The end of the blog...I didn't even last a year.

I try to collect my thoughts that flow so easily while walking or coming out of a dream. I think that body electricity lights up the writing part of my brain as I walk. How can people write sitting? It totally baffles me..yet here I am. Sitting...for a moment.

At the beginning of last year, I started Facebook and a Blogspot blog. I made many mistakes. The first was telling everyone about it and linking my blog to Facebook. It started out as a spiritual blog and oops, just like falling after walking on a slick spot, I got diagnosed with breast cancer again. Ugh...not another cancer blog. It was good to write about my experiences, but they are not the point of my life. It was like having a phone conversation and then your mother asks you a question and .... (long time)....hey, I'm back.

So about being public with a spiritual blog. Not good, not if you are really going to tell all and do all. I have people who I have to look normal for and I can't do that if they are reading about my spiritual adventures. So, Adieu to my lovely Blogspot and welcome to moontown cafe, if you happen to chase me there.

A perfect moment at the river's edge. A blue heron grooming it's plumes carefully ignoring any activity in the parking lot. I hear plops in the water from fish and frog, muffled by the steady beat of crickets. This edge is drying, rocks and clams exposed. I see the stems attached to the lilypads and I meditate on the illusion of floating the pads enact all summer.
My sole cloud on the horizon. Solitary creepy guy lounging here. Why is there always a creepy guy in my nature quests? My longing for a dog as companion in these moments grows.

End of Summer

I sometimes feel a little sad about the end of summer this year, as I missed it being sick. Then I remember how good I have it and rejoice in all the time I have spent in the sun, swimming, hiking, etc. Those times may have been few this year, but I have the Autumn warm days yet. Besides, July here was rainy and cold, so I was not alone in my summer longings.

This week, Arthur finally has some vacation time, so we went hiking at Sugar Island, went to the in-laws and crossed the Grasse River wading, because Maddy and Paddy had done it the week before and If a child can do it, so should I. Today, I am going to visit Julia at her Adirondack group home, this week is the Potsdam Village sale day, and September will be glorious for me.

So here's to the near future.

Experimenting with plein air painting, definition, painting like the Impressionists, quick, outdoors, with only a few colors. Lay down a base color and add highlights to create shadow and shape.
Problem one, I only have acrylic paints, which dry to quickly in the hot air to be worked well. Problem 2, I didn't bring a palette, mixing paints on the surface from the tube. Problem 3 no glass of water to cleanse and refresh brushes.
Interesting, I learned a lot.I plan to keep at it, until I develop a technique and over work my failures as they dry.
Beach weather, finally. Lucky me with a river in the backyard for quick dips.

Hello!

Don't you hate it when people start a blog and then don't post!!! Sorry. It was on my mind.
I am cancer free and done with radiation. The last week of radiation did me in. They intensify the last week and I just couldn't go on as I was. I asked for a medical leave and was cut loose instead from my job.
I slept for a few weeks a lot. July was a hectic week with unexpected car repairs, turbulence with neighbors and bad weather.
August has been much better. I would say I am 75% of the stamina level and energy that I was at this time last year. I am getting better. My skin is 90% healed from the radiation. It is weird having a suntan under my clothes.
I am very tan though from grabbing each instant of sun here. It rained at least a while each day for a long time. Storm yesterday and today also.
I have hiked a little and swum. Wears me out though.
Arthur and I are getting along well. The cats are happy now that their neighbor cats are gone.
I have a full fridge and freezer for winter. Need to get about 20% more supplies for the winter. I hear gas and food will go up again.

Hitting the Wall

I hit a wall Weds. Afternoon. I went to radiation and was exhausted immediately afterward. I could have curled up and fallen asleep in the car. I was sick on Thursday with upset stomach and fever. Friday is here and I had a while of energy, ran errands and then was tired again. You may not see me again until July at this rate.
I did have some good news about going to the Martin Farm again for the first time this year. I love getting all my food locally from people I really like. We bought tomatoes for the Thompsons. Daniel put in a green house in Feb. He planted the tomatoes in the ground and they have been harvesting them all this spring. Apparently, they're great (I am deathly allergic to tomatoes, so I wouldn't know).

15 days down

Well, I have been very much enjoying the sun lately. The cats and I have fallen into our summer schedule of walks, sitting out, while reading, back in to check the e-mail, then out again.  It's amazing how easily one falls back into old habits.

We haven't seen the geese babes for a week, while the parents have taken them to the island. I leave out bread for the geese each day, which the geese treat as poison while I look on and gobble down as soon as I turn my back.

Sunday, I went to the Pierrepont Park and was amazed at how flooded the river is from the hydro project. My favorite little beach is gone at the entrance, but there are a few little spots left untouched around the curve.

 I went to Chase Mills to visit the Thompsons and Sandi. We went down to the river, but didn't stay, as it was buggy and the water was high.  It was amazingly cold there up near the hose. Alan put on his parka and wool hat, while we took photos for Julia.

It was my first trip to Martin's and I am so glad to go back there.  I spent every cent as usual. I stopped to have Scoopacino's local strawberry ice cream and ate it at the gazebo in Ives Park. Welcome to my summer.