Experiencing the need for help from others has been humbling. When I went over to UVA for the second opinion on my left knee, it was discovered by X-rays that I had fractured my upper left knee cap on into the thigh bone. The doctor (who by the way is drop dead gorgeous, which helps) ordered a full leg brace, and told me to not put any weight on my left leg, and also to walk on my left toes. So my friend Ann and I went over to get the leg brace fitted while laughing and joking with the young man putting it on me. As soon as we got out of his office, and into the car, I told Ann that I needed coffee and NOW! We both had gotten up at 5:30AM, an ungodly hour, and Ann picked me up at 6:30 AM, and I hadn't had my coffee. So we went to a nice place that served breakfast all day, and as I slowly entered the place, Ann said to one of the waitresses, "She needs coffee, and fast." I hadn't even sat down comfortably before there was coffee in front of me. Did it taste good!

It is hard to ask for help, and I try to do as much as I can. I can make my bed and also put clean sheets on it, take a really good sponge bath, wash my clothes, get my meals, wash and put away dishes - really most everything I would normally be doing, but at a snail's pace, using the walker. However, getting packages mailed, getting food into the house, etc. requires the help of someone else. Fortunately June and Bucky have been here to help with that. I haven't left the house, except to sit on the front porch, since I came back from UVA last week. I am not ready to go up and down steps. I can feel the difference in my pain level since the leg brace has been on, and I don't want to tempt nature at this point.

I am reading, using the computer, writing, and helping where ever I can - I have peeled and made applesauce twice this week, and boy, was it good! I usually make the salads, or peel and cut up vegetables for our meals.

I will start re-transcribing William's letters either this week or next week. William being my Civil War uncle. I love his thoughts about the war and the country, his opinions about some of the generals, and his descriptions of the Virginia countryside, the people, the soldiers, the battles. He experienced the Civil War from Antietam to Gettysburg, through the Wilderness, down in and around Richmond, and to Petersburg, and Ream's Station, where he was killed in August 1864. He was 24 years old, and a captain when he was shot by a sharpshooter.

The need to "refudiate" Sarah Palin's remark that even William Shakespeare made up words, is so great, that I have to say something. First of all, where did Palin get the notion that William Shakespeare made up words? Does she realize that the English language has made some great changes in the past 500 years or so? Probably not? Did she know the Bard? Does she know that he spoke a different English than she does? No, I betcha, she doesn't! Has she read any of WS's works or does she think he is one of those "Democrats" down in the lower 48?

We have been experiencing lots of heat and humidity here, as is the rest of the country, except in those places where there is too much rain, and flooding. Phil just sent me a Boston Post article that three Great Whites have been spotted off the coast of Massachusetts, near the beaches. But of course all this is just an anomaly - there is no global warming!

I am off to see what trouble I can get into...

Adieu,Adios, Mahalo,
Sally
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