Compassion

Friday is my day to volunteer at the hospital for a couple of hours.  People who are there for one day surgery sign in and I call the nurses' station to announce that their next patient is there.
One of the reasons that I enjoy the waiting room is that I run into people and former students from years passed.  That was the case today.
I asked a friendly looking young man if he would please get the top/lid off of my bottle of Snapple. [I have a hard time with that, and I didn't want to pound it on the desk to 'pop the seal' the way I do at home.]  When I looked at his face, I realized that it was a familiar one...a former student.
While he was easy to recall and a wonderful young man as a student, it was his sister who left a profound and lasting impression.on me.  A great kid and a pleasure to teach, she was obviously a very compassionate person even at the age of ten.
She quietly raised her hand in the middle of a lesson and said,
"Please excuse my interruption, but there is a moth caught in a spider web right outside the window, and it is very stressed.  Could I please just let it go so that it won't die trying to get free?"
Well, of course!
She hopped up on the window shelf and her good friend held her waist while I held her feet as she freed that struggling moth/butterfly.
Whew!  What a simple yet grand gesture to another living creature!

So as her brother left, I asked him to say hello to his sister for me, and ask her if she remembers rescuing a moth from a spider's web in 5th grade.
'Cause I sure do!!

My contribution to honoring our veterans this year is to host an AARP Safe Driving Class.  They are offering the course to veterans and their spouse for free in the month of November.  Some sort of military ID is required and it generally adds up to a savings of $200 over a three year span. I advertised the class online and sent the info to the local newspaper.  Well, just as in 'The Field of Dreams' quote states:
"If you build it [a baseball field], they will come."
There were so many responses that not only did my 2 day class fill up quickly, but I went online to find other courses being offered in the surrounding area so that I could refer the phone calls that kept on coming for people who wanted to register. 
[google:  www.AARP November Safe Driving class ...and your zip code].
It was kind of humbling to check the identification info and fascinating to hear about some of their travels.
"Twenty years in the Army."
"I was a Marine.
"Navy...Air Force... "
One man brought in a framed document that he had taken off of his wall!!
God bless them one and all.  They have my respect and gratitude.

She Who Laughs...Lasts.

It has been mentioned that I can be entertaining....sometimes on purpose in the form of a practical joke but quite often without any prior planning or assistance... and the joke is on me.

For the past two Saturdays, I had scheduled another two session Safe Driving Class. They were a week apart so that people who work Monday through Friday can sign up to 'think safety' as well as 'save money'. I know that the true motivation is to save money, but that's okay with me.

On the first Saturday, it was evident that my arthritis was in a flare. I explained that my right knee was pretty annoyed because of the lack of arthritis meds, along with my failed attempt in auditioning for The Rockettes.[kidding.] The people that I meet in these classes are always so kind and helpful, and this group of drivers was no different. They love telling scary driving stories.

By the time that the next Saturday rolled around, I had resumed all of those wonderful medicines that help me function better. Everyone was genuinely glad to see that I was doing better, and I did a couple of Rockette kicks to show them how flexible my right knee had become.[ for real] One man even 'brought the teacher' a chocolate donut as a kind gesture.

We had just come back from a quick break, and I had directed them to the next page when from the back table, I heard...

"Mare, you have a green sticker on your face!"
"What? I do? Where?"
"Right under your chin."

I reached under my chin, and there was a round 'fluorescent green' sale sticker that had 40 on it. I immediately recognized it from a salesman's sale that I had gone to on Thursday, and then I had removed that sticker off of the box that I purchased. That was done in my dining room. How it became affixed to my chin...is a mystery.

When I aked how long it had been there, she said it was on my shirt and she thought maybe it was a part of the design. When it appeared under my chin, she knew it wasn't supposed to be there.

There I was...on sale for a mere 40...what a bargain!!

We all got a good laugh at that. It was quite the unscripted break and I thanked the woman for telling me that it was there. It is similar to a good friend who will tell you if you have broccoli in your teeth or maybe need to use a tissue. It is good to know.
There are always a laugh or two in these classes. This one was right up there with the time I told the people that there were some Ritz Crappers on the back table for anyone who would like some.

Thank goodness that I am able to laugh along with the people even when it is at my expense. A whole room full of people laughing...fun, fun, fun!

Tiny Dancer at 8...and again at 80!

As a society, we celebrate perfection... in the arts, Olympics, design, specialty cooking, sporting events, parties.
We relate to imperfection. It can be heartwarming and fulfilling using a different set of criteria or judgement...as in no judgment. Quite often, it is the spontaneous and unplanned misstep or two that can be just as appreciated as the perfect steps.

My [grand]niece is seven years old and is preparing for a dance recital. Most likely it will be three hours of song, dance, and sparkly costumes beaming out from beautiful smiling faces on stage in front of a captive audience.. I can remember attending her mother's starring performances some 30+ years ago. It is like a rite of passage.

What is most likely the best part of the show?

I nominate the little kid who is obviously out of step, moving in a direction totally different than the rest of the ensemble, and ultimately hits the deck with her too too above her head.

Today, this whole scenario came full circle.

I attended a hospital volunteer luncheon at a very nice restaurant in town. After the tasty meal and recognition awards were distributed, the entertainment took center stage. There were ten senior volunteers dressed in red and white who had agreed to showcase a couple of their line dancing routines. They get together once a week for the exercise, interaction and fun. And I commend them for their time and effort, but mostly for the good time that I had with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. In the second row on the far left was a beautiful little octogenarian who was clearly dancing to the beat of a different drummer...and she certainly was the highlight of the entire afternoon. Watching the dancers in front of her, and then those moving at her because she hadn't changed directions, she was just dancing up a storm. And the entire 'captive audience' was totally captivated by her innocence and charm. 'Dance recital gone wild' had come full circle...with an audience smiling at dancers they don't even know and enjoying every minute of it. Who was having the most fun?

That would be the 'tiny dancer' in the back row having the time of her life!

And so, I say ...thank you so much...to that tiny line dancer who danced 'outside the lines' and did it quite impressively. I cherished it, and you made my heart smile.

Speedbumps!!

Today was the first day of two of the Safe Driving classes that I host/teach. There were 33 people enrolled and their smiling faces and cooperative nature helped to take the edge of a kind of a 'bumpy start.'

I headed to the car this morning with my arms full of the registration forms and instruction books, and I unlocked the passenger door with the remote on my keyring. I placed all the materials on the seat, tossed the keys onto the driver's seat, closed the door, and headed around to get going.

The driver's side door would not open...it was locked. My keys were on the seat.
I quick stepped to the passenger door...it was also locked.
Everything was locked and the keys were inside. Damn!

I was praying that the spare set of keys in the house would be easily accessible, because I knew that at least half of the participants would arrive early. They always do!I I had planned to be 45 minutes early.
Thank ya, Jesus! Whew! On my way again.

Five minutes to the church auditorium where 7 tables and 35 chairs are generally set up and ready.

Wrong!!...4 tables and 20 chairs. Thankfully, those early birds pitched right in!

Then the TV/VCR was waist high instead of the regular high one. They said that the tall one was set up for something later, but when I couldn't get the short one to work...and they couldn't either...

They wheeled in the tall one. Whew!
Meanwhile, 33 people to register and get 'rollin' along'...I had worked up a bit of a sweat!!

We got right into it, and because I had prefilled out 60% of each form, we lost no time.

Did I mention that in the whirlwind of chaos, I managed to leave my pocketbook at home?!!

Tomorrow is Day 2 followed by lunch with a couple of friends.

Life is good.

And there ya have it!

Shooting the Breeze'!

A dozen or so 'wise old birds' gathered at the usual watering place to brush up on safety techniques and learn anew the ways to avoid crashes. A couple of highlights would include the discussion that ensued about the many ways that life has changed since we were kids. It got me thinking about my childhood and playing in the park with friends and other kids from the surrounding neighborhood. There were the usual swings, slides, a huge sandbox, basketball courts, and tennis courts which were purposefully turned into ice skating rinks in the winter. I can vividly recall the smell of smouldering mittens as we huddled around that warm barrel of fire. I'm thinking that would never exist in today's litigious society. The pavilion type clubhouse was the center of attention in the summer when the talent show was organized to present to an audience of our siblings and parents. We also wove baskets and created colorful lanyards. I also remember taking tap dancing lessons for a bit. Lots of fun stuff to do.

There was a very tall iron maypole with about six chain link individual 'hands-on' bars. Everyone would grab one and begin to run in a circle and then as our feet came off the ground...we were flying. I haven't seen a maypole in 50 years!!

The strange thing within its borders was a real air plane that we climbed all over the wings, the engine areas, etc. It was like an old blue war plane. I can't imagine how it came to rest there, and now as I think about it, I am shaking my head and thinking it was relatively strange as I see it now.

One of the participants in the driving class whose name was Elsie raised her hand and shared...

"Speaking of seeing, my sister took her husband and his brand new glasses back to 'Lens Crafters' and began to complain. "

The clerk asked what the problem was, and her sister answered,

"These are brand new glasses and he still doesn't see things the way I do!!"

The twenty three of us laughed together as we shared the homemade brownies that were brought in on the second day by a very thoughtful baker among them.

I had to ask Leonard how tall he was because at 87 he was still a very tall glass of water!

"I am 6ft. 3 in. tall. I was 6 ft. 7in. tall but I have shrunk over the years!"

I wonder if I will see Leonard in three years for the next driver safety class. He would be 90 then and probably still sporting that very friendly smile and genuine sincerity in his eyes.The paperwork is done, and mailed to the two places that process the receipts.

The next class is the next two Saturday mornings from 9:30-12:30 at the local firehouse. It will include people who work during the week and have trouble finding a class to fit their working schedule.

Most likely there will be a different perspective to 'aggressive driving' and occasional 'road rage' that might occur getting to and from their jobs. There are 30 people signed up so far. Quite a robust flock that will gather together to 'shoot the breeze' while saving money on their car insurance. Better yet is that they may be saving lives...their own and possibly others, too.

The Newest Safety Seat Belts

The Latest Seat Belts Proven To Reduce Accidents!!!

With another Safe Driving class wrapped up and in the record book, hopefully there are now another 20 people with a renewed perspective about the road. Each time a group of 55+ year old folks get together, there are generally some laughs along with the safety discussions.

An example of this would be the suggested new design for seat belts. We had been talking about the vision and hearing changes that naturally occur as one ages. When asked if they ever 'don't hear' someone talking to them, a deep burly voice resonated,

"Only when it's my wife!!"

She was sitting right next to him and probably laughed the loudest of all of us.

The class was at a new location for me and it was almost perfection! My local church agreed to host the session, and we had a [former] classroom that was set up with tables, chairs, and a TV/VCR. Similar to the picture, one side was half window straight to the ceiling, and the 'postcard-type' snow that was happening outside was absolutely beautiful. And it was toasty warm, too!

So, what kept it from being perfect?

Well, every once in a while, the heating system would replenish the water going through the system, and it produced a sound similar to a boot kicking a metal radiator cover. It wasn't so much loud as it was unpredictable. About the third time it happened, it kind of naturally occurred right after I had finished making a point. [Cue: Bang!] And a woman voiced,

"Exclamation Point!!"

Some holiday cookies and snacks were brought in and shared on the second day. People were smiling and seemed to enjoy the whole experience as a group of friends. The comedian was in the back on the right side, and entertained us with some witty remarks. We were discussing the importance of leaving some space in front of you as you come to a red light or stop sign, and glancing in the rear view mirror to be sure that the car/truck behind you was really stopping also. That way, if you need to inch up to give them some space, you would have that option. A woman asked,

"What should you do if you see that they are not going to stop?"

Without missing a beat, the answer from the back advised,

"Hold on !!"

And that became the answer to all the questions after that, along with

"Exclamation Point!"

My personal version of the course evaluation is to hand out a half sheet of note paper and ask them to share with me if they found out something that they didn't already know, and/or would there be something that they would do differently as a result of our discussions. Responses included the usual ones of :

I will put a throw-away camera in the glove box.

I will be a more patient driver, and when the light turns green, I will 'look to the left' to make sure that someone is not trying to beat out the yellow light. [And hit me broadside!]

I feel more respectful of big trucks, their blind spots, and their inability to stop as fast as a car.

When making a left turn, I will keep the wheels straight until I actually begin the turn by stepping on the gas.

I will get OFF of the road to use my cell phone because there are no 'do-overs' with crashes.

One woman wrote that she had not taken any kind of driver training in 43 years, and that she didn't realize how much she needed to know. And that the teacher was 'quick, thorough, considerate, and charming!!'

I love the fact that maybe someone will slow down, and smell the roses a bit more. We do not need to be in such a hurry at all times.

And there you have it.

What I Really Meant Was...

On Wednesday and Thursday, I volunteered to teach another AARP Safe Driving Class. There were 24 people [ strangers to each other] sharing and bonding as we passed along tips that had been learned from experience. For example, when backing out of a driveway, along with looking to the left and right for a safe break to join the flow of traffic....be sure to also look BEHIND you. This was my particular learning experience because across the street was a car doing the exact same maneuver, and we both became aware of each other as our cars met in the middle of the road. We had backed into each other...crash! Quite an unexpected yet unpleasant surprise!

There was also some serious discussion about accidents that had happened as a result of backing up without checking for something/someone directly behind the car [a serious blind spot]. Someone shared the tragedy that happened as a result of already having your wheels turned left in preparing for a left turn and was hit into oncoming traffic by the car behind it that didn't stop fast enough. [ Keep your wheels straight until you are actually going to begin moving into the turn].
There is a relative amount of safety in sharing personal experiences with fellow classmates because there is no exchange of names and/or information that lasts beyond the two days. It is also a voluntary conversation which more often leads to laughter. When the laughter subsided, I said to them,
"This is one of the reasons that I volunteer to do this. It is so rewarding to see people laughing together and enjoying themselves."

Another tip that I share from a newspaper article that I read is to have a funny story or joke ready that you can recall in an effort to bring on a smile. It actually helps to counteract the stress you encounter from other drivers and situations. My regular example made people laugh, but I am sure that it will forever be remembered that earlier I had said,

"Okay, we're going to take a ten minute break. Grab your snack, or if you'd like, there are some 'Ritz crappers ' on the back table!!!"

[I obviously meant to say Ritz Crackers!}
I couldn't believe it!! OMG!!

Without missing a beat, a participant added,

"I think I'll pass on them. Thanks anyway!!!"

There was some hearty laughter, at my expense, the loudest of which was mine...I am sure!

After class, a very kind gentleman took out his wallet to get out one of his business cards for me. On the reverse side was the quote:

"A smile is a window on your face that shows your heart's at home."

This quote was submitted in a 'Salada Tea' contest by his wife and it won the Grand Prize!!!

Aboard the QE2 as they left the country, they had won a 17 day trip to Ireland and Scotland and stayed at the very best of hotels with first class accommodations all the way. The return trip was on The Concorde which travels at twice the speed of sound!

Now that was quite a prize!!

Kind of curious, I asked him,

"So, how did you and your wife meet ?"
He immediately waved her over to tell the story:

When she was 10 years old, she went on a bike ride. On her travels on country roads, she happened upon a driveway with 3 kids tending to a horse. She stopped to talk with the 2 girls and the boy, and then continued on her way. Fifteen years later, her friend arranged a blind date to accompany them on a double date. He was the boy in the driveway with the horse!!!

They've been married 47 years and have traveled to 72 countries including Antarctica.

Oh, the people you meet while talking about safe driving!

And, by the way, if you are tense, angry, or annoyed about something...whether it be an aggressive driver or an irritating relative...feel free to think about my 'Ritz Crappers' and it will help to take the edge off a bad situation as well as lower your blood pressure, too!!

Later today...

Today is the second day of teaching an AARP Safe Driving class, and I will get my blogging act together very soon. Until then, I must finish up helping 22 more people get some added perspective on safe driving. Along with some added humor! And some snacking, too!

Be back later...more stories...more stuff!

Perspective is Everything!

Everytime I teach a 'Safe Driving' class, I always learn something new from the participants. In different sessions, we have been fortunate to have a truck driver, a state trooper, an RV traveler, an insurance agent, a fire fighter, a nurse, among many other valuable contributors, and this class has a ...

Snow Plow Driver!! Wahoo! His perspective was very powerful. He talked about how much the truck weighed,[which makes it difficult to stop fast if some bozo pulls in front of him], the blind spots [especially on the passenger side], and how if you follow too closely and he stops....that you could wind up under his truck. And why anyone would want to pass such a force is a mystery. Trucks, snowplows, RV's, buses, ...cut them a break.

We were also told that you can get a ticket for a license plate frame from the dealership or the like. The same way you can get a ticket if there is anything hanging from your rear view mirror.

Also some very insightful thoughts on cell phones and texting.

It was a very nice sponsor[ a church] and location, but not the one in the photo. The room was set up, TV and VCR hooked up and ready, and coffee and refreshments were available, too!

I have an 85 year old woman who is fun, with laughing eyes...very personable. And a 20 year old young man.

Next Saturday is Part 2 and then class is dismissed with 25 safer drivers on the road.

I believe that my unique [haha]style of teaching keeps them listening[ or I may imitate snoring if I think they're not with me], and it's a no stress class. People are comfortable sharing ideas and opinions. More fun to come.

And for God's sake,

Get off of the phone and keep your distance from a flippin snow plow!~!

A Boy Named...

It snowed again...oh well. I began my Friday morning by quickly sweeping the snow off of the ramp on the way to my garage [which is across the street]. I pushed the automatic garage door opener, the door went up about two feet, and then it abruptly stopped. I thought that maybe the very cold temperature caused it to be tempermental. I pushed the button again and the door went back down to the ground. Let's try this again! Pushed the button...the door went up two feet...stopped. I pressed it again to lower it back down. And can you believe it...just like pushing an elevator button harder and repeatedly makes it show up at your floor faster...what did I do? I pushed it again expecting a different outcome! Did it work? No! Well, Hell's Bells!!

Fortunately the other side of the [2 car] garage has a door with a number key pad that will raise it when the correct 4 digits are entered. Into the garage go I!!!

Holy Moly...the hatch[back] of the car was stuck[as in attached] to the door, and that is why it would not open. I lowered the door, closed the back hatch, pushed the door opener, and VOILA! Success. The door opened all the way. Whew! Thank ya, Jesus!

I hopped in the car thinking that I could still be on time for my 9:30 appointment. Key into ignition...press it forward...nothing! I try again...nothing again! I can't believe how stupid I can be as I tell you that I did this a third time, too! It was not difficult to come to the conclusion that because the wayback had been open overnight and possible overhead lights on, the battery was dead. Damn!

Back into the house, cancelled the 9:30 appointment, called AAA, and waited for help. Alrighty then...AAA got the car running and I was on my way[after letting the car charge itself for 15-20 minutes] to volunteer at the hospital at 11 o'clock. They were happy to see me especially because the weather had prevented the 8-11 AM volunteer from getting there.

On the list of 'one day surgery' patients was a former student of mine. I thought she had already gone home, when I heard my name called out, and it was her! It was so nice to talk with her and her mother, too. She told me that she was student teaching right now and would soon have a degree to teach Science: Grades 6-12...Wahoo!!
An hour later when everyone had checked in and all of Monday's charts were ready, I began reading my book as relatives of patients waited to be called and join them. I looked up and there was a six foot blue-eyed young man who looked familiar.

"I know you...don't I!"

"Hi, Mrs. 5th Grade Teacher".[He knew my name.]

He told me that his mother [who was there] used to kid him that it was because of him that I retired a year later!!

"Not true...not true! It was my arthritis that did it!"

And later while chatting with his mom, I told her that what I remembered most [about her little darling] was that he was kind ...and it was certainly an admirable trait that many kids lacked. He is a very good kid! It was also wonderful to see him, too!

I have always wanted to be a guest speaker in college classrooms about to send out into the world the newest generation of teachers, and tell them that:

These little kids [ your students] are real people with real feelings, and you will meet them again when they are adults. Be respectful of the power that you have in their lives.

And wrapping it up on a lighter note, I have known many kids who had names that could be either male or female. Examples are Kelly, Stacy, Jess[ie], Shannon, ...

The last patient to check in was a man named...Hilary! First name: Hilary! I'm thinking that his teachers maybe had to run a little interference for him. His parents...What were they thinking?

A Double Vision...Surprise!!!

I was volunteering at the hospital doing my usual routine. I welcome people to the 'one day surgery' unit and let the staff know when patients arrive for their procedure. They approach a sign-in area that is about four feet high and I am seated at a desk facing them. Can you imagine how unique it was...to look up and see a pair of not quite five feet tall...81 year old women... identical twins' heads smiling back at me!!! I was almost speechless, and yet it was so great to see them. And chat with them. 81 year old twins!!
You just never know what life will present to you on any given day. Aint it grand???
As Mom would have said it, "Two old birds...out and about!"

Ring- ring-a -ling!

Today was my annual 'Red Kettle' event. The Retired Teachers' Association volunteers two people[at a time] for a two hour shift , and today it was at our local mall. It has become a yearly tradition to schedule a spot with 'Holy Communion Helen'[ my mom's nickname for her], and it is actually a good time. Helen and I taught together, and we both can be a bit entertaining without trying. After my first stint a couple of years ago where I froze while realizing that I had some difficulty standing for two hours, I got smarter. So now I bring my [turquoise] walker that doubles as a seat and have 'way more fun' sitting through the experience as we joke and talk and thank people for their donations. It was a pleasant surprise to see how many shoppers shared their change as well as paper money with The Salvation Army's cause. Maybe the economy has hit close to home, and people are willing to help out those who are in more dire straits. Some have no job, no health care, no reason to be particularly hopeful that better times are in their future... All the while listening to some [???] expressing that all they really need to do is to 'pull themselves up by their bootstraps' ! It's just not as easy as that.

On a lighter note, we decided to move inside the double doors because two hours seem much longer when you are in the wind and/or chilly outdoors. Helen took my bag of ' donated books' to the exact location in the mall that collects them all year long for a GIANT book fare in July. And when she came back...she acted surprised that there was a box of Gertrude Hawk Peanut Butter Smidgies in her hand!! They must have flown into her hands when she passed the store. Wahoo! I went to the Pepsi machine and got us each a drink. When did it go up to $1.25 for a soda??? Imagine the mixed message to our body...the best in chocolates [ a gazillion calories...actually 4 pieces were 245 calories] and a diet-Pepsi chaser. Helen was tossing the bell into the air and trying to catch it by the handle. To which I said, "Hey oh Science Guru!! There must be a scientific reason it isn't happening very often."

And she began explaining, " Actually, the bell's bottom is..."

"Huh? [I'm laughing] :You decide how to explain that the bell went sailing through the double doors!!!" Imagine the headline: Retired Teachers Shatter Mall Doors as they Red Kettle Sit!!

We had many, many laughs...quite often recalling the funnier experiences that we had as teammates over the years. It was a good two hours. And people put dollar bills in the Red Kettle! It has to make me think that maybe they were counting their blessings as they made a donation for those more in need of basic life help.

So when you pass those annoying [Helen] bell ringers, think of me [ not as heavy handed with my bell] and be a part of those who are helping others who could certainly use it!!

And the Gertrude Hawk chocolate...oh yeah...I would recommend it!! Mmm-mm!

Oops! Who said that?

Experience is a dear teacher and fools will learn no other.

I am one who always tries to learn from my mistakes...and, generally...I do.

Thirty years ago, I bowled in a Thursday night league with some friends. It was a good time, but I have to say that we were all happy when it ended because the bowling season was just so long.

We played a different team each week, and met new bowlers regularly. So, exactly what is it that I remember, and what was the lesson learned??

There was a woman bowling on the next alley on our right side who looked about 'overdue' to call a taxi for that ride to the hospital to deliver a bouncing bambino at any moment. In making conversation, I asked her,

"So, when is the joyous occasion?"

"What do you mean?"

Yep! Yep!! You have probably guessed: She was not pregnant.

I was beyond embarrassed, and vowed that I would never, ever, ever allow that to happen again. Seriously... The octomom could have been close by and I would NOT have said anything other than, "Nice weather we're having lately, wouldn't you agree?

And I haven't had a repeat of that particular 'moment from hell' again!

However, today I did manage to accomplish a similar faux-pas.

I was volunteering at the hospital in the one day surgery waiting room. All was well for most of the afternoon. The phone was answered, the patients were escorted to their room, and the family members were reunited when given the official word. As I finished peeling and sticking the patients' names onto Monday's charts, a [formerly tall] bent over senior man with a cane asked me if I would help him with his coat. He said that it was difficult for him to get the second arm in the sleeve. At the same time, a nurses's aide wheeled a middle aged woman through the hallway enroute to being released. She discovered that she had lost an earring, and asked me to call the nurse's station to see if it was in the bed linen. They sent the man ahead to get the car, the nurse's aide went back to retrieve the earring, and I began to chat with the woman.

Making conversation, matter of factly, I asked her,

"Did your father go to get the car?
"No, that's my husband."

I was wishing that the floor would just swallow me up! Ooph!

She was very gracious and added, "He has gone downhill in the last year."

Let me say right now at this moment in time... that once again...I have learned another lesson.

Never, ever, ever, will I presume to understand or speak of the status of a relationship.

Someone could enter saying, "I am looking for my identical twin sister." And I will say,

"Well, go ahead and take a look around the waiting room!!"

I have learned another important lesson in the category of...'Assume Nothing'

Yep! Yep! Never again!

And you can take that to the bank!!!