FR. TONY UPDATE
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THE JOY MAY BRINGS
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FR. TONY UPDATE
Where does the time go? It's already Thursday! I've been trying to get this blog entry done for days! Sunday morning went very well. Tony managed the service without getting too overly worn out. We're pleased that he's getting around much better, and is void of the constant pain he endured the previous few weeks. All in all he seems to be doing fairly well. Next week we return to the cancer center for labwork, before heading off to Maui.
Thank you all for your continued prayers.
Some time in July, Tony will be returning to the cancer center for a lab workup... and most likely will be undergoing more chemo, but with a new drug added to the mix. Since his body did not accept the Vincristine (chemo drug) very well, doc says he's going to use a different poison, but a poison that will totally wipe out Tony's immune system. Not fun! Lord Willilng, after the July labwork, we might have some idea of how well all these chemicals are working to get the Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia under control.
I believe my Tony's been blogging lately. Be sure to check it out. CLICK HERE
THE JOY MAY BRINGS
Just over a year ago we moved into the little house on Woodland Drive, and to say the yard was "landscaped" is a vast overstatement. Having spent almost a year in a townhouse with no real "yard" or garden to speak of, since it was perched on the side of a hill, and the two previous years spent in apartments in France, my soul was aching to beautify this little patch of earth in Morgantown.
The very first thing I discovered?... rock hard clay! This WV soil was nothing like what I'd become very fond of in South Dakota.... heaven sent... dark... rich... pliable... earth. One only need drop a seed on the ground in N.E. South Dakota, and it would sprout! This mountain clay is great for a potter, but not a gardener.
With every back breaking shovel load of clay I chiseled from the ground, it had to be replaced with a combination of top soil, sand, organic fertilizer and compost. Of course, I was never quite sure I'd dug out enough clay, and was concerned I'd simply created a bowl for my nice rich replacement soil to soak up rain, then water log the plants.
When it was all said and done, I made a bit of progress converting portions of the dull weed covered patch of yard into an eye catching display of annuals and perennials. For all the long days and hours of digging clay, filling holes with good rich earth, then investing in $$$.$$ of annuals, bulbs, perennials, ferns, and herbs, it was well worth the investment.
I vowed I wouldn't spend as much time and $$$ this year, but Spring has sprung and mother nature calls. Once winter was officially gone, it was clear there was much work to be done. Several of the perennials I'd planted didn't return, so it was time to get back to digging, improving the soil, replanting, and attempting to make the yard/garden presentable once again.
I'm convinced my peace of mind is directly linked to the soil and all the beautiful blooming plants one can paint the garden with. This time of year, Tony can often be heard speaking of his "bucolic" wife... and muttering the words "The answer lies in the soil". Obviously the answer to my sanity does lie in the soil, especially this year! If I had my way, most of the yard would be converted into a fine English Flower Garden. Keeping a "lawn" is not very "eco" friendly, and far too much time, energy, lawn/weed mowing, fertilizing, airating, weed prevention and $$$ must be spent to maintain it.
A few things you miss
when your life is not blessed with
A GARDEN
- Conversations with Robins, eagerly awaiting the next shovel of clay to come out of the ground, in their never ending quest for a juicy earthworm.
- Elation at finding earthworms, and feeling "oh, so" thankful they're hard at work loosening up the clay.
- The sweet rich smell of warm aged compost.
- The warming sensation of post winter sun on your back.
- Bringing your lethargic winter muscles back into working order.
- Seeing your garden looking much more beautiful after a Spring God watering (rain).
- Watching the wrens, finches, and sparrows scurry around for nesting material, while singing their sweet little songs and chirps.
- The joy of seeing perennials actually return the next year.
- Squashing grubs! ick!
- Clipping your first assortment of home grown flowers, and taking in their beauty for days on end.
- Being able to walk out your front door and pinch off some fresh herbs to cook with.
- The smell of a tomato plant and FRESH home grown tomatoes.
- The ache of overworked muscles or strained tendons.
- The pain of slicing one's knee wide open, after lifting a too heavy bag of soil, then falling to the gravel covered ground.
- The smell of blooming lilacs, lavender, dianthus and alyssum.
- Getting up with the sun to work in the garden, before the rush and noise of the day begins.
- Waking up to a cacophony of bird song (beginning at 4am!!).
- Dispelling the artistic rule that only certain colors complement other certain colors.
- The reward of seeing all your hard work coming together in a blaze of color.
- The joy of seeds sprouting, growing and blooming.
SEMESTER WRAPPING UP:
I think I said that once before! Well, tonight is my final math class, and FINAL exam. Woodworking class ended last week, and Medical Terminology ends next Monday, after the FINAL exam. I'm anxious to see how well I did.
AUGUST JUST AROUND THE CORNER:
Although the month of August lies on the horizon, it seems like it'll be here tomorrow. I've begun getting my immunizations required for the Nursing Program (ouch), and must begin the Hepatitis B immunizations before we leave on holiday. Have to begin purchasing a long list of books (double ouch on the pocket book!!!). Must get a criminal background check done, and begin figuring out which bank I'll have to rob in order to pay tuition. (grin...) Hmmm... must remember to rob bank AFTER criminal background check..... LOL
THE THAI GATHERING:
Below are just a few of the thousand+ photos taken by our Abbey, while on their trip to Thailand. I'm still amazed by how much my girls have grown. Seems like yesterday they were my weeee little girls: toddling around the house; heading off to school for the first time; learning to roller blade and ride bikes; spending endless hours watching the movies Zanadu, Flash Dance and Haley Mills flicks; laughing hysterically while jumping on their trampoline; showing off their artistic talents, and then some. I couldn't be more proud of the two of them, and feel overwhelmingly blessed to be their mum. I love them both SO very much, and am pleased as peaches they were able to spend time in Thailand together.
Our World Travelers: Abbey, Lee and Megan
Lee, enjoying some fun and laughs
with the Burmese children at the SAW safe house.
I wonder who was enjoying the company of strangers more, Abbey and Lee, or the children from the safe house? Abbey and Lee were a great hit with the children. They brought with them all sorts of goodies for the children. The biggest hit was the sidewalk chalk! Everything in sight was covered in colorful chalk drawings, by the time Abbey and Lee left.
Sightseeing in Bangkok
My Beach Babes: Island Hopping in Thailand
MORE ABBEY STUFF:
Not long after Abbey and Lee arrived home, Abbey started a new job. Forgive me for not remember what company it's with, but after speaking to her last night (thanking her for my LOVELY lavender plant she sent for Mother's Day), it sounds like a fantastic opportunity! Best of all, it she's finally working with a company that respects her capabilities and values her input. Anyway, she'll be quite busy, from what it sounds like. CONGRATS ABBEY!!!
If you happen to be in the Raliegh area on June 9th, do plan to get your tickets to the upcoming CAROLINA ROLLERGIRLS bout. There'll also be a bout (RED, WHITE, and BRUISED) this Sunday, May 20th at 6pm.
6:30am, and I've been at this since 3:30am.... Must get more caffeine in my body and get to studying. Beginning to fade out. Much love to you all, PitterPat.
