Monday, August 19, 1996

"Something wonderful is going to happen." 

I saw this on a website today.

It reminded me of just over two years ago. My mom called.  Your
brother's wife is dead.  She died in an auto accident.  One of her
daughter's was driving.  The other daughter was asleep in the back
seat.  They were pulling off the road for some reason.  The driver
lost control.  The mother was thrown from the car, struck some sort of
metal edge or projection, was horribly disfigured and probably died
instantly.  The daughter in the back was thrown from the car and hit
the highway--serious external injuries with many damaged joints and
connective tissues.  Only the driver was wearing a seatbelt.  She had
a few bruises--and unrelenting psychic damage for being the driver of
the car.  It is still not clear exactly how or what caused the
accident.

Several days before this the mother was heard to say...

"Something wonderful is going to happen." 

Wednesday, August 21, 1996

Some out-of-context quotes overheard in, around, and near Harvard Square:

Two young girls, may 11 or 12, walking down the street:

     I've been interested in him for a REALLY long time!

Out-of-contest response: yeah, it would have been longer except you
couldn't see him over the edge of the bassinet.

Two young women walking through Harvard Yard:

     She says she married for love, but...

Out-of-context response: and how are those two poor, ugly guys you
two hang out with getting along with family and friends in the
Hamptons?

     Two college age guys near the Square: So my dad
     calls me and, like, says: I'm at Armani. Do you
     want some suits?

Out-of-context response: was he there during normal store hours,
or was it a burglary?

Thursday, August 22, 1996, email from RB

To: rgardner@MIT.EDU
Subject: Genealogy contest

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the notice about the family history writing contest.  I do
think I'll enter since I have until Christmas to finish my entry.
First I have to decide which ancestor to write about.

I'll send you our trip description of the latest trip to New Mexico
entitled "The cow that ate our campfire !!" as soon as I have it
written.  Be patient since I leave for Illinois in 4 hours and don't
have a modem on my laptop.

RB