What Dedication!

Dr. Sanjay Gupta

This is the face of a true American Hero -- one of many who are working tirelessly and altruistically to ease the burden of the overwhelmed and afflicted in Haiti.

I awoke in my comfortable home early this morning to a report on CNN from Haiti. During the night, U.N. workers forced doctors and nurses to abandon a medical treatment tent because of an alleged threat of violence. The only people who courageously remained to treat the wounded were Dr. Sanjay Gupta and a medic. They had practically no supplies because the doctors and medical personnel were forced to take their supplies with them when they left. And, the generator in the tent failed during the night because of a lack of fuel. But, Dr. Gupta and the medic, my heroes, remained to care for the people who would have surely died without their care.

I am certain there are many more instances of this type of heroism being carried out during this crisis. This act of dedication and unselfishness brought an ache to my heart though. I wish there were more of us just like Dr. Gupta in this world. Maybe a lot of hatred, anger, revenge, murder, bigotry, envy, ignorance, and torture would vanish like a morning fog if we thought more of others than ourselves.

I wish I could give a hug to all those brave souls who are doing what I wish I could do to help the poor people of Haiti during the aftermath of this tragic disaster. This virtual hug will have to do. Dr. Gupta, please accept my thanks for all you do for others.

Baby, It's Cold Outside in Kentucky

I just can't seem to get warm lately. I've tried everything, including layering my clothing and wearing socks in the house -- something I don't like to do. We've even added an extra blanket to the bed. I've started drinking more hot tea and going to bed earlier. Gives us an excuse to cuddle more. This weather, however, is just a taste of what's coming. After all, it's still early in the season.

Last year, at the end of January, we had an ice storm to outdo all ice storms. We were out of power for nine days. Made life interesting, but we managed with what we had. We're really not looking forward to any ice, snow, sleet, blowing winds, falling trees or power lines, frosty the snowman types, or icy roads, but you K.N.O.W. it's inevitable.

I just want to get on with winter and look forward to nice, warm springtime weather. You remember that, don't you? That's when it's warm enough to go outside without a ginormous coat, muffler, gloves, hat, boots, and face mask. That's when your nose hairs don't freeze the minute you inhale and exhale. That's when you don't have to start the car 20 minutes before you have to leave so the windows will defrost. That's when you don't have to keep the snow shovel and ice scraper handy just in case the weather does something nasty. That's when you don't have to be concerned your water pipes will freeze or your furnace will break down just when you need it the most. That's when you don't have to worry whether the tip of your nose and/or your ears will fall off from frostbite.

Spring -- that's when you can actually see flowers and plants popping up from the warm, moist ground. That's when you can look forward to opening the pool for the season and enjoying a BBQ out on the deck. Ah, bliss.

Oh, oh, I'm back in the present and my feet are still cold. Are we headed for another ice age? No, they're just predicting some snow for Thursday -- that's the day I have to go back to work. Will somebody please help me find my ginormous winter coat, muffler, gloves, hat, boots, and face mask?