I finally get to go to town tomrrow! It's been like 6 weeks, at least, since I went anywhere, besides church Sun a.m. I get to eat someone else's cooking, don't have to clean up after the meal, go shopping. I'm SO excited! We did have potluck at church last Sunday, but I had to cook for that too. We were the last ones to leave, as usual... because we talk until everyone is gone. Jeff said "You'd think we don't get out to visit much!" LOL
One of the upsides (or downsides, depending on your view) of being home so much, is the amount of reading we get accomplished. I've read a lot of books.. but also a lot of newspapers, magazines, journals, periodicals, and trash. This can all add to your knowledge base - and to your paranoia level. I read an article in a magazine last night about the fungas known as UG99. It is a new "improved" version of a wheat fungas (Red rust) that was eradicated in the 60's. Prior to that time, it caused worldwide famine and death, since wheat is the primary nutrition for most of the world - including the U.S. Here, wheat is the 3rd largest crop behind soybeans and ... something else. But it IS our main grain crop. Now, this new version of the fungas is spreading rapidly throughout the world. It was discovered in a very small area of Uganda in 1999 (hence the UG99 designation). Since then it has spread quickly. The biggest fear for us, is that one of the spores could hitch a ride on a person via plane and land here. ONE spore contains 10 BILLION little fungi - so just the one spore could cause widespread crop failure here. If they don't find someway to stop it or engineer resistance to it, we could be looking at a repeat of worldwide famine and death. A loaf of bread could become a huge luxury!
And, if that's not enough - in the paper this a.m., there was an article on hospitals, and the fact that the rate of serious infections DUE to hospitalization are INCREASING! As many as 98,000 people a YEAR DIE from medical errors and preventable infections and medication mixups! The hospital issues include bloodstream infections following surgery, urinary infections from catheters, various other infections due to medical care and bloodstream infections due to central venous catheters (neck, chest or groin placement). Shouldn't these types of deaths be TOTALLY preventable?
Ok, that's my ranting for the day. I'm wondering if I have too much time on my hands? I guess as long as I don't start blaming aliens for the pine beetle infestation, I won't worry too much. Although I'm pretty certain that Leprechaun's are resposible for the shoes that hang on electrical & telephone wires by the road. :)
Still no word on our vehicle - the mechanic has had it 6 weeks and STILL isn't done. Unbelievable. Well, better go hunt some leprechauns before the alien spores take over my mind... ta ta!
