Lilo, thank you for letting us know how things are progressing for Ron. I hope they give him whatever he needs for pain for as long as he needs it.\ That is quite a drive to San Francisco, especially since Joann has so much on her shoulders already! Give them each a special hug from us! That's interesting about the surgeons' connection with your family in times past. Prayers for Ron, Joann and you, Lilo.... One of my brothers used to be a farrier back in the mid-60's to early 70's. Got tired of having his calf laid open when clinching. (I think the horses knew he thought they were stupid and let him know!!!)

Kathy, You are such a treat. How are things? On the upswing. I am climbing outta the financial hole that was created by a million different factors, and so, the weight of the world is coming off. Friday, funny you should mention that mwheel!, I went to a benefit concert for a mission trip our church is taking to Kenya. It was John Carter Cash and his wife Laura Cash, a duet of sisters who sing so sweetly, and a father and son team who play a mean dueling guitar and fiddle set. So there was somewhat old country (he did sing his daddy's songs and some of his mother's (and her family, Mabelle Carter)) songs, so it was also gospel, the modern twist sisters, and the father son team mostly played, how shall I describe it?, celtic/rock/polka. It was fantastic! Saturday, my sister's youngest (of four!) graduated. She's a very special girl to me. She was born with cerebral palsy and has overcome so much! I can't believe that sweet thang that got life-flighted away from us so abruptly, and for whom we prayed hard in that hospital hallway!, is grown up. She's tall and confident. Humorous and bright. I love her so much. The little fella is leaving his current school and it'll be the last time he changes schools until University. He's going to go to one of the best schools in our great nation. Truly! It's ranked. He's smart as whip, but is having to learn, in each pond, that the fish are getting bigger and bigger than he. This is the first year he didn't get an academic award signed by Obama and it tore him up! He only got "honor roll". HA! He placed in his science fair, went to District, and not placing there, tore him up! He's still determined to be a physician-scientist. He's getting taller and is pre-pubescent. UGH! Hormones! UGH! I'm sure I'll survive, but our relationship is really getting tested. He spends every day being sweet and snuggly, lashing out, being sorry, and then being sweet again. Can you say roller coaster? :) I still have the two kitties, Maggie Moo and Murphy (too or boo, depending on my mood). Maggie is really calm and happy now. She follows me around and loves to be petted now. Never scratches or hisses when I touch her hinds (like she did when we first got her). She's learning how to let me carry her around like a baby. I love to do that. Mommy is not doing as well as she could. Her health is really declining. Her degenerative disk disease is progressing despite surgery. All of her friends are retired and she's trying to find a way, but it's not feasible financially. She needs to sell her house. She just refinanced the car, so that helped. Biggest bro told me at the graduation, because I asked where dad was, he got an email this week that had daddy's last wishes in it. He's been trying to diagnosis something that is really hitting him hard and the diagnosis is incurable with no chance of getting on a transplant list. He's early 70s. I spent a lot of graduation crying that not only would he not see my LF graduate from medical school, he won't even see him graduate high school. And I'm pretty sure the very insecure wife of over 30 years just left him. I'm just doing my best to keep my job and save enough to buy a house again. Even if it's a shack. Something that is mine! The miata is on its very last leg. 22 years old, been flooded, and run into the ground. It'll last a bit longer, but not much. I'm gonna miss Cari (my car's name)! Mostly, I'm missing you and your conversations with Jan. Y'all cheer me up. Love ya!

Thank you KJ! And everyone who has sent good vibes and sunflowers our way. Joann is healing, but this will take a long time to go away, she discovers more and more of the small bites, because they are healing and beginning to itch. We went grocery shopping yesterday and she was wearing shorts, because the jeans are very uncomfortable, she got many hugs and "Good Lord, what happened?" and when she said "Dog Attack" the question was "Whose dogs?" and most people are aware who this person is. One of her friends is calling the DA's office to find out what they are going to do, some want to write letters to the local paper, she has a lot of support. She lived and worked in this small community for a long time, so many people know her. Joann will not sue them, she may get awarded a tidy sum, but collecting said tidy sum is another story, and, as they have no ethics or integrity, she would just open herself to harassment - they live directly across the road from us, so I think her choice is wise.

Thank you all for your outpouring of support and the sunflowers, both visual and virtual. I have been in touch with sister C2, who is in touch with Michael. Things don't look too good at this time, but she is still functioning,, although very impaired. I had my daughter Linda and grandson Trevor visit for the day, that was a nice distraction. Trevor rode Joann's quad all over the place, Linda, Joann and I had some good visiting time, grilled chicken, ate corn from Linda's garden and tomatoes from Linda's garden - 100 miles south makes a big difference on how things grow, my 'maters are still green. It all sounds trivial, but it is part of life as lived and Trevor has turned into a fine young man. The circle of life goes round and round...as it should. I will know more tomorrow.