hospital when I'm there, but it is kind of Fr Clark to include me. There were five of us; Fr Clark, two deacons and the retired priest. The youth pastor couldn't make it.
After lunch I went round the third floor of the hospital. At the moment it is fairly quiet but Larry Sparks, the Chaplain, said the rooms are about to get filled up and very busy.
This evening I went to the Wednesday meal at Emmanuel which was the leftovers from last night's Sustainable Shawnee dinner. There were at least about 45 of us this evening, so that was quite a lot of leftovers. After the meal everyone peels off to the different activities they're involved in. This evening I joined Kevin's discussion group.
A little while ago I was reading in an English Sunday supplement that Americans are obsessed with ice, and that is just soooooooo true. This ice making machine is outside a dollar general store on Main Street, but they are everywhere.
I took this picture this evening in the church kitchen and look how much ice she is scooping into the glasses! I told these two that I'd read Americans were obsessed with ice and they totally agreed.
If I order a drink without ice in a restaurant Americans usually manage to comprehend, but Mexicans and Asians just look totally bewildered and uncomprehending. It usually takes someone else in the party to tell them that no, I really do not want ice.
One of the most exciting things in the news is when there is a high speed police car chase. Nothing directors do on films is anything like as exciting as the real thing. This car chase went on for about 20 minutes, it's filmed from the local news station's chopper. The bandits being dragged out of the car in the middle were suspects in a burglary, and they were doing 100 mph weaving in and out of the traffic. Eventually the police did what they call a 'pit maneouvre' where they tip the bandit's car so that it spins round and ends up like this. The police have to be very careful though to choose the right moment to do this maneouvre otherwise the bandit might do something crazy and innocent people would get hurt.
I didn't do the meals on wheels as I went to lunch with the pastoral care team - which I was elevated to when I became a volunteer chaplain at the hospital. I gather they meet monthly, and the church pays for the lunch as a 'thank you' gesture for what we do. Although as I am working for the hospital rather than Emmanuel I am not sure I should be eligible, and I get free meals at the hospital when I'm there, but it is kind of Fr Clark to include me. There were five of us; Fr Clark, two deacons and the retired priest. The youth pastor couldn't make it.
After lunch I went round the third floor of the hospital. At the moment it is fairly quiet but Larry Sparks, the Chaplain, said the rooms are about to get filled up and very busy.
This evening I went to the Wednesday meal at Emmanuel which was the leftovers from last night's Sustainable Shawnee dinner. There were at least about 45 of us this evening, so that was quite a lot of leftovers. After the meal everyone peels off to the different activities they're involved in. This evening I joined Kevin's discussion group.
If I order a drink without ice in a restaurant Americans usually manage to comprehend, but Mexicans and Asians just look totally bewildered and uncomprehending. It usually takes someone else in the party to tell them that no, I really do not want ice.
One of the most exciting things in the news is when there is a high speed police car chase. Nothing directors do on films is anything like as exciting as the real thing. This car chase went on for about 20 minutes, it's filmed from the local news station's chopper. The bandits being dragged out of the car in the middle were suspects in a burglary, and they were doing 100 mph weaving in and out of the traffic. Eventually the police did what they call a 'pit maneouvre' where they tip the bandit's car so that it spins round and ends up like this. The police have to be very careful though to choose the right moment to do this maneouvre otherwise the bandit might do something crazy and innocent people would get hurt.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday 21 September
My back wasn't too bad first thing this morning and I went to the Church at 8 to prep a bushel of okra for the Sustainable Shawnee dinner tonight. Last year I was very involved in the Dinner, attending the planning meetings etc but I am too busy this year with the chaplaincy and meals on wheels to get involved in it. I did agree to help Barbara this morning though - she was mainly responsible for baking the okra - she had been designated the oven from 9-11, so although she wasn't expecting me until 9 I thought it would be a good idea to make an early start.
The okra is in the box. I was glad not to be cutting up all those watermelons, there were 20 of them. And a box of canteloupe.
I wasn't sure how much okra to expect, but I think I vaguely remember learning at school that it is 28lbs, and that's what it looked like.
Barbara seasoning the okra. I went home when I'd finished prepping them but she stayed with the other helpers. By the time I'd finished I was ready to go home and lay down.
I didn't even go to the Dinner because my appointment with Rosalyn's therapist - at the Holistic Healing Center - was at 5.30, and the dinner was at 6.00. Rosalyn suggested I go for the dessert and after dinner chat but I didn't feel like it. She got the organisers to make me up a plate and they dropped it in, so I will have it tomorrow.
The therapy didn't really work for me this time. Heat seems to be the only thing that helps it. And Ibuprofen, although that needs to be a bit stronger.
In the news.....I've written about the small town in California where the city officials were getting more money than the President. Today eight of them have been arrested and most of the eight are facing long jail terms. The Chief of Police who only had a handful of officers under him, was earning more than the Los Angeles Police Chief with dozens of officers but he wasn't arrested, there wasn't enough evidence to charge him. The District Attorney of course was asked why and said he would have charged his mother if there had been enough evidence.
At the White House today Obama posthumously awarded the Medal of Honour, the highest award for bravery, to a Marine who sacrificed his life to save his comrades in the Vietnam War. He was at a top secret base in Laos and they weren't supposed to be in Laos which was why he wasn't honoured at the time. His three sons in the photograph received it on his behalf. Obama told the story of how they'd spent the day fighting off enemy fire then when the rescue helicopter came he got his comrades on to it first, but was shot when he was hauled aboard. I found it very moving.
I wasn't sure how much okra to expect, but I think I vaguely remember learning at school that it is 28lbs, and that's what it looked like.
I didn't even go to the Dinner because my appointment with Rosalyn's therapist - at the Holistic Healing Center - was at 5.30, and the dinner was at 6.00. Rosalyn suggested I go for the dessert and after dinner chat but I didn't feel like it. She got the organisers to make me up a plate and they dropped it in, so I will have it tomorrow.
The therapy didn't really work for me this time. Heat seems to be the only thing that helps it. And Ibuprofen, although that needs to be a bit stronger.
In the news.....I've written about the small town in California where the city officials were getting more money than the President. Today eight of them have been arrested and most of the eight are facing long jail terms. The Chief of Police who only had a handful of officers under him, was earning more than the Los Angeles Police Chief with dozens of officers but he wasn't arrested, there wasn't enough evidence to charge him. The District Attorney of course was asked why and said he would have charged his mother if there had been enough evidence.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday/Monday
Sunday
Seem to have spent the day in and out of church and dealing with my back pain. I went to the adult Sunday school at 9 but had to leave half way through to go home for some Ibuprofen. Went back for the 10.30 Service.
Went back to church at 1.30 for the annual 'Ask the Rabbi' session. I mentioned that 25 of us went to the Hebrew Congregation in Seminole recently and celebrated their Rosh Hashanah with them, then their Rabbi comes out to Emmanuel for a questions and answers session.
I borrowed Bruce's small electric massager for my back pain - which helps - and he brought it out to Emmanuel and stayed for the session with the Rabbi.
I was back in church at 4 for the six week course on prayer that one of our members is leading.
Monday
I have just been dealing with my back pain for most of the day. I made an appointment for tomorrow afternoon, which is the earliest she could fit me in, for Rosalyn's therapist to give me a massage. I bought a heat patch, but it was not as effective as the more bulky wrap I've used in the past and it made my skin rather sore. I did manage to doze during the day. I hope it will all be a bit better tomorrow.
Seem to have spent the day in and out of church and dealing with my back pain. I went to the adult Sunday school at 9 but had to leave half way through to go home for some Ibuprofen. Went back for the 10.30 Service.
Went back to church at 1.30 for the annual 'Ask the Rabbi' session. I mentioned that 25 of us went to the Hebrew Congregation in Seminole recently and celebrated their Rosh Hashanah with them, then their Rabbi comes out to Emmanuel for a questions and answers session.
I borrowed Bruce's small electric massager for my back pain - which helps - and he brought it out to Emmanuel and stayed for the session with the Rabbi.
I was back in church at 4 for the six week course on prayer that one of our members is leading.
Monday
I have just been dealing with my back pain for most of the day. I made an appointment for tomorrow afternoon, which is the earliest she could fit me in, for Rosalyn's therapist to give me a massage. I bought a heat patch, but it was not as effective as the more bulky wrap I've used in the past and it made my skin rather sore. I did manage to doze during the day. I hope it will all be a bit better tomorrow.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday
Went to gospel singing at the Senior Centre then on to the hospital. It is Larry Sparks day off but he had come in earlier and ran off the patient sheets for Pattisue and I.
I had an e-mail from Fr Clark, timed at 11.07 - which he'd sent to all the pastoral care team - saying that a church member's father had died at 9.20 this morning and the funeral has been arranged for next Tuesday. It always astonishes me how quickly funerals are arranged here, and just when I was thinking that is the quickest so far, I got to the hospital and Larry had left a note on the board to say a patient in ICU has been taken off life support. I went up there after lunch to see how the family were doing and the nurse told me the patient was still alive, the family were in the waiting room, and they had arranged the funeral. Memo to my loved ones. Please let me die before you arrange my funeral.
I would have thought they'd need a death certificate, but perhaps they just booked the day and time and said the death certificate is on the way.
I had an e-mail from Fr Clark, timed at 11.07 - which he'd sent to all the pastoral care team - saying that a church member's father had died at 9.20 this morning and the funeral has been arranged for next Tuesday. It always astonishes me how quickly funerals are arranged here, and just when I was thinking that is the quickest so far, I got to the hospital and Larry had left a note on the board to say a patient in ICU has been taken off life support. I went up there after lunch to see how the family were doing and the nurse told me the patient was still alive, the family were in the waiting room, and they had arranged the funeral. Memo to my loved ones. Please let me die before you arrange my funeral.
I would have thought they'd need a death certificate, but perhaps they just booked the day and time and said the death certificate is on the way.
Thursday
One of the most popular speakers was at Kiwanis this morning, the Shawnee Fire Chief, who plays the guitar and has a voice as good as any professional country and western artist, or gospel singer. He talked a bit about fire precautions and, which was quite interesting, the effect of budget cuts and the recession on the staffing levels. Services, like the Fire Dept, are financed from the state tax, if people shopped less in Shawnee, as they have been during the recession, the revenue goes down. Which is also a very strong argument for shopping locally.
After the meals on wheels run I went to Emmanuel. Fr Clark though was in the City at a Board meeting so we didn't have Communion. The deacon, Doyal, lead a short prayer service then eleven of us went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant.
In the news......A group of doctors in the DC have launched an anti Macdonalds tv ad campaign. For a country which is constantly shouting for less government they are very keen on the food police here. The ad features a guy stretched out in a mortuary, holding a half eaten hamburger, weeping relatives beside him, and a tag appears on his toe with the Macdonalds logo and 'I was loving it'. Apparently the DC has the highest rate of heart disease in the nation, and more Macdonalds than anywhere else.
After the meals on wheels run I went to Emmanuel. Fr Clark though was in the City at a Board meeting so we didn't have Communion. The deacon, Doyal, lead a short prayer service then eleven of us went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant.
In the news......A group of doctors in the DC have launched an anti Macdonalds tv ad campaign. For a country which is constantly shouting for less government they are very keen on the food police here. The ad features a guy stretched out in a mortuary, holding a half eaten hamburger, weeping relatives beside him, and a tag appears on his toe with the Macdonalds logo and 'I was loving it'. Apparently the DC has the highest rate of heart disease in the nation, and more Macdonalds than anywhere else.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday
Did the meals on wheels and went straight on to the hospital. Larry Sparks, the Chaplain, had been called in at 3 am to a death and went home at 8. He'd gone round ICU so Pattisue and I went round the 2nd and 3rd floors. They weren't too many patients. I am not quite sure if Keith is going to be replaced, or the chaplaincy is going to be re-organised.
I felt very tired when I got home, I'd woken up so early, and lay down and fell asleep almost as soon as I got in.
Went to the Wednesday meal at Emmanuel, and afterwards there was a meeting with the leaders of the Family Promise programme, as Emmanuel is going to host homeless families and pregnant mothers overnight, for a week at a time, every ten weeks. At the moment we are helping at University Baptist for two nights every ten weeks.
Families are just accommodated overnight because they spend the days at a Day Centre where their cases are managed. Three teams are needed when it is our turn to host them. One to prepare a meal, another to cover the evening with them, and the third to stay overnight. I opted for the overnight stay. I didn't want to cook and I'm not very good at socialising whereas staying overnight just involves getting there at 8.30 and leaving the next morning, which is what I have done when I've helped at University Baptist. I take my lovely silk duvet with me, which is unbelievably soft and comfortable, it's the only time I get to use it because I can't put it on the bed and have Bubbles prancing all over it.
I felt very tired when I got home, I'd woken up so early, and lay down and fell asleep almost as soon as I got in.
Went to the Wednesday meal at Emmanuel, and afterwards there was a meeting with the leaders of the Family Promise programme, as Emmanuel is going to host homeless families and pregnant mothers overnight, for a week at a time, every ten weeks. At the moment we are helping at University Baptist for two nights every ten weeks.
Families are just accommodated overnight because they spend the days at a Day Centre where their cases are managed. Three teams are needed when it is our turn to host them. One to prepare a meal, another to cover the evening with them, and the third to stay overnight. I opted for the overnight stay. I didn't want to cook and I'm not very good at socialising whereas staying overnight just involves getting there at 8.30 and leaving the next morning, which is what I have done when I've helped at University Baptist. I take my lovely silk duvet with me, which is unbelievably soft and comfortable, it's the only time I get to use it because I can't put it on the bed and have Bubbles prancing all over it.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday
I went to the Gospel Singing this morning at the Senior Centre. And to Walmart this afternoon for pear and chocolate trifle ingredients which I making for dessert for Wednesday's meal tomorrow.
This evening I went to Sharon's Neighbourhood Watch meeting at St Benedict's Street deli and restaurant. They didn't have a speaker, they were just discussing - after the meal - a neighbourhood clean up operation. I've mentioned before that when two or three are gathered together there are door prizes, usually in the shape of party bags but the door prizes tonight were all spread out on a table and everyone helped themselves to what they wanted. I took some fridge magnets, a book and this baseball cap. Being able to pull the brim over my eyes will cut the glare of the sun in the early evening, and I am quite pleased with it.
The baseball team is The Cardinals (birds, not Catholic bishops) from St Louis, Missouri. So I shall support them in future.
I took this photo yesterday, waiting at the tyre centre. My car is the middle one in the picture and I took the photo sitting in the waiting room behind a big sheet of glass.
This photo I took in Larry Spark's church on Sunday. In almost every row there is an extra large seat for the clinically obese and if I am not careful I will soon be a candidate for one of these. But I am trying to eat less. A kind friend who follows my blog gently pointed out that for the sake of my health I should lose some weight. I think the fact that there is a very high incidence of diabetes here is because everyone is so obese. Looking at these seats I think this is the most fat friendly church I've been in.
A close up of the baseball cap. The Cardinals (the birds) always look so exotic hopping about in the garden, like they should be in an aviary in Drusillas.
Reading through this I'm struck by the fact that the narrative and photos aren't wildly exciting, but then isn't most of life mundane. Going to church, dealing with a flat tyre, a neighbourhood watch meeting, winning a baseball cap.
Dominating the news.....is the fact that today was the last of the primary elections before the General Election on November 2nd. And a candidate from the emerging Tea Party did exceptionally well and came first. The Tea Party is more Republican than the Republicans, and the Republicans are not pleased with her for beating their candidate and have said they are not going to support her in the General Election.
This evening I went to Sharon's Neighbourhood Watch meeting at St Benedict's Street deli and restaurant. They didn't have a speaker, they were just discussing - after the meal - a neighbourhood clean up operation. I've mentioned before that when two or three are gathered together there are door prizes, usually in the shape of party bags but the door prizes tonight were all spread out on a table and everyone helped themselves to what they wanted. I took some fridge magnets, a book and this baseball cap. Being able to pull the brim over my eyes will cut the glare of the sun in the early evening, and I am quite pleased with it.
This photo I took in Larry Spark's church on Sunday. In almost every row there is an extra large seat for the clinically obese and if I am not careful I will soon be a candidate for one of these. But I am trying to eat less. A kind friend who follows my blog gently pointed out that for the sake of my health I should lose some weight. I think the fact that there is a very high incidence of diabetes here is because everyone is so obese. Looking at these seats I think this is the most fat friendly church I've been in.
Reading through this I'm struck by the fact that the narrative and photos aren't wildly exciting, but then isn't most of life mundane. Going to church, dealing with a flat tyre, a neighbourhood watch meeting, winning a baseball cap.
Dominating the news.....is the fact that today was the last of the primary elections before the General Election on November 2nd. And a candidate from the emerging Tea Party did exceptionally well and came first. The Tea Party is more Republican than the Republicans, and the Republicans are not pleased with her for beating their candidate and have said they are not going to support her in the General Election.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday
Just been running round today; housekeeping jobs and errands, and meals on wheels.
I went to the Social Security Office - not that I will ever qualify for any social security but I thought I should have a number, everyone seems to have a number. When he started scrolling through my immigration records I knew it was going to take ages. I started getting restive, like a whiny child. "Where is your filtered coffee?" "How long will this take, I thought you closed at 4 o'clock". There was obviously a problem somewhere because someone else was called in but they were not going to enlighten me as to the cause of it. Finally said they will be in touch with me.
When I was crossing the parking lot someone kindly pointed out that I had a nearly flat tyre, fortunately there was a tyre centre just a few yards away. I had a screw in it (goodness knows where that came from) so I had another wait. And they were out of filtered coffee too.
I also had to go to the cemetery. I went over the weekend and found all the turf dug up over Larry's grave, I thought they'd put someone in on top of him. So I went back this morning to find out what was going on and when were they going to put the headstone there. That was actually what they are in the process of doing, but it was confusing because the area dug up was the size of the grave, and the headstone is quite small.
People here have some extraordinary names. Oftentimes when I go into a patient's room at the hospital I have no idea what sex they will be. This is a few from yesterday's birthdays in the local paper. Macy; Danica; Skylar; Zane; Dicey; Briar; Cory; Holvis.
In the news.....The underwear bomber has sacked his counsel and intends to represent himself. Wouldn't you think they'd just let him get on with it?? The guy is charged with Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction, he tried to blow up a North West Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit with 300 people on board. But the Judge is gently counselling him about the inadvisability of defending himself, pointing out that he is not familiar with the laws. She offered to provide him with another public defender he "could try out for a month or two" but she didn't change his mind so she is going to assign him 'standby counsel' to answer any questions he might have.
Some time ago I wrote about the public officials of a small town who gave themselves astronomical salaries, twice that of the President. The residents of this town have just been awarded $3million in refunds.
I went to the Social Security Office - not that I will ever qualify for any social security but I thought I should have a number, everyone seems to have a number. When he started scrolling through my immigration records I knew it was going to take ages. I started getting restive, like a whiny child. "Where is your filtered coffee?" "How long will this take, I thought you closed at 4 o'clock". There was obviously a problem somewhere because someone else was called in but they were not going to enlighten me as to the cause of it. Finally said they will be in touch with me.
When I was crossing the parking lot someone kindly pointed out that I had a nearly flat tyre, fortunately there was a tyre centre just a few yards away. I had a screw in it (goodness knows where that came from) so I had another wait. And they were out of filtered coffee too.
I also had to go to the cemetery. I went over the weekend and found all the turf dug up over Larry's grave, I thought they'd put someone in on top of him. So I went back this morning to find out what was going on and when were they going to put the headstone there. That was actually what they are in the process of doing, but it was confusing because the area dug up was the size of the grave, and the headstone is quite small.
People here have some extraordinary names. Oftentimes when I go into a patient's room at the hospital I have no idea what sex they will be. This is a few from yesterday's birthdays in the local paper. Macy; Danica; Skylar; Zane; Dicey; Briar; Cory; Holvis.
In the news.....The underwear bomber has sacked his counsel and intends to represent himself. Wouldn't you think they'd just let him get on with it?? The guy is charged with Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction, he tried to blow up a North West Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit with 300 people on board. But the Judge is gently counselling him about the inadvisability of defending himself, pointing out that he is not familiar with the laws. She offered to provide him with another public defender he "could try out for a month or two" but she didn't change his mind so she is going to assign him 'standby counsel' to answer any questions he might have.
Some time ago I wrote about the public officials of a small town who gave themselves astronomical salaries, twice that of the President. The residents of this town have just been awarded $3million in refunds.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Remembering 9/11
Spent almost all day - apart from going out for one or two things and getting gas - watching television which has all been about 9/11.
I knew that nearly 3,000 people died but I didn't know before that there were 50,000 people in the Twin Towers. The New York Fire Department, who lost 343 members, saved thousands of lives running up the stairs getting people down. 23 from the Police Department died, and 37 from the Port Authority.
48 children of victims were born after 9/11.
Obama laid a wreath at The Pentagon. Joe Biden and his wife were at Ground Zero, and Michelle Obama and Laura Bush were in Pennsylvania, paying tribute to the victims of the flight which was hijacked and crashed.
It was really quite emotional watching it all.
Coming out of the Senior Centre yesterday there was a chair in the foyer which looked practically new, for $10 and I snapped it up. I needed another one in the computer room for the other desk/table.
Bubbles has decided to make herself comfortable on it, so I draped a blanket over it to protect it from her cat hairs.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Eve of 9/11
I went to the hospital at 10 for Keith's little send-off in the cafeteria.
The Cake.
Keith and I.
Keith and Larry
Me, Donna and Pattisue. Looking at these pictures I have absolutely GOT to do two things. 1. Stop eating. It doesn't hit me how overweight I am until I see photos of myself. 2. Do something about my hair, I can't remember the last time I went to a hairdresser.
I just stayed about half an hour, then did a few things in town and went back for lunch. The others stayed in the cafeteria socialising then had an early lunch and we just finishing when I got back. Pattisue stayed and chatted while I had my lunch. Then took the pictures in the office afterwards. Pattisue and I went round the floors and there were more patients today than there has been. I think I saw about sixteen. There were quite a few empty rooms though.
Weather was normal. Bright sun and searing heat. I'll be glad when it really gets into autumn.
I just stayed about half an hour, then did a few things in town and went back for lunch. The others stayed in the cafeteria socialising then had an early lunch and we just finishing when I got back. Pattisue stayed and chatted while I had my lunch. Then took the pictures in the office afterwards. Pattisue and I went round the floors and there were more patients today than there has been. I think I saw about sixteen. There were quite a few empty rooms though.
Weather was normal. Bright sun and searing heat. I'll be glad when it really gets into autumn.
Thursday
When I woke up this morning the weather was lovely. Overcast, grey and chilly but the sun came out and the temperatures rose. There must be something in my British psyche, I've obviously had too much hot sunshine and I'm inwardly screaming "enough, enough".
Kiwanis speaker this morning was from United Way which is a world wide charitable organisation, but she was talking about all the charitable agencies they represent in and around Shawnee, and the work they do. They fund, for example, the meals on wheels and the evening meals provided by the Salvation Army. They provided 12,000 lunches for children during the summer holiday; scholarships for the YMCA; a domestic violence refuge centre; a safe centre for children; car seats for babies leaving the maternity unit - to mention just a few of them. All the things our Social Services would do but this isn't a welfare state so everything is funded from peoples goodwill and generosity.
I went to the hospital chapel at lunchtime for their midweek service. We didn't have our usual Thursday 'class, Mass and lunch', Doyal who leads the class wasn't well, so everything else goes by the board. Keith's departure as assistant chaplain was formally announced. There is going to be a little send off for him on Friday morning.
This afternoon I was looking for directions on Google to the Jasmine Moran Childrens' Museum in Seminole, it's the largest inter active children's museum in the world and I thought I might go out there this weekend, but they are closed for the fortnight after Labour Day, I'll see if I can go next week.
Jasmine Moran was the lovely English lady I was engrossed in conversation with last night at the Hebrew Centre in Seminole, so much so that I hadn't realised the entire room had emptied around us, and everyone from Emmanuel was waiting on the bus, until Jane came to gently lead me away, saying "I'm sorry to break this up". I even had an e-mail from Fr Clark this morning saying he hoped I'd enjoyed the Rosh Hashanah celebration last night, and my friend Jasmine Moran.
She and her husband Melvin are the unofficial leaders of the Congregation, and Jane was telling me on the bus that Melvin - who is as kind, nice and unassuming as she is - has written a book in which he talks about their relationship.
In the news.....It has been discovered that Mexican drug cartels, to save themselves some hassle trying to smuggle marijuana across the border have taken to growing it on public land in remote, inaccessible regions of the US.
I didn't know until today that marijuana is related to hops used in the production of beer.
Every news programme is full of the Elections, and it will be thus until November 2nd. At the moment the Democrats control the Presidency, House and Senate and it is widely expected that the House will fall to the Republicans, and possibly the Senate as well. If it does Congress has vowed to repeal the Health Care Bill.
Kiwanis speaker this morning was from United Way which is a world wide charitable organisation, but she was talking about all the charitable agencies they represent in and around Shawnee, and the work they do. They fund, for example, the meals on wheels and the evening meals provided by the Salvation Army. They provided 12,000 lunches for children during the summer holiday; scholarships for the YMCA; a domestic violence refuge centre; a safe centre for children; car seats for babies leaving the maternity unit - to mention just a few of them. All the things our Social Services would do but this isn't a welfare state so everything is funded from peoples goodwill and generosity.
I went to the hospital chapel at lunchtime for their midweek service. We didn't have our usual Thursday 'class, Mass and lunch', Doyal who leads the class wasn't well, so everything else goes by the board. Keith's departure as assistant chaplain was formally announced. There is going to be a little send off for him on Friday morning.
This afternoon I was looking for directions on Google to the Jasmine Moran Childrens' Museum in Seminole, it's the largest inter active children's museum in the world and I thought I might go out there this weekend, but they are closed for the fortnight after Labour Day, I'll see if I can go next week.
Jasmine Moran was the lovely English lady I was engrossed in conversation with last night at the Hebrew Centre in Seminole, so much so that I hadn't realised the entire room had emptied around us, and everyone from Emmanuel was waiting on the bus, until Jane came to gently lead me away, saying "I'm sorry to break this up". I even had an e-mail from Fr Clark this morning saying he hoped I'd enjoyed the Rosh Hashanah celebration last night, and my friend Jasmine Moran.
She and her husband Melvin are the unofficial leaders of the Congregation, and Jane was telling me on the bus that Melvin - who is as kind, nice and unassuming as she is - has written a book in which he talks about their relationship.
In the news.....It has been discovered that Mexican drug cartels, to save themselves some hassle trying to smuggle marijuana across the border have taken to growing it on public land in remote, inaccessible regions of the US.
I didn't know until today that marijuana is related to hops used in the production of beer.
Every news programme is full of the Elections, and it will be thus until November 2nd. At the moment the Democrats control the Presidency, House and Senate and it is widely expected that the House will fall to the Republicans, and possibly the Senate as well. If it does Congress has vowed to repeal the Health Care Bill.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year
It has been raining very heavily almost all day, but after a long spell of bright sun and searing heat it is a refreshing change.
There weren't too many patients again in the hospital today. I saw ten on the 2nd floor, and 4 in ICU. Keith, the head chaplain's assistant, sat Pattisue and I down in the office and said he would be leaving on Friday. He has a problem with the Pentecostal/Holiness church he pastors and is leaving them, but as pastoring them and working at the hospital were both part time jobs he now needs to take a full time job.
This evening about 25 of us from Emmanuel went to the Hebrew Congregation in Seminole to celebrate their New Year with them.
A dozen of us went in the church bus and ate at a Mexican Restaurant first.
This is a lovely couple in our church who have friends in the Hebrew Congregation, and drove the bus.
Sharon.
Everything Mexican is very colourful and I love their chairs.
Refreshments were also served after the Service. I chatted for quite a while afterwards with the wife of the leader, who is English from Essex, but has lived over here for 56 years. She was very sweet and charming and I could have talked to her for hours but Mike and Jane had everyone on the bus and Jane had to come and get me.
I got home at 10 o'clock.
There weren't too many patients again in the hospital today. I saw ten on the 2nd floor, and 4 in ICU. Keith, the head chaplain's assistant, sat Pattisue and I down in the office and said he would be leaving on Friday. He has a problem with the Pentecostal/Holiness church he pastors and is leaving them, but as pastoring them and working at the hospital were both part time jobs he now needs to take a full time job.
This evening about 25 of us from Emmanuel went to the Hebrew Congregation in Seminole to celebrate their New Year with them.
A dozen of us went in the church bus and ate at a Mexican Restaurant first.
This is a lovely couple in our church who have friends in the Hebrew Congregation, and drove the bus.
Sharon.
Refreshments were also served after the Service. I chatted for quite a while afterwards with the wife of the leader, who is English from Essex, but has lived over here for 56 years. She was very sweet and charming and I could have talked to her for hours but Mike and Jane had everyone on the bus and Jane had to come and get me.
I got home at 10 o'clock.
Post Labour Day
Tuesday morning at the Senior Centre
I didn't make anything for the bake sale because they sell the cakes for less than it costs to make them, in my opinion, but Louise said my British items are a talking point, people look for them, so next month I might make some rock cakes. To support them though I bought quite a few chocolate brownies for the Wednesday evening dessert tomorrow at Emmanuel. It is the Jewish New Year and most of the church are going to the Hebrew Congregation at Seminole, but the young people are eating at Emmanuel first. The grown ups like me are stopping off at a Mexican restaurant.
This evening I went out to the movies downtown with Rosalyn, we saw 'The Grown Ups'. The concession stand in the foyer makes more money than the film (the tickets are only a $1.50) and absolutely every single person going in buys popcorn and soda, except me. No one is allowed to take in their own food and drink but I smuggle in my own fruit drink, made in my blender (my melon and Margarita mixer). Rosalyn is very careful - far more so than I am - at what she eats and drinks, so this is the only occasion she is consuming chemicals and preservatives and I am the one with the healthy option. I don't get caught with my illicit drink, there is never any staff in the actual cinema, no usherettes with torches (do they still have those at home?).
When I came home I watched the repeat of my Food Network competition at midnight while Bubbles snuggled herself into me, and not liking to disturb her I just napped until she got up. So it is the middle of the night and this blog will have Wednesday's date on it.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labour Day - end of summer
It is the last day of summer, not that you would know it. When I went out I thought it must be about 100; although I didn't pass any roadside thermometers the sun was burning my arm through the car window. I think there is heavy rain forecast for Wednesday. Not that there is any other kind of rain except heavy.
As I didn't have any commitments today, meals on wheels or hospital chaplaincy duties, I would have gone to the Cultural Centre of the Seminole Nation, which is fairly nearby, but oddly museums and cultural centres are closed on holidays. I might go tomorrow after gospel singing at the Senior Centre.
Ever since I came here supermarket tabloid headlines have either been screaming that William and Kate are getting married, or the wicked stepmother is tearing them apart. But today Fox News have been reporting that an engagement is imminent, and credible reporters from London are confirming it. The wedding is going to be in St George's Chapel, Windsor, apparently. And in 2011. They don't usually wait long once the British media start mentioning it. I wouldn't be surprised if it was next week. It can't be 2012 apparently, it's the Olympic Games. I can't see what difference that makes, neither of them are competing.
I haven't done much today. Just went out to a supermarket for some French fries. I don't like holidays much, I didn't really like them at home. I think you need to be working to appreciate them.
As I didn't have any commitments today, meals on wheels or hospital chaplaincy duties, I would have gone to the Cultural Centre of the Seminole Nation, which is fairly nearby, but oddly museums and cultural centres are closed on holidays. I might go tomorrow after gospel singing at the Senior Centre.
Ever since I came here supermarket tabloid headlines have either been screaming that William and Kate are getting married, or the wicked stepmother is tearing them apart. But today Fox News have been reporting that an engagement is imminent, and credible reporters from London are confirming it. The wedding is going to be in St George's Chapel, Windsor, apparently. And in 2011. They don't usually wait long once the British media start mentioning it. I wouldn't be surprised if it was next week. It can't be 2012 apparently, it's the Olympic Games. I can't see what difference that makes, neither of them are competing.
I haven't done much today. Just went out to a supermarket for some French fries. I don't like holidays much, I didn't really like them at home. I think you need to be working to appreciate them.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday
I called on Bruce and Rosalyn this afternoon. When I was suffering from back pain recently they lent me an electric thingy to massage it, which worked very well, and I returned it this afternoon. At the same time they gave me the things their precious Persimmon bequeathed to her bessy mate. The black and white rug is for scratching her claws on and she soon made herself at home on it. She was napping in the computer room when I put it down, and when I went out into the living room I found she had made herself at home on it.
Persimmon also had numerous toys and I introduced Bubbles to a mouse on a string which she seems to enjoy playing with. This photo of me holding the string in my right hand and the camera in my left was a bit tricky to take but seems to have come out quite well. As I type I can hear her batting it round the living room floor. Rosalyn also gave me Persimmon's cat carrier and as she was demonstrating how to put Bubbles in it I said nervously that I couldn't see myself taking her anywhere on my own.
In the news...... No one is quite sure how these goats got on to the ledge of this bridge but it is believed they wandered out there in the night. They were eventually brought down by a cherry picker.
The highest ranking drug lord in the Mexican drug war has been captured. I wish I had my camera handy when he was on television. I can't quite get my head round the fact that he is facing life imprisonment without parole but he is photographed standing beside his heavily armed, stony faced guards SMIRKING!!!! He is actually a US citizen from Texas.
I was reading in my local paper an article about Ciudad Juarez on the Mexican border, said to be the most dangerous place on earth. There is constant gunfire ringing out round the city. I mentioned a few weeks ago a bullet from one of these gun battles flew across the Rio Grande and hit the City Hall in El Paso, and fairly recently in another battle one flew into the University of Texas in El Paso and went right through a window. These stray bullets can travel a mile apparently. Is this the Wild West or what?????
On a lighter note.....someone has developed a means of frying beer and is showing it at the Texas State Fair. It is encased in dough and looks like a ravioli. I'd like to know what Roy's take on it would have been. No one knows how he seals the beer in the dough, he says that's his trade secret. The tv presenters who tasted it said they preferred their beer cold.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday 3 September
Just doing jobs around the house until it was time to go to the hospital at lunchtime. When I arrived there was a message for me on the office notice board..
This little buggy rides round the hospital car park picking people up and dropping them off at the door. The car park isn't really very big, but just a ride of a few feet is a blessing in the heat.
I went round the third floor but it didn't take me long. Most of the patients had either been discharged, or were packed and waiting to go.
Afterwards did some shopping at Walmart. Called at the computer shop to ask them to sort out the card readers on the desktop. It was rather late in the afternoon though so they won't be out until Tuesday.
This is a major holiday weekend, the official end of summer. Starts with them all bbq-ing on Memorial Day in June and finishes with them still bbq-ing on Labour Day on Monday. This is the only country in the world where Labour Day isn't on the lst May.
I will take down all the little summer decorations I put up on Memorial Day, and dig out the autumn decorations from last year and put them up this weekend.
In the news......4 people were killed in a gangland shooting in Chicago. The Police Chief called all the gang leaders to a meeting last month and told them he was cracking down on them. Eat your heart out Al Capone. During the recent corruption trial of the Illinois governor people were shrugging and saying it was just Chicago politics.
28,000 people have died since the Mexican President declared war on the drug cartels in 2006, but the Government is winning the war and the drug cartels are getting more desperate.
It wouldn't happen at Wimbledon..................................
And Hurricane Earl was downgraded to a tropical storm. Praise the Lord.
Pattisue, Larry Sparks the head Chaplain, and the President and CEO of the Hospital.
I went round the third floor but it didn't take me long. Most of the patients had either been discharged, or were packed and waiting to go.
Afterwards did some shopping at Walmart. Called at the computer shop to ask them to sort out the card readers on the desktop. It was rather late in the afternoon though so they won't be out until Tuesday.
This is a major holiday weekend, the official end of summer. Starts with them all bbq-ing on Memorial Day in June and finishes with them still bbq-ing on Labour Day on Monday. This is the only country in the world where Labour Day isn't on the lst May.
I will take down all the little summer decorations I put up on Memorial Day, and dig out the autumn decorations from last year and put them up this weekend.
In the news......4 people were killed in a gangland shooting in Chicago. The Police Chief called all the gang leaders to a meeting last month and told them he was cracking down on them. Eat your heart out Al Capone. During the recent corruption trial of the Illinois governor people were shrugging and saying it was just Chicago politics.
28,000 people have died since the Mexican President declared war on the drug cartels in 2006, but the Government is winning the war and the drug cartels are getting more desperate.
And Hurricane Earl was downgraded to a tropical storm. Praise the Lord.
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