Saturday

I'm posting this on Sunday...but only because the clock says it is past midnight.

In spite of the need to sleep in, I was awake at the normal time this morning.  I hate when that happens!  Sat on my duff in front of the computer and radio, waiting to take part in the Saturday morning national and regional SATERN nets--my only real opportunity all week.  As usual, I couldn't hear any signals on 20 meters.  Forty meters was better.  I was net control for SATERN on forty.  That takes me to noon!

I horsed around for awhile, still in my robe, then decided I really needed to get moving on housework because A) the clutter was getting to me, and B) I was going out for dinner in the late afternoon and really wanted to accomplish something before my entire day was gone.  I launched into gear and worked on the kitchen.  (The kitchen was still in major upheaval from Christmas and having the grandchildren here then.)  I did a load of dishes, two loads of laundry, took the Christmas decorations (still in boxes because I never put them up) to the minibarn, found the table, moved the extra chairs to other parts of the house, etc.  How nice it is to have a kitchen that isn't piled with junk again!  Never mind that the floors are in major need of vacuuming.  I can do that tomorrow...

I have a friend who likes good food and seems to enjoy showing me some of the nicer restaurants around, as a real treat, when time permits.  Tonight, we went to an unlikely spot--a tiny burg in the western reaches of the county, but it was excellent!  We went to the Red Dog Steakhouse and Saloon about 25 miles from here.  He must have been reading my mind!  I haven't had a steak in awhile and was really in the mood for one.  (We won't talk about the price.  Suffice it to say, I guess I'm not a cheap date!)   Thank you, Mike! 

Major Pat--SATERN's National Director--called me late tonight, gasping for breath, to tell me that Carmella (his wife) was warming up the car to take him to the Emergency Room.  Patrick has been fighting pneumonia since September.  He was hospitalized for a few days back in October, and the situation was/is problematic.  He has been put through bunches of tests, but nothing was conclusive.  He was doing better, then was diagnosed with double pneumonia again...and has gone downhill since he finished his medicationsin the past week or two.  Patrick and family are dear friends.  He is frightened, as I would be.  Among his last words to me on the phone before he departed for the hospital were, "Please pray for me."  I am praying, and I ask anyone who reads this to remember Patrick McPherson in their thoughts and prayers...for healing and a return to normalcy.  Pat is only 60.  As a Salvationist and minister of the Gospel, he has never smoked in his entire life.  I worry...

Tomorrow is the big game in Indy--Colts vs Patriots.  Guess I will make myself a pot of chili and watch.  Go Colts!