First, let me thank everyone for their contribution to this topic. In these trying times, with so many people homeless and with the crazy weather we are having, we need to ALL be our brother's keeper. "Except for the grace of God, there go I" definitely applies, even if you don't believe in God. Secondly, this is a very rural area. Towns are scattered and small (less than 1,000 people in most). There are only 285 people within the city limits in the town nearest us. When I called it a hamlet in the past, I meant a hamlet! Three churches, a city hall-library combo, a convenience store-gas station, a post office and that's it. We used to have a feed store, but he closed down this spring. There's a tire repair shop there now. The local school closed in the 70s and combined with another town's school system 12 miles away in another county. Until this past year, we didn't even have a police station or a building to house our fire department's pumper trucks. Lots of bean suppers, weeny roasts, and chili cookouts helped us raise the money to finally get our little building. We are all so proud of it too. The president's stimulus package gave us sidewalks downtown. We didn't have any before. That is so nice, especially for children, the elderly, and the disabled. The little town where I saw the man laying in the ditch is more of a village. It has a thriving school system and a Senior Citizen meeting place and a new home-style cafe, plus the Convenience store-gas station-laundry mat combo. I think it has at least a a thousand residents, but taking in all the rural folks, that could double the population. There is no Salvation Army, Homeless Shelter or any other services to help the homeless or poor. The only town around that is big enough to support a homeless shelter in Stillwater, and it is abt. 30 miles from there. They only have one that I know of and it is full to capacity and has been for several years. There is a long waiting list. Sad situation. Thirdly - All the fire departments are volunteer with pumper trucks. All the little towns within a 60 mile radius or maybe more, come to one another's aid when there are fires or natural disasters. The nearest town of any size with Ambulance services is Chandler, the county seat, about 14 miles away. They are fast to come though, when you call. I have called them for my dad a couple of times. Such nice young men and so tender with my Papa and helpful. Fourthly - I was in my husband's car that day. His AC is out, so it was probably 120 degrees in my car, even with the windows down. Keeping water or food was no option. Also, I had accidentally left my cell phone at home that day for some reason, I NEVER do that! If I would have had my cell, I would just have pulled over there and called 911 and waited for them to come help. However, I was already feeling sick myself, so quickly drove to the convenience store to seek help for him and get something to drink for myself! * I will remember that info about not giving fluids or food. Thank you! I didn't know that and I used to be a trained nurses aid! Just common-sensical though. Doh, on my part! These days, it isn't wise for a person, especially a woman alone, to stop and help someone. I have heard of people being ambushed in a sucker-trap set up to rob people and do they harm, and even of people being attacked when trying to help someone, but sometimes you just feel you have to do something! There were shade trees higher up on the bank and maybe when he laid down there he was in the shade, but he wasn't when I drove by. And lastly, as for the school situation - We have snow days here, too, bt no "Heat days". This year they started schools early, but the new governor and majority party in the state Congress decided they needed to cut back on expenditures, so they decided one area they could cut costs was to eliminate buses for city or town kids. Kids who live within a mile of school will no longer be provided with bus services. (I don't know if this applies to handicapped or special needs children or not). So those kids have to walk to and from school in this heat, (or rain, tornado, floods, snow or ice) for the first time probably in their lives. Also, think of the little ones who have no other way to get to school or kids who have no one to walk with to school. What will happen to them? A lot of parents are really upset over the whole situation, as they should be. Those children could end up as prey to the crazies, if not merely the victims of the weather, especially right now. That's why I said earlier that it was a case of indifference or stupidity or BOTH! They did not plan ahead for these things before they changed the laws. It just makes me so angry! When I was a little girl, buses only ran for the country kids. In California, I rode the bus to school as we lived out in the country, but when we moved back here, we lived in town, so I walked, come rain, shine or snow. We didn't have snow days either. It was awful sometimes. (I actually fell through a snowbank once and had an older boy not seen it and pulled me out, I might have frozen to death.) But, for the most part, kids back then played outside - all the time! We were used to walking everywhere we went and being out in all kinds of weather. Not so with children today. Most parents are afraid to let their kids run all over the neighborhood and town like we used to do. We roamed the hills and dales and mother never worried about us. We all played together outside until dark every night. She had to call us to come in. But it isn't safe anymore. Too many crazies! Cars go faster now too, and frankly, neighbor people and people in general don't watch out for one another's children like they used to do. Everyone is in their own little world. Those who have their own vehicles and women who don't have to work out of their homes can manage to drive their kids to school - they probably already do anyway. But the poor and the working poor probably don't have that option. Riding the school bus was the only way for their kids to get to school safely. It's cruel to do that to the poorest of the poor people. Just plain cruel and calloused. ~Annie

As far as some of the stiffness of the house, it seems a bit staged and cleaned out, to me. It probably looks more alive (or did) when the couple fully live(d) there. As the furniture being "colonial revival R us" eh, maybe. But some of it is probably real, it's on the market here enough. And it's better quality furniture than I'll ever be likely to own. These are people that don't get "bored" with things and have to "change up", there is something to be said for that. They probably have neighbors that have had 5 cheap sofas to their one in 40 years. They like what they have always liked, obviously. And I admire that.

Casey - That's exactly what I am looking for! Did they come with your house or did you buy them somewhere? Linda - I should have given my location - it's Alexandria, VA. I have been googling architectural salvage and have found a number around me - guess I'll have to go digging! One called Maggies Farm isn't too far away and they have pictures of just what I want for $200 - but I haven't been looking long enough to know if that's a good deal or not! Thanks!

Hi Kschipper621 - Don't know where you live, but have you researched law schools with evening programs? I stated in an earlier post that I'm in an evening program and am probably on the younger side of the class at 32. My study partners are 36, 43 and 45 (I think). I'm also quite good friends with at least 3 other women in their 40's - one has a son who just graduated college himself, one has 2 small girls and the third is single, never married. At least 2 men in my class have daughters my age. I don't think you're ever too late for law school. Some of my older classmates often joke that no one under 30 should even be allowed to apply.(Again, no offense intended to those who went at younger ages - each person comes into it in their own time and for their own reasons, but you know how the old fogies like to joke...). So I would encourage you to seek out programs that welcome non-traditional students. They are becoming more popular and slowly (very slowly) the legal community might be starting to recognize the value of the life experience and legal training that we bring to the work place. It is probably especially helpful if you want to practice in a field that you have some past related work experience or if you have some business/marketing experience. It seems that there have been more and more articles written lately about the importance of being able to network and build a client base for the firm - especially if you want to work in a private firm. If you want to go into public interest or social justice work, you might find that it's even more acceptable and easier to get work. Those jobs tend not to pay as well and there can be a great deal of emotional stress dealing with some of the clients in those areas, but that's where your background and maturity can come into play and really be a benefit. Evening programs tend to draw those of us who work during the day and/or those who want to be in a class with older, more non-traditional students. However, I know at our school at least, you are not forced to remain in the evening program during the course of your schooling. I started taking a mix of day and evening classes this semester and was able to flex my work schedule to accomodate some scheduling variety at school. So, no, you're not too old and your GPA is the same as mine was when I applied. I think given your age and life experience, a well written and thoughtful personal statement coupled with strong references would be important and could get you over the hump if you're worried about your scores. I can't say that it worked exactly that way for me, but my scores were somewhere in the bottom of what they accepted and I feel like I wrote a very good letter of personal intent and had some great personal referneces who knew me quite well professionally and personally. I was a Teaching Assistant for a first year class at our school and that program is linked with a special admissions group of students who maybe don't have the top scores but have personal/professional experience that makes the school think they would make good attorneys. Those students who are accepted under the special admissisions criteria are placed into the TA sections and receive some additional assistance and resources to help them be successful students. After being a TA for about 20 of those students, I'm not sure I really saw a difference - they were really energetic and very devoted to their academics. It was a great program that lends some extra support where needed. I'm fairly certain that my school is one of the schools to pioneer the program in the country and we've received awards from the ABA in recognition of it's success. ALSO - final tip - submit your application EARLY in the timeframe that they accept them - ESPECIALLY if it's a school with rolling admissions. Time is on your side if you get it in early. Wow - I babbled a bit, and I sound like a recruiter for the school, which I'm not, I just really like my school. So I say, go for it! You'll never know unless you try.