I'm so sorry, Michelle. Those pain patches are serious business, the rules are strict, and they're for anyone who can't tolerate the regular Rx pain killers. Moonglow (my daughter) had them after her tonsils were removed - and it was something so serious that she destroyed those she didn't use. I am so sorry for your loss. Your friend's pain must have been deep, so deep, to take such a step.

There was an auto accident this afternoon on my way home from shopping. Bam! and a suburban in the lane to my left tried to move into the turn lane to his left without enough announcement - a woman in that lane hit him and he sideswiped the SUV in front of me. So there I was, untouched, seeing it all. On a busy boulevard. I put on my blinkers and got out. "Are you okay?" - I asked the people in the vehicle that caused it and got hit. They were. Next vehicle up - "Are you okay?" - They were. And to the red truck that was cut off by the maneuver and hit the first vehicle, I slapped at the passenger side window to get her attention - "Are you okay?" - down came the window, and she was okay. I called 911 and reported it. The operator asked if anyone was hurt - I told him not, that it was a sideswipe, not a T-bone, and that they were all out of their vehicles. Tow truck would be needed, and an officer was on the way. I realized that as I spoke I named the vehicles by their role - the operator asked what vehicles were involved. I told him the red truck hit the one beside me - and my wording at first was that the red truck was at fault - but I realized very quickly that she didn't have time to respond when the bronze Suburban turned suddenly into her lane. She hit him because he moved into her space (she was probably in his blind spot when he made the move.) I handed each of the vehicle drivers (three total) my card, and after speaking to police but before I drove off I told the woman in the red truck that I did see what happened. She was shocked, but okay, but she'll need my report to clear her. I expect to hear from attorneys and insurance companies via my work address, since that was the card I had with me.

Watching the last of the Lord of the Rings movies tonight. Enjoying the Shakespearean aspects of Tolkien's story.

SRS