Too bad

Forgot to mention that my Mom did call me this morning. She sounded terrible, but she said that she was doing okay (all things considering). The bad news is that she's already having episodes of atrial fibrillation again. But they're hoping that medications will work this time in combination with the ablation she had.

Finally!!!!

The judge couldn't dismiss on a technicality anymore, and finally ruled that "under God" in the pledge of allegiance unconstitutional.

It only took 20 years. I remember having to recite the pledge every morning in school and even as a "good girl", I couldn't bring myself to say "under God". I just mouthed those words.

Nothing gradual about AZ weather

This is bringing back memories of May. The week before my boss' reserach award night, it had been in the low to mid 90's for a high temperature. Then days before, the forecast suddenly jumped to 105 for the night of the award ceremony. It was a black tie event, and having to drive across town was something I didn't easily forget.

Sunday, the high temperatures for the afternoon was the low 90's, almost a ten degree drop. But the most pleasant surprise was that the low temperature was in the low 60's. I suppose tonight I should give in and open the back door. Combined with the open windows, it'll cool off quite nicely in the morning. Besides, my cats will love having a chance to spend the night lounging on the back patio.

But it isn't as bad as Chicago has been this year. In June, we had a 20 degree temperature drop overnight, and the night before last, there was a 15 degree drop in the temperature.

Not something we want to see on evening TV, but...

This is important because most people don't realize that anything's going on in Cuba. Based on most news coverage, there's a short hunger strike again going on with a few prisioners. But there's not much else going on in American media.

Sometimes it helps to read other international news agencies to begin to understand what is going on. According to the BBC, the current hunger strike is getting worse. If only more Americans cared that these people have to resort to starvation in order to get out the message that they have been there for three years without trial or due process.

I understand that some of these people do not deserve American liberties, but what about the others that do not know anything, but still are not allowed to go home.

Don't make me come up there

This is the fustrating thing about being a couple hours away from my family. My sister did call me a couple times to update me on the progress of my mom's surgery, and when it was finally done. But when the end of my work day finally came, I called my mom's best friend since high school (I was supposed to call Monday, but kind of blew it off). She was very glad to hear from me since she had received no call and was very worried. I assured her that she made it through the procedure, and will call her herself in the next day or so.

After that, I tried to call a couple more family members to see if there was someone else that hadn't been called, but it seems that 8:00 CST was a time for everyone to not answer their phones. So I thought I would call my sister again and make sure things were still okay. She said that she was on her way to the hospital to tell my mom that she loved her. I said to tell her the same, and call me when she had seen her.

I gave up at 10:30 last night, and turned off the phone and went to bed. I know my sister isn't a morning person, but I finally called her. (I'll suggest that my sister turn off her cell phone if she really wants to sleep - when she's awake!) Apparently my mom refused to see my sister, but is home. I figured that she's very tired, and want her to sleep, so I'll call her sometime later today.

I would have appreciated it if my dad would call, but I don't think he would have thought of it.