12 Years

The weather yesterday was much like the weather on July 4, 1995...severe storms and pouring rain.

How do I remember this? Well, that was the date of the car accident that very easily could have killed me - July 4, 1995. That day is one of those days in my life that will forever be stamped on my memory - one of those things in my life that is still painful to talk about and remember. That is one of the reasons why I threw out the pictures of my totalled car, even though my Mom feels strongly that I should've kept them.

I remember so many details of that day vividly, and other details I don't remember so much. But I remember the song that was playing on my stereo when the accident happened - Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" - I remember the EMT joking about the For Sale sign in my car window and how my car would no longer fit the "Like New" description. I remember a man dying on the gurney next to mine in the emergency room. There is so much I remember.

July 4th isn't so much a day for me to celebrate my freedoms. It's a day for me to celebrate the fact that I'm still alive. There were so many variables that could've resulted in tragedy if they had turned out any differently.

The canoe in the bed of the truck that I hit could've come through my windshield and decapitated me, instead of skidding over the top of my car, just inches above my head.

If I hadn't been wearing my seatbelt, I would've doubtless been thrown partially through my windshield, but I think my chest injuries would've been more severe (and probably fatal). As it was, I cracked my sternum and bruised my heart, and I had to be hooked up to a heart monitor overnight at the hospital because the doctor feared I could go into cardiac arrest at any moment.

It's very fortunate that I didn't get cut to ribbons. My car's windows imploded (that's how my mom described it afterwards). The only blood I had on me was blood from the EMT, who cut himself when he was getting into the car.

This accident is the main reason that I'm such a skittish driver today...the reason that I try to avoid driving in inclement weather as much as I possibly can. (I saw the accident happen right in front of me, and when I braked, my car hydroplaned and became part of it).

A week after my accident, I was still recuperating, but capable of driving. My dad gave me the keys to his Ford Escort, telling me that "when you fall off the horse, you have to get back on again." I know...I know. But while driving back to my apartment, the car died in the very same place where I had my accident. Fortunately for me, there was a Highway Patrol car right behind me. I coasted into the construction zone to keep out of traffic and he pulled in behind me. By the time he got to my window, I was sobbing. He couldn't understand what I was so upset about, but then I told him. So he called my dad to come and get me, and then he called a tow truck.

I still flinch whenever I drive on that part of the freeway.

Crispy or Extra Crispy?

Paula and I went to the zoo today. It was supposed to be a day filled with scattered thunderstorms, but it only lightly sprinkled on the way there, and once we were at the zoo, it was very hot and sunny.

I got toasted. My shoulders got it the worst, but luckily, they should fade in a couple days. I wish Mom had some aloe, but at least it doesn't hurt. I'm mad at myself for not thinking of sunscreen though.

Anyway, the highlight of my day at the zoo was the Lorikeet Garden. It is in the Australian exhibit, and you pay $1 for a cup of nectar. The lorikeets saw my cup and lined up along the fence to feed from it. It was really cool. Two of them were obviously mates, sipping the nectar and feeding it to each other. It was really sweet. Paula got a picture of me doing the feeding, so I hope she sends it to me soon.

The flying foxes (bats) were also really cool. I was just surprised that they would be out in broad daylight.

There is also a new koala baby, and I got pictures of it napping with its arms wrapped tightly around Mama. So cute.

We also saw Fluffy, the world's largest python. I only mention it because it's a snake. Named Fluffy.

I think the best picture I got today was of a Drill (like a baboon), sitting by the window, looking very pensive.

Of course, there were frustrating moments too. Trying to get lunch was a pain. We went into the food court where we had many choices, but a hotdog was oddly appealing to me. Paula wanted one too. So we went to the hot dog place, and these picky people in front of us kept insisting that their hotdogs weren't hot enough and we had to stand and wait while they pointed out the specific hotdogs that they wanted from the hotdog warmer. It was so ridiculous. We took the hotdogs we were given and they were normal hotdog temperature. I noticed that the girl working the counter threw out the buns too after she put back the hotdogs that weren't hot enough. So wasteful.

I sometimes wonder if we're actually the ones on display at the zoo and the animals are the ones pointing, watching and talking about us. A guy was taunting a Macaw today, getting angry with it because it wasn't repeating back what he said. Idiot. The Macaw seemed nonplussed.

Anyway, that was my day at the zoo. Pictures will follow next week sometime...pictures from my entire trip, not just the zoo. Not that I think anyone is waiting for them with baited breath.

I finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter today...an amazing book. I've been doing a lot of reading since I've been here.

Dinner tonight was the cookout we were supposed to have last night, but was cancelled due to severe storms. We had steak, corn on the cob, and au gratin potatoes. Very good.

Yesterday, during the aforementioned storms, I baked a loaf of banana bread that is apparently so good, my stepdad is trying to eat all of it. Mom had 4 overripe bananas on the verge of going bad, so I grabbed Rob's vintage BH&G cookbook and found the only banana bread recipe they had on hand. I had to substitute oil for shortening, since they had no shortening. And I added a teaspoon of cinnamon. I guess it turned out well. I saved half the loaf to take to Findlay this weekend, but Rob keeps threatening to steal it.

We were supposed to be going back to Findlay tomorrow night, but there's a good chance that my mom will have to work on Saturday, and so even those plans, like all of my other plans this trip, may get cancelled. We may go on Saturday evening instead and spend the night, but then we'll have to cancel plans to go up to the lake on Sunday.

*sigh*

I'm kind of sick of the plans changing. I think the only things I've done since I've been here that were actually planned were the family picnic on Sunday and the zoo today.