PORCH PONDERINGS

News from Roundup

It's April - what is it like where you live? Last night we heard the large boom of thunder. Yesterday morning we woke to dense fog that gave way to a cool windy day. Then at 9 PM, BOOM! No rain. Until this morning.

Now we have a winter weather advisory. Snow in the forecast for today and tomorrow. But you know, that's alright. Because I live in a dry area. Any moisture is welcome. As long as we don't get a hailstorm like we had several years ago, it's all good.

Like I mentioned before, I'm writing for a local newspaper. It's been fun, seeing my name in print every week. As I walk around town, I see stories. So now I'm in the habit of taking my little camera with me. We don't have a cell phone, which from what I hear, take better pictures than my very pricey Canon SLR that sits upstairs in its carrier. This way, if I come across a photo op, I can snap that photo, and not race home to get the camera.

I have an informal contract with the publisher to submit one to two articles, preferably with pictures, each week. The paper is published once a week. Currently we have a story about to boil over about use of the community center. The school district owns it, and now wants to restrict its use. After 30 years of a pickup volleyball game in the gym there, the closing of the gym to community members is getting everyone riled up. I've been going to the informal meetings of parents and community members. And they are upset. But the meeting last night got into the weeds quickly. More talk of how bad the sports teams are and how bad the administration is, while the reason for the meeting was to discuss the dialogue we need to have with the school board about why the community center needs to be open to the community. Egads. I sat and listened, but it was hard to not stand up and leave. I want the information to write a story when all is said and done.

There are a few new ventures in the works. I signed up to be in the community theater here in Roundup. No driving 20 miles, so that's a plus. But the kicker - it's in the community center. The very one the school district wants to close to public use. Hmm. We'll see where this ends up. I hope we can still do the play there. The setting is not ideal. There is a stage, but the audience is in a gym. so acoustics are horrid.

I also went to a city council meeting the other night. On the agenda was an ordinance about parking vehicles on city streets. The newspaper publisher asked me to go and report back. Well, the ordinance was voted down. for various reasons.. So, no story. But, the council member that is on the county trash board - in charge of the dump - mentioned they needed a secretary/treasurer. The mayor pointed to me and said I'd be good for the job. Again, EGADS! So yesterday I submitted my application for that job. $15 an hour is not bad. Plus only 15 hours or so per month. I can commit to that. Some other task I have may have to go away, but for a job that earns me some $$. We'll see what happens.

I did have good news for my hand. I get to see a neurologist on Monday - a few weeks earlier than originally scheduled. They called and rescheduled for an earlier appointment. Finally. We'll see what this doctor has to say. I do know I'll have an EMG. Here's a definition:

Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle.

I've had this test before on my legs. Kind of strange, but it doesn't really hurt all that much. My opinion is that there is some nerve damage in my hand. But then, I'm no doctor. so we'll see.

Snow in April - Montana!!!