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Wikipedia says that “bypass of more than four coronary arteries is uncommon.” I know that Wikipedia is not always exactly right, but it knows a whole lot more than I do about heart surgery. That’s why it seems particularly alarming to hear that two people who I consider friends (one is musician Danny Brooks) have had five and six coronary arteries (respectively) bypassed this week.

To my relief (although I don’t really understand how it could be true), Wikipedia adds that “a greater number of bypasses does not imply a person is ‘sicker,’ nor does a lesser number imply a person is ‘healthier.” Any bypass seems serious enough to me, and I have been praying for both of those men; I hope you’ll pray too. Ken Cline told me Monday night that Danny has already made it through the surgery; hopefully, both will be recovering by the time you read this.

I got my treadmill set up last Wednesday, and I’ve been putting it to good use every day since. It’s working, too. My blood sugar has been low enough that I don’t feel compelled to take the extra pills that the doctor prescribed. I’ve got a plan now to lose twenty pounds before Christmas and stop taking pills all together. Maybe I’ll feel healthy again by New Year’s!

Speaking of Danny Brooks (which I was, before I started speaking about myself), some of his friends here in Llano are trying to raise money to help his family get by while he is convalescing. There are several great items for raffle at the Fuel Coffee House, including a beautiful mesquite bench (donated by Sweet Mesquite), a pair of Corral boots donated by One Trick Pony, and three custom silver buckles (you choose the design) donated by Tres Rios Silver. All the aforementioned businesses and Llano Cowboy Church are accepting donations at any time to help with the weekly “Care Packages” that are being sent, and the regular First Friday Jam at Fuel will double as a fundraiser for Danny (that’s when the raffle winners will be announced, too).

I have a son named Danny, too; he served four years in the Marine Corps, and is currently enrolled at Texas Tech, where he got a summer job as an orientation guide. Apparently, he’s pretty good at his job; all the pretty girls who work with him were telling me how he makes newcomers laugh and how he does hilarious skits and sings customized versions of popular songs to illustrate or parody campus life in Lubbock.

Well, he’s almost convinced his little sister to go to Tech, and last week I was drafted to take Amanda up there for a visit on Friday. I thought I had scheduled around all the necessary appointments here, but Danny kept us from leaving early on Saturday morning, and I didn’t get back to Llano until after the reunion at the Martin Ranch was already over. From what I hear, more than fifty people from the Llano High School classes of 1950, 1951 and 1952 showed up and had a very nice time. Carlos Harlow (Class of 1950) traveled the farthest, coming all the way from Colorado Springs. Wanda Lane Virdell Tow was the distance champion for the Class of 1951, coming from Midland; Jimmy Alexander (Class of 1952) came from Louisiana to attend the reunion. If someone will send me a picture, perhaps I’ll be able to share it with you next week; I really am sorry that I missed it (but it was great to see Danny!)

I don’t know how closely everyone has been following the floodplain fiasco with FEMA (I like a little alliteration every now and then!) but, if Llano County survives this assault without exorbitant flood insurance rates, much of the credit will have to go to Patty Pfister. While many others were left aimlessly fuming, Patty went around collecting evidence that proves FEMA is wrong. She has now collected almost 70 documented “high water” marks from the 1935 flood, but she says there are still gaps, and urges anyone who knows exactly how far the water rose back then to please call 325-247-5024 and let her know. Time is of the essence, since we are already past the previous deadline of June 22. FEMA appears to be willing to wait a couple more months, and the county has hired Fred Thompson to survey cross-sections of the river based on historical high water marks, but the sooner we have good evidence, the better our chances of getting a realistic floodplain map.

I was very much impressed last summer with the attendance and enthusiasm at the “Friends of NRA” banquet. Now I hear that this year’s edition, the “3rd Annual Deer Capital Friends of NRA” event is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, at Inman’s Kitchen. The event includes dinner, silent and live auctions, “bucket items,” and more. Call 325-248-1984 for more details.

There’s probably lots more that I meant to say, but this column is long enough, and I’ve forgotten anyway. I hope you’ll all have a great week; keep on reading The Llano News.