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! 

Thanksgiving 2025

 Another cabin camping trip is "in the books."

I had reserved a one bedroom cabin, and when we arrived on Wednesday afternoon, we were assigned cabin # 107.

We bought two bundles of expensive fire wood, and headed to the beautifully quiet, virtually uninhabited cabin area.

When we got to the cabin, to our surprise, there was no bedroom, but a "studio" set up, with the bed, and hide-a-bed sofa, in the living room area.

This was not what the pictures on the website showed when I made our reservation in April! 

The interior had been completely remodeled, with stark white walls, no pictures, no cabinets or drawers in the kitchen, and no shelf or counter space in the bathroom.

BUT, we made do.  There were two small shelves in the kitchen, on either side of the wall-mounted microwave, and two cubby holes.  The utensils had to lay out on the counter top, but that was no big deal.  

The brand new appliances were WONDERFUL!  

We moved an end table into the bathroom, for my cosmetics and our deodorant, etc.

The cool part was that there was an extra "room" by the door, that may once have been a porch, where we could keep the cooler and boxes.

However, there was still the fact that there WAS NO BEDROOM.  No separate space for us to sleep..... so that I would have to deal with Dave's snoring for all three nights.

Perhaps the remodel had eliminated the bedroom to make way for a larger kitchen and bath, and perhaps that room by the door.

Be that as it may, since check in time is 4, we had arrived late, and it gets dark well before 6, there was no chance to get out to the fire pit (as mentioned last week, we knew in advance that there are no interior fireplaces in the cabins anymore).   

We settled in, and I made the cranberry sauce, and then dinner.

We discovered that the bathroom sink drain would not stay open, so Dave wedged one of our butter knives under it, so that we could brush our teeth.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, was chilly, but calm, and oh so clear and beautiful.  When I stepped outside in the morning, I frightened a flock of juncos, and then saw TWO pileated wood peckers up in the trees.

After showers and breakfast, we walked around the cabin area a bit, and tried one of the foot paths, but it had SO MANY rocks hiding under the fallen leaves that I became afraid to continue.

My hiking confidence is nearly nil, now that I know my pelvis has more cancer in it.  If I can't see what's on the trail before me (i.e. roots, and stones), I have to go slowly, and check every step before putting weight on that foot.

It's sad.

Anyway, we enjoyed a lovely charcuterie luncheon, and I set the fire pit up to have a fire at dusk.  The only sign I saw of deer in the park the entire time was a small pile of scat under the oak tree near our cabin, where there were acorns.  I found this while I was collecting dry twigs for kindling.

We took another walk, this time into the campground area, and I saw some beauty berry!

More people checked in at the cabins, but everyone in our section was quiet.  No screaming kids or barking dogs, like we had to deal with last year at Greenleaf.

When the time came to get the fire going, it looked like it was going great, when all of a sudden, the wood started to hiss, and it just would not say lit.   I tried everything.... and I am a skilled fire tender.... and it would NOT burn.  It was wet inside.

I was SO disappointed..... one of the things I love about this trip is having a nice fire to sit by all three nights (previously, and preferably,  INDOORS, but I digress). 

I almost cried.  I look forward to this trip ALL YEAR, and tending the hearth is a big part of that. It's spiritual for me.  This trip is a retreat for me.

Dave took care of baking the half turkey breast we got from Trader Joe's, and I put the veggie dish together.

Dinner was delicious, though the brined turkey was surprisingly dry.  Thank goodness for cranberry sauce!

We played backgammon, and then dominoes, and then went to bed.  I got about 2 hours' sleep, but Dave slept great!

Friday was a bit warmer, and there were high clouds, and wind, which made the tall pines whisper.  

The forecast was for rain that night.

After breakfast, Dave went to town while I had my spiritual alone time, which was wonderful.  

When he returned, we went "across the street" to the main part of the state park, where the visitor center is, and the actual Robbers Cave.  

It was crowded, and noisy with kids and dogs and family groups all climbing up to check out the cave.

We expected that, though, and it was kind of fun.  In that area of the park, the walking trails are far clearer, due to so much foot traffic, but we pretty much stayed on the paved areas.

Anyway, just before we had left the cabin for the cave, a roadrunner came right up to the window at the back of the cabin!  I'd never seen one so up-close before!!

Friday evening was very chilly, and there was a dampness in the increasingly strong wind, so I didn't even bother to try for a fire outside.  We decided to bring the second bundle of firewood home with us.

The rain started while we were playing backgammon, and it rained on and off all night long.  It was lovely to hear the rain on the roof, and our little fake fireplace gave off a nice, flickering glow.

Next morning, there was a puddle next to the faux fireplace, and a smell of dampness in the room, like the drywall was wet on the inside.  

My dirty laundry bag was sitting where the puddle formed, but fortunately, it did not have any leaks, so the laundry inside was still dry.

We packed up and got to the lodge to check out just before 11.  

Dave told them about the leak, and the drain that would not stay open, and he also said "We reserved a ONE BEDROOM cabin, and cabin 107 doesn't have a bedroom.  It's set up like a studio apartment."

The woman behind the counter just smiled and nodded.  Dave didn't pursue it, and I was too tired to jump in and argue the point.  Okay, thanks so much.

She DID write down that there is a leak in the roof, and water on the floor, and that the bathroom drain needs to be fixed.

On the way home, we stopped in the town of Krebs, OK to visit a family-owned Italian grocery store that I had read about.  It was lovely, and we brought home pet sitter gifts, and some treats for ourselves.

Stopped for lunch, and got back on the road.  

Once home, we (mostly Dave) got the car unloaded, I did one load of laundry, planned my menu for the week, and ordered the groceries.

THEN, I sat down with my lap top and emailed the state park office.  

I REPLIED to my confirmation email, so that whoever reads it can see that the confirmation clearly shows "1 BR CABIN."  

I explained in the email that the picture on the website also shows a separate bedroom, not a studio set up.

I asked for a partial refund, because we needed, and expected, an actual bedroom with a door.

We will see if they even reply.

Last night, at home, I FINALLY GOT SOME SLEEP! 

In other news, my bone treatment when just fine last Monday, but my blood work still showed elevated (but much improved) liver enzymes and creatinine.

I have 3 more days of chemo for this cycle, then a week off.  During that week off, I am supposed to go for labs again.

We shall see if the doc changes anything after that.  

There is another story I could tell about the nurse at the oncology clinic not reading all of the words in a message I sent to them last week (about the dosage of the chemo), but I won't go into it.

The upshot is that my doctor had me start out on a lowered dose of the chemo, and that I am to continue on the lowered dose until I see her in the middle of December.

So far, I seem to be adapting to it okay.  The diarrhea I had during the first week or so seems to be easing off.

Here's hoping that my gentle readers have had a pleasant holiday weekend, if they celebrate, and if they do not celebrate, I hope they've had a good weekend none the less. 

Battling on

 My new chemo pills arrived while we were traveling last weekend.  

Since we got home in the afternoon this past Monday, I waited until Tuesday morning to begin treatment.

So far, the only side effect is diarrhea.  Oh joy.  I will message my doctor's office tomorrow (Monday) and ask about that.  My previous doc said that sometimes these side effects are temporary.

When I got my blood work done last week ahead of my bone treatment, it was way off, too.... so the PA called, and I have given up my evening glasses of wine for now.

Speaking of the bone treatment, I really screwed up.  ALL of my infusion treatments at OU have been on Thursdays.  So, I had it firmly in my mind that my treatment was scheduled for last Thursday.

I didn't even LOOK at the DAY on the confirmation I filled out on line, or the text I got for a reminder.

My appointment was, apparently WEDNESDAY last week, so I completely missed it.

It's been re-scheduled for tomorrow, and I have go ahead of time to get my bloodwork re-done, too.  

That's probably a good thing, so we can see if anything has worsened after a week of this chemo.

Going forward, I will never, ever take for granted that OU does anything consistently when it comes to scheduling!

They've been known to change my appointments with imaging, or the doctor, and NOT notifying me, so... yeah.  I have to wonder if that happened this time.

Anyway, at least now, if they do that, I don't have to make arrangements at work to shift my time off requests!!

The other reason to contact my doctor's office tomorrow is that she had me start this chemo pill at a reduced dosage, but she didn't say for how long.  

Since tomorrow will be day 7, I will ask if she wants me to increase to the full dosage on Tuesday.

In other news, our annual cabin camping trip is this coming week!  I SO can't wait.  The weather forecast was initially pretty cold, which bothered me, since my bones hurt when I get cold, and the only chance for me to tend a fire is outside at this cabin, since they replaced the real fireplaces inside with fake electric inserts.

BUT, they are saying that it is now to be much warmer (50s), and I am very happy about this. Using the fire pit will be more comfortable.

We hope that there is no one there on Wednesday, as was the usual at our old spot, and that there are very few people there the rest of the time.

The menu is planned, and the groceries have been obtained.

All that remains is the packing and driving!  I just really hope that I don't have "tummy troubles" the whole time, so that we can't go hiking.

Today, I will be washing a load of bath towels, making chili, and working on my course.  I have a zoom every Sunday evening at 8 with others taking the course.

This afternoon, I am supposed to get together with a friend for a short visit.  She didn't feel up to it yesterday, so we moved it to today.

Wishing those readers who celebrate a very Happy Thanksgiving!