Datum: dinsdag 10 oktober 2006 2:50

I'm okay. In fact, just got through baking some pancakes after waking from a little nap. So, don't worry. Had an ice pack on my knee which hit the dashboard, and it seems to be functioning okay.

Here's the whole story, the truth and nothing but the truth; so help me!

It was a beautiful October day - blue sky, warm but with a bit of a fall chill in the air. I noticed that the leaves on the trees have reached about /14 of their autumn glory.

Had a busy day planned, as usual. I drove my latest Senior Profile manuscript and the accompanying pictures over to the Transylvania Times - and was in good fettle.

Went over to the Proper Pot on Main Street and bought the most expensive single fry pan I have ever purchased. Had to get a special one to use on my new electric stove with the glass top and the radiant heat.

Drove around the corner on Caldwell and on to Probart. When I got to corner of Probart and Broad Street, I had a decision to make. Should I turn right - and go the main intersection and then turn left? Or - should I wait for the traffic to clear and drive across Broad and up that steep hill on Probart? Made the wrong decision. !!!!
Decided to wait for an opening and drive across before going up that terribly steep hill on Probart. I thought the road was clear in front of me, but there is traffic coming down that steep decline on Broad and I didn't see the car approaching me.

I was inching across when suddenly - BANG - that sickening thud when another car hits you. I saw a woman with a little baby spinning around and my car was driven off the road, over the curb, and on to the grassy area on the other side of Broad. I was shaken up, and heart beating madly, and frightened - as I sat there in my mangled up 1999 Buick!

The young woman and the baby in the other car seemed to be all right - and they were - except that the back door of her car was in pretty badly messed up shape.

It seemed like in no time flat I was surrounded by police cars and an EMS - and a very concerned young woman EMS worker asking me if I was all right - and if my neck or any thing hurt. I dazedly said no. Wanted to know if I wanted to go to the hospital to be checked. I confusedly said no. The lady in the other car got out of her car and took her little girl - looked about a couple years old - out of the car seat in the back seat. Baby was frightened and crying. NO ONE HURT. No blood, no broken bones - but the automobiles took a terrible beating.

Police and EMS workers were so kind and gentle and caring - made me feel protected. She drove off in her car, but mine was undriveable, so in no time flat there was a wrecker there and they hoisted the car up onto a flat bed and drove it away -where to? I have no idea.

The EMS worker, in the meantime, had helped me to take my belongings out of the car and put them into a big bag. At this same time, Evie Huntington, (a friend of mine from Connestee Falls) came by saw me - police wouldn't let her stop and hold up traffic - but she kept circling around until she came up to where I was and gave me a ride home.

I got a citation. First one I have ever had in my life. It will cost me $25 plus court costs; but I can take a check to the Court House, pay for my sins, and won't have to appear in court.

I was on my way to an appointment at Quotations, for an interview for my Senior Profile column in the newspaper, with Doris Kendrick when the accident happened. Doris is the owner of the Ladies Apparel shop in Sapphire, called Hogshed. Evie went into Quotations and let her know what had happened - and drove me home.

How kind and nice of Evie to do that for me! She was so efficient and calming, made every thing seem okay for me. There is nothing like this area - people are all extraordinary.

So, here I sit without a car in the driveway. I called State Farm and told them about it and they assured me they would take care of it. The other driver is also insured with State Farm - sort of a family affair.

I had a later appointment this afternoon to see Gloria Clouse for another appointment for a newspaper interview. She is the current President of the Friends of the DuPont Forest (a favorite project, close to my heart). I called her, explained, apologized. She has sent me some info on the internet. Hope I can get the info in to the paper for next week's paper on time, as the DuPont Forest is having their annual Fall bus tour for people to view the forest, the placid lake and all the thundering waterfalls at the end of next week - and I wanted to get her story in the paper, complete with the news about the upcoming TOUR before the event.

Maybe, I can still make it.

Bunged up knee seems to be doing pretty well. Ice pack I put on it has kept down the swelling - and so far it seems to be in working order. It would have to be on the left leg which has the bursitis in the hip. But, what the hey, I was limping on that leg anyway.

Soooooo, I don't know just what will happen to my car, where it is, or what! Of course I have Russell to ferry me around in his car if I need ferrying.

My pride is bruised - first citation I ever got - and the poor maroon car doesn't seem like the little engine that could any more - but, I am counting my blessings. Could have been worse.

Head aches a bit - but I guess that is a tension thing.

Lorraine