FALL IS HERE, THERMOMETER DROPPING!

MEMORIES OF SUMMER...

Greetings loyal readers!  Another long break in blogging - have been busy getting back to full time work!  Luckily, I have healed well from the extensive surgery in August and am on the job.  While the weather is bringing fall chill, I've had warm welcoming here at BCC.  It's great to be back working with students in the Reading Lab, and continuing efforts to build support for autistic and deaf students here at BCC.

Sadly, several friends and acquaintances have succumbed to various cancers over the summer and early fall.  These experiences of loss of course remind me of my good luck in surviving so far, despite my difficult diagnosis.  Increasingly I feel that the combination of my general good health (no chronic conditions other than cancer), my fabulous support from my wife Beth, her family, my family and



my family of friends have all contributed to my continuing quality of life.  Yes, I am able to greet my condition as positively as possible, thanks to hears of positive reinforcement from my irrepressible Mom.  I also credit my work with expressive arts, and ongoing use of medical cannabis.  Hopefully soon we will have official trials that will show the positive tumor reduction capabilities of cannabis!  I am on a chemotherapy break (yea!) and will have a CAT scan in November to determine the next course of action.  There is active cancer remaining, but hopefully is non aggressive and shrinking!.

So now we approach the new survival challenge - WINTER!!  I embrace this time of chill and dark as a time for snuggling in for reflection and more writing.  I won't have the privilege of sitting daily by the woodstove as I did during my sabbatical, but will retreat to my recliner by the fire whenever possible to contemplate life, survival and mortality!   (Also to continue seeking good cancer jokes and cartoons...)  Will write sooner - xSal