Home in time for Father's Day.

Last year, the day before Father's Day, our department received a medical call for a subject "not breathing, not conscious".

When we hear these words several questions run through our minds as we scramble to our vehicles.

How long has the patient been down? What is the patent's medical history? Am I prepared to start CPR? These are just a few of many.

I was first to arrive and the friend who had found her was standing outside by his motorcycle. Not a good sign. I proceeded in to find the elderly woman in a chair on her sun porch.

She was gone.

The ambulance and paramedic arrived a couple of minutes later. "She's in there", I replied as I made my way back to my pickup. Neighbors were coming out of their homes to see what was happening. I greeted them and told them the solemn news.

When there is nothing you can do for the patient it is important to remember that the survivors, both friends and family have become your patients now. Just taking a few moments to talk with them can have awesome healing power.

I listened to several people that day and as I was traveling down the highway the next morning their words and the realization of what particular day this was, suddenly a whole new picture was painted of yesterday's lament.

The neighbor said that she was sitting in her favorite room and in her favorite chair.

The paramedic noted that she was reading The Holy Bible, her favorite book.

She had told the friend who found her , "I have travel plans for this weekend.. Don't tell anyone".

A smile came across my face followed by tears of joy for this dear old woman. All the tidbits of conversation from the day before were now quite clear.

She was in her favorite room, in her favorite chair, reading her favorite book and she did indeed have travel plans....to be home in time for Father's Day.

Now if you will excuse me, this big hearted firefighter needs a tissue......

Rescue Dog

A note to my readers.

As you may have noticed, there is a bit of a gap in my posts. This due to the fact now I share this computer with three other people in my home. The fact that I seem to have have a case of writers block has not helped either. Maybe its this nasty weather we been having too.

Hopefully the sun will come out this weekend and give all of us in our home a recharge. I have lived here on the Oregon coast all my life so the rain is usually no big deal. However some winters can get you down a bit and cabin fever sets in.

God bless all who read my blog. I will have have more very cool stories for you soon.

Rescue Dog

Well ***!

There is nothing more annoying than telemarketers calling with offers that you would never want in the first place. I answered my phone this morning to someone from VISA offering me a $50 gas card and some package of garbage that I would never use. I hung up on him after listening to a bunch of rhetoric and the fact that a $2 charge for shipping and handling would be charged to my card. When I heard the last four digits of the card number I quickly checked my cards and realized that they were charging to a card I no longer have.

The phone rang almost immediately after I hung up and the guy asked me why I did so. DUH! The fact that I hung up before this nonsense could proceed further should be an indication to you that I don't want what you are offering! I had already canceled that card and got a new one because of **** like this!

I went online recently to register on the "do not call list" but this apparently does not work. The telemarketers still find me and try to sell their wares like snake oil salesmen of old. Then there are the e-mail sales pitches.....

Those that provide an unsubscribe option are okay as they usually stick to the anti spam policy. However there are some that if you could reach them, the overwhelming desire to shove that filthy **** down their throat..... I think you get the picture as I am sure many of you have received such at some time.

Well ****! The phone just rang again, another telemarketer from some national law firm. These people must think I have tons of money to waste on useless ****! I think it is time to go to my shop where there is no telephone, computer or TV. Only a small radio for music and a nice warm fireplace to sit next to as I plan out the next small project for my home. Ah, sanctuary.

Rescue Dog

Flash,KABOOM!

Winter is definitely here. Rain, rain and more rain along with the southwest winds. Happy new year? A wet one for sure and driving becomes a bit more hazardous. A trip to the store can become an adventure. I'm glad that it is only a one mile trip for me.

Just as I was about to leave the store there was a flash, followed in a second by some very loud thunder. A gentleman who was standing just outside the door remarked that it was very close as it had set off car alarms. I dashed for my truck knowing that in a moment it would be raining severely.

As I pulled out onto the highway it began to pour. Then the hail began to fall. Harder, bigger and soon the road looked like a sea of marbles, bouncing back up into the air as they struck until the road seemed to disappear. I slowed to twenty miles per hour, searching for the fog line or edge markers. Only a quarter of a mile left til my driveway, street lights now guiding my way. As I turned up my driveway it sounded like marbles bouncing off the side of my pickup, the ground rapidly turning white.

Now into my parking space, I get a firm hold on the groceries and make a mad dash for the door. Safe! As I look back out at the deck and rock wall, the size of the hail seems to increase. A large stone lands within inches of the door and I grab it to check the size. Wow! No wonder I was having trouble seeing the road on the way home. The size of a marble easily and a lot of them.

Thankfully those traveling through my little town have managed to keep their vehicles on the highway in this nasty weather. I am always ready to respond to any emergency but am always grateful when I can stay inside, my cat in my lap and just listen to the storm.

Rescue Dog