Monday Monday

Monday was one of those days that seem funny later. Here's the story.

Appointment early afternoon with primary care doctor to get clearance for surgery. It was raining heavily when I left home, and I was halfway there, at a busy intersection, about to cross on a green light when a rusty old sedan screeched right across me, through his red light, then made a sudden corner, cutting another car off, and barreled away, missing me by maybe a couple of feet.

So far so good, and I proceeded, once I got breathing again, heading for the medical arts building. And found the regular entrance was suddenly closed for construction. So I found another entrance, no helpful signs or anything, usually used by people who work there, and wambled around finding a reasonably close parking spot. 

Got in, a bit early, and was shown into an examining room, was measured, and was sitting peacefully reading the Ladies Motorcycle Club when a shrieking beeping started up. While I was establishing it wasn't coming from my phone, two nurses rushed in: we had to evacuate, fire department, second floor smoke,  something.

So we were all herded out, at least I was dressed, some patients in gowns and funny hats, to wait in the pouring rain while fire trucks tried to get in by the narrow back way. Evidently smoke happened, possibly wiring. 

Helen hip wasn't too happy, what with cold wet weather and standing.  After quite a while, and two nice nurses trying to fit me under their umbrella designed for one, a fireman offered to let me wait nearer  the building, out of direct rain, and, noticing I was flagging, he and a techie brought out a couple of wheelchairs and set them up for another lady and me.

Eventually they let patients needing to get warm into one part of the building, where I dried out and warmed up a bit. After the fire folk had told us yet again  that they were still trying to find the source, maybe yet another half hour, I left a note for my doctor and went home. Driving through torrential rain all the way, a bit of planing might have happened.   And when I got home I dropped my keys in a puddle, gah.

Once in the house, in dry clothes and with a pot of tea I began to feel better. I'm now rescheduled for Thursday to my amazement, they must have done some juggling,  usually it's weeks, but this has to happen asap.   Checked the weather, no rain Thursday. No word about locusts, though .

It was too cold and wet and dispirited for taking pictures, but there were plenty of fire trucks and miscellaneous other vehicles all flashing and beeping along with the fire alarm, accompanied by flashing strobe lights all over the building. It was a dramatic scene, if you felt like it. Except for all the glum medics and patients standing around under little folding umbrellas, getting wet and cold.

So that was Monday. This evening is about reading under an afghan with chocolate cherries. That's the height of my current ambition.