Ups and Downs

The car is back from the shop again, with a new battery. It turns out (after discussion with my Dad) that this was the original battery, so it isn't that surprising that it might need replacing. I still find it a bit odd that it took a dive quite this precipitously (and immediately after being in the shop). In the past when I've had batteries die of old age, they've spent a while getting slowly worse and half-heartedly charging up if coaxed. Further conversation with my Dad elicited the opinion (which is similar to my own) that the next time the car looks about to cost a chunk of money, I should just get a new one. So I'm thinking of beginning the shopping process in semi-earnest, at least in terms of trying things out, so that when the time comes to take the step, I'll already know what I want. (I hate having to make major decisions in a rush with pressure on.) I'd love to go back to a Toyota, and I'd love to go with a hybrid. But I'd need to check out whether the Prius carrying capacity would work with my needs. (Has to fit the big harp. Has to fit the camping gear, including tent poles that really only work on a roof rack. Needs to be capable of fitting a bike rack. Not all at the same time.) Well, let's hope I have plenty of time to think about it before I need to make the decision.

Mom is back in the hospital with a blood clot in her leg (the one with the new hip), which evidently is a possible side effect of the Thalidomide. Unfortunately it sounds like this means they need to take her off that and try one of the second-choice chemo plans.