Friday, January 15, 2021

I am at Mike's. I walked with my friends in the am yesterday, took a shower and was stewing about what to do with myself. I realized that I really wanted to see him so I did a quick pack and got in the car with Justice. I was here by early afternoon, so we took a long walk on the beach and went out to dinner last night. He sure makes me laugh a lot but also feel cared for. Today we have 2 alternate plans depending on how cool it is. One is hanging out at the beach club and the other is a drive along the coast to a barrier island neither of us has been to. I do love this part of Florida compared to mine. So much more charm.

SIL had a bit of a scare this week. She went in for the usual imaging for her lung cancer. The lung issue is great - no change in about 18 months now, but they thought there was something on her pancreas. So she had more imaging on that and late yesterday heard that it was nothing thank goodness. Last year they discovered bladder cancer through the same process. She had one procedure for that last year and needs to have it repeated next month.

Devon, what an amazing teacher you are. Teachers have such a huge impact on children. There is little more important.

Cecily, that friend sounds like someone to tread lightly with. A true friend doesn't jump to conclusions about your beliefs and doesn't argue them. I respect that some of my friends and family have very different views on many things, including politics. My mother was an avid Democrat but always respected other viewpoints and taught me to as well. I hope your Dad's report from Mayo was okay.

Have a safe and healthy day!

161.0

Just about any part of the Florida coastline sounds great to me (some snow, wind and burglar face mask cold here in SEK

. Seeking joy and being lovingly tended to is definitely reasonable motivation for movement. Enjoy.

Good news for SIL- hopes for continued cleared scans and an easily tolerated treatment.

Devon, knowledge is cheap and easy to dish out- any Google search proves that. Attaining Blooms higher orders of learning is right and desired so one can navigate life?s experiences. BUT it is in within Maslow's order - there is where true and lasting education takes place. You were privileged to be the TEACHER,( the rich SOIL,) in which that student (young seed) was planted. Thank you for sharing the astoundingly beautiful flower as it is unfurling . You are God?s gift who placed you where you are for just that moment. Well done, you.

You are too, too kind. Thank you for the lovely tribute (because that is what it felt like!)!

Honestly, as a teacher, moments like those are what I remember. I don't remember academic projects from year to year! LOL. But I can still remember when Kari Gohd felt embarrassed by a remark I made meant to be complimentary to her and reassuring to another student and the lesson I learned from her reaction. What I said was something along the lines of, "Well, it was a very difficult spelling test. Even Kari, who is an excellent speller missed a word." All Kari heard was that I told the class she had missed a spelling word. HUGE lesson about the importance of perception I've carried with me since 1995.

Yes, indeedy---Those are special moments, too- when the student takes the teacher to school!

Weight down a bit, 195.6

I updated yesterday but my friend came to get her dresses and she couldn't have been nicer or more friendly. Maybe I was reading more into her texting me she wanted to get her dresses after 7 or so years given the discomfort of our last conversation. Or maybe she cooled down. I don't know. I would rather not lose a friend. But I think maybe next time politics comes up, I shut it right down. I do still have concerns about what she shares with others about what I tell her, so it's a friendship to keep an eye on and maybe one that stays more a bit more superficial.

I picked up my Dad and his wife from the airport yesterday. They were so sweet - changed into fresh masks before they got in the car and had stopped to wash their hands. His appointment showed a few cancer lesions in the bladder, which was expected after the urine test showed cancer cells. He talks to them today about what comes next, but he was calm about it and said it didn't look any worse than what he's had before. He hadn't gotten his PET Scan results yet (looks at his whole body for signs of cancer), but should today.

On another Dad note, his CA house is officially on the market. We'll see if it sells this time... what to do with all the items in it is a whole other worry I can't think too much about.

Our official weather station is at the airport near the ocean. It was 80 degrees there at 4:30am! A scorcher on tap for today. While our winters are normally very pleasant, it's not unusual for us to have at least one winter heatwave. I can remember it being 108 one day in early February when I was in college. The highest temperature ever recorded in CA (134 in 1937) was in February. So weird.

Only thing on tap for me is a walk at some point today. I walked 3 miles last night at about 7, which felt good. I like walking in the dark!

Liz, I'm glad you're feeling better about Mike. And Peps, thank you for sharing your journals with us!

I hope you all have a great Friday. Shirley, where have you gone off to? Hope you have a great Saturday!

Happy it is Friday, mostly because I get to sleep in tomorrow and Sunday.

Glad you are having fun with Mike Liz. Take joy wherever it is offered.

Cecily, hoping the PET scan brings good news. I think one of the toughest things about cancer is the never quite knowing. One check up is good, but what will the next bring? One treatment is working and then it's not. It's gone, but is it? My Mom has been having scans every 3-4 months for 9 years. It's a tough merry go round to be on.

Bonnie, your writing is such a pleasure to read. Your turn of a phrase is so apt and witty.

Not much here. Stopped for lunch, then back at i****ched some fun squirrel hijinks as one did manage to climb the Shepards hook (particularly buff albino squirrel), who then had to hang upside down so as not to trigger the squirrel proof mechanism. Maybe we should ask squirrels how to distribute the vaccine.

SIL feels nervous for at least a couple of weeks leading up to each appointment. Doesn't matter that she feels good - it is always scary until hopefully everything is okay..

Yes, the not knowing is terrible. I have to say, he handles the stress of it with grace. I'm sure I wouldn't be so calm on the exterior. I think he goes into each one thinking it's back and then if it isn't he gets a 3 month reprieve, if it is, he was prepared.

He has to fly back in 10 days now to resection the bladder (cut out the cancerous lesions). Such a bummer they can't do it while he's there as it's not easy to get there from here! But the surgery is a different set up than the scans...

Where are our Shirl and Ocean Diane?

I just got a note from my Aussie sister. She is in her hometown of New Castle in New South Wales. Her descriptions of freedom, raucous reunions with friends and family, spa trips, shopping... sounds lovely. One day.