San Antonio

We are in San Antonio and lots going on. My father in law is holding his own. He was remarkably 'better' today, but as the DR's said...he is not out of the woods yet. We got here around 9:30 Wednesday night after straight through from Alpine. It seemed to make sense to keep driving...the more miles we drove, rather than stop and get up early, etc. I was so happy to see Mumsy and just be here. We talked till at least 1:30 am and then the phone rang at 2:30 am. The hospital recommended that we come to the hospital a once as FIL was not doing well. We went.

I can tell you first hand that anyone who has had a defibrillator implanted in their heart is well protected. Although witnessing the effect of the 'shocking' of the heart is frightening, this implant saved my FIL's life 6 times. Six times that we actually saw...who knows how many more. We seriously thought he wasn't going to make it through the night. By 2:00 Thursday afternoon he was, at the very least, slightly comfortable...and alive. However, there are still several serious factors. He has pneumonia, his kidneys are failing, he has a serious infection and bacteria in his blood stream. But he's conscious, talking with us, eating a little...

We will know more of a prognosis this evening when we go back to the hospital. It's still scary when the phone rings...

On the lighter side, Mumsy and I have been having a great visit...as always. She has been catching me up on the latest gossip (which I miss!) and we are, of course, solving all of the problems of the world. And we have giving our expert criticism of the 'Royal Wedding'. We both expected more glitz. Obviously no one at the palace had the direct phone number to Mumsy & Favorite Daughter in Law, Wedding Planners, Esq. Their loss! Just seeing all of the hats makes me think their are a lot of bald chickens in England these days.

I am going to take pictures while I am here. I may have said earlier that her home is like a museum. I haven't been here in a few years...and I cannot believe my eyes!! Just when you thought you couldn't stuff more things in a house...I fear I am mistaken! And if you have never seen over 12,000 books in one house (totally and amazingly more organized than a library) I will show you what it looks like. After checking her email this morning and printing off today's book orders, Mumsy showed me how to find 'the book'. It was easy. Her system is flawless. I told you she was brilliant.

But I have to tell you this story. These words came out of her mouth and I am still laughing. She may be brilliant but she's also blatantly honest and slightly crazy.

Mumsy notices that her car needs to be inspected (possibly a few months ago but she's been busy!) so she jumps in and drives down to the local inspection station. She explains to 'Bob' that she is disabled and is it possible for her to say in the car as it's quite difficult for her to get in and out (this is true...).

'Sure.' he says.

He does his thing and starts the official inspection. Tires - OK. Horn - OK. Windows(?) - OK. He then asks her to turn on the lights.

'I don't know how to turn the lights on.' She says.

He looks at her. She looks back at him.

'You don't know how to turn the lights on?', he asks.

'No'. She answers.

'How longs have you had this car? He asks.

'Eight years.' She answers.

He looks at her. She looks at him.

He turns on the lights.

She pays him for the inspection and goes home.

She gets home and goes in the house...makes herself a glass of tea and sits down at the kitchen table to look at the mail. She looks up and notices that the lights are still on. Hmmmm. Mumsy has enough sense to know that the lights being on will kill the battery. Since FIL is in the Rehabilitation Hospital and she is by herself...she calls the (very kind) neighbor to help. He comes over, opens the driver's door and does something she can't see and viola! the lights go off. 
Hmmmm....battery saved - lights off. All is right with the world.

Mumsy's opinion. Why the hell would I need to know how to turn the God Damned lights on! When I get in the car the son of a bitches come on! Am I right? She is right. Point being. Men are stupid.

See you later.

b