Breaking news... of a sort... or at least an explanation as to why the frequency of posting has declined in recent weeks

I always have grand plans for what to put up here and (of greater import to would-be judicial candidates and their supporters) on Page One of FWIW. Even in my current retired state, I seldom get as much done as I think I should.

But those who have been regularly clicking in on FWIW in recent weeks have noticed that I have barely posted anything at all. I have received some emails, inquiring as to my whereabouts.

I haven't gone anywhere. But, on April 22, whilst walking a couple of my grandchildren home from school, I fell, breaking my left arm, just below the shoulder. Yes, I broke my humerus, but I didn't find anything humorous about it at all. Well... maybe in the way I fell: The little group I was walking with were all headed southbound on White Street in Des Plaines, heading away from Central School, in the general direction of my daughter's house, or so I thought. My four-year-old grandson, who'd accompanied me on the school pickup mission, decided to reverse course without warning anyone; he'd just passed a particularly interesting dandelion and wanted to go back for another look. I wasn't looking ahead; I was getting the latest information about third grade recess etiquette from my granddaughter, who was walking to my right, so I didn't know that I was in jeopardy until my legs were so tangled up with the four-year old's that the only question was not whether I would topple, but where.

If I'd been walking next to a similarly-sized adult, I might have grabbed hold and remained upright. But my granddaughter, if tall for her age, was too short for this purpose. If I fell on her, I might hurt her. If I fell forward, I would probably injure my grandson. So, having no better option, I fell to my left, into the grassy parkway adjacent to the sidewalk. I went down like an old tree in a hurricane.

I heard the crunch.

I knew immediately that I was in trouble; I had no way of knowing how much trouble I was in. And would be in, going forward.

I hope to tell some stories about this experience elsewhere. Suffice, for these purposes, to say that having a broken arm complicates the simplest of tasks. Sneezing, for example. Getting out of a chair, for another. Who knew that the shoulder muscle is involved in standing up? Many hours after the fall, when I finally saw the ER doc, he tried to offer consolation: "Yes, your arm is broken, but at least it's your left arm."

He paused. "Unless you're left-handed, of course."

"I am," I said.

"Bummer."

Standing was not my only difficulty. Even typing... when I finally mustered the courage to try it... was incredibly painful.

But I am making progress: Typing is now merely... uncomfortable. So I will get back to posting... as tolerated. (I believe that's still the proper medical jargon....)