When I got to the hospital at about 7:10Am this morning, Dick was all dressed and peeking out of his hospital room door looking for me. He was about to call too see if I was on my way. I can't blame him. He was anxious to come home. We waited a bit for Dr. Siddique, then the nurse called down to him and he was running behind. e said that if we didn't have any questions, we could just check out. So we did.

He had an awful time last night up until about 12:30AM when they let him lift his head and move a bit. Then at 2:30AM he was allowed up. I don't know if he slept after that or not, but he seemed pretty good when I got there. Anyway, we checked out with lots of instructions. Actually, he can do anything as long as he does not strain the groin area where the incision was made and as long as he doesn't overdo. He has to keep his feet up and rest today and tomorrow won't hurt. He took two good naps during the day, I hope this doesn't ruin his chances for sleeping tonight.

Anyway we are done until September 5 when he will have the second procedure. Don't you just love that term - procedure - sounds much less frightening than operation.

Did I tell you that when they were prepping him yesterday the RN got a call and simply excused herself. The next thing we knew people were running up and down the hall, they were calling Code Blue over the intercom and bringing the crash cart to the room just down from us. It turned out all right the patient is still with us. But it was quite dramatic.

We stopped at Parkview Restaurant in Falls for breakfast and then on home. We were both home the rest of the day. Quite nice. I baked bread and made jam and made a cheesecake for dessert tomorrow night. Bobbie and Bill are coming for a corn and tomato supper with us.

When Bret and Bart were little, Bret's friend Bret Alan's Dad had a pile of dirt beside his driveway for the very longest time. It became a playground for the little boys who lived there and were all about the same age, Bret Francis, Bret Alan and Chip. We came to Wisconsin one winter and Uncle Jeff gave Bret a toy snowmobile. Jeff found it amusing that Bret immediately said "Oh Boy. I can play with this on Bret Alan's dirt pile." There is nothing better for children that a big field or a nice pile of dirt.

However, one time at our jeep club meeting which was in Santa Ana at the Isaac Walton League which fronted a big field, the farmers had a huge pile of fertilizer delivered. Next thing I knew,MY boys were trying to climb the biggest "dirt pile" they had ever experienced. Needless to say I had to go home right away and plunge them into the bathtub.

Have a nice Friday.

Love

Mary