What are the weight limits on that bridge?

Since the Union Street pedestrian bridge was originally built to carry a locomotive, I assume it's strong enough to be full of fireworks spectators. The only reason I ask ( after reading about what a great view is to be had from the span) is that I lived in the Longview/Kelso area during the time a pedestrian bridge full of 4th of July fireworks fans, collapsed into Lake Sagajawea in the dark. I can't find an accounting of the incident, but I do remember that several people drowned that night. I'm fairly sure it happened after N and were married, so it was either in the late 70's or early 80's. I do remember what a horrific moment it was for the entire area. No one had considered whether it would be safe to fill the new bridge with people or not. I hope someone in town knows about the Union Street bridge.

Crock pot on the deck?

I wanted to cook off some of the fat on our ribs today, but I didn't want to heat up the house. Aha! The crock pot! I set it up on the table out on the deck, plugged it in and with the rack in the bottom added the marinated ribs. Even though I should've started cooking them a few hours sooner, it worked well.
It's been so long since I've done baby back ribs in the summer, that it didn't occur to me N would have liked to grill them with a rub only and then add the sauce during the smoking portion. Doh! Guess I'll have to go buy more and try it again! :>D Or leave N in charge of all things rib-like.
Now, what else could I cook in a crock pot during hot weather? Maybe corn bread? Or a cobbler? The rack should work for baking, right? Or I could talk N into opening up the tent trailer and pulling out the dutch oven. Now where did I put that recipe for Raspberry Buttermilk Cake??

My F and then my rant

As we weather yet another disappointment in the medical profession, I noticed how often we say, "they have no idea what she's going through". Heck, they have no idea who our F is. I began to gather some memories that stand out as a summary of her 25 years on planet earth.

She was such a good, happy baby. I used to worry she'd stop breathing in her sleep, because how else to explain this angelic child--that we'll lose her unexpectedly? As she grew, it became clear that her strong willed sis was in for some competition. It was difficult to determine who was bossier--with L it was obvious, but F was quietly bossy and strong willed.
Steadfastly loyal, she made friends easily. She excelled at math and science, loved to play sports and her flute. She played softball for as long as Little League would have her and then did a short stint in ASA. After that, band became her main activity. Which took her straight to marching band--four years in high school and 4 more in college (just like her sis).
As a small child she loved the outdoors, bicycling, hiking and camping and still does. She goes through times of voracious reading, devouring several books in a week. If you're down, she's the person to spend time with. She lifts your spirits while commiserating with you, guiding you and finding the hilarious in most every situation. That's F in a nutshell.

Today I took her to the first of two appointments at 11 AM, where the doctor proceeded to tell her that she was being kicked out of their pain program due to lack of progress. "How do you feel about that?", he prodded. "How do you #$!#$ think I think about it?!", she blurted out in a teary response. He told her she was acting like a teenager. Then he began to ask her if she'd done either of the two things another program doctor asked her to do this last Monday. Number one-no I didn't run out and buy my bed ridden girl a pedometer and number two-she hasn't had another headache to map since Monday. {sigh}
I feel like if they want to kick someone out of their program, it should be me. I was the one who decided I needed to be at work for the last 2 weeks of school instead of taking her to pool therapy twice a week and I was the one who called to cancel appointments when she had her last cold and migraine. Oh and there was that day when she couldn't make it after a rigorous PT appointment. It took a little over 4 days for her to recuperate from that. So hand me the lousy failing report card, but please oh please find a doctor willing to dig in and work on a diagnosis.
{sigh}
And now I'll push myself out of this chair and go help the girl cook. She recovers faster than I.

Update for D from K

And here I am again, but this time with projects waiting.
My first trip out was a quickie--milk emergency. How does THAT happen? Must be the number of milk drinkers in the house.
{mmm, pausing to take bite of s'more that F just handed me--made with homemade marshmallow and fresh raspberries. I wonder when she starts making graham crackers??}

The second trip took me to the pet store {said pets are sticking their heads in the bag to see if there are any more toys, the greedy lil dogs!} for cat food and dog toys. Then clear across town to the doctor's office to see if F's prescription was ready to pick-up {nope}. Stopped off at Bi Mart to buy more Ball pectin before I drove out to Nanneman Farms to buy a flat of raspberries, and then bought a marionberry pie on impulse. At last I went to Costco to pick up my own prescription and proceeded to walk out with way too much of the store in my cart.

Now I have berries nagging me, along with dinner. Plus the dishwasher needs to run, but I don't want to heat up the house.
Sitting here is so much easier!

List made - lacking motivation

During the school year, my alarm is set for 5:30 AM. N says he's amazed that as soon as I hear it (even with ear plugs), I hop out of bed. I don't think about it. It just happens--during the school season. Over the years, I've discovered it doesn't work the same way in the summer.

I used to start my days off with the morning alarm, but realized I was just torturing N and lying to myself. Since I've found peace with myself over that issue, my goal is to find the secret to getting myself motivated everyday to get out and do something. {shaking magic 8 ball}

When Jonathon was here it was easier. He's good company and loves to go run errands. "What needs to be done today?", he'd say while pouring his second cup of coffee of the morning. This week I'm missing his company and trying to justify my lack of initiative as a by product of F's appointments peppered throughout the week. Sounds good in casual conversation, but in reality? Not so much.

And so in writing this I'm hoping to shame myself into grasping the arms of the computer chair, shoving myself up, out, put purse on shoulder, tucking list into pocket, hopping into the car and heading toward town.
Wish me luck!