Ramblin' on....

 Bobby Weir's public memorial was held yesterday, and it was streamed on You Tube. I am glad I got to see it.

On Friday night, my favorite home town radio station, WXRT, played a full concert, recorded at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1987.  The date of the concert was April 11th, and we sat in the 11th row, and I had seat #11....I remember that it was snowing that night.

So, both of those things have been cathartic for me, and for thousands of other Dead Heads.

Moving into the new moon tomorrow, and moving on with our lives, forever Grateful for the legacy, and our memories.

My bone treatment on Wednesday went just fine, but the chemo pill-related digestive issues have been bad.  Yesterday was awful.

It seemed like it was going to be okay, at the beginning of the cycle, but it didn't last.  Things have gone back to being bad over the past week or so.

I messaged the nurse, and, though, when this happened in December, she had mentioned possibly including an additional prescription medication to help the symptoms, this time she said to add an over the counter anti-gas pill to the Imodium.  I guess she was hoping it would stop the cramping?  Not sure at all.

When I asked the nurse why we were not doing the prescription yet, she said that it might have the opposite effect, and cause constipation.  

At this point, I'd prefer that!  HAHA...sorry.... too much information.

Anyway, the gas pill did not help.  Yesterday, I had to take the max dosage of Imodium to get it to stop, and I recall that it was like this during my week off of chemo the last time, ruined my Christmas, and caused me to have to stop at public restrooms while out trying to do errands.

Being afraid to go out is deeply impacting my quality of life, so I will message her AGAIN tomorrow, and tell her just that.

My next doctor appointment isn't until the 28th, when I hope we can discuss either reducing the dosage of this pill, or switching to something else.

I also understand that they want to talk to me about participating in a study.

In the meantime, I will just keep taking Imodium prophylactically.   I'd LOVE to go run an errand to get OUT OF THE HOUSE today, and we have to go to a funeral on Wednesday.  

Hopefully, by that point in my week off of chemo (I start again on Thursday), I will be okay.  I don't remember how it went last time....if I was symptom free by the end of the 7 days off.

We are having a stretch of nights below freezing, which is good, but have still not had any more precipitation.  

Yesterday, with winds as high as 50 mph, we were under a red flag warning for wild fires.

It's supposed to be in the 50s this afternoon, after being in the teens over night.  Hopefully, that cold night means no more black widows on the hot tub!

Have a good week!

I'm sad today

 Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead died yesterday.  His family had not announced publicly that he had been fighting cancer since July.

Reports are that he succeeded in beating this cancer, no idea what type, but that he died from "lug complications."

We in the Dead Head community are devastated. It was a gut punch.

So. I am sad today.

BUT, I am also GRATEFUL for so many years of memories, and that the Grateful Dead Archive exists, so that decades of music and video are available to help us mourn and heal.

SO many lost.... First Pig Pen (Ron McKernan), then Keith, then Brent, then Jerry, then Vinnie, then lyricists Robert Hunter, and John Barlow, then Phil, then Donna, and now Bobby.   What a party they must be having today!

In other news, it was a pretty quiet week around here.  

Dave had his eye appointment, and found out that he is "pre-cataract," and will probably need the surgery in the next few years.

I've been feeling better this past week, with less "tummy trouble" from the chemo.  I have until the 14th before my next one week break.

That is also the day that I will go for my bi-monthly bone treatment, so will go for labs on Tuesday.

We finally got a little bit of rain this past week, but not enough to get us out of the winter drought.

Temperatures have been closer to normal for this time of year, too, which is nice.

I got all of my chores done yesterday, so today I can focus on my course, and maybe doing some meditation.

Have a good week!

2026 begins...

 We had our usual quiet New Year celebration.  I think we made it until about 11:15, but just could not stay up another 45 minutes.

Dave fell asleep almost instantly, but the fireworks and gunshots had me tossing and turning until after 2 am. Good times.

We got up early on New Years Day, and went to Martin Park nature preserve for a First Day Hike.

There were very few cars there when we arrived, and we did not see many other people at all at first, which was lovely.

At one point, there were two does in the scrub just to the side of the trail.  One of them was only about ten feet way, and seemed perfectly calm.  She looked me right in the eyes for what felt like a long time.  Her companion, though, was wary, and lifted her tail in warning before dashing off.

The one who had been so calm saw the other's signal, decided that there was a threat, and raised her tail and took off, too....but it was a very sweet moment of connection.

We saw lots of birds, including a Great Blue Heron flying past our view of the rising sun.  It was lovely. As we left, lots of people were showing up, so we timed it right.

I started cycle 3 of chemo that day, too. So far, it hasn't been too bad.  My mouth is fine, but I had a touch of diarrhea yesterday.  Hoping that it stays manageable for now, like it has been at the beginning of the first two cycles. 

Still hoping that it doesn't get severe, like it was during the week between the last cycle and this one.

ANYWAY.... too much information, I know....

The good news is that my bloodwork, taken during my week off of the chemo, looks much better.  It seems that my focus on extreme hydration is helping, and that my body is adapting to the drug.

I got all of my chores done yesterday, will do the next lesson in my course, and wash a load of towels today.

The chicken I got from Kroger grocery delivery is really big, and was only $1.49 a pound.  I will be roasting it today, along with some potatoes, and a delicata squash.

Speaking of Kroger delivery, they will be pulling out of Oklahoma City at the end of this month.  Apparently, it didn't work out for them financially.... which I do not understand, because we see their trucks all over town, every day of the week.  There was even one on our street on New Years Day.

I have LOVED their service, and their prices, and points program...and am extremely disappointed that they are ceasing business here.  

I have saved SO MUCH money on groceries, and the convenience is un-matchable.  Now, we will have to go back to shopping in person, and having to go to multiple stores to get everything we need.

Ugh.  

Might try Aldi curbside pick up, but I am unfamiliar with their house brands on packaged goods, and don't know what the quality is like on some items.  

Plus, they bundle all of their fresh produce into larger quantities that we can use, like Trader Joe's does, so produce will have to come from a different store.

For those reasons, I am still not sure if I will go that route or not.  We will be experimenting with going to different stores at the beginning of February, to see what our total bills are like at different places.

During the pandemic, I used InstaCart, but the shoppers were horrible, and would substitute things in order to charge me more, so their automated tip would be bigger.  

I really don't want to use that kind of service again, unless it's necessary, like it was during the pandemic.

We are retired now, though, so we can at least go grocery shopping during the day on weekdays, which will make it easier.

It's just going to cost so much more now...which is somewhat distressing!   Even with shopping sales and following the ads before, shopping at the closest grocery store was about 20-30% more expensive than Kroger has been.

The weather here has returned to somewhat more normal temperatures, since the Christmas Heat Wave.

  Unfortunately, it has not rained in weeks, so now we are in a "flash drought," and have a burn ban.  Perfect weather for my fire pit, but I can't use it.

Here's to a good week for us all..... 

The in between

 These days between Solstice and New Year can be confusing, even after retirement!  

Once again, I had a pause yesterday, and had to ask myself what day it was, HAHA!

Our Christmas Eve with Peter and Rita at our table was lovely.

Christmas Day was quiet, for the most part.  I went and helped my friend Lori, who had hurt her back, but other than that, it was mostly about putting stuff back where it belongs, after shoving stuff into the back bed room before having company.

The weather was insanely warm, as it has been for the last two days since Christmas.  Today will see a shift, though, and winter will be here again by tonight.

Unfortunately, the chemo side effects have gotten worse.  I had mouth soreness leading up to the last day of the cycle, and the diarrhea has become most troublesome.

I messaged the clinic on Friday, and the nurse messaged back (the good one, not the one who doesn't actually READ messages word for word).  She said to take the maximum dosage of Imodium and message back on Monday (tomorrow) if things have not improved.

My mouth was completely better two days after stopping the chemo, so it's surprising to me that the diarrhea did not get this bad until after I stopped taking the chemo for my one week break.

Anyway.... we got a lot done around the house on Friday and Saturday. 

The decorations are all down and put away, Dave re-organized the storage shed, and I did some raking and clearing of leaves from under the car port, and along the edges of the driveway.

Our neighbors have a big sweetgum tree, and the pods it produces are round, spikey, and hard as rocks.  This year, the production of pods has been prolific, and they are for sure a safety hazard, especially for me. SO I cleared a bunch of them away, too.

It was 84 degrees yesterday.  Insane.  We enjoyed our hot tub last night, though, which was nice.

It's in the 60s this morning, but will be in the 20s by tonight.  Here goes the roller coaster again, with a difference between yesterday afternoon, and tonight, of nearly 60 degrees.

As usual, we have no plans for New Year's Eve.  We do have a Gino's East frozen deep dish pizza that we will bake up for dinner, though!

My best wishes to you, Gentle Reader, for a prosperous, healthy, and peaceful new year. 

Solstice walk

 Greetings of the Winter Solstice to you, gentle Reader.  SOL INVICTUS!

First thing this morning, we went out for a walk in the park on the north side of town, where we have seen the deer the most.  

On the way there, I remarked to Dave that it would be so cool to see a deer or two, especially a boy, since it's still the rut, and any bucks would still have their antlers.

It had been over a year, though, since we had last come across any deer, anywhere that we usually go.   I saw some in October when I was with my friend Lori for the full moon rise, but that was at a park I have only been to twice, and it was just Lori and me.

We got there just minutes after the Solstice was "exact," and I got some nice pictures of the sun through the trees, and the winter woods.  I spotted some native mistletoe, and made Dave come with me so we could kiss underneath it.

As we walked, we heard a red shouldered hawk, and heard lots of chickadees in the woods.

Anyway, we took our walk, and I hoped against hope that we would spot a deer, but it seemed like that was not going to happen, so we headed toward the exit.  

I paused to give my usual blessing to the land, the deer (that I KNOW live there), and the other wild life and we headed out.

Just a few steps later, I spotted him, and grabbed Dave's arm.  

Off to our right, not far from the paved trail, was a six point buck with his back to the trail.  He was focused on something.... We watched him for a minute, and he turned and went into the cover of the cedar trees.

We lingered, and then we spotted a doe, and her twins, foraging near by.  THAT was what the buck was focused on!  

We watched the girls for a minute, and suddenly, the doe ran toward us, then veered, and the buck bounded out of cover and dashed after her, the twins disappeared into the cover.... it was SUCH an exciting moment, and such a gift to see the promise of life happening right before our eyes. 

On winter Solstice.... when our ancestors, and modern Pagans alike, reflect on the rebirth of light and life.

Happy Winter Solstice! 

Counting down

 Seven days until Yule, and my Midwinter's Night Feast!

Details are settling in, thanks to a couple of factors.  I ordered leeks from Kroger this past week, and they were HUGE, so I have a surplus.

That decided that I will make my spiced carrot soup on Yule, which calls for leeks.  

I went ahead and washed and chopped all of the leeks up, and froze the ones I will use next weekend, while having what I needed for yesterday's recipe.

So, that's settled, and I will probably do a mash with rutabaga for the other side to go with the HOPEFULLY FIRE ROASTED Cornish hens, stuffed with dried fruits.

I am cheating for the sweet, and ordered some mini-mince pies in shortbread from Walker's Shortbread, since I was unable to find currants, or candied citrus peel, or much of anything here in town.

(I had thought of making a tart with dried fruit, sort of like mince pie, but without the suet--but if all I can find here is raisins and prunes, well.... no.)

We are finally having more hard freeze weather this weekend.  It's been a while.... but it will be in the 60s next week.

Our tree isn't up or decorated yet, but it will happen on Wednesday, when it will be warmest out, and easier for Dave to get it out of the shed, and shake it out, which needs to be done outside.

I did manage to get some lights up on the front porch, including a string of flickering "candle flame" lights in the chiminea.  It looks so cool from the street!

Our friends from Switzerland have agreed to join us the week after next for Christmas Eve dinner, and my sister sent a box of chocolates to share.

That dinner is the same every year, so no need to worry about planning it.

I started round two of the chemo pills this past week, at full dose.  There has been digestive upset, which was expected after round one, but it has not been debilitating.

I see my doctor next week for an interim follow up, to tell her how things are going.  After that, no appointments until January.

Also this past week, our friends who we stay with in Missouri sometimes, were passing through town and we took them out for dinner.  It was nice to go out for dinner for the first time in AGES, and it was nice to go on a weeknight, when there were fewer people out and about.

Got my cards, and my gifts to my family mailed out this week, too, and sent gifts to the friends in Illinois who regularly send ME gifts.

(they got Walker's Shortbread, too, LOL!)

Yesterday, I made a new to me recipe for Irish leek and oat soup....it was exquisite.... and tonight, I am making spiced chicken thighs with rice.

Wishing you, gentle readers, a lovely week leading up to the Solstice! 

Oops! Almost forgot it's Sunday....

 HAHA!  I love being retired!

What day is this?

There's not much to report this week.  

My blood work looks okay, and no one called me from the oncology clinic to talk about it, so I will start my second cycle of the new chemo this coming Wednesday.

The only change is that I got a call from the clinic when I submitted my refill request (this was BEFORE my blood draw),  and my Dr changed her mind regarding the lower dosage,  so my next cycle will be at the full dose.

Today, it's chilly and blustery outside, so I am seasoning cast iron, which STINKS, but needs to be done during cold weather, since the oven goes up to 500 degrees for a while.

(If I had a fancy gas grill outside, I could do it in that, but we don't have one of those.)

We went to a couple of bigger, trendy grocery stores (think Whole Paycheck) this past week, hoping to find something different for my Yule/Solstice dinner, but we ended up with cornish hens again.

I am hoping the weather will cooperate, and I can roast them in the fire pit again, like last year.

My brother gifted me a little, boneless, pre-cooked Virginia ham, so we are set for Christmas Eve's main course, too.  The only friends who are interested in joining us for that evening have agreed to come over again this year! 

I am jealous of my friends and family in Chicagoland, where they are having a real winter....  I know it's not everyone's favorite, but I sure miss it.  

I do NOT miss living in that condo, though, with the big, open parking lot, where my car would be plowed into its spot (I had to keep a shovel in the back), or when the car doors would freeze, or my tires would get stuck in re-frozen snow melt that was 3 or 4 inches deep.

Good times!  Especially when I would call work, and the woman in charge of personnel (we didn't have an h/r department, per se...we were too small of a company) would insist that I find a way to get to work.  Through a blizzard, unable to close my doors, driving a stick shift, for my ten mile commute.

(She lived a mile away from the office, in a McMansion, with a heated garage, and a giant Range Rover SUV.....and had NO empathy what so ever for we lowly wage workers.)

I am SO GRATEFUL to never have to worry about working in a toxic environment ever again.... I had MORE than enough of that, for 90% of my working life.

Anyway, even in winter, I would go to the forest preserves and go hiking on Sundays.  It was my church, and I sure do miss that.  I miss snow, and cold, and get SO excited when we get some here in OKC.

I'm hoping to get myself motivated to do my holiday cards this coming week, and have asked Dave to get one of the bins (where I keep decorations) out of the shed for me.  That will hopefully happen when the weather warms up a bit this coming week.

There's no other news to report.  I hope my gentle readers have a good week!

ADDENDUM:  the state park refunded us part of what we paid for the studio cabin!