What I Did On My Summer Vacation

 My summer vacation isn't really a vacation anymore, you know retired and all. But, if I had to write a paper for what I did this summer, I think the one thing that would take first place is, malignant melanoma. 

The end of June I went for my regular check up, botched the Medicare test by only remembering two out of three words and asked the doctor to look at this mole on my right leg. He did and said they would schedule an appointment for me in their office to have a biopsy done. That wouldn't happen until July 31st. Another doctor in the practice did it and all one can do is wait for the results. So, I got a copy of the results before the doctor or someone from the practice called with results. In the midst of medical jargon and medical word salad, the only two words I truly understood was malignant melanoma. So two days went by, no word of explanation. I texted a copy of the report to my Nurse Niece in Houston. She is so smart and working on her masters from...this is hard to write...Texas A&M. Whoops! She called me back and agreed a lot of medial words but basically she said, don't blow this off, you need to have it looked at. So, I went to the patient portal and asked the doctor what did this report mean? It was Friday night and wrote it truly thinking she would get back to me on Monday. Meanwhile, Dr Google scared the pee wadeling out of me. The doctor responded on Saturday morning and she put in a referral to a dermatologist office. The doctor explained that it was melanoma and the margins weren't clear. It needed to be examined more thoroughly and there were a few uncommon issues associated with it.  Long story boring...I got in to see the derma doctor, got another appointment to cut out the rest of the mole and send it off for testing. 

All I know is it looks like a round bullet hole from a musket during the Revolutionary War for independence from England. I felt like I should check to see if there were any reenactments going on around here. I could be wounded civilian number 3. Due to the fact I have to keep this covered for several weeks, I couldn't risk it.  Last Friday, the report was good news, they got all the melanoma and just continue doing what they told me to do. I go back in October for a follow up. Now, to keep watch over my moles by night so that suddenly a mole doesn't change because, usually after they find one another one develops in a few months. 

The recovery is tedious at times. Detailed instructions of how to clean and bandage the wound for the next few weeks. For the first time, I had a reaction to the latex or the adhesive they put over the wound. Rash and especially at night...I so wanted to scratch it. One night I got up late into the morning and rubbed Vicks all over the rash part. It worked and took away the itch that could not be scratched. Last night was the first night that the rash didn't bother me and it is beginning to disappear. 

I was thinking about the various health adventures throughout my life. Most of them I could do something, make muscles stronger, watch what I eat, exercise and all that good stuff. There have been several times though, there wasn't one thing I could do about the issue adventure. Like when I had surgery and they wouldn't know until after they removed the tumor if it was benign or malignant. It was benign. Whew! This past adventure was one of those experiences of not being able to do something while I waited. Well, there was something and that was to pray and honestly that is the best thing. Once the health issue was explained to me in simple terms, I had a peace about it all. Not anxious but ready to get on the road of it healing up. I was so happy to hear from friends of their experiences and it helped but I heard a few stories that tempted me to go back to Dr Google. So glad I resisted temptation. I have finished up the antibiotics tonight. One thing checked off the list.  

Another thing that I realize, I have had several comebacks health wise. I have lived past the opinion if I was lucky, I'd survive ten years after my heart virus but they gave me really five years. I am going on fifteen years, PTL! But one day, I will not have the recovery I would hope for but while I can still walk about and even with failing remembering all three Medicare words, My Sunday School class has been a huge encouragers and have prayed me through. Oh the joy of The Joy Class. 

There are so many going through so much more but I write to process my thoughts, emotions but most of my faith. Also to encourage, no matter what, God is with us and He loves us. 

Autumnal Greetings!

 Autumn is officially here on Saturday but there are hints of the soon and welcomed arrival with the proof being cooler temps, lovely fall leaves and the fragrance of the fireplaces intermixed with the fragrance of fresh cut hay. Fall is my favorite season of the year. In Houston, we might have a fallish type day along with winter and summer, all showing up on the same day. You have to make fall in Houston with decor and lots of gourds, squash and pumpkins scattered about on those little concrete front porches that are no more than an attractive overhand from the roof. While our hints of fall become more numerous as the days go by, the consciousness of winter not being too far behind gets pushed to the back of our brain and we enjoy the countryside awash with those orange, reds and yellows. Hay waiting to be loaded dots the landscape and the maple trees are turning more autumnal as the days go by. Across and down the road a bit, a neighbor with maple trees lining the long driveway to the house begins what I have come to regularly count on for seasonal hints. The two trees closest to the road begin the change and slowly the changing creeps up till all those trees are ablaze with color. 

There is a lot of change happening in the season of fall besides leaves turning, grass growth slowing down and the like. Schedules change from lazy summer days or at least busy summer days but without the pressure of school, if one so chooses. Spring always feels hopeful to me. At the end of winter days the tulips and daffodils bloom. Seeing the color with the background of drab lets us know, spring will arrive. Of course, after spring days the warmth turns to hot arrives and it is summer. But autumn, crisp air and beautiful vivid color is soothing to the eye and to the soul. 

Just because of the beauty doesn't mean that there isn't work to be done. After the first frost the flowerbeds are cleared and the beginning of prep for spring begins. Roy said it is sad because the tomato plants finally yield to the elements after giving so much. Our plants this year have given much and organically on top of that. For this we give thanks. The zinnias this year started slowly but have bloomed and grown filling the raised beds with color. 

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We woke up to a fallish Saturday since Friday was the last day of summer. Today, Sunday, it is a little warmer but very pleasant. We had a Sunday School lite today, with autumn questions and fun and Galatians 6:9 as a devotion, kind of a devotion, not a very good devotion but we will get back to regular type Sundays, this coming week. I knew this past week would not give me a chance to study how I like to. On top of everything happening, Mr Mo got sick so a vet trip later with meds he refuses to take and here we are. He is doing better, much better. 

Going to TN on Saturday one could detect that the leaves higher up are starting to turn quite a bit. The scenic view stop trees are very colorful and probably about one of the best places to take pictures for fall color. 

I'll close this post with a quote from Sarah Bessey. There are just so many good autumn quotes but this is a new one and I liked it. 

To me, autumn feels like a woman who knows her age and rests comfortable in that knowledge, like the woman I want to be someday. Bearing her years like a crown, beautiful but in her own beauty not the borrowed or clinging to beauty of past seasons, wise and patient, crisp and alive, a bit sharp but restful. Autumn feels kind and strong in equal measure. And I'm enjoying my daily walks with her. Sarah Bessey

Attitude With Catitude

 A cool morning in the mountains. Mount Mitchell has a feels like temp of 32. Glad we are not up that high. 

This weekend we have made some adjustments with The Boys. Three kitties with strong personalities and they need to get co-exist peaceably. We eliminated the dining room draperies due to the use of them for fighting and attacking purposes. For now, we will not hang any curtains or window treatments up. Besides the ones that were there covering for hiding and fighting were looking bad. With those windows facing south and covered up by the porch we should be okay throughout the fall and winter but come spring, we will need to act like this is something we care about and get window treatments post haste. 

It is always a difficult thing to accept when one cannot find cute footwear just because one wears a larger size. Did someone think, well those tall and big girls don't want fashion, they want function. So, no cute boots for you! Yesterday, we needed to kill about twenty minutes so we stopped at this huge discount shoe store. I have been thinking for years that I have missed out on something good but because of timing could never stop. I know now, I have not missed out on anything. It was a tad disappointing. Not too much in my big ol' shoe size and the prices were not all that discounted. 

On our way to Flat Rock, we made a first stop to pick up my new glasses. They are so lightweight that I had to double check I had taken them off before falling asleep. 

Roy was fortunate to catch a kitty that has not gone to the ASPCA. I think it is a girl, but then my track record of identifying cats is rather poor. The ASPCA has contacted Roy to get appointments for more cats from the colony. We are slowly but surely bringing the number of, hmmm let's see, active cats. The ones who have had kittens seem a little depressed in not knowing what to do with all this open time of not being pursued or feeding the family. The ones who have gotten in before having kittens, seem to pick up with their former self and go back to being playful kittens. It is kind of fun to watch. The little kittens are getting bigger and since we are so close to Fall Festival Day, with three of the siblings being black kittens, we are thinking of their safety. If we can get them to five pounds, we can take them to get fixed. Well, my record is intact. Black and white kitty that went is a boy. Gee whiz! That still saves his life from being chases eternally by Radley. With no action for him, maybe Rad will move on to the other colony across the road or the one past Mary Joyce's house. 

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Day two of recouping is a lot less painful than day one. Although, I ended up being on my feet a lot more than I was supposed to because of Mr Mo. He has been having a few issues that in my non professional opinion had nothing to do health wise but more to the relationships with Willie and GMoey. We were able to get him in to the vet at 2:00. Roy took him, but I answered all the questions via phone. Came home with some antibiotics for him. When Roy let him out of the carrier, he quickly went and hid. He finally found him after our supper, got him to come out from underneath the bed and then he quickly went back. So, we fixed up the front bedroom for him to have a quiet night. I stayed in there with him. He used the litter box, drank water and ate, so I felt good about leaving him in for the night. What is it with cats, that when you shut a door, they are no longer interested in anything but that door and what it opens to. Mr Mo cried a little before he fell asleep but I think he is well rested not contending with Willie. 

There is some drama with The Feral Fam too. Toupee has gone back to her earlier role of cranky cat. The kittens are coming to supper when I whistle and that upsets Toupee. We have to keep her from taking swipes at them. Radley's presence causes a lot of stress for the Fam, especially with the availability of females going down every week or so. I think only Cutie and maybe one other cat are the only remaining females that need to take their "spa" visit. Beanie and Fido are loving sitting in our laps. I think it is the best sleep they get. The other members of the Fam are getting friendlier, so we like that. Roy has been approved as a cat rescuer or feral cat field marshal or something cause now he can bring cats in, more than one at a time and more often than once every two weeks.  

Hit or Miss Blogging

 It has been hit and miss for morning blog posts or reflections. I started a post on the 9th but decided to punt on it and begin once again. I might cut and past a couple of paragraphs, but I haven't decided. It is cooler now than writing a week ago. We are beginning to feel that fall like temps and they are so welcomed. 

The Boys have calmed down a bit because of the calming treats we got from Chewy. Still a lot of chasing but in a playful way, not a determined to bully kind of way. The Feral Fam, they are pretty much the same except for a couple of developments. We haven't seen Toup Jr for over a week. I think she moved onto another feral colony because she was being shunned by her family. She abandoned kittens and they passed without, as much as we can tell, another look or touch by her after birthing them. We had the sad discovery of them. I think from all these years of feral watching, the fam was not too happy with her. They didn't let her eat with them or nap around them. She kept to herself. The good news is, Beanie after several years of being friendly toward me has started sitting and napping in my lap. Is it love or just the fact if he is there Fido can't be in my lap. I think I know but I will believe it is love. The biggest surprise is Chanel or as we've been calling her, Cha-nay-nay. She let me pet her on Monday night, well as long as Fido was around. She is the one that got a conduct cut from the ASPCA. Something got her a couple of weeks ago and I've wanted to get close enough to see how she is healing. She is healing nicely and I can confirm that because she sat close by and she let me pet her without Fido or Beanie last night. They say that cats can sense things, more than we pay attention to but Monday night I was concerned for a dear friend who had fallen on Sunday and was being prepped for hip replacement surgery. She wasn't out of my mind or prayers all evening. I went about the normal stuff outside, feed the kitties, pull weeds and stuff like that. When I sat for a moment to rest, that's when Beanie jumped into my lap and that is when Cha-Nay-Nay ventured close for pets, multiple times. I think they sensed my concern and lack of focus...okay my kind of lack of focus. Since the melanoma diagnosis, Mr Mo naps right on top of the mole, which is usually covered by compression socks, cute compression socks and jeans. I carried around a joy and happiness this week with the breakthrough in getting closer to The Feral Fam. Cutie is still keeping a watchful eye on me when around her kittens. One of them let me pick him up and take him to the dinner platter. He is the runt and since he has discovered wet cat food, he is gaining weight. One of the kittens is so adventuresome and has been eating with the big cats for almost two weeks. When Cutie calls her kittens after she has eaten, that adventuresome kitty defies the call but when he rejoins mom and sibling, she gives him such a swat on the head. 

Yesterday, we dropped Mustang Sam off at Jimmy's and good old Sam needs some repairs and new shoes. Oh boy! We are still waiting to see if they can get the parts to do the repair. We are waiting to hear this afternoon if any progress has been made. Told Roy, with insurance payments, his dental work and the car, October expenditures will be up. 

Well, I'm officially a southerner, an old lady southerner. I had orange chicken and rice for lunch. I thought I had dropped a small piece on my pants, so I picked it up and put it in my mouth. It was dirt. It was dirt from an outside chore, not realizing a small piece of dirt had temporarily found a respite on my clothing. They say some southerners eat dirt, well I did but not by choice.    

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Last week we had our first women's Bible study, the first in a long time. The before Covid thing. We are studying Galatians taught by David Jeremiah. We had good discussion afterwards and left the building to take in the wonder of lightning filling the sky. The clouds and purple hues are breathtaking. Last night we had our second meeting and it was so good. I have never been a huge fan of Galatians, more of a Philippians type girl. His preaching/teaching style is so enlightening giving us the back story of Paul and how he was answering his accusers.  

It's funny sometimes we don't even remember to miss something or an activity. Like the study last night as well as once a month fellowship lunches after church or if it is a month of a fifth Sunday, Sunday night fellowships which have started back up. The lunches especially are such fun. In our study last night David Jeremiah said, the gospel brings joy. Sometimes we miss the joy in what the Lord has given to us for life in Him. Been looking at legalism for the lesson on Sunday, how the leading priests and leaders brought down the excitement of a paraplegic being healed after his friends lowered him through the roof. Those leaders had a front row seat. It could have been a life changing experience for them but they chose otherwise due to the fact their comfortable way of life should not be disrupted or disturbed. Also they liked being holier than everyone else and ironically, took great pride in that accomplishment, which honestly is filthy rags.  It was interesting last week as we shared where legalism while growing up made us look at ourselves and the gospel in a different light. I remembered the offerings envelopes with the boxes to check, Bible read daily, contacts made, giving, lesson studied, present, worship attendance etc...  It all added up to 100%. I struggled with checking the boxes especially, contacts made. I also didn't understand if present meant attendance or if I had brought a present. After a bit I realized it didn't matter if I checked or didn't check boxes so it became a distant memory and for a short while part of a M&G script. 

We will pick up the Mustang today, with new shoes but will have to bring it back for the other work. They are waiting on parts from Ford, with no ETA on them. It is suggested we just use the car locally and not push it. Dang! With a great weekend for top down driving. Before retirement, this is when we would consider buying a new car but I think we will see this thing through. We have discussed getting a smaller truck. This is not a decision we have to make anytime soon, and for that I am thankful. 

Our plum trees have produced a ton of plums. They are American plums, which means they are about the size or a little larger than grapes. About the size of muscadines. I researched how to  freeze them and I think I will also make a compote to freeze for winter months. We didn't freeze any of the peaches we bought this year. Instead we enjoyed them all summer long. The Amish peaches were just so juicy and delicious. 

Anticipation, Thankfulness and Gratefulness

 A lazy Labor Day morning. I like it! This morning at breakfast, Roy and I were talking about nine years ago on Labor Day. I was finishing up my month long visit given to me by Roy for a milestone birthday. While here, I had searched for a house to buy with the territory stretching from Waynesville to Burnsville. Little did we know but God did, the home we would purchase was about a half a mile away from where I was staying. Searching the ends of the earth, well maybe searching between the villes, and what we loved was only a little ways away. The house we eventually purchased was off the market and pending until it wasn't. God and His timing, for sure. That particular Labor Day we drove around the area and were so surprised that not too much was open. Actually closed for the holiday while at first frustrating but we knew it was also refreshing. I had a book about literary places in and around Asheville and we were kind of following that trail. It led us to Marshall and we searched and searched for Penland's. To no avail, we couldn't find it and concluded it must have closed since the book was several years old. Well, guess what, it isn't. Inez and Velda helped me discover the wonder of downtown Marshall which included Penland's. It was there, we just didn't look hard enough. Also discovered the hardware store and the quirky, funny owner. Fast forward and I am friends with the owner of Penland's, not only friends but she gave me her phone numbers and told me if I ever needed anything or anyone to give them a call since Roy wasn't here full time yet. I never had to but it gave me assurance. One of those unexpected blessings. Little shout out and appreciation Georgette. Thank you for being a friend. 

We had a bit of a false fall last week and this week the temps will be a summer revisit. Warmer than usual but the forecast next week hints that fall like temps will return. Sure do hope so. Roy's tomatoes are still going strong. We've given a lot away as well as freezing them for winter soup. Yum! I cannot forget that tomato sandwiches are the bomb diggity. Soon it will be time for autumnal foods, which I love and of course love writing autumnal. 

Next week is a bit busier than normal. While sitting in all that traffic on Wednesday, we were able to book our appointments for Mustang Sam and for the truck at Jimmy's.  We also have hair appointments so guess it is a maintenance week all the way around.  

It is exciting that two friends are starting a women's Bible study this week at church. David Jeremiah's, Galatians. No homework! Sounds good to me. 

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While Roy was at deacons meeting, I caught up with a Houston friend. Lots of laughs in between our telling each other of the daily events in life. The Boys somewhat behaved while I was on the phone but had a moment in the midst of our conversation, they experienced a bit of rough housing on the stairs. Then calm reigned throughout the household until Roy returned home. 

I began looking at the lesson for this coming Sunday yesterday afternoon. Think I will pick three events in our context chapters to look at. I know one of the three will be the friends in Mark 2 letting their friend in through the roof to see Jesus. 

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Oh Thursday, you got here so quickly this week. The forecasters tell us today will be the last hot temp day for a bit. We will take it! 

Yesterday, I had my much anticipated appointment with the dermatologist that had to be rescheduled due to the wreck and construction last week. We got there early, not because we are old but because I didn't want to miss this appointment for any reason. A major street is closed to get to their office, so with all the twists and turns and unknowns, we allowed for time. That office runs like clockwork though. All the staff is so pleasant and friendly. You know, like they like their job. The doctor? She knows her stuff and I told Roy she looks like a college cheerleader. He immediately felt the need to make an appointment with her. I go back for her to get the rest of the???? Guess I will call it the sample. Edges still had margins and she'll make sure it is taken care of which includes some kind of skin graft and a pretty big hole that will take six months to heal. She asked if I knew about compression socks? Yes, I responded and have some really cute ones. Six months of wearing compression socks so at least this is through the fall and winter months when socks are required to keep ones toesies warm. She explained that where I am in the big picture is this, it has been caught right before the melanoma would begin spreading to lymph nodes but she will send the sample to be tested. So in a little more of a week I'll go back in for a little more extensive biopsy and then return about forty eight hours later to see how it is healing. The doctor drew around the mole how far she will need to go out, so I came home with a tattoo of sorts. Just need to draw a smiley face on it. Through this whole summer process, too bad I don't have a paper to write on what I did on my summer vacation, God's peace has surrounded my heart and mind and kept me settled. I didn't take too many trips to the land of what ifs. While reading for the lesson this Sunday I cannot help but think of our Sunday School Class, The Joy Class, who have prayed over many a person and many request and when obstacles pressed in, we continued in praying. I am also thankful for so many friends who have prayed with me concerning all of this stuff. I am truly thankful and grateful. We will look at Mark 2, through the roof to get to Jesus. 

After the appointment yesterday, we went to Sky Top Orchard and then over to see Audrey for new frames and lenses. I didn't make the safe frame choice yet didn't make the choice where I have to look like the wild older lady whose only resort for fashion is her glasses. Then to close out this day of fun, we went to Publix. Now that is always an adventure on Wednesday when there is a discount for us older types. 

All three Boys are napping after a vigorous morning of chase. They are in their respective places to nap and for this I am truly thankful.     

Catching Up, Once Again

 With a rainy day forecast and me, with the attention span of a gnat, we decided that this morning we would endeavor to begin a reorganizing of the garage. We both have the propensity of piling things up or at least putting things on a shelf with no particular organization in mind. While going through one shelving unit we found multiple items that we needed over the summer. Well now those things have a place and hopefully we will remember that we put those things together, organized for quick finding. We opened the garage door while we worked and most of the regulars of years gone by had gone into deep hiding from the rain, so all the newbies were in wonder of this new thing. Of course this morning also held the traumatic collecting a cat to take to the ASPCA to be fixed. We caught two members of that trip and Roy nearly had the third, but he has not learned the knack of holding onto a mad, fussing cat. It is difficult but you just hang on for dear life. So none of these breakfast bunch cats were too keen in exploring the garage. Finally, a few came in, had a bite to eat and then went back to their outdoor hiding places. Fido came in but he was skittish for some reason. Maybe he was nervous about the organizing. After about two hours, we called it lunch time even though we didn't eat lunch until an hour later. 

We went to a funeral yesterday. A sister of a dear friend passed away. Once again, there is that feeling that you would have really liked to meet this person. But I know we shall meet in the sweet by and by. Roy cut in the line to talk with the family. He saw his friend with no one to talk to so he just went around everyone and started talking with his friend. I love Roy for so many reasons, but when he finds a buddy, he is loyal and fiercely concerned for them. 

I worked on the lesson for Sunday and still even though I loved studying Jeremiah, I am thrilled to be out of that long book and now into the shortest length book of the Gospels. We just cover the first thirteen verses but there is so much there to ponder, practice and apply. 

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Since we had rain for most of the day, at least into the early afternoon, that helped me to pull up dead sunflowers in the side flowerbed. We still have a few blackberries every once in a while. The Feral Fam was ready to run and play after being holed up for most of the day. The houses across the way are going up really fast and I hope the allure doesn't draw any of the Fam across the road. 

Our original Wednesday plans were changed by a wreck and construction on the freeway. We sat for about an hour but during that time I called the doctor office to let them know what was happening and at best we would be late...but the second call confirmed I would need a reschedule. Happy that they had an opening next week. This appointment was for the second biopsy of the mole on my leg. While I was really disappointed not to go ahead and get this taken care of but I am also glad we didn't have to drive through a bunch of rain. I have been encouraged by several who had this same kind of situation but several of the several have added that this type of melanoma can spread in five weeks. Next week is five weeks but I have a peace that passes understanding with all of this. Next week's appointment is in the morning, which I like a lot. 

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We went to bed at halftime and I think we made the right decision with the LSU vs FSU football game last night. It's going to be a long season or so it seems. Right now with the fight that Spectrum and Disney are having, I don't think we will miss ESPN all that much. Oh well. 

Saturday, we drove over to TN and made a stop in Burnsville before heading home. Christy's opened for the afternoon and we went to pick up the small table. It fits perfectly in the front bedroom. 

Getting over some allergies did not help teaching Sunday School yesterday. I took in a breath wrong and that triggered the tickle spot in my throat. Thus my thoughts were disrupted for the rest of the lesson. Who knows, I think I covered everything or at least made sense. I was telling a friend yesterday afternoon, many Sundays after church, in the car going home I tell Roy I am going to quit teaching. He just smiles at me and most Mondays you'll find me reading and researching for the lesson on the coming Sunday.