Crash Bam Boom

So, the three of us were driving down the road, on our way to pick up Geoff's car from the repair shop.
We went round a sharp curve, and continued on. I heard a horrible squeal behind us and I looked in the rear view mirror just in time to see a pickup truck swerving sideways. It over-corrected and then spun in a circle, and finally crashed into a telephone pole.

I slammed on the brakes and threw the car into reverse.
Geoff says that I said, "Oh. My. God."....he thought I had seen a cool bird or something, not realizing that an accident had occurred behind us.

I jumped out of the car as the other driver staggered towards us. Without shoes, and without pants.

He was gasping and was white as a sheet. He leaned on the back window of the car (no doubt scaring the Hell out of Isabelle and Lorelei) and I made him sit down behind the car.
Another car stopped behind us and a woman jumped out. She had training in CPR and First Aid, so she tended to the guy while I called 911. We got the paramedics, police, firemen, and his mother there within 5 minutes.
Turns out this guy was only 16 years old, had only had his license for a few months. He was on his way to his job at the local cinema. I told him the popcorn would definitely have to go on without him today. (That made him smile.)
The impact had torn off his shoes and when he jumped out of the truck, somehow his pants had fallen down.
The police gave me a quick interview, not that I could give them much info. As the interview was ending, one of the firemen turned the ignition on the truck and the radio blared to life....quite loudly. Seems that this young man had his radio at a deafening volume and took the curve too fast, as far as I can tell.
The boy didn't have any major injuries, but he said his back was pretty sore. I don't envy him the full-body aches he's going to have tomorrow.

When all was said and done, I said a few words to the boy's mother. She thanked me for stopping to help her son, and then she hugged me.

I spent most of the rest of the day in a happy glow.
I glimpsed a tiny bit of what the police, firemen and EMT's get to feel every single day. What a rush it must be.

Here's a few photos from the last few days:



My Mom's group of friends, stuck with each other since the late 60's. I think you can tell from the photo who had been drinking and who hadn't.

A yummy appetizer:

My Fruit Salsa. A healthy choice from Frito's and beer cheese.
Chop up an orange, a few kiwis, a bunch of strawberries and toss in a can of crushed pineapple. Then drizzle with a bit of lemon juice.

Serve it with fresh cinnamon tortilla chips:

Spread melted butter on regular tortillas, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar , then cut into wedges. Bake them for about 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees.
It is delicious, and this is coming from a person who doesn't really like fruit or veggies.



(photo by Isabelle)

A fun sight at Kevin-the-brother-in-law's:

In Middletown, Ohio, there is a street populated with all-white squirrels. We had just turned onto the street when I said, "I wish I could see one of those white squirrels..." And there one was, in Kevin's front yard.


Lucy:

I love her. Have I mentioned that ever?


And I even love her feet.
Look at that one toe crossed over another. Reminds me of this photo.

And waiting.....

...for the local great horned owls to get on with it.
(That dark thing in the nest is a branch that has been there since the "hurricane" blew through in September.)
Come mid-January, I will be obsessively checking this nest for a great lump of owl to be sitting on sweet eggs.