Photograhpy in the Rain

 I just never know what that daughter of mine will come up with next!! 

She came down for us to go to lunch. She didn't know it would be drizzling rain but a bit of water never deters her.

She knows I love my photography and now days it's not always easy for me to get out by myself to snap a thing or two. So, I get in the car (amid the misty rain) and she starts driving around our building. "Roll down your window Mom", she says. 

"It's raining", I protest.

"But there are colorful leaves to shoot... and fall flowers... come on, roll it down".

So, I roll down my window and have a lovely time of it adding some fall pictures to my collection. She knew that would make me happy, rain or not. 

Memories of a Move

                                                   Was it 24 years ago? Seems like yesterday! 

Our children had grown up and moved away, leaving me and Elbert alone on that 60 acre farm. We were getting older (Elbert was 69, I was 65), time to think about all the work of taking care of such a place, of missing out on so much of our grandchildren's lives. So, we packed up and moved closer to family. 

I can't say Elbert was too happy about the move. He thought he would be able to tend to all that acreage, the dozen cows, the dozens of fox hounds, make a garden, mow the grass ...

 he just couldn't see that his body and mind would fail him. Me... I was so ready to downsize, be closer to family. So, it was a tug-'o-war. 

The move was emotional, especially for the children who had grown up there. But, that move proved to be the best thing that could have happened. 

Within one years time Elbert was diagnosed with prostrate cancer (radiation for that). Then in another year I discovered I had colon cancer (surgery, chemo for that), then followed two total knee replacements for me and a diagnosis of Alzheimers for Elbert. That illness entailed 10 more years of constant care for him. We lost him in Jan 2011. 

Now, don't you tell me that God did not have a plan in place about our move. We never would have made it living so far away from our children during all that. I am so grateful for God's guidance when we needed it the most.  

Enlightening Moments

                                                         Lordy Mercy, where does time go? 

I've had some interesting and enlightning moments this week. 

1. For the first time since getting a walker (which I do not need except when I go out where the terrain might be difficult), I used it for my appt. with my surgeon. Oh, and btw, my walker is metallic hot pink.. thanks to my daughter. I told her I'd shoot her if she got me a hot pink walker. She's still alive!! And, I love the color. I am never at a loss for where it is! 

2. For the first time I used my brand new handicap placard! It made it so much easier for me to park in a more secure place and get where I needed to go without getting tired out. I fought getting a handicap placard... It was something 'old people' had to use. haha. Where did I get that idea? I am so happy I have it. 

3. I trust my surgeon 100% so when he suggested I 'tuck tail' and go back to see my oncologist I told him I would. I had quit my injection treatment for the HR2 positive. Long story and I won't bore you but if the surgeon says I should reconsider, then I will.

4. Went to a Health/Wellness workshop on Wed. I was already on the 'healthier lifestyle' kick anyway so that was helpful and encouraging. Here's my brunch plate this morning. 

a scrambled egg atop a bed of southwest blend of brown rice, quinoa, black beans, corn and Pabloma pepper. sliced tomato and sliced avocado. I squeezed lemon juice over it all. Yum.

5.It's been a rough year for me so I do sometimes get depressed and just want to crawl in a hole and let the world go by. But, I can't do that!! I have way too much left to do, to share, to enjoy. So, when I get in those moods I just have to crawl out of that hole and march forward. I know that I am not alone, that I have so many friends who are marching along on this journey with me. We gals gotta stick together.

6. And, as of today (Friday) I am preparing for a tropical storm to hit me. Haha. What next!!!! Well, I just gotta look at each thing, good or bad, as another adventure. So, the adventure aspect of this storm will be me trying to secure the items on my balcony so that they don't blow away. 

                                 Now for some fun stuff. 

I am counting down the days until Michael arrives. He'll be going on to Annapolis, Maryland to attend the boat show there. But... when he heads back home... guess what... I will be a passenger in his car heading south. I always enjoy visiting him so much and we got some plans already in the works. Will keep you posted it.