Sunrise, Sunset

I thought the clock said 5am.  I got up and packed my stuff so I could leave Portland early and get home before the heat made it into the 100's in Eastern Washington.  Had my apple and yogurt to eat on the way.  Put my glasses on and "surprise" I had actually gotten up at 4am.  I was on my way before 5 o'clock.  The traffic was teensey.  The sunrise behind Mt. Hood was spectacular.  I was past Troutdale ahead of the morning rush.  I had time for breakfast in the Dalles, two eggs over easy and bacon.  Hit a small windy dust storm on I-84 right about where the "dust for 40 miles" sign was.  That was the only time I rolled the windows up.

Driving into the Walla Walla Valley around 10am I could see our home turf was socked in tight by smoke and dust, sigh.  The compensating feature is the gorgeous sunsets all that particulate creates.  It got to 108 degrees in places yesterday.  It was my turn to bring the meat to the family dinner so I got several roast chickens at the grocery and chilled and cut them up.  No ovens for me this week.

I was in Portland several days with my youngest sister.  A fellow visiting from Europe driving a rental car blew through a stop sign at about 50 mph crashed with her and her two teenagers.  She had put her arm up just as the air bag deployed and it knocked her hand into her mouth and rearranged her teeth.

The car is totaled.  They spent the night in ER but went home around 4am.  She and her daughter have "mild' concussions but all considered it could have been much worse.  She thinks her car, a newer Honda Civic, saved their lives and probably much worse injuries.  Because of this I am happy to give them a plug.  The other driver was ticketed.  It was his fault.  All the paperwork, and calling.  We were wondering how people who actually end up in the hospital cope with all that?  God help them.

I took her to the orthodontist  and her doctor.  Mostly I spent time with her.  Her hand looks like an old boxing glove and has her teeth marks in it but it should be fine.  Again, I'm grateful.  Then the last day we rented her a car.  They were out of four-door sedans so they gave her a Chrysler Town and Country mini-van.  She said she didn't think she would want a mini-van but that it was so large she felt very safer in it.