On May 8th:

Charcoal on newsprint, 18 by 18 inches, 1995
Today was quite a day. It was my birthday. It rained a good part of the day.
During my first class -about 10:15AM- my youngest daughter called to tell me she'd had a car wreck. Seems a person tried to beat her with an unprotected left turn and she swerved and missed that car, but another car was making a right on red turn at the same time and she didn't miss that one. The good news? She's basically okay, though very sore. It wasn't her fault. The first person has to pay. The bad news? She's sore, carless and may have her car totalled.
Then my mom called to wish me happy birthday and tell me that she'd had a car wreck. She's sore, but alright. It wasn't her fault. In fact it was listed as a no fault accident. Seems a school bus took off her bumper and sideswiped her. I don't know how that's no fault, but I wasn't there. Her car will probably be totalled and she says at 90 she's just not going to drive anymore. She's already missing her freedom and autonomy.
My youngest came over and the three of us went to Panera for supper after my lessons. We came home and had cake and icecream and visited until her dad took her home. I may have to go to Barling and take her to work in the morning before my classes start.
I received 4 e-cards, four birthday phone calls, three paper cards, several e-mail wishes, a new car stereo and some ceramic tools including a detail set I've really had my eye on. My cat has followed me all day, rubbing me and biting me and at this moment lay on my feet purring.
I'm writing an epic poem. It's currently 14 pages, and I'm getting close to finished. I don't know for sure what I'll do with it when it's finished, but it has been invigorating.
There are no baby chickadees in the fan. The adult birds have abandoned the nest. We'll have to clean it out before the eggs make a mess.
Life has been good this May 8th. Ups and downs, but life's good.