So here I am, six months after my last post and I feel the need to start documenting again, which means there will need to be some documenting of the events of the past six months. But, where to start? I considered starting by writing chronologically, but that could easily end up dry, boring, or way too philosophical and less historical (at least historical from my perspective, which if we're being honest is kind of how history works, right? We're presented a view from someone's perspective of a particular incident, which may be completely different from the perspectives of other people who might have been there.)
Last night, it occurred to me that I could get back into the blog by taking some pictures of my kitchen counter top. It has accumulated a collection of items that describe some of the events of the past few days and some from the past six months. This is how I've decided to jump back into the blog. (Btw, that beautiful flower in the updated header is a plate-sized hibiscus that is growing just off my deck. The shot is the view I had of that flower from behind with the morning sun shining through. Breathtakingly delicate and beautiful.)
Herewith the photos with appropriate historical detail:
This shot is the corner of the bar counter top. That red bowl almost always contains bananas. And often there are a couple of avocados ripening nearby. I've started enjoying avocados more on sandwiches and such because my mom likes avocado sandwiches and I make them for her frequently since she moved in with us in March after a fall in her bathroom. Luckily she wasn't hurt seriously, but it was an eye opener that maybe it was time for her to not be alone so much. We set up a bedroom, sitting room, and bathroom for her and her cat (yes there are now four cats and four dogs living in our house). I will admit that there was an adjustment period of a couple of months, but after a bit of adjustment of attitudes and medications, we've all settled in just fine. At some point in the future I'll fill in more of the details, but for now, I'll just say that this is a good thing for all of us.
Under the avocados are two different papers. The white one is a report from the eye doctor I saw on Sunday morning. Who knew they are available on Sundays? They are if you call and report floaters and flashing lights in your left eye. Come right in to the office to determine whether or not the jelly in the back of your eye is separating (normal for my age, apparently, in my family) or is tearing off some of your retina with it (normal in 5% of cases, including some in my family). Give it a few weeks to see if it separates without damaging the retina--or if you suddenly see many flashing lights and hundreds of floaters or God-forbid, a curtain or shadow blocking your vision, get right back to the office for some procedure to keep you from losing sight in that eye. I'm feeling relief that for now everything is going okay with my vision. Fingers crossed for a few more weeks.
Happily, the other paper by the avocados, the red paper, is a program from the University of Utah School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2021. On Monday morning, we went to Kingsbury Hall to watch Herschel receive his first white coat and stethoscope and to watch him raise his hand and recite the Hippocratic oath. He's on the long path to becoming a doctor. I was astounded to learn that over 3,700 applications were submitted and only 125 were admitted to the School. I think he will do compassionate and great things in his life. But I thought that before he started medical school.
Near the fruit, are a couple of birthday cards I received yesterday on my 59th birthday. That isn't an especially eventful number to me but 59 is apparently a lucky number for my brother-in-law, which is another story for the future. I spent some of the day yesterday sorting books at my mom's house, which we're getting ready to sell, and some of the day picking up grocery and other items for my mom and for Jack's brother, but the best part of the day was dinner with Jack, my mom, Jr, and his roommate, which is another story for the future--Jr has moved into an apartment and is settling into actual grownupsville. I am happy to see him moving on but I really miss having him around. It is that simple, and happily, he lives nearby and stays in contact.
Truly, the actual best part of the day was this yummy German chocolate cake Jr baked for me. It was super moist and delicious (Betty Crocker's claim is correct). It may take me a day or two, but I'll force myself to finish off that cake. Near the cake are the dogs' nighttime pills. Yes, we are those people who give our dogs medication for arthritis and other older dog issues.
There's a glimpse of the watermelon I bought a few days ago. I have been really enjoying the melons this year. I think we're six of seven for sweet juicy melons so far. I'll be cutting up that one today so there will be cold, sweet, juicy melon in the fridge for snacks.
Here are my burned birthday cake candles and my most recent favorite flavors of crystal lite--peach tea (think those words using a southern accent) and cherry pomegranate (which tastes like how I remember cherry Koolaid tasting when I was a kid). Drinking more and more water (flavored and straight up) and less and less diet coke. But I'll never give up the Diet Coke. It's been my friend for a long time.
These are the succulents that have invaded my window sill this year. I've had the orchid with the little flowers on the right for five years now. Every year, it blooms around my birthday. My friend from work gave me the metal container with the three succulents in it. And a few weeks ago I was invited to a "Crazy Succulent Party" by a friend. I will admit I didn't know what that meant and so googled it and asked Jr if it was a euphemism for something crazy (he wasn't aware of anything), but it turned out to be a fun little get-together with my friend (who is someone I met at weightwatchers who is an incredible defense attorney who works for and is successful at obtaining the release of wrongly convicted people) and her eclectic circle of friends. There were attorneys, paralegals, others from weightwatchers, friends from her childhood and high school and college. She provided all of the necessary ingredients for succulent planting (containers, soil, decorations) as well as food and drinks, and we had a great time together. When I told Stu I was going to the party, he said he'd been thinking about planting succulents in some of the pots he made in our pottery class a couple of years ago and I realized that was a perfect thing to do with my little pots. So those four pots in the middle are my creations with tiny little succulents in them, trying their best to grow even though my mom keeps watering them too frequently. She means well.
This is the last picture for now. It shows the watermelon, the dogs' pills, some corn pops I bought for Jack (I ate the Apple Jacks), and also the box of insulin needles I use for Millie the cat. She's always been a round-bottomed tabby (some would say she is overweight, I thought she was perfect). A few months ago, she started showing symptoms that were concerning so I took her to the vet. She was diagnosed with diabetes. So now I'm that woman who gives prescription food and twice-daily insulin shots to her 13-year-old cat. Morning and night, Millie comes looking for me for the food and I dish it up and sit down and pet her while she eats and then I inject her. She rarely notices the injections but loves the food and attention. And she looks healthier than she has in a long time. That feels like the insulin (and the crazy cat lady title) is worth it.
Finally, this picture also includes a little sign my friend gave me for my birthday. In case you can't read it, it says, "Plant a garden & believe in tomorrow". There was a time, a very long time, when I didn't know if there would be tomorrows for me. But now, I feel so very good about today and many more tomorrows. My life is complicated now but very right now. Full of opportunities to do good things, time to do the things I want to do for myself, and good relationships all around me. I'm grateful to have found my way back to this place.
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