I was going to a party last week. I think you might call it a stinking "pity party."

For a couple of months, me and my "first wife" have had this hacking, nagging cough. She got it first and gave it to me. Neither of us had a sore throat or fever, so we just thought we would wear it out.

I was told mine was a good case of sinusitis that started when goldenrods started blooming and peanuts were being picked. The doctor said I should be fine when we have a few frosts and they finish picking cotton.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, it wore Betty Jo out, and she went to the doctor, which is unusual for both of us. He gave her a few doses of antibiotics, and they didn't do her any good, so last week she was hospitalized with a bad case of bronchitis. They treated her with everything they had for a few days and after several tests, chest X-rays and finally a CT scan, found that she had developed pneumonia in one lung. We just thought they were treating her with all they had. That stand that holds all the salt water bags and antibiotics looked like a Christmas tree with all the bags and tubes.

Now it's bad enough to have your bed mate, helpmate, cook, dishwasher, clothes washer and ironer, proofreader, office manager, check writer, bookkeeper and several hundred other side jobs she has, flat on her back and out of commission. Did I mention that she is also my chief backup keeping up with Uva, 95+? Uva, Betty Jo's mother and my favorite mother-in-law, isn't hard to have as a house guest. Since she doesn't drive anymore, she kind of depends on us to get her fed, doctored, entertained and chauffeured around to her places and appointments. She also has a full-time job as chief insert specialist at the Liberal.

Uva is one of my most dependable employees, not to mention, she works cheap. A bag of Snickers a week, and I let her eat and sleep at the house. If she can get in a few games of cards each week, a few bingo games, read one or two novels and get someone to take her where she wants to go and come back and get her, she is happy. Good deal for all of us.

As of Tuesday, Betty Jo is still in the hospital taking IV's, pills and cough syrup. I keep her in cough drops and TLC. I really think the TLC and rest is doing her the most good.

I keep reminding her that we have got to get this pneumonia knocked out. That's what kills us old folks.

For incentive, I asked if she wanted me to bring the Mason jars down for her to make a selection.

Me, "first wife", and Uva kind of have an agreement that whoever of us passes first gets the choice of Mason jars for our ashes.

Betty Jo was feeling better Sunday evening. They are still pumping her full of steroids and antibiotics. She has gone through three doctors and several shifts of nurses. Thank goodness for Miller County Hospital.

Now I really miss my roommate. I will never fuss again about her snoring. I can't sleep without the noise.

I made it fine with Tammy helping me take care of Betty Jo and Uva. I told you about the "pity party."

When I was taking a bath last Thursday night at midnight, I heard a gurgling sound as the water was running out of the shower. When Uva was taking a bath Friday morning and I went to pick her up to go to the Senior Center, she said, "The water wouldn't go out of the tub." When I went to check, it wasn't just water in the tub, and it was up in both tubs.

I started trying to find the plumbers. I was literally in a "mess." It was Friday, and I was told that they didn't check the phone messages on the weekends.

I called the Everson boys. One was gone motorcycle riding, one was gone to a horse show, and I couldn't find Randy. I finally found Randy, and he did his magic. If I can get Betty Jo well enough to come home, we can now flush without fear.