Surprised, aren't you!  You thought I was going to be away from my computer for a couple of day because of Mom's scheduled procedure, the one I checked on at the hospital AND with the doctor's office.  Well, dear friends, the best laid plans and all that stuff....

This morning, after my car was packed and just as I was getting ready to leave, I received a call from her doctor's office asking if anyone had called to let me know that Mom's procedure had been postponed.  Naturally, I told them that I was told by two different sources that the procedure was still on GO for Thursday.  I also told her that I was about to leave for Lockport as the phone rang.  When I told her how far away I was, she asked if I could wait just a few minutes before leaving so she could check the schedule.  Of course, I agreed to do that (better than leaving and receiving a call when I was half-way there.  Right?), and she did call within a few minutes.  The procedure was definitely postponed!

Later on today, the same nurse called again to let us know that the procedure had been rescheduled for next Thursday, the 18th, which happens to be our son Josh's birthday.  Naturally, we do not know the exact time--they'll let us know that the night before--so it might be another long day for all of us.  In any case, I will be going to Lockport next week for the procedure.  Hopefully, this time things will go according to plan.

Because we didn't go to Lockport and because Randi sort of "hinted" about us doing something together before she went home, Sid suggested that we eat at Satterfield's today for lunch.  We had a terrific time--our waitress was fantastic--efficient, courteous, friendly, funny, attentive--and in addition, she reminded me of a nurse-friend of mine with whom I worked a few years ago and with whom Jess works now, someone I liked and respected.  As I said, we had a terrific time--good food, good service, good company.

Sid came home from dinner (lunch) and began working outside again.  He has to start back to school tomorrow, so he wanted to get as much done as possible.  He really accomplished a lot, too, but there is more to do.  I know he'll get it all done in due time, and that's what counts.

It looks like Hurricane Ike is headed toward the Galveston area, and I feel sorry for those folks.  It also looks like some parts of Louisiana may feel the high winds and experience some rain.  According to our weatherman, Baton Rouge may miss most of that--and I pray we do.  Again, I hate to see others get these storms, but there are so many people here with damage to their homes.  It would be awful if they had to fight another storm while in that condition.  Let us all pray for the people in TX who will experience this storm, and pray that it will not be as bad as originally thought.  (Just as I finished typing this, Sid came in to tell me that Ike had turned a little more to the north, possibly causing some bad weather for Baton Rouge.  There is a mandatory evacuation for Cameron, LA and for lower Golden Meadow, LA--GM is in Lafourche Parish, my home parish--so we may feel more than originally thought.  Again, prayers, please.)

Supper tonight was delicious--if I do say so myself.  I cut up a couple of half sections of round steak into strips and cooked them in our wok, loaded down with onions.  As a side dish, we had some cheddar/macaroni/cheese, which I had not tried before.  Sid and Randi seemed to like it, so I was happy.

While Sid was working on his lesson plans for the next couple of days, Randi and I decided to watch a video movie (still no cable).  We chose SISTER ACT, one of my favorites.  As a Catholic, I can empathize with some of the thoughts of Sr. Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) in the movie--often, the numbers at Mass are small and too often, the young people say they "get nothing" out of these services.  Of course, I believe that this is sometimes used as a excuse--the old saying about "you get what you pay for" could be changed slightly to say "you get out of it what you put into it" to fit their situations.  As a teacher, I saw that in my students--too often they want to be "entertained" by the teacher, and that's fine, up to a point.  The same can be true of religious services--UP TO A POINT, the congregation can be entertained.  A good homilist, a good choir, more modern music--I love all of these things, too.  BUT, after the entertainment comes the "education" or the "teachings" that we all need.

Oops!  I got on my soapbox again--sorry about that!  It's just that sometimes I feel that people will use any excuse NOT to practice their faith, whether it's my Catholic faith or any other.  Even in religion, it's a "gimme, gimme" world, a "me, me, me" culture--not the way to go.  Right?  So, let's have a good homily, a good choir, more modern music, but, let's also listen to the teachers of our faiths and learn to practice our faith with humility and love; let's teach our children so that our faith will go on and on into eternity.

Sandie heard from Ben today; he's at his base and will be in something called "receptions" (this may not be the exact word for what he'll be doing, but...) for a few days.  I guess they have all that paperwork that naturally follows any kind of government experience.  Then, he'll hit basic training.  As I get reports, I'll pass them on.

That's it for tonight!  Have a great evening and a terrific tomorrow.

"Education should have two objects:  first, to give definite knowledge, reading and writing, language and mathematics, and so on; secondly, to create those mental habits which will enable people to acquire knowledge and form sound judgments for themselves."   --Bertrand Russell

NOTE:  Curiosity--that's what I tried to develop in my students' minds.  Some of my kids would raise their hands to ask something; when I'd call on them, they'd preface their questions with "this is a stupid question, but"---after a while, they knew better than to say that.  I would counter with "no question is stupid if it helps you find the answer to a problem"--and they stopped saying that.  Yes, I taught them the basics; however, I encouraged them to THINK, to be willing to SEARCH for answers, to learn to MAKE DECISIONS.  Hopefully, they are better for having been in my classes; I know I am better for having taught them.