Yesterday morning I spent some time in the outpatient waiting room. Our older daughter was having her first kidney stone removed. It turned out to be a very large one --- a white coral-looking rock --- that had to be busted up before it could be completely removed.

Since our parents give us many gifts, my daughters were doomed to have kidney stones! Both my mother's and my father-in-law's lives were riddled with kidney stone operations. My poor mother lost a kidney to the problem, and even though a sister has, I've never had a kidney stone. My husband has had five kidney stones and now both our daughters have produced them.

Why do genes pass on the bad things as well as the good? There's no acceptable reason, other than it being a flaw that continues. We have to embrace the inherited curly hair and green eyes as warmly as the tendency to manufacture kidney stones or suffer diabetes! They're all given to us with love from our parents, their parents, and so on back into our family trees.

I bought my first car when I was a senior in high school. It belonged to the neighbors and they sold it to me for $500. Of course, I didn't have that kind of money back then, so they let me pay $100 a week from my after-school and summer jobs.

It was a major rust bucket when I bought it --- a 1954 Chevrolet Belair, originally painted two-tone brown --- with holes in the floorboard! It was totally ugly, but I loved the freedom that car gave me while running around in southern Georgia. Gas was much cheaper in those days or else it seemed cheaper because I drove forever on a couple of dollars! That beat-up car helped me have a wonderful year that I will never forget.

So, Streamers, I told you my story and now it's time for you to tell me about your first car. ~~~ Hugs, Rita B

This restored beauty lives in Phoenix and is the closest I could find to the car of my memories!

While reading the local newspaper during my last trip to Virginia Beach, a major player from my past was there.

Anna Steenburgen, retired Captain in the U. S. Navy, and my big boss while I was stationed at the Naval Base in Charleston, SC, had died recently.

If I had only known that she spent the last 25 years after retiring from the Navy WAVES, living in my hometown area, I would have visited her at least once! It would have been some well-deserved fun.

Captain Steenburgen needed to know that my life worked out just fine --- thank you very much --- and that I was still married to my guy. The Captain didn't approve of my choice of dates and so I was called into her office quite regularly. She just didn't like old Rusty Dusty and the fact that I was enlisted and he was an officer! But it worked out anyway, in spite of her and others like her.

I wrote about this time of my life in my post called "My Fairy Tale."

Yes, that would have been a special meeting for me, but life rarely gives us those sweet revenge moments and I sure missed out on this one. So now all I can do is imagine that she would have been very happy for both of us!

1. "Worry is a waste of your imagination!"

2. I'm getting better everyday! Recovery from surgery is a long road, but I'm beginning to see some improvement in how I'm feeling. Each day I'm doing a little bit more for myself!

3. I watched the last show of The Bachelor and it was surprising. He picked the total opposite of the one I thought he would pick! Men really are from Mars, but my best wishes to the happy couple of Tessa & Andy.

4. I did much better on picking Jordin Sparks for American Idol's winner! From the very beginning, I said Jordin was going to win. I love it when I'm right! However, I'm one of those sad people who recorded the show and, since it went into overtime, I never saw the last ten minutes. The musical tribute to the Sgt. Pepper's album by the Beatles was fantastic! Green Day did a super job on "Working Class Hero" too.

5. May all the Streamers have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I'm celebrating with good old American food, some uplifting patriotic music and plan to take time to pray for our military, fighting for freedom around the world. Also, it's time to remember all those who have given their lives for our country, especially in the current war. May they be with God and may God be with their loved ones. ~~~ Hugs, Rita B

As a fan of the TV show Prison Break, I was impressed with a young actor named Lane Garrison. He portrayed a vulnerable man thrown into the tough world of prison life. It was a touching performance.

Unfortunately, this acting gig will help him in the near future as he heads to jail for vehicular manslaughter facing six years and eight months. While driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine Garrison was responsible for the death of a passenger in his car.

Who of us has never driven impaired? Years ago, I know I did, or rode with someone who was drunk, but for the Grace of God, I survived. I could have changed my life in an instant. In the blink of an eye a person's life ends and another's life is changed forever!

Now I know, like many others now know, that driving while intoxicated or otherwise impaired is just wrong, wrong, WRONG! It's foolish to take that chance. Killing your future, or yourself, or even much worse --- killing an innocent person --- is not worth it. Don't do it!

Call a cab or a friend. If you drive off the road and land in the Stream, just call me --- your dedicated Designated Driver of the BlogStream ~~~ Hugs, Rita B