Margaret just forwarded this update e-mail from Bernie's and Maudie's son, Doug:

"Dad had a little better day today. He is being kept in the ICU because the doctors have found a chemical in his blood (no not WD40) that usually suggests a recent heart attack. After an ultrasound, though, they have almost ruled that out. Dad is much more lucid and is picking on the nurses so it looks like steady improvement. He tried to plot an escape today but the nurses got wind of it and loaded him up with pain medication until he forgot what he was up to.

Sandi had to get home tonight since she works again tomorrow, but Tammy is coming back through again - so we'll keep the ICU room full of family. Mom is staying in the parking lot of my church and so has power and a safe place to park the 5th wheel. She seems comfortable and is close. Every now and then she stays the night with us just to make us feel like we are doing something."


Also, Catrina (Niece Catrina, not Hurrican Katrina) sent some utterly amazing photos of all the stuff donated to the hurricane relief effort. TRUCKLOADS!!! She has spearheaded a drive to collect items for Randy, his partner Barry, and others from their church to take to Mississippi. Catrina, would you PLEASE blog those photos and some summary comments about the work you are doing? [For all Dear Readers who are not already aware of it, Catrina is as knowledgeable about computers as she is about insurance.]