Today.
I got up early to drive a neighbour to the hospital.
As I was driving home and near where I was going to get a cup of coffee, my other neighbour's husband (who recently got taken out of the household by the police) phoned me. I pulled over to chat. He was asking about his daughter. They have a no contact order. I told him she was ok and yes her cold had gone away and that she misses him. All that is true. He loves his daughter and would never harm her. It's the issues between the parents....anyway..he finally got off the phone and then his wife, my neighbour phoned...crisis call again...(I brought the daughter to my place for a while last night to let her talk and cry and help her through this very confusing time)
Anyway, the mom asked if I could help...the daughter would not get out of bed, and of course the usual struggles ensued....I drove home to get the daughter.
I was driving her to school and asked a few pertinent questions....
The kid had been kept awake by her Mom playing a video game...sheesh..
The kid had not had breakfast. The kid did not have a lunch with her. And she forgot to put lunch money in her pack.
And she was more or less crying.
So. I went into the school and explained that I was taking this girl for breakfast and would bring her back after.
We went to the IHOP so she could order what she wanted (and I could finally get my coffee). She talked to me about a lot of things. She also told me about a group of girls at the school who have been bullying.
This girl is 12. No kid at 12 should have to be dealing with so many crummy things all at once. (Her mom sometimes behaves like a spoiled kid instead of the mom)
I drove her back to school and gave her lunch money and then wrote a note for the teachers so they would know that there was a valid reason for her being late.
I let the school know about the crisis at home, but did not give details. I also let the school know that there has been bullying going on.
Sigh...I know it should be the parents who deal with this, but if the Mom won't make the effort, (so she can save face), then someone has to intervene on behalf of the child.
The school now knows that ths kid is under tremendous strain and will now have some more compassion.
Well, that was my morning shot.
I went downtown to meet a friend for a vist and late lunch. Then on the way home, the train got stuck for a while.
I finally made it to my station and decided to take the bus the few blocks to home because of the horrible weather. Well...the bus driver did not stop at the stop. I guess he was not paying attention. A few of had to wait until he drove around to the other end of the hill to walk home. So much for trying to stay out of the weather.
I did not manage to get anything done that I had originally planned
(except for the late lunch). I'll try again tomorrow.
I had wanted to bake a cake to take for the break time at camera club tonight, but there was no time to bake a cake. Hmmm....brain storm....cinnamon buns.
I got out my cook book and quickly mixed the ingredients to make a double batch of dough and the brown sugar/cinnamon mix....rolled the dough out, spread the filling on, rolled the dough up, marked it and cut each log into 12 pieces. Quickly got them into paper cups and into muffin pans and into the oven. They only take 15 minutes to bake once in the oven.
I took them with me to camera club to share. They were most appreciative.
Now at home, I feel like this is the first time today to sit and relax. (I'm supposed to be resting). hardy har....I've had a bad cold and then it turned into something worse (suspected mild case of H1N1) and then it eased off and am in recovery mode.)
Anyway...what has all this got to do with motorcycling? Nothing.
However, the topic of my motorcycle came up this morning so I can make this entry qualify.
When my neighbour and I went out to the garage so I could take her to the hospital, she told me she was worried I would be taking her on my
motorcycle.
She did not realize I still had a car. She was somewhat relieved.
The insurance on my motorcycle has expired now, but if we ever get another good day, I can buy a day permit.
So far, we are having high wind warnings and heavy rain warnings and the weather pattern does not show any signs of abating.
Last night there was 90kmh winds. The ferry service had to cancel some sailings because of the winds and choppy sea. The wave action would have made it dangerous to dock.
A lot of households were without power last night, but most were restored by this morning.
The hydro crews were sure working hard.
And...our workplace strike still continues.
I did not see any motorcyclists out today, but there was a scooter rider out.
They are either very brave or very dumb to have been out on 2 wheels the way it was today. Heck, I didn't even drive my car downtown it was so bad. I took transit. I can't imagine riding a little scooter and trying to keep it in a straight line or even upright with the conditions out there today.
Oh well....it takes all kinds.
...... oh oh, I hope that wasn't a switch flipping.....
