Obama

What a glorious morning for us in America and those people for hope and peace around the world. We watched with attention and pride as Obama took the oath of office and promised to restore to America it's place in the world. I believe that he will be a humanitarian leader to be trusted by the American people and the world at large as he moves through these next difficult years of repair and restatement of purpose. I have placed the flag of our nation on our porch for the first time since Bush invaded Iraq. I hope you had the opportunity to watch the new president and hear his words of hope and responsibility he has placed once again on the people of this country and the world. Though millions gathered on the mall in Washington, D.C., I have never seen such quiet and respectful appreciation for a leader in this nation. It was truley awe inspiring. The stories beginning to come from people standing in the masses to be a part of this moment are fabulous; people helping to carry the children of strangers to vantage points, strangers hugging one another, elders sharing with youngsters their personal stories of the civil rights movement, it goes on and on. Would love to hear from you and your thoughts if you did see any of the inauguration.

Let the healing begin!

My husband is home from his hospitalization with a new hip, good attitude toward healing, and being more than a good sport about his circumstance. I am so glad that the healing of this hip (they replaced the ball he broke off his femur with a lovely titanium orb) is painful, but doesn't seem to compare to the pain he had with his knee replacement last year. It has been a busy and stressful week or so but it feels like we are turning the corner on this drama. The drug induced fantasies have gone, along with their entertainment value. Forgive me, but I did find humor in the 3 am calls from the hospital asking me when I would be meeting him back in our hotel room in Boise, Idaho. La la land does have it's moments!

I am still dumbfounded by the behavior of the people at the Raccoon Lodge. The hospital, Dr's offices, rehabilitation organization have all had really rude phone calls with the management which is really strange under the circumstances. I guess I should not be surprised after they offered no help during the emergency; no phone call to 911, no employee assistance, no nothing. We were totally invisible to them. Obviously our insurance company wants to work with theirs but there is just no communication. I have washed my hands of the negative vibe from these folks and put it in the hands of the people who know what they are doing, ie insurance companies, medical business offices, etc. I also gave them the names and phone numbers slipped into my pocket the night of the incident by those kind folks who helped us get an ambulance for my husband and covered him with their coats as he lay half out the door in the rain.

So now we are in the rehab mode and have a pretty good schedule going. The therapists that come to the house are wonderful and very encouraging. My husband is re-rehabing the knee, at the same time getting the hip strengthened and working toward good health again. We are so lucky that he is progressing so well. Here's to the new year with good health and gratitude that the worse of it is behind us.