tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90390901774477316332024-03-16T00:08:08.784-07:00Claudia's PageBookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.comBlogger854125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-1207151380917916712017-07-12T20:02:00.000-07:002017-07-12T20:02:45.942-07:00Crowding Me<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cancer is crowding me and it has been most ugly here. Been
in hospital three days. Pain now at home. More to come. Cancer is having a
choke hold on me, but I won’t cry uncle any sooner than I have too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I want all of you blogger friends to know I am still trying
to read but it is hard. I can’t comment much either. Know that I am still out
here trying and I am still following you best I can. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Peaches were damaged in the spring and not many this year.
The season will be short and expensive. On the way home from the hospital we
stopped at a stand humming with people buying what was available which were
these gorgeous soft ball sized fruits! We bought enough to share. I can’t do
much for my friends, but I can share a delicious and beautiful fruit. So much
fun to share! I so wish I could send you readers a peach in this blog but next best
thing is my friend’ picture!</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In days to come I probably won’t be able to write much, but
I have decided to post a few poems along. If I repeat, forgive me. Leaving my
writing is one the most painful goodbyes. I can toss out certain things, give
away my treasures, etc. but I can’t stand the thoughts of my words and images
being destroyed. Friends, you must keep them for me! Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-72045840302945274032017-06-24T15:29:00.000-07:002017-06-24T15:29:10.355-07:00A Mini Road Trip, Trying to Be Normal<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The last couple of weeks have been harder for me.
Knowing the cancer spreads is a burden. But nurse came on Tuesday and said
everything she could check was in good shape. She advised if I had any energy
at all to get out somewhere. Since we had canceled the New Mexico trip, we
opted to try a local drive as a getaway. I found a 58 mile Ozark scenic drive
and called for Biscuit an overnight at the Kennel. Pretending life was normal,
we drove out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We hadn’t been to Harrison, Arkansas or Buffalo River
in years. Using a state tourism guide we did the Jasper Disaster Trail with</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
over 300 curves. It wasn’t a disaster for us, but it was a disappointment. We
saw the Buffalo River only once from a bridge, there were no pull outs or
overlooks. The scenery might have been great had we been able to see through
the thick trees! Also, we missed seeing any of the numerous elk due to the heat
and time of day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">However, the wildflowers were impressive and the newly cut hay sweet smelling. The Queen
Anne’s Lace fluttered like a lady’s lace handy. Delicate blue chicory dotted
ditches, and black-eyed wild daisies were abundant. There were lots of black walnut
trees, both new and old. I saw some Ohio buckeye trees I had never seen before.
Also, the further south we wound, the more the mimosa trees appeared, their
pink gauzy flowers looked like fairy tutus hung out to dry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">However, the wildflowers were impressive. The Queen
Anne’s Lace fluttered like a lady’s lace handy. Delicate blue chicory dotted
ditches, and black-eyed wild daisies were abundant. There were lots of black walnut
trees, both new and old. I saw some Ohio buckeye trees I had never seen before.
Also, the further south we wound, the more the mimosa trees appeared, their
pink gauzy flowers looks like fairy tutus hung out to dry. <o:p></o:p></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We stopped for lunch at a café on the National
Historic Register. It was not a particularly impressive building. Lunch was
downhome cooking and tasted okay, but I eat downhome cooking all the time at
home so I am less impressed than some folks. Poor folks, not unlike many
eateries, can’t make a decent glass of tea though. It is so hard for me to pay
$2 for a glass of poor tea! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So, we wound our way back out of the Ozarks, got
dangerously low on gas, came out west of where we expected to be. Got on a major
highway and as we are apt to do, missed our exit! We found ourselves not only
west of destination but in the state of Oklahoma. We tried to find a motel,
which in the area was not so easy. But found a bed and I crawled into it! Crackers
and water for supper and while I usually don’t sleep well in a motel, this time
I was out for 12 hours!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The next morning after a tasteless motel breakfast, we
got on the road and headed to Muscogee for a museum listed on our map. This
corner of Oklahoma is still in the Ozarks. There are trees and streams and
rolling hills, but gone were the close stands of trees that pinned you to the road.
Oklahoma opens up a bit here and begins to move towards western terrain. The
land spreads and sky sweeps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Five Civilized Tribes Museum is very small but
interesting. It is the building itself that carries the charm. This native
stone structure was built in 1875 when the Five Tribes superintendent
consolidated to serve all the tribes here. It is beautiful. The rock steps
where ladies dismounted from wagons is still there. You could feel history
here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This was an interesting piece of work. Note how many flat irons could be heated on this stove all at once. Originally it was in a Chinese Laundry and then was used at the Eufaula Seminary Boarding school near Muskogee, Oklahoma. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Then we made an
effort to find Miss Scarlett’s Tea Room about 40 miles away. We managed and
again the structure was impressive. The food was good and presentation nice.
There was a piano player for lunch which was quite nice to hear while we ate.
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l9Te4ZE4NdSUSxyyYdec2z0vDDPzs1Y8gqK9HpUDdEgfZLEoC4fnAG2ix16Yx-QmtGridujgajihswMA-xhsovYRFtL4VDNo4JF40N90tlN6YEY-jw56sCqpEccza5TROAQQ2jWEyj0F/s1600/IMG_0013+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l9Te4ZE4NdSUSxyyYdec2z0vDDPzs1Y8gqK9HpUDdEgfZLEoC4fnAG2ix16Yx-QmtGridujgajihswMA-xhsovYRFtL4VDNo4JF40N90tlN6YEY-jw56sCqpEccza5TROAQQ2jWEyj0F/s320/IMG_0013+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Then it was time to head home as I had done about all I could do. Once on i44
again, traffic became increasingly treacherous. Drivers were aggressive,
careless, and mean-spirited. We were glad to arrive home in one piece!</span></div>
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<br />Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-13567818247782486502017-06-11T14:27:00.000-07:002017-06-11T14:27:26.082-07:00A Good June Sunday
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally,
I can write here again. It has been a slightly miserable session around here. I
hate to give in to the monster ravishing my insides and fight to stay up, both physically
and mentally. Some days I lose the battle, but today I am working on being up. That
doesn’t mean I am energetic or full of zip or free from aches and body
failures. It just means I am able to push through, to keep trying, to keep
pretending life is normal! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today
I managed to cook and run the dishwasher which doesn’t sound like much.
However, for me it is a push and a slow going at best. I made a pea salad and a
lovely zucchini salad with vinegary bite! I also made Golden Burros. This is a made-up
recipe that the SEK Living Magazine is going to publish soon. Years ago, when
we were in Leadville, Colorado we had huge Golden Burros that a café was famous
for. The boys loved them, and it was different at that time to us as we had
little Hispanic food around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
made them a little different was potatoes inside along with meat and cheese. I
am sure now they used green chili but I knew nothing of that then. So, I
concocted a mix of canned chicken gravy with salsa, used mild sausage and hash
browns. Today I made them for first time in years since boys left home. They
are mild but good. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
also created a birthday card for a photographer friend; he will turn 70. I
wanted a card no one else could send and built a birthday wish around cameras
and such. I wrote my own poem quickly for it. (He dabbled in poetry at one
time.) It feels good to design a project and carry it through right now when
most things only happen in my head.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">The Photographer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">Hides his searching face behind a black box<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">While, like a winter squirrel digging secreted
nuts,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">he uncovers our buried selves in a frame.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">He brings to light our dark fears and blue dreams,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">Eposes even a rainbow of ourselves we don’t
know exists.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">Snap!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">He saves our past, captures our present,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">stores the bits and pieces of our life’s crazy
quilt<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig;">for the future to wonder over.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: GoudySwaTLig; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCAWMLee_7EfZ4wNbgaMhF8O4s5OiTGPtce8_CqOdhLhDwKCHfbbhRwNHPQhLsRaFh5Hz0RDO1lGCPPm7Yjc-ZWHTRVvL2SZsmcA4hWcMSwEnNhnRzltIBQmizehuzauf-dPWVn7USbx3/s1600/biscuit+tee+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCAWMLee_7EfZ4wNbgaMhF8O4s5OiTGPtce8_CqOdhLhDwKCHfbbhRwNHPQhLsRaFh5Hz0RDO1lGCPPm7Yjc-ZWHTRVvL2SZsmcA4hWcMSwEnNhnRzltIBQmizehuzauf-dPWVn7USbx3/s320/biscuit+tee+shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Other
events this week have been a biopsy and Biscuit had to be sewn up from ripping herself
on a fence nail-we think. After the family reunion which really tired me and
before the biopsy, I did not need this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We put a tee shirt on her to keep her from licking the stitches and she
did not like it one bit. Changed her personality which was a worry. She did not
eat or play and barely moved. But when we took it off she got rowdy and tore a
stitch! Oh my, each day wore me slick! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yesterday,
Diane Yates had a book signing a few miles from me. Diane is president of OWL
right now and is a lovely person besides a talented author. (Have you tried her
Pathways of the Heart?) It was a push to get there but I wanted just a few
minutes, and DH left his important shop toys to run me to the book store. So,
worth it as being in Diane’s serene presence is soothing! Surely that helped
make today better too! </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
week ahead holds Biscuit’s stitches removal, dentist appointment, and I hope
some lovely reading and thinking and writing days even! The air heats up and is
becoming summer so time outside is limited for me. But I do love being among the
flowers early in the morning-with tea of course. The world can’t be all bad if
there is tea! </span></b></div>
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Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-78016635851891207462017-06-02T07:55:00.000-07:002017-06-02T07:55:05.402-07:00And June Begins....
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, it looks like a few more days of on and off rain before
the weather turns HOT! No moderation it seems. The weather, no matter what kind
of stimulus, is in climate change. Mother Nature is acting like a two-year-old
with some happy days but a lot of sniffling around with some out and out temper
tantrums. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I try avoid political ranting, I don’t say much on
this country’s present situation. But yesterday when our president backed out
of Climate Change group, I hung my head not in anger but shame. How can we take
this ignorant stand, how not to work with the world? No matter what I or anyone
thinks, it is time for the Republicans and Democrats to meet on the 50-yard
line, shake hands, and say let’s forget the past. We all have made mistakes.
Let’s drop the stiff-necked bully stance and work together. After all it doesn’t
matter how the hole got in the bottom of the boat, when it sinks everyone in
the boat goes down! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have written a blog in my head many times this last week,
but just could not do the actually writing online. I have not felt well, both
physically and emotionally. This whole mountain I am climbing and slipping on
is getting to me! But I try not to complain because I have so many people
cheering me upward. I feel obligated to keep climbing to vindicate their
faith!! The prayers, thoughts, cards, notes, and gifts keep coming as physical
handholds for me up the rocky cancer crag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just yesterday someone paid for our lunch downtown and left
us free of a bill. Just an effort to say, “We are with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week alone I have received a new cup and
a quilt, see below.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uvcK6vtPBP2bmDM04jYqRSXdDXSTjvlk0E0bY7uFZAo_hyJ0TIq20mOLg0CfmrHHrOB3nt8E9oNzBkBun7N9hyH1gjaBY7uZlCEl1vXyCVTuIjZr89yDds_Vz8vtxqRzT6Tq33L_75Jg/s1600/IMG_0001+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uvcK6vtPBP2bmDM04jYqRSXdDXSTjvlk0E0bY7uFZAo_hyJ0TIq20mOLg0CfmrHHrOB3nt8E9oNzBkBun7N9hyH1gjaBY7uZlCEl1vXyCVTuIjZr89yDds_Vz8vtxqRzT6Tq33L_75Jg/s320/IMG_0001+%25281%2529.JPG" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday, I had contrasting CT scan. Thought Springfield
was going to send me home again as they did not like my kidney numbers. Big discussion
and they proceeded. Now biopsy already set again for next Wednesday. I feel
like a yo-yo spinning and retracting, only to spin yet again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday was my book club and I made it. It was a push but
so glad I did. It was the month of choosing the next year’s reads. It was grand
for a while anyway to be deeply involved in something outside myself. We had a tremendous
list to choose from this time and the end reading list looks good. Some I have already
read. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the best books lately has been Killers of the Flower
Moon about the murders of Osage Indians in Oklahoma during the 1920s and the
beginnings of the FBI. It is not a happy book at all, but it was so interesting
to me. It happened during the years my Granny was a teen and young woman.
Although not Osage, she lived a couple of hours east of Osage County and well,
no wonder she cut up her Indian card not wanting to be Red. It will blow you
away how many White people were involved in killing these people for their oil
money. Stupidity, greed, and meanness are not new; sometimes we forget how much
of it all has been around and hurt so many. We need to KNOW these things so we
can avoid the same behavior instead of repeating it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow some California cousins are coming to visit before
Sunday’s family reunion. Another one I have not seen for over 50 years. This
too is a gift. Hope all blog readers have a winning weekend ahead!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-38643587270089908262017-05-25T07:43:00.000-07:002017-05-25T07:43:15.658-07:00Hair Tales #2<br />
Originally published in anthology of Southeastern Kansas stories....<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I
was stunned one summer day in the 1950s when my dad came home looking like a
stranger. He had gone by the barber shop after work. Instead his wavy dark hair
combed back from his forehead, he sported a new flat top haircut. I thought he
had ruined his hair, turning <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>his once
soft locks into stubble that looked like a curry comb for a horse. I had to
search his face for days to make sure he was the right daddy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It
was all the more strange because Mom and Dad had issues over hair-hers. He
never wanted her to cut her hair short, but in Kansas summers before air
conditioning, she chopped her hair short to endure the sweat of cooking,
cleaning, and childrearing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
summer, she would go to the beauty shop and come home with a fresh bob. Dad
would sneer and make some snide comment about her trading curls for summer
hair, and she would snip back with a barbed reply making the air tense for a few
days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">So
it was only natural that I wanted long hair to keep the peace which wasn’t
exactly how it worked. When my hair got very long, my mom brushed way too hard
saying she had to get the “rats” out. When she tired of the job or my whining,
she would tromp me to the beauty shop for a Buster Brown cut. How I hated
those! I did not like getting or wearing them either one. Sitting still while
the lady cut my bangs was torture; feeling the snips of hair dust my eyelashes
and nose was worse. Mother wanted those bangs straight as a bobby pin across my
forehead, and it often took a several tries to get them right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In
grade school, I convinced Mom to let me have a Toni home permanent. That was
hours of smelly, painful business, but I could endure the suffering if she
would take the time. She would roll those tiny plastic perm curlers so tight my
scalp felt like a trapper had staked a hide out to dry. Then there was that
stinky solution that stole my breath under the towel protecting my eyes from
certain blindness. Once timed, then neutralized, then rolled into pin curls all
over my head, dried, and finally combed out into a bushel of curls, we both
were exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In
high school I got say over my own hair. It was the 60’s and straight hair was
in. Keeping ends trimmed was the challenge unless you had natural curls. Then
you ironed your hair…or slept with cans on your head! I don’t know who first
learned that empty orange juice cans from the frozen food section could be
rolled with wet hair, but once it dried, hair was straightened with just a
little flip on the ends. No head in cans would go under the plastic cap of hair
dryers of those days, so a night’s sleep for drying was the only solution. I
use the term sleep loosely as cans on your head could hurt, not to mention the
angle they put your neck in for the night. Ah, but suffering for beauty’s sake
seemed worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
I got long hair, I never wanted to give it up again. In the early 80’s I did
exchange the long and straight for long and super curly. My beautician
convinced me that it would be easier to have Brillo pad tight coils. Then you
just washed the hair, picked it out, and let it air dry. What could be easier
while raising kids? It looked good but must have be my version of the flat top
for my boys. When I came home, one cried and ran to his bedroom saying I wasn’t
his mommy anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When my babies were
born, I loved their soft swirls of fine hair, and while other mom’s couldn’t
wait for their little boys’ first haircut, I dreaded it. I postponed that first
clip, enjoying a more European length until they were at least four. When my
first grader came home from school one day, he headed for the bathroom to comb
his hair. Odd I thought as I fixed his snack. Soon he came out with a beaming
smile and new part plastered down with water. “Look, Mom, now I have President
Jimmy Carter hair!” And so he did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-20341026062227686112017-05-22T16:10:00.000-07:002017-05-22T16:10:13.136-07:00Hair Tales, #1
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hair
loss with chemo did not rock my boat. I took it well. I just wanted to live,
bald or not. My wig was delightful looking I thought. But as hair comes in now,
it bothers me. I am not crazy about the color, but I can live with it…or color
in time I have left. I don’t like the feel of it, feels fuzzy. But mostly when
I look in the mirror I just do not see the me I know. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As
a child, I had two modes of hair—ugly and painful. My mother either had my hair
cut off into Buster Brown cuts or she did those old Toni perms. Oh, they
smelled bad and I had to sit still for so long. But mostly then you had
Saturday wash and pin curls which ended up tangled and Mother brushed the heck
out of them pulling like each strand was a balking mule in harness. It hurt. In
summer it was no choice, the hair was whacked off and horrid, deep seated bangs
were chopped. If they were crooked, it was my fault because surely, I moved on
the beautician! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When
I was in eighth grade, we visited Mom’s cousin in Tulsa who had once done hair.
My bangs were long and she offered to trim them. It was time for the summer
chop, but dear Pat asked ME what I wanted. I explained I wanted t look like the
rest of the 1962 girls. She shaped my bangs so beautifully, trimmed the ends of
my almost shoulder length hair, and she rebutted my Mother’s urging for a chop.
Pat said let the girl have her hair! So, from that day forward I never had
short hair again! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There
were times when my hair was midback. Others I kept it shorter but still long
and straight like the times. I taught myself to pile it beautifully on top of
my head as by high school tall, upswept hair was the rage Long hair cost more
to have done at a beauty shop, and I had no money anyway. For my senior pictures,
I did it myself and one older woman, a clothes horse and ritzy hair style gal, wanted
to know where it was done she liked it so well. She could not believe I had
done my own!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My
Mother always wore her hair short and shorter, but that is another tale. I
dreaded her trips to the beauty shop as she often did not like what they did.
She would fume and recomb and be in a bad mood. My Granny told me often that
she felt sorry for Mother’s dates with my Dad as he would sit on the couch
waiting, waiting, waiting for Mother to stop seething and smoldering in front
of a mirror over her uncooperative hair. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Cancer
reduces you. It takes organs, hair, strength, cheer, blood health, and the
ability to do for yourself. It is nice that people help and I am grateful for
all the kindnesses and assistance I have received. Yet, it can often feel like
you are a drawing and someone with a strong eraser is removing parts of you one
line at a time, eliminating what makes you who you are. It makes you feel diminished,
an abridged edition of who you once were. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On
Friday my dear friend, Melissa, is going to look at my head and see if she can
help me find myself!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-91961349192475437842017-05-20T15:59:00.001-07:002017-05-20T15:59:10.428-07:00May Mini Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It storms and storms! Between rains we are trying to do some
fun things, to escape from our truths and pretend life is full time glorious! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Melissa is a friend who used to do my hair and still cuts DH’s
hair. I go with him so we can still visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time she wanted a picture and it turned out well. I now have enough
hair I might let her see if she can do anything positive with gray fuzz!!!! Maybe this week?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0F0bKMyNuk3S1C-PFEORMyE_hbyF9cF9oVtOIAp5yiSr_KCj92a01kgY9LE-alknlFvnX63Yy1z5y5luXd2s-E9gwgWLItOFyZg2usRXS8A5zjzcup5y5-z0y0zFF0ByHi6mqOzdMgLP7/s1600/Melissa+and+Me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0F0bKMyNuk3S1C-PFEORMyE_hbyF9cF9oVtOIAp5yiSr_KCj92a01kgY9LE-alknlFvnX63Yy1z5y5luXd2s-E9gwgWLItOFyZg2usRXS8A5zjzcup5y5-z0y0zFF0ByHi6mqOzdMgLP7/s320/Melissa+and+Me.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We ran up to see our son and his family this week. They are
busy; we are busy, but it all meshed for a few hours of togetherness. We
actually dodged rain, wind, and hail, but were not home long yesterday before
the sirens went off. Ugly wall cloud hung over town trying to drop a twister.
We made it through with nothing and more came at 8 last night. Escaped again.
Tomorrow is to be nice so I am already looking forward to Sunday. Maybe the
flowers can crawl out from under the tables again!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionC8EvrWysDg9NSlwY_pE-o3yMwAGearf_HSfqrXSnvGs61EayF9G7Pown7K88GrzxTJ_3RQ5dVaxqDWdPoX8Guf57LVgc6_ZIRUYonUGVIbhyphenhyphenSHyQTLakmZpi5bm_E-KJS0iSszMIlW_/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionC8EvrWysDg9NSlwY_pE-o3yMwAGearf_HSfqrXSnvGs61EayF9G7Pown7K88GrzxTJ_3RQ5dVaxqDWdPoX8Guf57LVgc6_ZIRUYonUGVIbhyphenhyphenSHyQTLakmZpi5bm_E-KJS0iSszMIlW_/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is one of the best pictures of our oldest grandson I
have ever taken. Our kids don’t do the Olan Mills type thing we did every month
when our kids were small. But this is more like a portrait, snapped on their back
deck. He is gangly eight and long toothed like eight year olds are. But here,
the picture captures his sensitive side and show the charming fellow he can be!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCIvdaseI0VYMP4-HElHK6CzLmEnMe1fVWD1JqITeG1dDpJgQvPD8tXvTTW4VFsR2KnB6Ogkd8c_c6SnauoVi6hydjOdb44JiywwDTvyXGzJDwfLxztwI8tDSDmFsa047EXYmqX7ZKrT6/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCIvdaseI0VYMP4-HElHK6CzLmEnMe1fVWD1JqITeG1dDpJgQvPD8tXvTTW4VFsR2KnB6Ogkd8c_c6SnauoVi6hydjOdb44JiywwDTvyXGzJDwfLxztwI8tDSDmFsa047EXYmqX7ZKrT6/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our son told us about the National Guard Military Museum
that is east of Jefferson City. It is small but we found it worth the visit.
Love finding these little nuggets of history tucked away in America’s
countryside. It happened to hold some of our history as well in that DH worked
on designing two of the planes in our early marriage, the F4 and F15.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59BRnWDRCY2XSQnFoEL295ehMXRZll10gqvYTzo56Haz9L3sXSFxZzWAqrVZVSJLN-lBEpUoQYoyptVIAiBmqEK2jjixuP-wK4Ar4-L3I64eNa7-1oM4Mv5H_ByMddEKXbr6w1FutpNE6/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59BRnWDRCY2XSQnFoEL295ehMXRZll10gqvYTzo56Haz9L3sXSFxZzWAqrVZVSJLN-lBEpUoQYoyptVIAiBmqEK2jjixuP-wK4Ar4-L3I64eNa7-1oM4Mv5H_ByMddEKXbr6w1FutpNE6/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">F15 by McDonnell Douglas</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik65GN2fRI4Qh0W1B3eg7ZDn5vRlvO9ggPhLQz6oc-PF55kOx7FznCYT6MAQOssvugAcfHOzTMQOrhYV9pbSiyyYDrItqmBSxxeXMqMoQGYwFw-R5GHT4xJtOlgL8fkitvbJIYpZSow6B_/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik65GN2fRI4Qh0W1B3eg7ZDn5vRlvO9ggPhLQz6oc-PF55kOx7FznCYT6MAQOssvugAcfHOzTMQOrhYV9pbSiyyYDrItqmBSxxeXMqMoQGYwFw-R5GHT4xJtOlgL8fkitvbJIYpZSow6B_/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sherman Tank...great piece except it was overpowered by German tanks that were heavier.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Tw271YAE3RIdryd_MG5VrRBaXQNXo8hP0tiFKDvpXfZbBjsrEJS69ZlNNH1SQXdtFzDoJpS6L2OwvOfLIHKM58ID5GewPL4VWzRZ1vV1l5jqT9Vj7v-80KmuSg-rYk3yKlLo2qi9YHxF/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Tw271YAE3RIdryd_MG5VrRBaXQNXo8hP0tiFKDvpXfZbBjsrEJS69ZlNNH1SQXdtFzDoJpS6L2OwvOfLIHKM58ID5GewPL4VWzRZ1vV1l5jqT9Vj7v-80KmuSg-rYk3yKlLo2qi9YHxF/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This plate brought to American with German family who was fleeing Nazi Germany. The father later fought with American troops. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM4TCMts4aakW0SGSUAkU8IuwxYmtMi6MWM-4UaJYZV3DW9VLGyGNT24GCA7GL1cHymMWKUc0BUhbLigPpBfCSyxm2hzIyXoJydj0elJ-4v2d8nQ0ADjKuWe-lyaOj1ftcUmgLnmoJV6H/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM4TCMts4aakW0SGSUAkU8IuwxYmtMi6MWM-4UaJYZV3DW9VLGyGNT24GCA7GL1cHymMWKUc0BUhbLigPpBfCSyxm2hzIyXoJydj0elJ-4v2d8nQ0ADjKuWe-lyaOj1ftcUmgLnmoJV6H/s320/IMG_0035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was first recoiling canon...perfected by America. The recoil allow the carriage etc. to stay in place allowing for faster loading and aiming after firing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We found my printer not working late last night. Do I need
to tell you how technology puts me in a spin? Nothing we could do fixed it and
again this morning. So, we replaced it. I would pay good money just to NOT have
to change a thing. But alas, that is not life. Got to go with it. So now have
it working and will hope worst of that tale is over! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUJrH_OrfqzMSMZtS46mC4RzRU62EYUGFt9Y4iDr3fJyuqq3kklzMPLYemqBajxMR9rPRVo74YbigoEdqlMxkm7AugxvtvhxZAIpT1ETK_PXVFj8pbDTEmwvgw3LIT2u1C1GbPUQiy1T-/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUJrH_OrfqzMSMZtS46mC4RzRU62EYUGFt9Y4iDr3fJyuqq3kklzMPLYemqBajxMR9rPRVo74YbigoEdqlMxkm7AugxvtvhxZAIpT1ETK_PXVFj8pbDTEmwvgw3LIT2u1C1GbPUQiy1T-/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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F4 Phantom</div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-17252557206996402752017-05-07T06:57:00.000-07:002017-05-07T06:57:53.178-07:00Happy Sunday<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The rains have ceased until late in
the coming week. We have slight water under our house for the first time in
eons of time. The ground is just so soaked, it leaches out everywhere. But…sun
is out and it has lifted everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Somehow, bright sun seems to be message from God that things will go on
one way or another. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The doctors have called and after
this week’s biopsy fiasco, they want to meet with us on Thursday for a
discussion. I can tell you that I am much more stressed by the thoughts of this
than the biopsy. </span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIuMAc15qq7sg5NYQq_6Lw12J_ZYFzVAWaRf5yAgjjWhLB5iklbJCxzTLy9wi1hvdfr7-1QN-HV5wzPiyK-L2Jv5X0rxAH8OlpK63T8kpnM8jHfUQ33AX9kWYwGN2OghkmXjU0HcJTZ6t/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIuMAc15qq7sg5NYQq_6Lw12J_ZYFzVAWaRf5yAgjjWhLB5iklbJCxzTLy9wi1hvdfr7-1QN-HV5wzPiyK-L2Jv5X0rxAH8OlpK63T8kpnM8jHfUQ33AX9kWYwGN2OghkmXjU0HcJTZ6t/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Meanwhile, the flower fairy friends
have been here this weekend. Look at the beauty, and I wish I could send you
the sweet fragrance of the peonies. The scent spreads in my kitchen. I always have an ivy geranium each year, but this year did not feel like the hunt and plant. A friend filled this need and I have an ivy geranium once again.</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dnPc0cCOFbNc8vLar9nx60FUYVLbUJ4u2OV5bX8wzyM2PLlh2p2dJPsDsKJHqZCZCZfpqi02WQQrYB-wbDv6XjNjUsUzCf_Wfd69fTZors0nw8qEzfD_SxbZeHKe_b-NCXlGjql3T44X/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dnPc0cCOFbNc8vLar9nx60FUYVLbUJ4u2OV5bX8wzyM2PLlh2p2dJPsDsKJHqZCZCZfpqi02WQQrYB-wbDv6XjNjUsUzCf_Wfd69fTZors0nw8qEzfD_SxbZeHKe_b-NCXlGjql3T44X/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The air is
warm enough to have windows open so even lingering in the kitchen, I can hear
the tinkling of the fountain. Yes, even after hearing rain, I still like the
soothing sound of water falling over rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have brewed two kinds of tea today,
have a book for deck time, feel no pain, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and a friend is stopping on her way through
town today. I could ask for no more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I hope you enjoy a bright day today
and look eagerly to a new week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-40098938483915760912017-05-03T15:20:00.002-07:002017-05-03T15:20:29.672-07:00Biospy, Anyone?
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While the deck flowers are huddling under the picnic table
and grill for protection and even a little warmth, the indoor plants seem to be
thriving on the occasional furnace warmth added to the dampness of monsoon
season here. This Cousin Sel plant has leaves the size of saucers right now,
and the spray of red trumpets cascading down the pot are a bright spot for
sure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyhA2n2bP5OIEoL8mvujYC7z9nWIOmqkHPplhBwbCj3ajQBQrOk9dQ4Rrqx-vGMQnOhf6GSGyi6qoQoOltyvJFerToIrbQhk7zdDGvKxUfLUMMXlHx0lLKE2xAsa-GHcV-0H58XO7xd7y/s1600/Cousin+Sel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyhA2n2bP5OIEoL8mvujYC7z9nWIOmqkHPplhBwbCj3ajQBQrOk9dQ4Rrqx-vGMQnOhf6GSGyi6qoQoOltyvJFerToIrbQhk7zdDGvKxUfLUMMXlHx0lLKE2xAsa-GHcV-0H58XO7xd7y/s320/Cousin+Sel.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning we left in more rain. The skies rained,
thundered, and tossed lightning bolts all night long. While we were safe, I was
awake thinking of all the people who were flooded, now getting more insult from
Mother Nature. It rained all the way to Springfield, and we had allowed more
time to get there. (Heard yesterday of someone who spend 8 ½ hours getting from
Joplin to St. Louis due to water problems.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got to Springfield by 8 am and started the bloodletting
procedures and readying for biopsy. Once prepared I waited another hour on
whatever. Then they decided to use ultrasound instead of CAT to guide the
camera and needles. Ah, then there was a problem. The two guys in the room
could not see the lesions well enough. The doctor came in; he couldn’t see the
lesions well enough and only route was through a vein that wasn’t worth the
risk. He called the oncologist who said if it caused me risk and pain with
maybe no good result, cancel the whole thing for now. I should have felt
release from that poking, but I didn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the time we got back to the car I was chilled to the
bone. It felt like late November instead of May. We got some breakfast sandwiches
and headed home. Hubby was the driver both ways and by time we got home he was
so exhausted as he did not sleep well night before either. He slept much of the
afternoon; I dozed some. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am relieved the lesions are so small and can only hope
they grown very slowly. But still, it all makes me feel more on a precipice
than ever. I am trying so hard to put a good spin on this for now. I know sun
is to shine on Friday and the weekend so maybe that will help me get the grip
to go forward again. Right now, the cold dampness bores into my spine and
joints. I am listless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to
move or think. But, oh yes, Miss Scarlett, tomorrow is another day!!!! I am
going to fetch the flannel nightgown and get ready for it when it arrives!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-2208542829985266022017-04-29T11:21:00.000-07:002017-04-29T11:21:06.903-07:00Rain, Rain, Go Away
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thunder snarls across a sky the color of river gravel this
morning. Thick, ashen sheets of heavy rain pour straight down onto ground
already soaked from days of earlier rain. Somewhere today, people will face
rising water issues. Inside, everyone will feel as grim and dreary as the weather!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday DH and I used the confinement to share household
duties. Nothing gets done these days like it used to. Oh, we keep things
straight and picked up, but the corners are dirty and the tabletops have dust
so thick you could plant peas! So, we worked on what we could for a few hours.
It was far from the deep spring cleaning I used to do, but it does feel better
now in this house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYW1XRzZQgN2NLZ8ptuFMtPuE3iQc0a7ay00tTr0pQLfFcCsdWlxmmvCdOhVhJO3eW-z61ExWUfKJAlkq2Q8MMMa3y54oolSk6xRQDK_9bDj8u0vjL4mcuepIuG1VgRhW1ZnWacFOSTJI/s1600/red.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYW1XRzZQgN2NLZ8ptuFMtPuE3iQc0a7ay00tTr0pQLfFcCsdWlxmmvCdOhVhJO3eW-z61ExWUfKJAlkq2Q8MMMa3y54oolSk6xRQDK_9bDj8u0vjL4mcuepIuG1VgRhW1ZnWacFOSTJI/s320/red.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since it is almost May, I felt like I wanted to put away
some of the Easter pastels and reach for summer reds for a while. I wanted some
brightness indoors at least. This week I will face a liver biopsy and not sure
how I will feel for a while. So, I have something pretty to walk back into
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we could do more I suppose, but we feel listless. We
have a grade B movie to kill time with later. Of course, I can always get lost in
a book. I have the new Elizabeth Strout book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anything is Possible. </i>Years ago, when I read her first book, I was
not impressed. But then I read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Olive
Kitteridge,</i> story of a cranky math teacher in a small town. My first read
left me wanting; I read it again and loved it. My book club then read it too.
You don’t like the main character, but Stroud makes you at least care about
her. Have you read this one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope the
new one has the same zap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiYPSRY6L3WQsGooNn5Q4it_kNc0cA1koUIHPpf6iWHrBsU01ywMHy5IOe2-o5UnBXXTOjX7A72dlXagAn2ho9IQLOB49_AT7ApNuGOd1shKl7nz94V0kmY9ZL_JmYkAmSQD60jIB55Fd/s1600/skunk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiYPSRY6L3WQsGooNn5Q4it_kNc0cA1koUIHPpf6iWHrBsU01ywMHy5IOe2-o5UnBXXTOjX7A72dlXagAn2ho9IQLOB49_AT7ApNuGOd1shKl7nz94V0kmY9ZL_JmYkAmSQD60jIB55Fd/s200/skunk.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks to all of you for the continued cards, letters,
gifts, and thoughts. Mail time is still special around here. I do appreciate it
all as some of the days are falling into such a rut, especially in this rainy
season. I hope you readers are staying dry…we must remember this damp coolness
in the coming July!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I will pour
some cinnamon orange tea and curl up with my book….hope you can do the same.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVTOFypypA4MZjasNH7lCi6P0y5Z5k8uIODmMePYJiJO6ZtrRx5ioVxIf7nVb8_Pmo2dYQKXzxs05SjxOtgkRXifolXxxPyKEsAq1O-u4s0Bv_hWK9ihbExDFNw89MTz21HJNez-XPlBW/s1600/Becky+gift.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVTOFypypA4MZjasNH7lCi6P0y5Z5k8uIODmMePYJiJO6ZtrRx5ioVxIf7nVb8_Pmo2dYQKXzxs05SjxOtgkRXifolXxxPyKEsAq1O-u4s0Bv_hWK9ihbExDFNw89MTz21HJNez-XPlBW/s320/Becky+gift.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-76973414147071862062017-04-24T06:09:00.000-07:002017-04-24T06:09:31.793-07:00It's Trash Day!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrv-YlOcF58TpFnWy0_1q5y0tTHTXpzrDmUoxc2n748FWrHima8DIyjW7ACfFZYlZzFQRB0b0fCrGT-KgjBysUxsFYQnImChyJbH9dgX_JGTFDwmaIjhyphenhyphenA-ODBHZF3nsR2hFu6IAe9z5gh/s1600/Biscuit+in+truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrv-YlOcF58TpFnWy0_1q5y0tTHTXpzrDmUoxc2n748FWrHima8DIyjW7ACfFZYlZzFQRB0b0fCrGT-KgjBysUxsFYQnImChyJbH9dgX_JGTFDwmaIjhyphenhyphenA-ODBHZF3nsR2hFu6IAe9z5gh/s320/Biscuit+in+truck.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week it rained until I felt like a soaked sponge in
dirty dishwater. Even the dog did not want to go out! She lingered around with
us as we watched movie after movie to escape the roaring gutters and splattered
flowers. Then just as the weather started to turn, when sun began to peek
around, DH started with bleeding and pain. I found him on the floor of bathroom
where he had put himself not able to go forward anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, we raced to the ER where nothing raced! The doctor
leaving duty (we would not see another for three more hours and at our
insistence!) said it wasn’t unusual for his kind of surgery. They needed to
irrigate the bladder for blood clots. His pain, my pain, exhaustion just made
me numb and crazy. Watching less than stellar employees drove me nuts. How I
want to fix the world! One nurse just did not seem to know clearly what she was
doing. She finally asked me to help hold a tube aloft and I picked up the
trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miffed a couple of RNs when I
dared to ask questions. When they finally admitted DH, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they were keeping him until they could talk to
urologist in the morning, I left the hospital at 1:30 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday no doctor ever showed up. Surprise! This morning
we wait again, weary of “stuff”. Biscuit has been sad without her Daddy home.
But it is Monday and that means trash day! She hears the brakes of the trash truck
a block away and looks at me. I know, it is “chase the trash truck day”. I let
her out and she runs from one fence corner to the other looking like a streak
of saffron butter flowing across the yard, back and forth-back and forth. When
she feels like she finally has scared the monster off, she comes to the door with
a satisfied look on her face!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only we
could be so fulfilled with so little!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here we are at Monday’s door again. The sun is out and
day is to be a beauty outside before four more days of rain show up this week.
Ugh. We wait for a doctor or some info at the hospital. I have a low tire I
must attend. I will go to Joplin and help DH wait and wonder. I hope you all
have a beautiful Monday with a fresh start for a good week as you chase your
own trash trucks! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-64781009901032428752017-04-20T15:37:00.000-07:002017-04-20T15:37:08.132-07:00Week Is Passing
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk23Ffrl_L_dtnTzknwR8LXd73PRGjMi-BpCOiYE3NrsUdsI1u2onKUSwLLskq-MKnhrZhhaoLXsUib4VdXAd_8GIZxCEX8FplTBirN1v89whoHez_qK_wCHkDv6IcVGUv87zFeMVI8KOK/s1600/IMG_0001a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk23Ffrl_L_dtnTzknwR8LXd73PRGjMi-BpCOiYE3NrsUdsI1u2onKUSwLLskq-MKnhrZhhaoLXsUib4VdXAd_8GIZxCEX8FplTBirN1v89whoHez_qK_wCHkDv6IcVGUv87zFeMVI8KOK/s320/IMG_0001a.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Another
week has slipped by, and it felt full because we had lots of appointments to
keep. It takes a lot of energy for us to just keep up right now. Double for me,
as I feel I am watching a child as I try to keep my DH out of trouble. As I
write this, he managed to get on top of the roof to clean out the gutters and
he should NOT be up there!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It
rained this morning and more coming tonight and tomorrow morning. It did pause
enough for me to fetch some of the roses before they get beaten off in the hard
rains coming. This morning was a gentle rain at least. The blessing of the week
was two afternoons of perfect sunshine where we could sit among our spring
flowers and green grass with iced tea and maybe a book. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">One
morning I tackled my writing files. It was a bittersweet job as I tossed much I
knew I would never be able to deal with again. I was pleasantly surprised to
see how much I had published though and enjoyed looking at what I had achieved.
I found the following poem published in 2006 which I had long forgotten. It had
been lost in a computer crash, but I had the magazine still. Glad I did not
overlook it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
got news of my biopsy this week. It will be May 3, and I dread it but such is
life these days!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This
morning I rode along with DH as he went to his haircut. I miss seeing my
friend. She did snip at my unruly gray fuzz! It is not long but it was shaggy
looking. She leveled some places and trimmed some side pieces that were two
different lengths. It feels better so I hope it looks better too!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Garage Sale<o:p></o:p></em></span></b><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Stacks
of stuff line the floor down the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">How
did we actually accumulate it all?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Unmated
mittens, woven neck scarves torn.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Christmas
toys broken and now piled in a heap: <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Curling
irons that no longer heat.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A
wool plaid coat missing a button or two; <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">An
ugly purse, shoes that don’t match<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thrown
on top of the bulging batch<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Of
leftovers and unnecessary things.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It
is rummage; it must be spring!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-56330729615862116292017-04-12T17:41:00.000-07:002017-04-12T17:41:05.634-07:00Sun Isn't Enough<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Yesterday DH had his week post op checkup. What a joke. Because
ten doctors rotate, we got yet another one who seemed, ah, spacey. Enough said,
but nothing could be discussed since none of the reports were back yet! So,
after an hour long, tiresome wait in the waiting room, we achieved nothing but
making another appointment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This morning we got up early to head to Springfield for a
consult on my last week’s contrast scan. Sun was gorgeous. Grass was a carpet
of green. Winter wheat was lush and ankle high. White cattle on green grass was
a sight to see, such spring promise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But it would take more to keep the day hopeful. My news was
not good. The cancer has spread, some in liver and you know what that means.
The winter’s chemo did not work which was extra sad to think of the wasted
time. The options aren’t good but I agreed to be part of a control group which
means a biopsy in a couple of weeks. The tissue will go to M.D. Anderson, and
no, the percentages are not good. But if I match, there might be a hope in a
new medicine they have. If not, I have wasted some time, some hope, and have a
hole in my gut. Well, I have already been through worse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DH took news very hard, but I had to concentrate on the
driving since he couldn’t today. It does seem unfair all we have been through
lately, but hey, life isn’t fair. I still want to hang on and live until I can’t.
Want to see grandkids that have not seen in months; I want to pet my dog as
much as I can; want to see New Mexico one more time if possible. Want to be
realistic as possible too: like I passed up shopping Charming Charlie’s today
for a new purse! </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> I hope to have some lines to put here a few
more times. And yes, I want to see the sun and thank God for it when it is
here! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-25685782287673702302017-04-07T10:20:00.003-07:002017-04-07T10:20:50.036-07:00April Not a Fix So Far!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnzgULdDagOQaCbjrzMRKMabxrTnCLPUvUZmOjIB2HaXc_07kk-MVmCZxodjTIS9amWvyRWFEU4ZlLxe0sLZdYetoqa8AsthPhyphenhyphenUgHbMThfvK0H1HfRWzlRa4wHJWX67ooC0RrvuAdmix/s1600/porch+sitting+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnzgULdDagOQaCbjrzMRKMabxrTnCLPUvUZmOjIB2HaXc_07kk-MVmCZxodjTIS9amWvyRWFEU4ZlLxe0sLZdYetoqa8AsthPhyphenhyphenUgHbMThfvK0H1HfRWzlRa4wHJWX67ooC0RrvuAdmix/s320/porch+sitting+3.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had so hoped April would be a fix for us around here. Not
so. After six weeks of pain and distress for DH which meant the same for me
watching and trying to help in my own condition, he finally got some help. He
saw a second urologist Monday which was a wonderful man even though he knew he
hut DH a great deal as it had to be. Four hours in his office and he wanted
surgery right then, but the operating rooms were full! No hospital rooms either
so DH had to stay in ER until 3 am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next morning, he went to surgery to remove a bladder
stone the size of a gold ball blocking the urinary track. I had two-hour
contract scan and will go next week for consultation. DH came home yesterday
and he returns next week as well. He cannot drive or lift and such, some for a
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This household is the lame
leading the lame! Our son is coming to mow for us tomorrow and anything else needing
to be done.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But today the sun shines anyway! After a night of tornadoes
nearby and cold, dark rain this week, I am so ready to see the yellow globe!
Surely it will help. Then one night I saw the pictures of the gas attacks. I
will not comment on the politics of this horror, but I did break down and sob.
Wanting so much more for humanity than we are getting right now! Sun is to be
perfect and 78 tomorrow so am trying to concentrate on the good.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did get news this week that one of my poems used on the
Kansas Poet Laureate site will be used in an anthology of poems this year. I
will admit to this being a happy thing. Each little pat on the head keeps us
going, doesn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still hoping April will bring goodness for me, mine, you and yours!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivndwedr6eXh-n28Mrd9DqgxHYzJ8DfIT-U5kUpUsSd6KDku5EGpm7OMY40nHPKkkMn7tymrB1gvktj9cS8D_nRR-RYKT-PdQLzE2QPvv4xsU1jjAO2fRx0LCTEc0DDh8DQNxqvtvBGk1W/s1600/porch+sitting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivndwedr6eXh-n28Mrd9DqgxHYzJ8DfIT-U5kUpUsSd6KDku5EGpm7OMY40nHPKkkMn7tymrB1gvktj9cS8D_nRR-RYKT-PdQLzE2QPvv4xsU1jjAO2fRx0LCTEc0DDh8DQNxqvtvBGk1W/s320/porch+sitting+2.jpg" width="232" /></em></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"><o:p><strong><em> Pictures thanks to Porch Sitting Union of America</em></strong></o:p></span><br />
<em>
</em>Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-79268328050224431492017-04-02T16:12:00.003-07:002017-04-02T16:12:55.160-07:00April Showers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn883aE1dEoh_tx2rOCh7lwzK0BU3J76zJ6EksuUHGzxefoSUPpLW7mPMhRfY9Hc-xkVDttKHVbRuhSE_bGAcALVLSH0FUaj7fpVzStri-T_BluGv3ULntrgATBaoay-ktbyrrW44YjxIM/s1600/IMG_0004a+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn883aE1dEoh_tx2rOCh7lwzK0BU3J76zJ6EksuUHGzxefoSUPpLW7mPMhRfY9Hc-xkVDttKHVbRuhSE_bGAcALVLSH0FUaj7fpVzStri-T_BluGv3ULntrgATBaoay-ktbyrrW44YjxIM/s320/IMG_0004a+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> tulip
teacups wave<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> in
strong wind waiting to fill<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> with
rainwater nectar<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></div>
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We are truly into April now and you remember "April Showers Bring May Flowers".</div>
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The air is somewhat chilly, but it is the gun barrel gray skies that are hard to bear. There has been rain too and more is scheduled to come. Our week is loaded with doctor appointments so it hard to find something joyous to focus on.</div>
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I went to the pharmacy for DH refills--that no doctor has still renewed yet! Nearby was a Lowe's store that was loaded with fresh flowers. Yes, I know too early and I am in not much shape to tote flowers. But like visiting a museum, I wanted to meander through and soak up the sights. </div>
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Beautiful petunias were half off and so were some tulips. The petunias can take the yo-yoing of the temperatures. I felt we needed some bright sight on the deck even if we only saw it from the kitchen as we looked out the glass with noses pressed there looking for sun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iMxBwdOg5iSaXBwrKRGm7_zjtjd82V_6K_TgRh0pKjdg3eSBw378RbiS4qVnvs93LsygK775vDyh72AUUNgM1a8XIYPaMNeLyVwR9-BvhyTLZOPH_qs_L5gwWiIO4IPamZXreSW2Bjuy/s1600/IMG_0002a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iMxBwdOg5iSaXBwrKRGm7_zjtjd82V_6K_TgRh0pKjdg3eSBw378RbiS4qVnvs93LsygK775vDyh72AUUNgM1a8XIYPaMNeLyVwR9-BvhyTLZOPH_qs_L5gwWiIO4IPamZXreSW2Bjuy/s320/IMG_0002a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile I am having fun with Jan Morrill's haiku! Her first one was for spring and today's was asking for color. Tomorrow---dogs. Check it out and have a good week!</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">https://haikubyhaiku.wordpress.com/2017/04/02/national-poetry-month-haiku-contest-day-2-colors/#comment-1554</span></div>
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Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-73635353766765041482017-03-30T15:24:00.000-07:002017-03-30T15:24:32.820-07:00More Kindness<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It
is as chilly as winter today and a slow drizzly rain that is reminiscent of
beginning snow has fallen all day. The damp chill seems to sink into my bones
like honey into warm cornbread! Even Biscuit doesn’t want out, but curls up on
our bed trying to wait for a sunnier day. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwWAcxcP8WBtBBHSsMKSADBXrTlVUNCII_t7wFY7CNUEcVqJoDsZZ5Af65TnhW9tO2FJRRnbLm9uawc8y41n1lO9yTqFSuo0Vav9JWLEVVEITQFAO7zt0iBvnom-92PthUACN8uAY-K_W/s1600/jonquil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwWAcxcP8WBtBBHSsMKSADBXrTlVUNCII_t7wFY7CNUEcVqJoDsZZ5Af65TnhW9tO2FJRRnbLm9uawc8y41n1lO9yTqFSuo0Vav9JWLEVVEITQFAO7zt0iBvnom-92PthUACN8uAY-K_W/s1600/jonquil.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Last
night we went to ER again and this time DH got some temporary relief which some
mental relief for me. I never do well in the month of March as S.A.D. wipes me out.
This year with cancer and hubby and family issues and the sorrowful state of
our country, well, life in general, I was holding my own until yesterday. Then
worry about hubby broke me down. I called ER and got a truly kind charge nurse
who said, “Bring him in. I can help him.” She did and then the PA, also a kind
woman, did blood work that should have been done long before. They gave him
pain meds and enough relief until we can see a doctor on Monday. I think we are
in for another big life change here. Doesn’t feel fair that our Golden Years
are so tarnished! But I am grateful for kindness of these women. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Another
strange incident in kindness happened this morning when I went to grocery
store. I did not use the riding cart but got myself through the store walking,
a feat for me these days. A man smiled at me in line and when I got my stuff to
the car, he too had checked out and was parked next to me. He started talking
to me about how unkind some people are these days and how a lady in the store
made him feel bad. Did I ever have that happen? Ah, yes, and I wondered in the
cold drizzle what kind of a come on this was. I said people are upset in
general and maybe she had bad day before the store. He said the woman had
ruined his day until a kind woman talked to him in the parking lot, thanked me,
and wished me a good day ahead. Strange. But I said a little prayer asking God
to never let me forget what a kind word does for people, no matter how
depressed or sick I get. </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIhL09NZDTGT0g4GICm3jlZ0ZjtvWgJzfor9Pa-Y4Eq3pMr9fMy8Hw5ZBg5BbpymsDhSCAlLJuwA8qTBO0MTr2h0SZMphPBMQY-HwwzMX2W-J0lsPNBLzY4naNKqb9sNjlAEsWOPNaSnB/s1600/April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIhL09NZDTGT0g4GICm3jlZ0ZjtvWgJzfor9Pa-Y4Eq3pMr9fMy8Hw5ZBg5BbpymsDhSCAlLJuwA8qTBO0MTr2h0SZMphPBMQY-HwwzMX2W-J0lsPNBLzY4naNKqb9sNjlAEsWOPNaSnB/s1600/April.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So,
March is ending now, and I have always like April because it is National Poetry
Month. This afternoon Jan Morrill put up a Haiku challenge on her blog page. Oh,
what fun this sounds like! I have struggled with haiku as I try to follow the
rules and then have had editors correct me, saying I adhere too closely to
rules. Hum, I never know what to do. But this is 30 days with new topic for
every April day. Surely, I can write a few 17 syllable poems for her page! I
have not been able to write at all, but this just might help get the brain
working again. I suggest you check her page out at <a href="https://haikubyhaiku.wordpress.com/2017/03/30/celebrate-national-poetry-month/"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://haikubyhaiku.wordpress.com/2017/03/30/celebrate-national-poetry-month/</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
hope to see your own lines there during April!!!!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Clip art from </em></span><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=free+april+clip+art+images&qpvt=free+april+clip+art+images&qpvt=free+april+clip+art+images&qpvt=free+april+clip+art+images&FORM=IGRE"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>http://www.bing.com/</em></span></a></span></b></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-62516087153221977522017-03-26T08:53:00.000-07:002017-03-26T08:53:37.481-07:00In the Pink?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mjBP0PUIVpMpXENfYbfUPDYMLFQFt7SVkLm3F6TMhARk6JlV_GvcoLpKModqeuT4wiS7tT3fPCK8kSzSTUJ9wXmQzj_u34ZOwvtIoUIHpaP7ldaS4quYiOswjRU5eTozW6P1Ccp95xSn/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mjBP0PUIVpMpXENfYbfUPDYMLFQFt7SVkLm3F6TMhARk6JlV_GvcoLpKModqeuT4wiS7tT3fPCK8kSzSTUJ9wXmQzj_u34ZOwvtIoUIHpaP7ldaS4quYiOswjRU5eTozW6P1Ccp95xSn/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday
night was another difficult night and then in the wee hours of morning a storm
with lots of thunder moved through. Biscuit doesn’t like thunder, but she was a
trooper and remained quiet in her crate. The whole house waited for storm to be
over and that made the coming day even more tiresome. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm9ES2RA658FjrqZN6_bLIOtCcsI5pwC_C1b4nohaOQXRMknPfS8E91EjSfqPMW7lamUY_UA6etYBHOHV-iW7FablZkSjGw6CsYSqTYOKS1BCEnp-ZsY9UULTtJsdLEvBncDOxLJ0Q-iz/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm9ES2RA658FjrqZN6_bLIOtCcsI5pwC_C1b4nohaOQXRMknPfS8E91EjSfqPMW7lamUY_UA6etYBHOHV-iW7FablZkSjGw6CsYSqTYOKS1BCEnp-ZsY9UULTtJsdLEvBncDOxLJ0Q-iz/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="179" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But
I wanted to do something to take my mind off all the difficulties in life. I
was tired of sitting and straightened a few things around here. I made a new
casserole for lunch and stirred up cookies for the first time in over a year.
Oh, folks have brought us cakes and cookies, but we have been trying to leave
them alone for health reasons. Ah, yesterday was a big fail because I wanted
some of my own chocolate chip cookies. I just use the Toll House recipe, but I
use three different kinds of chocolate chips. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Then
I changed table top again. I might not be able to climb and clean corners and
sweeping floor is often beyond me, but I can change a table cloth and feel like
I am in control of some part of my own wonky life! I chose pink, a color I
rarely use and it feels like Easter and spring and light and airy! When I was
four years old, I loved pink, wanted everything pink. My mom hated pink and
loved red. It was a squabble every time I dressed, but I guess I got my fill of
pink in the end. Nice to see it again though now. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUEqQQmCi-7pcN2xd5rXRwBsyDhW4V-zuGWxhRuIG6Dqscrx4sEytZBvLSmRE9SPZIMjOSda5ZnniiZytRSK-cbacGjyzN6oD5rOjBGhVOWV4XqfVcHPfD3Nbg0iu8v0_H8d2kHPC-ggI/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUEqQQmCi-7pcN2xd5rXRwBsyDhW4V-zuGWxhRuIG6Dqscrx4sEytZBvLSmRE9SPZIMjOSda5ZnniiZytRSK-cbacGjyzN6oD5rOjBGhVOWV4XqfVcHPfD3Nbg0iu8v0_H8d2kHPC-ggI/s400/IMG_0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In
the afternoon, I read a book which is also difficult some of these days. I
finished <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Piece of Time </i>by Christina
Kline, and I really enjoyed the book. It is story built around Wyeth’s painting
titled “Christina’s World”. I’ve always liked the painting, and my mother-in-law
had a print of the painting hanging in her house for years. I recommend the
story even if you are not familiar with Wyeth or the painting. I think I will sample
more of this author when I can.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpMaA-TC4HCt10dANGRF3Wd0Q0WS9jxb7z8iBAofzpXJwCN01PIcgtrQr9XjPDYKeSo6g_Mk-8IsV4XNDyqI_RyT6SqZyGsloUoQucApavymPAiU22bH1tmgnN6pqhLmBG6PCSgeoPiaM/s1600/christina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpMaA-TC4HCt10dANGRF3Wd0Q0WS9jxb7z8iBAofzpXJwCN01PIcgtrQr9XjPDYKeSo6g_Mk-8IsV4XNDyqI_RyT6SqZyGsloUoQucApavymPAiU22bH1tmgnN6pqhLmBG6PCSgeoPiaM/s1600/christina.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Christina's World by A. Wyeth</em></span></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
day ended and night was better for me; DH still had issues, but I was so tired
(and cookie full) that I slept. Now the Sunday morning is bright with sunshine
despite more storms coming. I hope to get out on the deck this afternoon to
soak up sunshine while I can. March is ending this week, and I hope it takes
all the darkness with it—well, as much as it can. Let April bring some
lightness and cheer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy
Sunday to you!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-19877854455298006582017-03-23T15:41:00.000-07:002017-03-23T15:41:09.151-07:00KINDNESS!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnY8CtdvrVyafGJtFJv10eQwmuvuaMNwZQ4zm6oYnI2V1CKhqhPONZmo2HK2NYBcElsbqHzfGmfYGxCk7AjL3GXF23ZvKezYW3V1MEjj4N9l6IvkbSwmqirhFV-z3_w6dfSR99LhrPdOOx/s1600/dandelion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnY8CtdvrVyafGJtFJv10eQwmuvuaMNwZQ4zm6oYnI2V1CKhqhPONZmo2HK2NYBcElsbqHzfGmfYGxCk7AjL3GXF23ZvKezYW3V1MEjj4N9l6IvkbSwmqirhFV-z3_w6dfSR99LhrPdOOx/s320/dandelion.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In
a world that seems to have gone amok, there is still joy, color, sunshine, and
kindness, and yes, weeds too!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTjmkrebe2E4lya5oVD7YWb3kvSxHZttr-bCk_YyZ6EYqXZhZCOkxQdvN238JvULTI0-DfDDJHtitAcNqXT9vrYbTsOFMDQOV1CkAWpaakAvxA6nTiifKcyVY1dyy61MFDVjrLwbIt3Xj/s1600/Christmas+cactus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTjmkrebe2E4lya5oVD7YWb3kvSxHZttr-bCk_YyZ6EYqXZhZCOkxQdvN238JvULTI0-DfDDJHtitAcNqXT9vrYbTsOFMDQOV1CkAWpaakAvxA6nTiifKcyVY1dyy61MFDVjrLwbIt3Xj/s320/Christmas+cactus.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <em>from Susan</em></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">DH
has been sick for three weeks. Still no answers but some meds finally this week
that are helping. It has been a little hard to keep that “stiff upper lip”
around here! But today it is 75 and windows open which is delightful. I refuse
to worry today about the severe storms, hail and wind forecast for tomorrow! </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajqmDDLOfpB703yA4dtPEg4iNkpXb2vJ3bU_I6a0m7ImnJ0pKM6Hi4DsqWiGX-KTGgy3wVup87ddlA3pGXmE1ECMCnEjb3IG_H_bcg2RwfnYQV2LzQXtD5ahrQskhC0Tx5MoJEgVNUP5-/s1600/Purple+wrap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajqmDDLOfpB703yA4dtPEg4iNkpXb2vJ3bU_I6a0m7ImnJ0pKM6Hi4DsqWiGX-KTGgy3wVup87ddlA3pGXmE1ECMCnEjb3IG_H_bcg2RwfnYQV2LzQXtD5ahrQskhC0Tx5MoJEgVNUP5-/s320/Purple+wrap.JPG" width="294" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <em>from Kim</em></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This
morning I went to the post office which is a challenge as so many steps or a
long walk up handicapped ramps. I was carrying a couple of large and one heavy
box. A man was there before I started and climbed the steps and stood. By the
time I got to the doors, I realized he had been waiting on me from the
beginning just to open the door. He told me the inside door was already open so
I did not need to wait for him to open for me. I thanked him but was amazed to
realize how much he put himself out for me. It feels good to see kindness.</span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9T1CpQH3dCObiOxJd0PA3GrFWitdF8avQEr3TDWNJxvmhh1PatHMssxVFExo5HPMbuPWT925g-EZliI3i3CXPXatq2f47SmixJO_svVgY_3oQcCVvO8pjtzg9O_JXM5aM84JJYFCaLDG/s1600/J+Cash+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9T1CpQH3dCObiOxJd0PA3GrFWitdF8avQEr3TDWNJxvmhh1PatHMssxVFExo5HPMbuPWT925g-EZliI3i3CXPXatq2f47SmixJO_svVgY_3oQcCVvO8pjtzg9O_JXM5aM84JJYFCaLDG/s320/J+Cash+book.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <em>from Dennis and Kathy</em></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Of
course, the kindness of others has carried me a long way thus far this year. I
constantly am on the receiving end of kindness from others, from many readers
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have posted pictures of things
before, but here are more of things where people went out of their way to think
of me.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBPKTdCN-I9-LgZmnju09L974MFEL-AzBJAPNNk61mzHA4HEGgcsGV9I1T1ps7uO8ADicZi5wGq7qxqgytDDEbkQtZcsOtySRNkf_SK77REHDfJBdwsjB_HCensXvT7xpJHvZ2_Jl0LMP/s1600/wrap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBPKTdCN-I9-LgZmnju09L974MFEL-AzBJAPNNk61mzHA4HEGgcsGV9I1T1ps7uO8ADicZi5wGq7qxqgytDDEbkQtZcsOtySRNkf_SK77REHDfJBdwsjB_HCensXvT7xpJHvZ2_Jl0LMP/s320/wrap.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <em>from Linda and the Lawrences</em></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks
again! I try to pay it forward and hope to have many opportunities to do it a
lot longer!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFcMyMPldSP0i6S0YBp4YA9y4xeMEcXETxohv9UWnfaXkyHkvK_nFlwxL9vyWg7Ca9D56MmhYa9ze4d1EaIH35Mso-gM8OqxIQ7mdav3ptyb9cfdalTRR3k96NH2RjD2-536UHzTdTjWd/s1600/Tea+Time+picture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFcMyMPldSP0i6S0YBp4YA9y4xeMEcXETxohv9UWnfaXkyHkvK_nFlwxL9vyWg7Ca9D56MmhYa9ze4d1EaIH35Mso-gM8OqxIQ7mdav3ptyb9cfdalTRR3k96NH2RjD2-536UHzTdTjWd/s320/Tea+Time+picture.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <em> from Lynn</em></o:p></span></b></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-32854446077134698042017-03-16T17:21:00.002-07:002017-03-16T17:21:35.767-07:00So Grateful for Blogger Pals!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLB8V0ueDxgTitvUlG_zkWJGl_KpDPGebwuNZc03YASJgdkmIXXj_dw1ACTOZTbvy_ckZCexsF0O1bQmzPL2yfldvMoIhm8yb9E72M2jToSuUxCc9NgwiTIL0xpgON0uUH5PRqe36jnfh/s1600/tulips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLB8V0ueDxgTitvUlG_zkWJGl_KpDPGebwuNZc03YASJgdkmIXXj_dw1ACTOZTbvy_ckZCexsF0O1bQmzPL2yfldvMoIhm8yb9E72M2jToSuUxCc9NgwiTIL0xpgON0uUH5PRqe36jnfh/s1600/tulips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLB8V0ueDxgTitvUlG_zkWJGl_KpDPGebwuNZc03YASJgdkmIXXj_dw1ACTOZTbvy_ckZCexsF0O1bQmzPL2yfldvMoIhm8yb9E72M2jToSuUxCc9NgwiTIL0xpgON0uUH5PRqe36jnfh/s1600/tulips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLB8V0ueDxgTitvUlG_zkWJGl_KpDPGebwuNZc03YASJgdkmIXXj_dw1ACTOZTbvy_ckZCexsF0O1bQmzPL2yfldvMoIhm8yb9E72M2jToSuUxCc9NgwiTIL0xpgON0uUH5PRqe36jnfh/s320/tulips.JPG" width="240" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: black;">It
has been a month since I wrote a blog page, a long and very hard month. While I
miss blogging so much, I also have nothing to write about since all my news
lately has been bad or negative. I work so hard to find something good to say,
something fun to share. Today I had DH at ER among other things, but then I
came home to the national news. I just wanted to put my head down on my desk and
cry. Don’t worry, I won’t get all political on you.</span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: black;">Today
I had to leave the ER exam room to go to the bathroom. Sounds simple, right?
Well, I was geared up in a mask and worried about germs, but when I came out of
the hall bathroom, I was lost! The doorways all looked alike! I thought surely
I could do this. I chose a door and I got it wrong! Quickly, I shut it and was
more confused than ever. Every single door looked exactly the same. So I wove
myself back out to the admissions desk and told them I was lost, couldn’t find
my hubby. They smiled at this crazy lady, gave me a number and I headed back to try again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: black;">DH
laughed his head off. Said what was happening to us-other than getting old! We
are doing more and more of this kind of thing. So at least we haven’t lost the
ability to laugh at ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: black;">A
few weeks ago, a woman in Arizona found an old post where I wrote about Jerico
Springs, Missouri. Her family came from there years ago, and we started
exchanging emails and information. I helped her with some numbers to local historical
society offices and sent her some printed history materials. Although we can’t
find the exact link, we suspect that we share a far-out branch on a family
tree. She sent me these lovely tulips this week, in a week of dark days and
cold weather. The tulips were like a kiss of sunshine. They are so beautiful.
And to think, we connected because of blogging! <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: black;">Notes
and thoughts and prayers continue to come my way and many from bloggers I will
never see face to face. I continue to be grateful for each of you blogger
friends! So, while I have nothing much to share or any writing to discuss, I
want to say once more I am glad you are out there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: black;">Happy
St. Patrick’s Day from one whose people were once Irish immigrants! <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br />Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-31521585452276146192017-02-17T14:42:00.000-08:002017-02-17T14:42:30.414-08:00Color in Our Lives
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe5TLI0XUdTpXigSb_YTrimENPtZT8ucUc0XKWTTOR8GeZAg6lhOas_G29CaWCb78CA19nxV6gtExxvC0zcrPLoYH7IvLirES1QwNlTSLGHHb5ciovVmm0Ji5oFtADmsnfH9gQqr0D4YG/s1600/crocus+under+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe5TLI0XUdTpXigSb_YTrimENPtZT8ucUc0XKWTTOR8GeZAg6lhOas_G29CaWCb78CA19nxV6gtExxvC0zcrPLoYH7IvLirES1QwNlTSLGHHb5ciovVmm0Ji5oFtADmsnfH9gQqr0D4YG/s400/crocus+under+tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
day has been positively gorgeous for February. The yellow of the bright sun
energizes folks especially in February! Color is important to us and gray
clouds can make us lethargic. Color everywhere, even the ones we choose to wear,
shapes us, moves us, causes us to feel warmth, anger, comfort, sadness, and
more.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When
I was in high school, I did not have an abundance of clothing. I learned real fast
that black and earth tones were slimming, versatile, classic, and did not call
attention to yourself if you were in a class you hated and where you wanted to
fade into the woodwork. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But
when I married and moved into the St. Louis suburbs, I met a woman who
introduced me to color. It was the years of green and orange which already made
a statement in homes. Donna had left school after the 8<sup>th</sup> grade, and
then she taught herself to play the organ for church and to paint beautiful
floral pictures. She had a smile that could light up a city block, and she
loved color. She was the one who dragged me away from black and showed me the
joys of color in clothing and in the home. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
love the richness of hardwoods like oak and cherry in my home. I love turquoise.
I like blue and white. I no longer stand back from splashes of color like
dashes of red, a kiss of purple, or even oranges and yellows. I say that I play
house with my dining room table because I have been too sick to host guests, to
hold dinners, or present teas. Still on the good days I change the table
setting to make me feel good. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTxXqEmhilAPkZEmStt3WJ8vmLD3_8cKaDKnLhElQMnGqQCCzAHl8foTt4wEKWVM0gnOGKmKW7dfv7_plvaFqts0d7ODg74WAOQUEreSD0cQSpsRUeQnUoI9Is2Mgcaqds2fD6N0eYni3/s1600/IMG_0003b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTxXqEmhilAPkZEmStt3WJ8vmLD3_8cKaDKnLhElQMnGqQCCzAHl8foTt4wEKWVM0gnOGKmKW7dfv7_plvaFqts0d7ODg74WAOQUEreSD0cQSpsRUeQnUoI9Is2Mgcaqds2fD6N0eYni3/s320/IMG_0003b.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This
month I chose turquoise placemats and plates with orangey pink backgrounds that
remind me of the Southwest. The poppies were from the Santa Fe square the year
every store was showing poppies. Then a quick stop at a store last week and a
glance caught the sight of turquoise stems. Ah, the table colors take me back
to the Southwest as I pass it each day. </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjpZWaSmMjebeNBVDNtaDeHUPMD3XFHitcGUBKMyPNFZ7XnVivjC_Q9mFV22yX6lgGUFg5sgswMj82SubO0U0MXKV5pS-v9Sgd2bVIGl5oW1pjzYYuOFfMvoviWc8o8iyFDua1d6OfjTt/s1600/crocus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjpZWaSmMjebeNBVDNtaDeHUPMD3XFHitcGUBKMyPNFZ7XnVivjC_Q9mFV22yX6lgGUFg5sgswMj82SubO0U0MXKV5pS-v9Sgd2bVIGl5oW1pjzYYuOFfMvoviWc8o8iyFDua1d6OfjTt/s320/crocus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b> </div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Meanwhile,
I finally got the Christmas tea pot and cups put away along with the last
poinsettias. I still felt it too early for Easter, but the warm weather here
did remind me of spring. Yellow silks of forsythia and jonquils and tulips came
out of the closet and made me feel bright as I could be. Then around the street
corner I saw real crocus popping out all over the ground. Ah, their light
shades of lavender were soft and full of promise. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #990099; font-family: "Americana BT",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you have a favorite
color to wear or decorate with?</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #990099; font-family: "Americana BT",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #990099; font-family: "Americana BT",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b> </div>
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Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-81578275273699556262017-02-09T09:23:00.002-08:002017-02-09T09:23:37.660-08:00A Very Mini Road Trip!
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaSmhZkJyrYAJWZG3UTBtZUNNXuHkvRKXwHk8KE9NL40HUN3zvIH1051zw7cuJrZAu-2VxReV29RgNd3amKFkRMGfnCAJ4UrRfoU8sCdxVFOcwJWY_V7RehTdbahBW1MXZLoTSockJDsU/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaSmhZkJyrYAJWZG3UTBtZUNNXuHkvRKXwHk8KE9NL40HUN3zvIH1051zw7cuJrZAu-2VxReV29RgNd3amKFkRMGfnCAJ4UrRfoU8sCdxVFOcwJWY_V7RehTdbahBW1MXZLoTSockJDsU/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Despite
the very mild weather thus far this winter, the days have been very hard for us
at this house. My chemo has been so bad while my father-in-law died, his
children are being nasty over estate, DH and I had to clean out the assisted
living, we wrangle still with insurance over December fender bender, worry
about our other family members, and well, I think you get the idea. Then last
night I learned my Grand dog has incurable cancer. It seems unfair that my
hardworking son faces cancer with both his dog and his mother. For someone who
does not like to whine, I sure did a lot, didn’t I?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaB2033GyFW2mjY-sOmXrRDApfFEq616cGdAgH06dSk9iUzSw2BwfPCumNUCF8Lhk0rmxnUTg_Bg8nr78KPYFL6BwCUsNMUDzB40BuKLwM9Vb5MPPj_mvE06HeAen9deJCwDy23-scTsLR/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaB2033GyFW2mjY-sOmXrRDApfFEq616cGdAgH06dSk9iUzSw2BwfPCumNUCF8Lhk0rmxnUTg_Bg8nr78KPYFL6BwCUsNMUDzB40BuKLwM9Vb5MPPj_mvE06HeAen9deJCwDy23-scTsLR/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">On Monday
I had to do the week after blood cell check. The air was warm, but skies were as
gray as a gun barrel. Blood labs were easy and cells were up for change. The
office was shorthanded so it took longer, but when we came out, we did not want
to come home. We had nowhere to go, nothing to do, did not feel great, but we
just did not want to return to thinking of all our problems. So, we drove down
I-44 a ways.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafxlW4L0EzraulgASZNiUERXdbgpcjFtyZjgyVBNXI6aMxws4RzvztATgCJCxscHXNpB1NhB6Dyg7keOllHOiIck1cBBO4ARC7XtJwys7thvPPSBBiS2aqY6WSzQ9BYtALUJYm9Pn-hkP/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafxlW4L0EzraulgASZNiUERXdbgpcjFtyZjgyVBNXI6aMxws4RzvztATgCJCxscHXNpB1NhB6Dyg7keOllHOiIck1cBBO4ARC7XtJwys7thvPPSBBiS2aqY6WSzQ9BYtALUJYm9Pn-hkP/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">West is
where we head in our hearts always it seems. We remembered past trips using
this strip of highway to head to Santa Fe. We recalled the thrill of this
highway in beginning our trips. Of course, this beginning strip of pavement brings
back an era of my childhood memories as well. The winter landscape was bleak,
but we worked hard at finding something promising. Occasionally we saw the hint
of green coming in the winter wheat popping through. Hawks rested on fence
poles; cattle lingered in dry pastures, some with calves.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W6ZwHG3p7kJqvZdWn8Az_FsllwW2QKpMhs2hx-2L7EABTBZ6NEaDdUCxWr1IUp8oJJd0MZF86j0Yef_NuEgqPaQQ-GwH5mADFAYMSfr00ZuWnc_-DgsvEXREJAztyG8xiI984NvGT6Es/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W6ZwHG3p7kJqvZdWn8Az_FsllwW2QKpMhs2hx-2L7EABTBZ6NEaDdUCxWr1IUp8oJJd0MZF86j0Yef_NuEgqPaQQ-GwH5mADFAYMSfr00ZuWnc_-DgsvEXREJAztyG8xiI984NvGT6Es/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">We only
drove about 40 miles or so, but that took us to the Glass House! Over 50 years ago,
the state of Oklahoma closed in a bridge over their turnpike and made it a
place to eat. This was unique an architectural feat for the times. My grandma
brought me a post card from her visit and my child’s eye longed to be see it in
person. Later a McDonalds and nice gift shop was put in, but the place got a little
shabby. Two years ago, it was redone and is now part of a truck plaza. Very
clean and neat inside, it is simple but impressive to the child still inside of
me. We stopped and ate a wonderful hamburger from the McDonalds while watching
raging semi’s roar beneath our feet. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurJQkXjP3R4uH3saQf5gmDPUgjXAy7ftyAHfQLAopTAzFMsOsLR7Y07dj2wIGAXxOqXnWgIwbHG_XyhZJ_gxDj1i38aU6dUTeorGRTnDl_q7qM0u_ROGak_e7l7Coo3fALmg17xJw7dKV/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurJQkXjP3R4uH3saQf5gmDPUgjXAy7ftyAHfQLAopTAzFMsOsLR7Y07dj2wIGAXxOqXnWgIwbHG_XyhZJ_gxDj1i38aU6dUTeorGRTnDl_q7qM0u_ROGak_e7l7Coo3fALmg17xJw7dKV/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Then we
turned around and headed home, but we used secondary roads, moseying along
slowly postponing arrival back home. We did stop in Vinita (another childhood
memory) to look around a flea market. It turned out to be an amazing place as
the owner had tons of Blue Willow with some very old and unique pieces. She
came down in price but still I didn’t buy. I told her if I could beat this cancer I
would come back and buy a celebratory piece! She also had battled cancer twice.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">From
there, we had to come home. I was pretty done in and even DH was tiring. It
doesn’t take much right now to wear us down. OH, but we had a little escape! For
just a short while we could pretend that the world was all okay and that we
were fine in it. Alas, when we walked in backdoor the answering machine was
beeping, phone ringing, and email dinging. It brought us back from the past real
fast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-11642926431729613222017-01-23T14:45:00.000-08:002017-01-23T14:45:39.743-08:00Testy January Day With Some Delightful Spots
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdclXeeZ_8tW7Wwpkp2piDcFRzAqNid0TYlGZYExlYZ2vTOsyAvr6G2Yv7ZwMviMZx5ho-eHPW7yQBjWFuUb-gSYAdIFRhEmun6NcYakJu3Vd6o7yZTvLOSS8g8SUR1ygDUh6b1PcHg6B/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdclXeeZ_8tW7Wwpkp2piDcFRzAqNid0TYlGZYExlYZ2vTOsyAvr6G2Yv7ZwMviMZx5ho-eHPW7yQBjWFuUb-gSYAdIFRhEmun6NcYakJu3Vd6o7yZTvLOSS8g8SUR1ygDUh6b1PcHg6B/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, it was not a good day! Some days start off marching on
the left foot and only way to correct it is to go back to bed and start over,
which was not an option for me today. I have dreaded and actually been fearful
of going to chemo this morning as I wondered what kind of side effects I would
have this time. We had house and refrigerator set for a week of illness and laundry
done up. Then I could not get chemo due to blood counts being so low. Where was
the power of all that liver I ate? The red blood cells required a shot to build
up which scares me due to the possibility of increased tumor growth. I don’t
have much left they can pull out with a tumor! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGOOkDJBkUo2GSR0hPkUXuUVL6HMf46Rcvc3IzIOunYfnP2ao2Ska6VJ9alkcKNCmMuDaw3jkXmW5fHuHBiFzOlNtHsm8KbkgBdKkqsX9nRYEiq2v38fIT3LEpRerTIouPN10MZQN50KC/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGOOkDJBkUo2GSR0hPkUXuUVL6HMf46Rcvc3IzIOunYfnP2ao2Ska6VJ9alkcKNCmMuDaw3jkXmW5fHuHBiFzOlNtHsm8KbkgBdKkqsX9nRYEiq2v38fIT3LEpRerTIouPN10MZQN50KC/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I got home, there was a package from blogger buddy in Australia!!!!
(</span><a href="http://myjustsostory.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://myjustsostory.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had this lovely tea cup that made her
think of me…blue and orange with butterflies! It is lovely gift and thought;
this writer has plenty on her own plate so really appreciate she made time for
me! I set the splash of orange next to my orange fox. This picture taken and
framed for me by a friend’s hubby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I decided to stay up and push more. While a few snowmen
still hover around the edges, I did away with the red tablecloth. This might be
a mistake because the day is so bright and warm it is easy to forget we are
still in January, still in winter and will probably face snow and more
darkness. (I am not eager to face the spring tornadic stuff that poor Georgia
faced this weekend!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided to put out things that reminded me of the Santa Fe
area. I have little but a few paper napkins and some red poppies on the new turquoise
place mats remind me a little of that Northeastern corner of New Mexico we love
so much. I don’t think I have seen a turquoise tea pot, but maybe that should
be an item I could search for. The hunt is often more thrilling than obtaining
the item. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still trying to turn the tide of the day, I came to computer
to put 2016 pictures all in a folder. I did and then lost them all. They are
not to be found in this machine!!!! So I think I’m going to don a flannel nightgown,
wait for evening to pass, and start all over tomorrow! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-46751807481414541702017-01-18T19:53:00.000-08:002017-01-18T19:53:26.518-08:00Chemo in the Kitchen!
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I learned recently that chemo started with the use of
arsenic. That seems appropriate because chemo feels like poison in my body! The
new formula that was to be a little easier was the worst ever. Then I found out
I got more of a dose than the cancer team had suggested. It took a long time to
come out of the cloud and I’m still not there. Too bad, but I return for
another hit on Monday. You can bet I will be asking what the numbers are when
they start that drip!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Chemo does lots of things, but there a real side
effect called chemo brain. It is hard to bear, the not thinking clearly. The
feeling of a numb mind is one of the biggest insults. Today DH went to help our
son repair damage from last week’s ice that was worse at his house. He wanted
me to go too, to get out, but I did not feel well enough. I wanted the comfort
of my flannel robe, recliner, my own bathroom, etc. I also wanted the joy of
being in my own house alone for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">But I did try to do a few things including frying two
pounds of liver and making a batch of fiber muffins. Liver thaws fast, cooks
fast, but it is a mess as I get flour all over everywhere. But I am to build up
cells when I can and liver is a good hearty blood building food. We like it
too. But to give you an idea how my chemo acted just while cooking read below.
I got ‘er done but not without some hurdles. The house smells like liver and I
can only eat small amounts at a time, but hopefully it will help me next week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cooking Today<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fed husband oatmeal with wonderful fresh blueberries. Sent him to son’s
to fix ice damaged fence.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dress. Then rest an hour with The View. Begin to cook two pounds of
liver for extra iron and blood strength to face coming chemo again. Frying
liver is fast and easy but so messy leaving flour all over the stove which will
have to be cleaned.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Made some fiber muffins. Mixed dry ingredients and then the wet ones.
Cracked three eggs and stupidly cracked one into the egg carton instead of the
bowl!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reached for raisins, none, but there were some currants. Soaked them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stirred all together and put into oven. Turned and saw currants still
draining. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Felt so shaky and weak from being up. Forced myself forward. Thought it
was time for a rest, maybe even a nap!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-9531672009694178832017-01-14T13:12:00.000-08:002017-01-14T13:12:06.672-08:00I Am a Wee Bit Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvnVUy0lyOfNxt5-52dmCUbOqDLl5J5GiAqy51Ero7PWrMO-3FDVvItR3GkbLscrGOaKa5sP_jR-7OGBlAuEWrW34sgIfKvc9sETi1lcHvlIda7qQ61rCXtb2eyWCi4WIB2OmnGeW8Awg/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvnVUy0lyOfNxt5-52dmCUbOqDLl5J5GiAqy51Ero7PWrMO-3FDVvItR3GkbLscrGOaKa5sP_jR-7OGBlAuEWrW34sgIfKvc9sETi1lcHvlIda7qQ61rCXtb2eyWCi4WIB2OmnGeW8Awg/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">January is half over and we sit inside waiting for
ice. For two days, our warnings have been dire about ice, but Mother Nature has
danced around the freezing point so we have some passable streets. Since I am
not going out much anyway, I think a pretty snow would be nice instead. But…we
take what we get. I just hope one more day will put us past the severe ice
danger and damage. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaB_oQwg2MqEVsUl1T5T8BrX1gVMiCqSGa8HDCZ46Pb9d4ehVbie8jRrUOq43pIE17PL7rxwz2j2XzN92Ti445D85SGmmp8Y59PYuSwuNykFCF1r9WpcCYC34Tj4JC8vJ3mNMdxLgJ9pAi/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaB_oQwg2MqEVsUl1T5T8BrX1gVMiCqSGa8HDCZ46Pb9d4ehVbie8jRrUOq43pIE17PL7rxwz2j2XzN92Ti445D85SGmmp8Y59PYuSwuNykFCF1r9WpcCYC34Tj4JC8vJ3mNMdxLgJ9pAi/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Inside the house does have snowmen. I put little out
for Christmas this year due to health reasons, but still I only put away part
of it. I could not bear the thoughts of silk spring flowers and rabbits yet. I
also did not want to see bare winter dullness, icy scenes. So, I compromised
and left out lots of reds, lots of cheerful snowmen, and winter tea pots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaoNYv3mJZ_ddXyHWZ5daCyoV2Mb72X4zth_eh0xgY6sNi_sX6xkT1DrfqcMNg2yc06sFggtW6hRZjr9ofBEukyIYRTl4OpBLovZZdpaZrNaXhxEbX4s30_ZGKdJZ5AZsVovZSRf-4dpe/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaoNYv3mJZ_ddXyHWZ5daCyoV2Mb72X4zth_eh0xgY6sNi_sX6xkT1DrfqcMNg2yc06sFggtW6hRZjr9ofBEukyIYRTl4OpBLovZZdpaZrNaXhxEbX4s30_ZGKdJZ5AZsVovZSRf-4dpe/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also dragged out some of my favorite blue and whites. They
comfort me so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I did a new chemo two days after Christmas and while
still in the midst of surgery healing. It was hard and devastating for 12 days.
So, the last few days as it has lifted, but I return on January 23 for more
(sort of like hitting your own head with a hammer and knowing it is coming!).
With these better days DH has helped me and together we put house back together
to face next round. We/he swept floors, put out clean kitchen tablecloths, vacuumed
up dog hair, wiped down refrigerator and did up laundry. Doesn’t sound exciting
I know, but it is thrilling to someone who has not been able to wipe up a thing
for long while. We often take so much for granted and don’t realize how delightful
a wet sponge in our hand is until we can’t do it anymore!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There has been writing here, not even a blog page for
nearly two months. That is sad, but I do still reach for your blogs to read
when I can even if I don’t leave a comment. I am glad you dear pals are out
there! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Reading is hard too, but I am reading a little on the
better days. Right now, I am reading My Brothers’ Keeper. This is collection of
bios of Christians that saved Jews during the Holocaust even at the expense of
their own lives. Yes, it could be seen as a dark book, but I am so uplifted to
know these people existed. I hope that our world still has such giving and
principled people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This is about all I can write today. Thank you all
again for continued prayers and support. I hope you all are warm and safe and
happy on this winter’s day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9039090177447731633.post-9221072484684669472016-11-21T19:41:00.000-08:002016-11-21T19:41:25.165-08:00Cowboy Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxETyBMDXvc8We9Sn4cmZ0fNwDZMjFwJMFU-QpLk8EvD55Y5JcF54w23j717UFmoedhygiIAfAegP5ghC7En7vw6vZTrFqffQqqcxly6Q5kAV_8tiLUqHOJjEaplXG-Du_n94rcEl2Dqd/s1600/IMG_0005b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxETyBMDXvc8We9Sn4cmZ0fNwDZMjFwJMFU-QpLk8EvD55Y5JcF54w23j717UFmoedhygiIAfAegP5ghC7En7vw6vZTrFqffQqqcxly6Q5kAV_8tiLUqHOJjEaplXG-Du_n94rcEl2Dqd/s320/IMG_0005b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This weekend a friend encouraged DH and I to get out. The
local Spiva Art was having a small art show this month of Western Art. On
Saturday night, they had a special program that was music, song, and stories.
Geff Lawson who is a winner of the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo in Utah and a
member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame was the program. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Geff and his wife Dawn were great music makers. He set most
of his Cowboy Poetry to his own music and told jokes and stories in between.
The crowd was small but included a few cowboys. What is not to love about
music, poetry, and cowboys in great hats not to mention fancy boots!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I appreciate Cowboy Poetry but am not good at writing it. I
thought once I would give it a try, but I had no inspiration or talent for it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3i_heYjFFGgdlK3unBCeP1atOE47w1G9nR58KL43kq-CLDjCLbcwkVytQ3yWPV1MC7vwTA6geB35TupU0uLZKV5I1Nzqcx1MYzoo5xuwcaeLq9fG0a2EZcriiaYnX686adIOi4vc4lXr/s1600/IMG_0006a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3i_heYjFFGgdlK3unBCeP1atOE47w1G9nR58KL43kq-CLDjCLbcwkVytQ3yWPV1MC7vwTA6geB35TupU0uLZKV5I1Nzqcx1MYzoo5xuwcaeLq9fG0a2EZcriiaYnX686adIOi4vc4lXr/s320/IMG_0006a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This guy had an amazing resemblance to Sam Elliot! He was a prize winning Cowboy Poet from Arkansas.</div>
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Do you like Cowboy Poetry or just cowboys?</div>
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Bookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.com8