Out and About Again

It is great to be well enough to be out and about again. Last Friday Dorothy and I went to see The Guard at Camelview Five. Two minutes into the movie the battery in my right hearing aid went dead and I wound up hearing only 20% of the movie. Forgetting about the dead battery I left the theater saddened to think I had become so deaf that I could not enjoy a movie unless it was sub-titled. Then I remembered the battery and had hope.
It was confirmed last night when Marth, Sara and I went to see Harry Potter. They had both seen it but wanted to see it again. And I discovered that with my hearing aids in proper shape I heard almost all of the dialogue. It had been months since I had reread the seventh book preparatory to seeing Part 1 of The Deathly Hallows. So now I will reread the last half of the book to refresh my memory re what I saw last night in the film.
Had some intestinal problems this morning accompanied by sweats and nausea. Felt pretty awful for a while and went back to bed. After some rest I got into some chores - bed changing and laundry. Was able to have some breakfast and began to feel fine.
Did some bike riding this afternoon while watching Deadliest Catch. Also finished with a bit of help from Google and Marth a tough Thursday L.A. Times crossword puzzle. Felt pretty good about that. Good brain exercise.
I have TIVO'd a Masterpiece Theater Inspector Lewis (hope it is not a re-run) and also 3 hours of Brideshead Revisited. A show I like a lot (a spin off from Top Chef) called Just Desserts starts tomorrow night. I also TIVO'd for old times sake 4 I Love Lucy shows. They still play well.
The race to the Fed-Ex Cup begins Thursday with the playing of The Barclays. There is a cut every week until they are down to 30 I think who then play for the Cup. Quite a prize - ten million to win it all!!
Have been reading all the info on pre-season football (pro) and watched a bit of a game the other night. Dallas and somebody who beat them. ASU looks to have a promising season with a new quarterback who is a real leader. They must avoid any more injuries having possibly already  lost a new running back to injury. I love football and am looking forward to the season.
I finished book TWO of the A Song of Ice and Fire series and passed it along to Marth who has gotten into it. Decided I needed a break from the world of kings and knights so am reading a JLB, one that I had missed along the way. (Bootsie is in it Danny and Alafair is 13.) I have read about 16 of the series so feel I am back among old friends. Mary gave me three books for my birthday. One is The Hunger Games which I understand is book one of a triad. Marth and Sara have read it and were discussing it after the movie last night.
Had a great experience with lunch today. IT ALL TASTED LIKE ITSELF!!
My only problem is I have developed a big appetite and must discipline myself to maintain my 20 pound weight loss.
As I sit here looking out the window at the setting sun I marvel that my wisteria vine is still blooming. It has been doing this for months all through the intense heat. A graceful gift to enjoy every day.

Martha in the Desert

Some time back Marth and I were having a conversation about how she was finding her walks in the desert to be the equivalent of going to church. And she emphasized how important it was to keep moving. At the time I put down a few notes and a draft of a poem about how intrigued I was about her need to move.
The past few days I have been musing again about the poem and am ready to put down a second draft which follows.

Martha in the Desert

No more Sunday "go-to-meeting" for me,
My cathedral is the desert.
Spirit streaming from the
sere rock,
 cacti filled with holy water,
and endless grains
of dust.

Beneath a pale, early moon,
like a pain-dimmed soul
I am
walking, walking, walking.

Ravaged by pain,
savaged by loneliness,
raging at God.

Spirit all around me
in a ceaseless wind.
Calling, calling -
"Follow me."

Can't stop for the
purple lupin stain,
or the amber gold sunset.


Can't stop to feel the
wind,
or see the wink of
the first star.

Can't stop.
Can't stop.

Driven by the pain,
Running from the pain.
Being the pain.

Moving,
moving,
moving.

Contributing to feeling like writing again is the fact that I am declaring myself to be completely recovered from my recent illness. I have all of my strength back. I have put the beautiful spread back on my bed as I no longer need to lay down part of every day. I have even done some time on my bike as my right knee is no longer complaining. I ride as most of you know with one leg as my left knee needs to be replaced and cannot rotate at all. I was inspired by seeing one-legged atheletes and figured I could make do with what I had. Better than no exercise at all.
Full day today with chores. Had a shower/shampoo, stripped the bed, am doing a couple loads of laundry. Made an appt. with Dr. Petrides, the nephrologist I had in the hospital. Dr. Stark my cardiologist wants him to monitor the progress of my kidneys. I have been told that the cause of my kidney malfunction is the error made at the Arizona Heart Institute when the doctors put in the iliac artery stent in 2002. Can't sue because I signed a waiver including the possibility of such damage.
Have cleaned out all of the spent flowers that I got for my birthday and am saving many of the containers which are very attractive. Had a nice chat with Marth who will be coming tomorrow to do the week's cleaning. We will be going to the blood lab to have tests done for both Dr. Stark and Dr. Petrides. I have hopes of getting off some of the meds I am now taking. Wednesday I have a hair appt. and will have a cut and perm. This will be a great lift to my spirits as my hair is way too long, too hot and too much care.
Had a great weekend watching the last major of the golf season. My Phil did not contend but came in at 19th (of about 76). Some of the old guard were in it for a time but the excitement (both for the tournament and golf itself) came from a couple of unknowns. I was certain they would fall by the wayside by Sunday but there they were hanging in, playing great golf. They were tied at the end of four rounds and went to a three aggregate hole playoff. Dufner had been 5 shots ahead of the field after 14 holes. Bradley ( rookie playing in his first major) had a triple bogey on 15. He then got two birdies on some of the hardest holes on the course while Dufner collapsed. Bradley won the playoff and all of us golf fans got a big thrill out of watching what they called the "no names". Bring 'em on!!
Feels really good to be feeling really good!

On The Road Again

It is time to fix dinner but I am taking a minute to say that I am feeling stronger every day. I did a lot of work today and decided it was time to get out in the world a bit. Not a big trip but I did go up to get the mail and it felt good to be behind the wheel of my car again. It has done a lot of sitting around in the garage and I am amazed that it does not have a dead battery.
Marth was coming by tonight to see the last performance of the Dance finalists but called to say she was beat and also had a lot to do at home. She will come tomorrow night and we will see the finale which will actually be more fun
Back to my car. Danny told me that Ralph works on vintage cars so I plan to have him over to see what he can do for me. I have a new carpet that needs to be installed. Also I have a missing glove box and a broken visor. I have a catalogue for T-Bird parts and will order what we need.
My car also needs a good cleaning so perhaps when Ralph has done what he can do I will have him take it to a car wash and have a good detail job.
Years ago when I was younger and in better shape I washed my car every week. I even drained the radiator and put in new coolant. And I kept my car waxed as well. It is so beautiful I like to keep it looking it's best.
Even now I keep it dusted and I windex the glass and chrome.
Am hungry so will stop and fix dinner and enjoy some TV and my beloved reading.
Grateful for another day and for feeling so much stronger!

The Flower Birthday

Yesterday was my eighty-fourth birthday and I am calling it the Flower Birthday. On Saturday a beautiful arrangement in shades of purple came from Danny and Sharon. Later in the day a delicate, feminine arrangement in soft pinks, lavendar and white arrived from Lis.
My day started with a nice long phone call from Mary who was on her way to visit a friend in hospital.
After we hung up I curled my hair and dressed festively expecting some family to come by in the afternoon. Christy had slipped out and returned with a gorgeous vase of pale coral roses surrounded at the base by a wreath of purple daisies. Around one the doorbell rang and I opened to a parade. In came Michael, Ileen, Mary, Jim, Joe and Amy bearing flowers! The Mike Weltys brought two bouquets of very exotic and brilliantly colored flowers including red sunflowers, something I have never seen. And Amy brought her own version of exotic in a stunning pale orange striped orchid sumptiously wrapped in a handsome clear plastic and black case topped with an exquisite, jeweled butterfly and perky white bow.
We had a lot of lively conversation and laughter and then Mike and family left and Amy stayed behind. She enjoyed looking at the birthday cards I had received - from Jeanne and Hank, Mary and Alex, Phil, Christy and Gene, Jordan and Marth. I also received online cards from Dorothy and Claire.
Amy and I had a nice visit during which Sara called from London and she and Alex and Jane sang Happy Birthday in harmony and I had a nice chat with Sara. Then Marth came bearing oodles of pale pink roses that were tinged at the edges with burgundy. The girls exchanged a hug and then Amy left and Christy returned from doing errands.
She, Marth and I visited and finally when Marth left Christy and I had a visit.
Somewhat worn out but happily so I went to bed early to read. The phone rang and it was Lis and we had a good long visit. After a bit more reading the day was topped off by listening to the Joe Weltys do their birthday "Cha-cha-cha."
I had received many birthday greetings on Facebook and checked one last time before going to sleep to find 6 more including one from Kate.
I watered all of the birthday flowers this morning and expect to enjoy them throughout the week.
I so appreciate all of the kindness in being remembered in so many special ways. My thanks to everyone.

Golf 'n Stuff

Yesterday was not a good day health wise. I had fallen into the weakness the night before and woke up knowing it was not going away in a hurry. I had to cancel my scheduled mammogram for which I was already overdue so not good.
I spent much of the day in bed. I got up to fix my meals and do some time on the computer and also to watch some of the golf.
Today I woke up feeling OK. This congestive heart failure seems to manifest differently from day to day. I am only now at 3 p.m. beginning to feel a bit tired. I spent a lot of time resting this morning because I am expecting Dorothy to come for a visit in half an hour and wanted to have some energy for that.
Golf was not at all exciting today. There were some golfers who had good scores but the lead is still -8. Phil had a miserable day. He was as high as 13 at -4 as the result of an eagle. But he wound up at E and in 39th place. I had hoped he could at least stay ahead of Tiger but even Tiger came in in red figures at -1. It has not been a good season for Phil despite coming in second at the British.
Christy was out very early for her tennis and then went to check on the progress on the floor finishing at her house. Things coming along nicely. She has been out again since 11:30 to have her hair colored.
She is just now coming back and greeting the dogs.
I have had the munchies today and must not be too indulgent as I am happy with the weight I am at.
I do focus on getting in a lot of protein so am surprised as I relate the munchies to too many carbs.
Dorothy is back from six weeks away, two in NY and 4 in England so it will be very nice to see her and hear about all that she has been experiencing.
Good to have some energy today. One day at a time.
One quick comment on Marth creating a new blog. She called it Fondant Martha and it is about the figure Sara made to sit on Marth's retirement cake. I am thrilled that she is writing again as I have always seen her as a big talent. I became her first Follower today and look forward to more of her tales of Fondant Martha.

Sleepy Head

This has been me all afternoon. I had a splendid sleep last night and woke up feeling very rested. I was able to stay up and accomplish a lot and then suddenly while folding laundry I knew it was time to lie down. So from about 2:30 or so that is mostly what I have been doing.
I went back to reading Game of Thrones but felt I could barely keep my eyes open but when I closed them allowing for sleep I did not sleep. So I just remained like my friend above - a sleepy head.
I ordered a boxed set of the first four of Martin's popular series as even though Michael had given me the first one as a Mother's Day gift I could get four books for $19.00 rather than pay $9.00 for each one individually. I am amazed at the response time Amazon is manifesting. I ordered the books yesterday and they were at my door today!
Mary called with some exciting news. I don't recall precisely the name of the organization but it is an education arm of a designers organization. She has been taken on as an approved educator and will be giving a class in creativity tomorrow night in San Jose for over 30 people. Good job Mar!!!!
Continuing to maintain my weight between 136 and 137 and I eat whatever I like within the bounds of vegan/vegetarian (only egg whites and only Parmesan cheese though).
Breakfast was oatmeal, nice and hot, with raisins and walnuts and warm soy milk plus a cup of ginger tea.
Lunch was a toasted double fiber bread sandwich with red onion, avocado, lettuce, tomatoe and Miracle Whip.
Afternoon snack of sugar free cookies and orange juice.
Will focus on protein for dinner with rice and black beans.
Amy will join Christy and I tonight for Dance which will be pleasant. I have not seen her since she returned from the beach.
Chatted briefly with Marth today. She and John are having a bite to eat and then going to see Friends with Benefits in Tempe tonight.
I have been getting some early birthday greetings on FB. Heard from a new friend Arthur Braverman ( a fellow Friend of Joko Beck) and Danny's friend Larry Mullen. Also a lovely card from Mary and Alex Keenan. I do not want a group celebration of my birthday this year. I may go to a movie on Sunday with Marth and Christy if she is not busy.
There is a good golf tournament on from Thursday through Sunday. Tiger will be back which will make it interesting and I would expect Phil to play. It is at Firestone and should draw a good bunch of players.
Dorothy is back in the country after a 6 week absence. Two weeks in NY visiting family and a month in England doing some studies. We have a tentative date for a visit on Friday which has been our usual time to get together.
Expecting Phil in the morning as well as Marth. She will finish up her four hours and take me to have a mammogram in the early afternoon.
With two and a half days of pretty normal energy I have some hope that perhaps I will be living at my usual energy level. I am being very careful about fluid intake as I have no desire to return to the hospital for the fourth time in a couple of months.
I am thinking of having Danny's friend Ralph do some work on my car while it is not being driven. I have had a new carpet for a couple of years that by accident was not installed when I had new seat covers put in. I will have Ralph do it as well as perhaps install a new glove box and some hardwear for the passenger seat visor which has come down. I have a catalogue of parts that are exclusive to the 1956 T-Bird. They are expensive but in the long run it will pay to have the car maintained as close to stock as possible. Both the Bird and I will be a couple of restored antiques!
Getting on to time to fix dinner and get ready for Amy to come and join us for Dance.
Still sleepy!!!

Dog Tired

That is how I am feeling in the moment. Christy had to be at tennis today at 7 so was up very early. The neighborhood blowers were at it at 6:30 but I can normally sleep through them. Phil was also here working. But as I was settling to get more needed sleep I heard sad yippings and scratchings at my door. One of my house guests for the week, Izzy, a very dear little Yorkie was missing his "mum' and demanding to be let into my room. End of sleep and I have been draggin' all day.
However I did find the energy to do some laundry, change my bed linen, empty the dishwasher and make meals.
The day was hectic for Christy. Gene called saying he was ill and coming home. So she made a hotel reservation for him Then Bandit dug up a dead rat out in the backyard and since the rats die mostly by poisoning and she seemed to have eaten some of the rat she had to take her to the vet.
She got in just a bit of rest when she had to go pick her up at the vet.
Now she is out having dinner with Gene and Izzy is very unhappy. She is very attached to Christy and seems to fret a great deal when she is gone.
My breakfast tasted pretty good this morning. I made scrambled egg whites with a bit of sour cream, a piece of raisin Ezekial bread toast and lemon/ginger tea.
Lunch was creamed spinach which had a good taste and protein enriched pasta with tomatoe sauce which had no taste at all.
A snack of sugar free cookies late afternoon.
About to fix dinner which will be a piece of tilapia with lemon, some jasmine rice and  some brussel sprouts with lemon/butter.
I watched Deadliest Catch and Master Chef last night. Tonight I will watch Master Chef and some House Hunters.
It will be early to bed to continue reading Game of Thrones.
Marth slept until 3 so only got in two hours of work. The house smells so good and feels so clean. She will do 2 more hours on Thurs. and take me to get a mammogram.
And so it goes. Grateful to be feeling a bit stronger despite being dog-tired (tired from dog.)

Feeling stronger today

It is coming up on three o'clock and so far today I have not fallen into a weak spell. Until today I would be able to be active for a while and then with no warning I would suddenly turn into a wet noodle and have to spend a lot of time lying down.
I had a good sleep last night and am just now beginning to feel a bit tired. After I finish this blog I will lay down and read for a bit.
Had some Ezekial raisin bread with peanut butter and a bowl of apricots and ginger tea for breakfast.
Christy was out early for tennis and I had Izzy for company. Bandit prefers staying in the guest room.
I took a shower/shampoo and then had lunch (some protein fortified pasta with tomatoe sauce and a little parmesan cheese (unhappily no taste so just ate it for nourishment). After lunch I paid all of my current bills and prepared my monthly deposit.
Wrote a short grocery list and Christy is off to mail my mail and go to Safeway to do some grocery shopping for both of us and pick up a prescription for me.
Christy will be having lunch with Ileen and Mary K tomorrow. She invited me to join them but I can't count on having the strength to go out yet. I do hope to feel up to a movie by Saturday.
I went outside this morning just to get some air. Very muggy and too warm so after I visited all of the gardens I came back inside to refreshing cool. Deliver me from next month's utility bills! Still have not seen $400. on the electric yet but that has happened in the past. I keep the thermostat at 79 -80 and have been comfortable.
Christy showed me the photos they took at Laguna. Some of the shots I had not seen. Such a beautiful house and from what everyone said also very comfortable.
Reading all I can today about the debt crisis. Hard to know what to conclude. Paul Krugman of the NYTimes calls the deal a catastrophe and cites lack of leadership on Obama's part. I have also read that we don't need a AAA credit rating to be able to pay our bills. The media is not very reliable. So today I don't know if it is vital to pass the deal or not. The votes are not in. Move-on which I find too biased and aggressive for my taste urges me to write to Ed Pastor and ask him to vote no on the deal. Then where would we be if it does not pass?
Watched some Deadliest Catch with Christy last night. Did not seem to be her thing.
I have Master Chef to watch this evening and have enjoyed the show a lot. Beginning to feel a bit of cabin fever today. Hopefully I will continue to get stronger and will be able to be out and about more.
Busy day here tomorrow what with Christy and the dogs, Phil in the morning and Marth working here in the afternoon.