pictures and the police

okay, i lied. i took pictures.
back home. I've been here since Tuesday, but have been finding it hard to write lately. too much to do, I suppose. Well, that is not entirely true. I have been working really hard at finishing "Lonesome Dove" during naptimes. I finally finished it yesterday. It was a very good movie. Very long, but good. Anyway, I apologize for watching a movie instead of writing. That was very selfish of me.

There were many good stories from Kansas, but truly I don't have it in me to tell them all. My back hurts from the Bodypump class yesterday, and typing is hard - do you hear the whining in my voice? I usually send frank to his room or outside if he has to whine. Where do I put myself?

I just found out about Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s arrest. That is crazy. I have heard him on the radio many times. I find it so hard to believe that he would talk about the arresting police officer's "mama." So strange. I feel like there must be more to the story than what I read in the paper today.

I taught Frank how to dial 911 today and what an emergency means. I figured it was about time he learn how to turn on the phone.

I will never forget the day my mom taught me how to call 911. I believe that I was about his age. She explained what an emergency was and that I should only call that number in the event of an emergency. I said, "okay." When she went outside, I picked up the phone and dialed 9-1-1.

The dispatcher asked me what was my emergency, I said, "is this Mrs. Magarther? Hi. This is Erin." then I asked if it was "Aunt Betsy" and accused the dispatcher of "being silly," and "pretending" not to be Aunt Betsy. She asked if my mom was home, I went out to get my mom, but she asked me to take a message because she was talking to our neighbor. I came back and told the dispatcher that my mom was busy. I believe the dispatcher gave me some sort of stern warning about calling 9-1-1, but did not send a car to our house.

I felt guilt for years after that event. I don't think I even told anyone about it until i was at least 15. I don't think I told my parents until i was in college. It was a burden to me for years until I told my parents.

I wonder now...what will Frank and Ford be up to when I am not looking? Will they feel guilty? Will they confess? Please Lord, let me catch them when they make their mistakes and let their mistakes be silly and small.