But Trees Got In The Way…

Brian Andreas, Story People

There are worse places to get caught.

Happy Father’s Day to all.

Blooms Of Summer

Yesterday was a gray, drizzly day and my spirits were in need of a serious pick-me-up. Right on cue an unbelievably beautiful arrangement of joyous blooms arrived on my doorstep from the MOTI! I cannot tell you how much they cheered me up. 

The bouquet is filled with impossibly large pink roses, burgundy hyacinths and crimson peonies the likes of which I’ve never seen.

And now, I owe you all a brief health update: after 6 months of iron supplements my hemoglobin has finally  crept into the lowest level of normal. Unfortunately my energy level remains below zero. I seem to be suffering from cancer-related fatigue (CRF – it has its own acronym!). It’s quite common with cancer patients and beyond the disease process itself and the treatments there’s really no  known cause and therefore no specific treatment. It is incapacitating in that it is marked by paralyzing tiredness that no amount of sleep or rest alleviates. I literally can’t do anything and haven’t been able to for months now. Just getting out of bed or taking a shower wipes me out for the rest of the day. Raj has been doing everything – cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry – without complaint. I am very lucky and grateful but can’t help but feel burdensome and guilty.

So life remains a challenge. The balance and coordination problems are ongoing and my hiatal hernia has introduced some new eating issures beyond not having an appetite. I do force myself to take short walks on nice days with my walker (and my “other walker,” Raj)  but the extreme lack of energy makes any real exercise impossible so my muscles have atrophied and skin hangs from my limbs where they once resided. While strength would help both energy and balance issues, it’s a catch-22 for now. Perhaps if I can get my hemoglobin to inch up towards a more normal level the fatigue will lesson.

Despite it all I feel blessed to be here and will do my level best to acclimate to the new normal while waiting for some energy to return.  Waiting is one thing that is quite difficult for people living on borrowed time but I guess it’s God’s way of teaching patience to those of us who has never adequately mastered its nuances.

I’m due to begin a new round of scans/MRI over the next 2 weeks so as always your ongoing prayers for another good showing would be humbly appreciated.

And again, my a heartfelt thank you for the gorgeous floral arrangement that has brightened my weekend and reminded me of just how thoughtful and loving this wonderful community of souls is.  And thank you Roto, for arranging this super mood lifting surprise. You’re the best.

May you all enjoy the very best weekend.

Don’t Eat The Bees

Just in time for the stingy season:

You might also know the Dirt Dauber as a Sewing Bug.

And because it’s Mutt Day, please remind your dog not to eat the bees.

That is all.

Memorial Day 2024

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." —Winston Churchill

As we do on this day each year, we pause to remember the men and women who died fighting for our freedom.

We stand by humbly, gratefully, silently, to honor their sacrifice.

By all means, enjoy your picnics, parades and celebrations today – it is a holiday after all. But do pause to remember and honor all the brave men and women across the centuries who have sacrificed their lives in the fight against tyrants, tyrannies and terrorists. The enemies of freedom will always be amongst us and will always be a threat to liberty. God willing, America will always be there to vanquish freedom’s adversaries. 

Wishing all a tranquil, thoughtful and reflective Memorial Day this year.

G‘morning Glories

G‘morning Glories…

Well, Cosmos actually, but you get the idea.

May this week brings comfort to those who are suffering, peace to those who don’t have it and grace to all of us who need it.

Carry on troops, it’s all we can do.

Happy Wings Day

One thing is not like the others…

Please discuss.

Just A Couple Of Conservative Thinkers The World Misses

 

Russel Chatham Twilight

“Being democratic is not enough, a majority cannot turn what is wrong into right. In order to be considered truly free, countries must also have a deep love of liberty, and an abiding respect for the rule of law.” Margaret Thatcher

“Democracy can itself be as tyrannical as a dictatorship, since it is the extent, not the source, of government power that impinges on freedom.” William F Buckley

And of course:

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Ronald Reagan

Rather frightening: that generation may have already been born. I pray otherwise.

More White Colonial Oppression

Our topic this week is cannibalism.

After all, if you can normalize pedophilia why not cannibalism? All you need is one good argument to rationalize it.

Thank goodness we’re no longer constrained by old school notions like morality.