I hopped up to Homer, NY, this weekend. The place I was born and raised. Spent a little time with the family including my niece and nephew. Was wonderful to see Mom and celebrate my step-dad's birthday with him. Of course the cutest niece and nephew ever invented makes it just that much nicer. But then I suspect you knew I'd probably say that.

I headed to South Florida (or G-d's waiting room as it's sometimes known) on Wednesday for a few days. I was staying with my 92 yr old grandmother which meant very loud television and her kicking my ass at Scrabble as well as side trips to the casino so she could win at something new and different.

I survive several days of trips up and down the FL turnpike, and many close encounters in shopping centre parking lots. Only to be rear-ended in my rented Prius by an 80 year old in her 40-cylinder, 6-ton Cadillac at the end of the trip. While I was stopped. At a traffic light.

The Prius' battery compartment suffered big damage while my neck and back now require PRN oxycodone to keep me from weeping. What is it with the State of Florida giving licensed to all of these elderly drivers??? Why do the physicians keep signing off as they're supposed to do? they're dangerous. All of them. My grandmother still drives around town at 92 and she will eventually hit someone as her car drifts too far to the right ALL the time!

Something needs to stop. As a health care professional, I can tell you a 92 year old has no business driving. Their reaction time is crap, hearing is crap and they often can't see properly. Something really has to change. My back is proof of it...

A glorious weekend ahead here in South Florida. Down here for an aunt's 70th birthday celebration including a special Shabbat morning service. It also gives me the opportunity to spend some time with my 92 year old grandmother - an amazingly sharp woman who kicks my ass at Scrabble and cards.

She also eats like a horse if someone else does the cooking, i.e. me or a restaurant and has already talked me into spending Sunday at a casino with her, engaged in another of her favourite pasttimes, gambling. She's amazing at cards and I hope some of her luck rubs off on me, though nickel slots are more my thing. I'm really fortunate to have her around and healthy. We should all be so fortunate. I hope she's shared her genes with me as well.

The weather here, so unlike what I left back in Toronto, is a nice bonus. Palm trees, moist air, brief afternoon cloud bursts. Love it! Really recharges my batteries after days and nights on end spent under glare of hospital flourescent lights.

It's also a bit of a mini family reunion, what with the various people who've come to celebrate my aunt's birthday. And a return to synagogue for me, after a long absence. I am being called up for an aliyah so I hope I haven't forgotten how to hoist the Torah toward the celing. Oh and the little part about not dropping it, the penalty for which is to fast for 40 days.

More stories to share as the weekend progresses, I'm sure. And maybe some photo/video.