We didn't do much today, mainly because trying to get around in town is really tough--so much repair work is being done in various parts of Main Street that everyone has to detour down small side streets, most of which are lined with debris from cleaning up and/or from fallen trees or branches.  It is extremely difficult--and even dangerous--to drive down those streets, so we avoid it as much as possible.

Today, we decided to see if we could lunch at the hospital.  Yes, the hospital food here is very good, and they provide lunches for "seniors" at special prices.  One can also buy for visitors at a slightly higher rate, a rate that is still far below what one would pay in a restaurant for the same food.  Anyway, when we got there, there were only two meals left.  We had seen an elderly friend of ours driving up just after we did, and he always eats there for his dinner, so....we decided NOT to get both lunches and would just get one for Randi while we got something else at another place or would just find something at the Cottage.  Before he could get into the dining area, though, another couple came in, and they bought the last meal.  Well, that just wouldn't do, so we gave him the one we had and went elsewhere to get lunch.  He was so happy about that, and it made us smile to see him so pleased.

We called Randi to see if she wanted a burger at Big Boy's in town; she did and we did, so that's where we got our lunch today.  They really make good burgers, and today, everyone in town must have tried to go there; they're set up much like Sonic's and EVERY spot but one was taken when we arrived--that was ours.  I guess we were destined to find the last whatever today--the last meals at the hospital, the last spot at Big Boy's.  LOL  Anyway, we got the burgers and headed back home to eat with Randi.

This afternoon, Sid did more work in the front yard.  He piled up a lot of branches, with the intention of mowing the front/back yards afterwards.  While he was working, our young neighbor, the one who rents trailer space from us, was working on his tractor and picked up everything Sid had left to do.  What a nice young man!  Then, Sid was able to mow both yards and has that looking really nice again.  Thanks a lot to Jeremy!

Sid took Randi for a 4-wheeler ride this morning, and I went on one with him this afternoon.  We made the complete circle this time, not getting caught in the rain as we did the other day.  We saw so many trees down in the woods and on Bess' property.  All the work that was done to bring our paths back to where we could use them is gone--we cannot get into the woods as things are now.  In the winter, when all the leaves have died and the wood begins to dry up, we'll probably try to get rid of as much of these large branches and/or trees as we can.  That will be a huge job, though!

Tonight, since we still don't have cable, we decided to watch a DVD before going to bed.  You won't believe what we watched, but it WAS Randi's suggestion (she managed to watch about half-an-hour of it before she headed off to bed)--RATATOUILLE.  Yep!  We watched RATATOUILLE--the entire thing.  I had watched it before, of course, but Sid and I sat there and watched all of it.  It's a cute little movie and doesn't require a lot of brain action--just the kind we needed after all the tensions of this past week.  It was very relaxing...

Tomorrow, I'll have to check in with TGMC with regard Mom's scheduled procedure.  I'm not sure if they're back in action at the hospital, but I'd like to know before I make the trip to Lockport.  As it is, some places in Lockport still do not have power, so who knows what the situation will be on Thursday, her scheduled date.

Jess and Jan and family finally have power, as of 7:30 last night.  I know they are thrilled about that.  I think everyone goes back to work tomorrow, and I don't know if they know about the power situation at their respective jobs.  As of now, I think Bec's office does NOT have power, but she isn't certain about that.  In any case, it's as close to "getting back to normal" as they for now.

School doesn't begin here until at least Wednesday.  Another decision will be made either Monday or Tuesday as to what they'll be able to do by that time.

Ben leaves tomorrow for basic training.  Please keep him in your prayers! Thanks, too, to all my new internet friends for their prayers and concerns as we went through this past week.  You are terrific!

That's it for tonight!  Hope you had a good weekend and that the week brings better happenings than last week.

"It is all too easy to speed through life with our eyes focused only on the road ahead.  The challenge is scanning the horizon from time to time to determine where we are headed."  --Christopher Gergen/Gregg Vanourek

NOTE:  Right now, everyone around here is focused on the here and now--getting things cleaned up and "back to normal"--however, I think they are also checking out the progress of others as well, noting that we are all headed toward a new beginning, a beginning built on what we have learned over these past few days--compassion, sharing, dedication, hard work, learning from our mistakes, doing our best, working together--we are a team, a team making up the citizenship of our area, just as others do in theirs.  We will come through this a better community--and better people.