Thursday, November 13, 2008

Driving

A random post for posterity's sake while eating my breakfast...

I left home yesterday and went to Fort Wayne to tell Jane good-bye before heading to Illinois. I stopped at the hospital to see a lady from church, and got on Rt. 24 at Lutheran Hospital in FW. I took 24 all the way to Peoria, stopping in Gridley, IL for gas, and El Paso for supper. I went through Eureka, Il (that would be where Ronald Reagan went to college, MR), and in another 20 miles came across the McCluggage Bridge into Peoria. Go to Knoxville Ave. (Rt. 40) and turn left. Go to the top of the hill and turn left into St. Francis Hospital (Methodist is a right turn). Parked in the North Parking garage. I wish he was at Methodist, because it is nicer and has better amenities for guests. But I guess patients are probably more important. :) It took me 5 hours and 15 minutes (including stops, plus it drizzled rain and was a bit foggy the whole way). I listened to the ipod some... Johnny Cash: American IV; Neil Young: Live at Massey Hall; and Bob Dylan: Modern Times.

I spent some time at the hospital. I have never known anyone who complains more than my dad - so you know where I get it. He was his usual self last night. He says Obama is going to take all of his guns. I finally left at 9:05 Peoria time (10:05 my time). To get to my parents house you get on Rt. 40 in front of the hospital and take it straight north to Buda (population 600 - but that must be counting dogs and cats). They live a block over on "A" Street. From St. Francis to their house is 48 miles, and it took me 55 minutes last night. It was weird... I bet I only saw about 10 cars the whole way home once I got out of Peoria. Fortunately there were no deer sightings.

Well, I should probably go. There is a computer in the ICU waiting room, but it's not a very nice waiting room, so... we'll see. Mom slept there last night, but apparently only one family member can have a recliner overnight. It's a totally different place from across the street at Methodist - where Jane's mom was just 2 years ago. This is where son Isaac was some 20 years ago though. It's also where Jane's one brother had his bypass surgery done. I hate hospitals.

Peace out; and in.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was surprised to hear about your dad yesterday. Glad he got a warning sign and will get things taken care of. I'll probably pop in at the hospital this morning to see how things are going. I agree with your thoughts on St. Francis v Methodist. I'm sure my dad will be there to keep you entertained all day with stories!:)
By the way, this is my first ever "blog comment"!
Lori McCreight

MR said...

As a high school principal, guns are very important.

Complaining is a good sign.

Jim L said...

Dan,

Still praying for your dad, mom and your family.

And my brother-in-law is now posting "Don't tread on me" to Facebook, etc. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure how much you care to discuss Obama's stance on guns with Grandpa but I've been doing some research because I've been interested. The following website seems to sum up what I've found:
http://www.google.com/search?q=obama+%2B+gun+control&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7DKUS

Basically it seems like he wants more restrictions on gun ownership in inner cities. He wants to enforce background checks and doesn't think average folks need weapons similar to those used in combat. From what I can tell it doesn't look like Grandpa has much to worry about. I'm sure all of his guns are owned legally and I know that many of them are too old to be used. Obama isn't against people using guns to hunt. He's just sick of people being shot for no reason.

Anyway, there's what I know.

Oh, and also I read where one of his people said that this gun issue is definitely not of the front burner right now. Obama will be focusing on the economic crisis and the war - not whether or not Grandpa has antique guns.

MR said...

aaahh... it's so relaxing to not have to do "that". My President leaves office on Jan. 20th, with one less dictator and one more democracy in the world--not to mention no terrorist attacks since 01. Now Iraqis can demonstrate AGAINST the government if they want, and follow it up with their vote. They can complain openly about their leaders as much as people complained about Bush. Hearing that an Iraqi president has a low approval rating would probably start Bush giggling. Their lives are worth something now, they aren't just playthings of the dictator and his sons. They won't just disappear into mass graves without question any more.

...oh but there DEFINITELY weren't any weapons of mass destruction. Yeah, we were DUPED into doing something humanitarian.

patti said...

Sorry to hear about your Dad. Hope he's back in form soon.

dan said...

Lori,
Hey... welcome! (This is my cousin, everybody!). :)

It was nice to see you yesterday. I didn't know you had commented when you were at the hospital. I actually like your dads jokes, btw. I use them.

As for the gun discussion... I will leave that for another day. :)

Nice to hear from you Patti (and everyone else).

MR said...

What are you doing there in Illinois, handing out cards with your blog on it? Who are all these people? They don't have opinions do they? :D