Dateline Dayton — As Californians reading this essay know, when it rain, it pours, and the same is true in the Hennessey household. 

As I mentioned last week, my wife Pauline was involved in a serious car accident.  She was lucky, only receiving bruises and bumps.  She was the worst one hurt.  The car, a separate story, has been totaled by the insurance company. That means finding another car.

Last Saturday we went looking. Prices  are out of sight.  I felt she might like a little large car than her HHR, which did well protecting her in the crash.  The ones we were shown, were all in the $30,000 range and higher.  After leaving the dealership, we went to one selling foreign cars.  Pauline was impressed with one.  I must admit, although I hate dealing with car sales people, this gentleman was nice.  I'm still having a problem bringing myself to purchase a foreign car, although I realize they are manufactured in the United States.  My Chrysler might now be considered a foreign car, even with its American name.

Pauline is not interested in driving at the present time, so we are in no hurry to purchase a vehicle.  In a followup with her doctor, he suggested she take a driver evaluation program at a local hospital.  Although he saw no reason she shouldn’t drive, he said the program could give her confidence she needs to get behind the wheel again.

Last Sunday, church was followed by coffee and donuts.  This year Christmas is going to consist of gift cards. We took care of that after church since the women's group sells cards as fundraisers.

By afternoon our granddaughter had a basketball game, followed by a soccer game.  We attended both.  Her team lost the basketball game, but the soccer team won.

A Passel of Bad News

After getting home and having supper, we were ready to settle down to a quiet evening. The phone rang.  It was the assisted living facility where Pauline's brother is a resident.  Joe had fallen in his room. He was on his way to the hospital.  Since she is still very sore, I suggested that we wait awhile. Nothing would be known for hours.  Arriving at the hospital, we learned he had broken his hip.  Surgery would be the next afternoon.  We finally got back home at 2 on Monday morning.

Late Monday afternoon, we were back at the hospital. At 6:30 the surgeon told us things could have gone better, but Joe was okay.  He would be in recovery for 90 minutes.

After getting something to eat and spending time in his room, we were told that due to loss of blood during surgery, he would remain in recovery for another 90 minutes. I was not feeling good. We left. 

Pauline spent most of Tuesday at the hospital, where Joe remained in ICU.  By evening they were trying to find a room for him.

Yesterday I took her to the hospital at noon, and she spent the afternoon with her brother, who still hasn't been up on his feet.

Chag Sameah!

To my Jewish friends, Happy third night of Chanukah!