I borrowed a keyboard again. Mine is working but the keys stick. It's more of a handicap than a help. I should have a used one coming to me next week. I hope.

We had a new assistant in the room today. I broke her in good. She got to help with diapers and tube feedings. Hey, that's a part of the job. Jennifer and I do these things daily. Kim has to learn, too.

We got word yesterday that Q was in town for Christmas and there is talk that he will be back at our school soon. I'll believe it when I see it. There was also word that Daniel was moving back here and would be in the classroom on Monday. It will be a full house.

Mom has to have a colonoscomy ( I can't spell it) on Monday. She goes into the hospital on Monday. I can't take off to go with her. I will be taking her to the hospital after mass on Sunday and staying with her on Monday when she has her surgery. I'm also taking off on the 18th to help get that her stuff moved off the curb and the porch. I've got Mrs. Rogers for the 18th. I'll have to see if Jamie can come in on the 7th.

I wasn't going to include any song lyrics today but I have had one come to me in the last few minutes.

The Gambler

As sung by Kenny Rogers


On a warm summers evenin' on a train bound for nowhere,
I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.
So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness
'Til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.

He said,"Son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces,
And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
So if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces.
For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice."

So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.
Said," If you"re gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right."

Chorus
"You got to know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done."

"Now ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
'cause ev'ry hands a winner and ev'ry hands a loser,
And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."

So when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window,
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.

Chorus x2


First the words came to me because I was bored. There's nothing on television. Eighty-two channels to pick from and I can't find anything that interests me! I hate being bored. It used to be a permanent state of mind for me. I think that is why I sought out drama. Drama has had a very bad effect on me. So, naturally I got concerned when I recognized the boredom. I came in here and began working on some Al-Anon stuff on the computer.

Second, the song is not just about playing cards. It's about taking risks. It's about a leap of faith. It's not always possible to know what others are holding in their hands or what an outcome will be. Sometimes you have to just plunge in.

Third, it's about faith and hope. When you're "out of aces" you're down to nothing. That's when you have to Let Go and Let God. I learned that over the summer.