It goes on

My Mom’s birthday today! Although we celebrated last Sunday, I will be sure to call her today and wish her a Happy Birthday on her actual day! I was lying awake last night, even though I’d gone to bed very late. The beautiful stars were shining down through the window and I couldn’t help but think about how much I love my life---even though it’s so temporary for all of us.

My apologies for not making blog rounds lately. As you may have guessed, I’ve spent a few nights after work out at the farm. Blogging has been a hurried, before going to work sort of activity for me lately. Last night I went from work to the doctor and from the doctor to the farm to see Vegetable Man. And get more vegetables, of course. It was lovely.

The doctor visit was not. I seldom go to the doctor unless there’s a problem, and I had an urgent medical dilemma Tuesday and called the clinic for an appointment. They got me right in on Wednesday after work (in fact I had to leave work a bit early) to do a biopsy, blood tests and set appointment for more tests, including an ultra scan. The doctor and I sat knee-to-knee in the examining room. She asked me lots of questions and looked me right in the eyes and said bluntly, “It could be cancer. There’s a likelihood.” How to explain the way I felt, ummmm, I can’t explain it. A sort of numbness, a horror, and just a feeling blankness.

The feeling isn’t a first for me. In August of 1990, the same month my Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer, I had a biopsy, tests and then an operation. The family didn’t pay much attention to my medical problems, as they were taken care of, while my Dad was fighting for his life. Vegetable Man, we were a couple at that time, and SLA (she who loves animals), my best friend went into the hospital with me. It all turned out fine, and even my Dad successfully fought off cancer for ten years until it finally got him.

So of course I’m thinking, is it nothing, something minor that’s fixable, or am I in a run for my money like my poor Dad? I selfishly am laying the burden of knowing/not knowing into my blog. I didn’t tell Vegetable Man and I’m not going to even mention it to my Mom or my son until the tests come back and they know better what they’re dealing with. Probably it’s nothing.

I brought a nice large beet to roast and a bunch of tomatoes picked right from the vine home from the farm. I came home pretty late, son was still at work, so I boiled a half-dozen eggs, for him and to put on the salad. Vegetable Man and I are going to a movie tonight, "March of the Penguins" is a movie about a year in the life of some penguins and Vegetable Man really wants to see it. Last night he told me that he had been missing a sense of play in his life. It was a compliment and I was quite pleased to hear it. I was also once was told (not by him, by someone else) that I go after life with the ferocity of a jackal—I don’t think that was a compliment! And life goes on…I hope to be able to catch up with YOUR lives soon! Have a great Thursday!

And here's my little Natty, at last!







Coffee Break with Surgeons
5 surgeons are taking a coffee break:

1st surgeon says, "Accountants are the best to operate on because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered."

2nd surgeon says, "Nah, librarians are the best. Everything inside them is in alphabetical order."

3rd surgeon says, "Try electricians, man! Everything inside them is color coded."

4th surgeon says, "I prefer lawyers. They're heartless, spineless, gutless, and their heads and butts are interchangeable."

5th surgeon says, "I like engineers ... they always understand when you have a few parts left over at the end." (glad I'm not an engineer!)

Ways To Stay Stressed
Are you worried now about how to stay stressed? You'll have no trouble if you practice the following clinically proven methods:

NEVER EXERCISE. Exercise wastes a lot of time that could be spent worrying.

EAT ANYTHING YOU WANT. Hey, if cigarette smoke can't cleanse your system, a balanced diet isn't likely to.

GAIN WEIGHT. Work hard at staying at least 25 pounds over your recommended weight.

TAKE PLENTY OF STIMULANTS. The old standards of caffeine, nicotine, sugar, and cola will continue to do the job just fine.

GET RID OF YOUR SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM. Let the few friends who are willing to tolerate you know that concern yourself with friendships only if you have time, and you never have time. If a few people persist in trying to be your friend, avoid them.

PERSONALIZE ALL CRITICISM. Anyone who criticizes any aspect of your work, family, dog, house, or car is mounting a personal attack. Don't take time to listen, be offended, then return the attack!

MALES AND FEMALES ALIKE - BE MACHO. Never ever ask for help, and if you want it done right, do it yourself!

BECOME A WORKAHOLIC. Put work before everything else, and be sure to take work home evenings and weekends. Keep reminding yourself that vacations are for sissies.

DISCARD GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS. Schedule in more activities every day than you can possibly get done and then worry about it all whenever you get a chance.

PROCRASTINATE. Putting things off to the last second always produces a marvelous amount of stress.

WORRY ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN'T CONTROL. Worry about the stock market, earthquakes, the approaching Ice Age, you know, all the big issues.

BECOME NOT ONLY A PERFECTIONIST BUT SET IMPOSSIBLY HIGH STANDARDS......and either beat yourself up, or feel guilty, depressed, discouraged, and/or inadequate when you don't meet them.

THROW OUT YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. Staying stressed is no laughing matter, and it shouldn't be treated as one.