Tags
Well howdy out there, pardners! It seems like it’s been forever since I got away to my little cottage in the forest. April 10th, 2020 as a matter of fact. It wasn’t intentional, however. I was having a “Dickens” of a time reading and typing. I had a myasthenia flare-up and it turned me upside down again. I am please to say I have worked through it, though it took a while. Still can’t type worth a hoot (but then I never could!), but since Christmas I’ve been catching up on my reading — 22 books! Yay for me.
I did have a complication in the middle of it all. My opthamologist realized I was beginning to have macular degeneration. By the time they caught it I had lost 25% of the peripheral vision in my left eye. Three surgeries later and he thinks it won’t progress quickly if we can keep the pressure were it needs to be. I was lucky. I have a terrific doctor (He’s got the curliest black hair, and ever time he does a glaucoma test with his equipment, I have to resist reaching over and tangling my fingers in it! LOL He’s such a cutie!)
I am please to say that his “nibs” (yes, Raili, I STILL refer to him that way!) will be retiring at the end of the year. He’s had a rough couple years. In the middle of all the Covid stuff he found out he had cancer. At that time they were not doing elective surgeries. How they could call that elective is beyond me. Six months later the doctor gave him the option of surgery or radiation. He opted for radiation. About four months worth. He is very fortunate. After all this time there is no sign of the cancer. PTL!

And Brandon has finally learned to handle his anxieties without passing out from Potts Syndrome! Praise God again! After two and a half years in counselling he has finally gone back to work as the office manager at the church we attend. Unfortunately we had to put our little Twitch to sleep a month ago. We were fortunate to be able to have the vet come to the house. I wanted NO drama and NO trauma. I miss that cat something fierce. It broke all our hearts. She had cancer. We kept her with us as long as we could.
End of Update!
So anyway, how are YOU all doing??? Margaret, Derek, Opher, Jill, Ivor, Judy, Jane, Raili, Shannon, Ruth, Spiritual Dragonfly, Plato… How many of you ended up with covid? The three of us all had it at the same time. The guys felt like crap. Me, I was asymptomatic. I swear it was the prednisone I take! I know I have a couple new-comers. Welcome! Drop me a note and introduce yourselves.
I’ll leave you with these thoughts…
Earlier this week The Upper Room devotional contained a short reflection written by a nurse in Texas. She talked about how she uses the elevator ride to her floor at the hospital as a chance to shine a little light in the darkness.
Of course a hospital isn’t generally a place that anyone wants to be, but this nurse felt she could have a positive affect on someone’s life with just five words. She said she always asks people who are getting on the elevator with her this simple question:
“How is your day going?”
She notes that most folks just respond with a polite, “Fine, how are you?” However every once in a while she gets someone who will say something different: “Not so good, my husband was in a bad car accident.” “It’s rough, my friend just had surgery and I’m running back and forth bringing things from her house.” In that quick elevator ride interaction the nurse said that she could make a difference in the person’s day just by saying something like, “Oh, I’m so sad to hear that. I’ll pray for you and your loved one.”
It’s really easy to feel overwhelmed in a world that seems so dark, but as we know, the light from a single candle shines brightest in the darkness. Is there someone you can be that light for today? Is there someone who would appreciate just a quick text or note saying. “Hey, I’m thinking about you and praying for you?” Let’s try to be more aware of the people around us that God would have us encourage, help, or comfort.
Ya’ll take care now, ya hear!
Calen~
Welcome back!. I’ve missed your thoughts when cycling through the folks who took the WordPress blog course. Just got back from seven weeks on the road, five tenting with my partner in Alaska. Amazing place, that, but unusually warm and dry. Just got rained on once. Got a mild case of COVID (thanks to packed buses in Denali National Park), so there’s that. Now am starting the procedure to remove cataracts. Weirdly, after seven weeks away, both my part-time working situations put me back in the saddle. Seems like there is not enough newspaper reporters and bicycle mechanics.
Cheers! Glad to hear you’ve come out with your boat upright after a rocky spell!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alaska! So the drought has hit there, too? We were up there in 2003 and it rained on us every day we were there. Did you drive, take the train, or cruise? Aside from the Covid, how did you like Denali NP? Did you stay at the lodge there? Great to see you. Would love to hear more about your trip!
LikeLike
We occupied the back seat of an SUV driven by friends who met us in Anchorage. They pulled a vintage 1980s camper trailer. We tented, thanks to a friend who had an outfitting store in Anchorage. We flew there, and our friend set us up. I’ve posted a few reflections on blog at eyesfeetears.wordpress.com.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t wait to stop by and check out your reflections! See yo soon!
LikeLike
Hello there Calen! It’s wintery, chilly, wet here. More than usual I am sure. But I could be wrong as me old bones are feeling the pinch of cold more these days.
We have not had Covid in this house. Our oldest, Marc had it but he lives in Darwin. Several extended family and friends have had versions – some worse than others. Interestingly my 92yo father in law out of them all had the mildest version.
I have very recently become a great aunt again for the tenth time. He is cute as a button. Of course. Aren’t they all ! Alas no grand kids on the horizon.
So sad to lose fur babies. Our little Tess died two years ago and I still miss her so much. She was my shadow. We do have two very lively young chihuahua/jackrussels – brother and sister – boarding with us while our youngest and his gf are here waiting for their house to be built. They fill the house with their boisterous energy and falling fur. But they are not Tess.
Good to hear his nibs is going to be grazing in the green pastures soon enjoying retirement. So glad his treatment worked.
BTW I have also been diagnosed with early macular degeneration. I am not aware of any vision loss. The optician has got me taking a nutritional supplement that is specifically targeted for macular health. It’s called Macutec.
Good to connect again. 🤗😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my dear, I didn’t know Tess had passed away. It gives me great comfort to know you still miss her. Makes me feel not so weird for still grieving over Twitch. I miss the way she used to sit in the middle of piles of dirty clothes when I was sorting the laundry. I’d be talking away to her, and if I stopped she’d cock her head and look at me so seriously. She was a great “conversationalist”! So the boys haven’t seen fit to make you a grandma yet, eh? Seems like the younger generations aren’t as set on having a family as we were. They’d rather play and travel, I guess. So good to see you, Raili! I’ll be by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tess was a great conversationalist too. I swear to God she understood what I was saying to her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Calan 🥰 I’m not sure how I missed this post, but I sure missed you and catching up with you and everything that’s happening in your little corner of the world. Sorry to hear about everything, as well as losing Twitch 🥲 I often think of you and wonder how you have been, so I’m pleased to see (and read) that you are doing better and I look forward to keeping in touch once again. PS There’s been no Covid in this house. (Phew)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Clare! So how is the “orating” going these days? (Is that even a word?) Have you won anymore contests? What are you and your hubby up to these days? I missed you, too. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, I’ve been a little AWOL, but I’m back now. I’m on a break from Toastmasters at the moment, and hubby and I are still work, but also moving towards retiring (yeah!). So glad to see/have you back in this space 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Saw your thread over on the wordpress forums. Just wanted to let you know that it took me almost a solid month of practice and frustration to get used to the block editor. I forced myself to write in it and it was a miserable time of learning. BUT. now I’m used to it. So a word of encouragement that if you stick with it, you too can get used to it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your words of encouragement. I am SO technologically challenged! How long did it take you to get it all sorted out? I’ll have to stop by and check out your blog! I appreciate your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It took me almost 6months to become comfortable 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey GF….funny I was thinking of my blog as well…wondering once again if I could find a new rhythm for it?? Whatta think?!?! 🤪
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, it’s not like your social life is crowded at the moment. I say go for it. Any news on the home front? Will give you a call Thursday. Going with Cindy and Amy to see “Elvis” again tomorrow! (I’ve forgotten where you get all the emogies for here…) Loved that movie! Tell Phillip and Micah I said hey.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a time of it you’ve been having. It’s good to have you back with us – and I’m going to start asking folk how their day’s going. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So good to see you, Julia! And I’m glad you’re going to start reaching out to folks that way. We live right by Hill AFB and I get the biggest buzz from asking folks in their fatigues if I can shake their hand. I always thank them for their service. Most of them are just plain amazed!
So what have you been up to while I was awol? Any books published???
LikeLike
I have another book finished, but I’m not sure what to do with it – maybe self-publish? I’ve had a few magazine/online articles published, but nothing earth-shattering. Just plugging away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What’s your book about, Julia? Weren’t you working on a yoga book awhile back?
LikeLike
I published a yoga book a while back. Since then, I’ve published a lighthearted book about the first year of my husband’s retirement, and a collection of short stories. The current WIP is about one of our national footpaths, which runs through our county.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds interesting. I used to love it when Derek used to post pictures of where he was running. I would love to see some pictures if you have any. Have you done a post on it?
LikeLike
So wonderful to hear from you again 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ditto, my friend. How have you been? Where are you focusing most of your attention? You’ve got quite a few irons in the fire there, dude! So glad to be back in touch. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
G’day Calen, from a wintry Geelong … Hearing all about your news (except forTwitch) is vey heartwarming and all the goodness coming your way, has put a smile on my cloudy day … I actually cannot remember the last time I was on your site … haha ..old age forgetfulness .. I’ll be 71 next week .. my poetry adventures have seen me be appointed as a writer with “Coffee House Writers Magazine (America) which has been exciting for me … I was their first ever “overseas” appointee … I get to have one of my poems published in the magazine every 2nd week … I’ve been with them for nearly a year …. here’s a link to my writings with them >> Coffee House Writers. https://coffeehousewriters.com/author/ivor-steven/ … and more exciting news, I am in the process of self-publishing my poetry book “Tullawalla” … hopefully I’ll have the books by the end of August .. Oh … and I have a new doggie “Frankie” .. he’s a 6 year-old Cavoodle … Cheers and ((Hugs))
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh my word! You sure have been busy while I’ve been away! I am so proud of you for becoming the writers’ magazine’s first “overseas appointee”. But then I’ve known all along you’d end up becoming a rich and famous poet! (Well either one or the other?) I will definitely pop by there and take a look!
AND you’re getting ready to self-publish your book! That is totally fantastic. You’re so brave. I’m not sure I ever heard you say what the book was about. Is it poetry? I’ve finished the second edit on my Glencara’s Bane. I would like to self-publish it just to be able to say I have a book in print. But I would really like an actual editor’s opinion on it. They’re so darn expensive. Well, maybe someday.
I had to look up Cavoodle to see exactly what Frankie looked like. I’d never heard of that breed. Adorable! And I like that they are small. I love all dogs, but I don’t want to have to share the house with one as big as a human! I used to watch my sister’s black lab Ruby now and then. She was funny. I was curious what she did when we were at work. Came home early one day and found her asleep in our bed with her head on his nibs’ pillow — just like a person. I assume Frankie is full grown by now. How big is he? Maybe you could post a pix of him? Anyway, give he a bi hug for me.
And I wish I were there to give YOU a big hug!
{{{HUG}}} (oo! That’s a big one! ❤
Calen~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Caleb … I’ve been fortunate with my book, with fellow Geelong Writers friends, firstly an editor/proofreader, and I a lady from our writer’s group who specialises in assisting people self-publish their manuscript … wow .. Judy has been incredible, … she sources out a printer/publisher, numbers the pages, sorts out the book size and paper quality , and generally my book will look fabulously professional … oh my book is a collection of my poems (120).. oh here’s a pic of Frankie in a poem I wrote about him ..
https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2022/04/14/frankie/
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s cute as a button, Ivor! Looks like great company.
LikeLike
Mostly I’ve been well. I had a bad nosebleed last year; when I went to hospital for help they said I had covid. If I did, I had no symptoms except a mild fever. My husband fell and injured his back a couple weeks ago, but has steadily but slowly recovered. I do have hearing and sight loss. Hearing is in aggravating stage! Lip reading helps, but I hate asking others to repeat. So I sit in silence a lot. Of course, others probably don’t feel lost when I can not impart my wisdom. LOL I do my books on kindle. Rest easy, dear friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear it. Big, huge hugs, my dear friend! <3<3<3
LikeLike
So glad to see you back, and I join you in saying thanks to the Lord for walking with you through these circumstances.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oneta! It’s so good to see you! You look so great. How have you and your crew been these past two years? ❤
LikeLike