AT LAST - SPRING/SUMMER IS HERE!!

Greetings, dear readers!! Since January I have been on a roller coaster ride!  Following my last apt. with Dr. D. in Boston, we took a "bucket list" trip to Sedona Arizona - what a beautiful place!!  We flew into Phoenix and picked up our rental car - speeding on to Sedona that night.  Our little reso

rt, the Arroyo Pinyon, was cozy - with a Jacuzzi tub in the room, along with a gas fireplace and a giant king sized bed.  This was our home base as we explored central Ariz.  The most amazing thing was my bucket list item - the hot air balloon ride!!  We spent an hour and a half in the air, reveling in the quiet floating above the earth.  It is an other-worldly sensation, to be lifted above the surface of the planet, and to embrace the quiet, the butterfly sensation.  We also explored Jerome, a former copper mining town, now an artist and hippie hang out, filled by day with middle aged pudgy tourists with capri pants, fanny packs and  cameras!  Also, we bundled up and went into the desert at night to view the "big sky" display of amazing stars.  A truly inspiring trip. 

Since returning, I've been off chemo (yea!  yea!) and taking Essiac tea and Simpson oil.  Thought they were working until this weekend when my liver decided to act up - and I spent this afternoon throwing up!  I had been planning to return to work this week, but that's off the table.  We shall see!  Always a new adventure.  Life goes on such as it is - but at least it's beautiful weather.  I sat in the sun this afternoon writing thank you notes to my many friends.  My BFF Judy asked friends at work, in the literacy community and at Bell St. to make a square for a quilt for me.  She got 26 squares! Friday night, about 20 people came to the house - a total surprise to me.  Beth had told me she was having her friends fro her former job - that made sense to me.  We worked all day to clean house and get ready - then around 5:30 Beth Whitehead from BCC showed up.  I greeted her by saying - how nice of you to stop in!  Beth is having friends over, but come on in for a glass of wine.  Next, my long time Prov. Adult Ed. friend Nancy Fritz showed up - I was still clueless - surely just a coincidence!  Finally when friends Ellen and Stu showed up it was becoming clear - this wasn't a party for Beth's friends, it was a party for ME!!  

I am so spoiled by the love and loyalty showed to me  - I was blown away by the outpouring of appreciation and affection.  I am truly blessed. 

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!

Dearest readers - long hiatus!  I've now had six adriamycin treatments an am waiting on the CAT.  I'm on sick leave again, so just biding time.  Otherwise, am keeping busy with garden help, collectibles organizing, etc.  And we're digging out!!  wow, what a storm!!  We got about 18 - 20" - some areas got 2 - 3 feet!!  While NYC was spared, New Jersey was slammed.  So the world is digging out!

Meanwhile, the conflict in the world goes on.  Hard to believe that Boehner invited Netanyahu to speak - a clear slap in the face.  We are attempting to negotiate a peace for the middle east, but this flies in the face of these negotiations.  What is happening in Syria?  What about the problem of massive refugees?  The news is filled with "deflategate" and other nonsense - and I search for actual news!!

I've been thinking recently about my legacy - what am I leaving?  What have I accomplished? What has changed?  Yes, I participated in civil rights actions - yes, I saved Jim (and Dan) - yes I have helped hundreds of students get a GED - yes I have mentored our Madelin.  My life has moved in positive directions.  I have not led huge movements, but have contributed on a one-to-one.  Many thoughts. 

So the whole world waits - will write soon!!