Wednesday Update

I met my friend Judy at Steamer's, a waterfront cafe here in my home town.  I love this place. And I've taken journal pictures there before.   It's right down on the water, with a great view of the new and old Narrows Bridges.  There are tracks between the cafe and the parking lot, where trains, both freight and passenger go by on a regular basis. There's a lovely beach just down below Steamer's where I used to take my grand kids when they were little and a great paved walkway, to walk dogs or take a leisurely stroll.  I was concerned about the weather...but while we were there, the rain stayed away.  This was her "birthday" lunch from me...her birthday was on September 16th but this was the first opportunity we had to get together.

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From there I went to Trader Joes, to stock up on a few things and then on to the Toyota dealer to have the oil changed in my car.  When they were done, the Service guy came with a serious look on his face and told me of some things that need to be taken care of on my car.  I've never had much trouble with this car, it now has 97,700 miles on it...so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, just disappointed as I don't have the $1,100.00 he is suggesting to fix all the trouble spots.  I keep having things happen that suggest I may have to get a part time job...the retirement money is just not stretching enough.

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From there I went to my nearby Fred Meyer store, to get milk and coffee creamer and then on home as the sky was getting blacker and blacker.  I could see rain coming down out of the black clouds off in the distance...but I made it home and as I took the last bit of stuff out of my car, heavy rain started pelting the carport and patio.  There was some thunder (one blast shook the house like an earthquake) but it seems to have subsided now.

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Those of you who have read my journal for sometime remember the account I gave of the shooting at the Tacoma Mall on Sunday, November 20, 2005.   The shooter, Dominick Maldonado wounded seven people, kidnapped four and frightened hundreds of others who fled the mall in fear for their lives. One of his victims, Dan McKown was shot three times at point blank range, leaving him partially paralyzed.  Maldonado was finally brought to trial and Tuesday the jury returned their verdict; GUILTY ! Convicted of 15 crimes including; first degree assault, guilty of attempted second-degree murder (in the case of Dan McCowan), guilty of second degree assault, guilty of first degree kidnapping (he held 4 people at gun point in a store)and guilty of first degree unlawful possession of a firearm.  His sentencing date has been set for November 2, 2007 and it's been said he could get as much as a hundred years sentence for the horrific things he did. He's only 22 years old now, so young...what a waste of a life.  Thankfully, even though Mr. McCowan is in a wheelchair for the rest of his life...no one died on that scary day in November 2005.

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There's snow falling in the mountains here in Washington state.  Stevens Pass saw enough snow fall today, for people to head up there with their kids and sleds.   The main pass (Snoqualmie) from my area over to eastern Washington is at 3,200 feet and they have not had any snowfall as yet.  But the snow level is falling so it's just a matter of time until the white stuff starts falling there, too.

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After I got home this afternoon, clumsy me tripped and I fell here in my living room.  I caught my left foot on the leg of the coffee table and I'm afraid I may have either sprained it badly or broken a bone just below the second toe (from my great toe).  It's extremely sore (ouch) and swelling.  I've got ice on it now and I took a couple Tylenol but so far...no relief.  I bet it will be black and blue tomorrow.   So, I'm going to get off here and go elevate it.  Until next time........Linda