Ball for Strength

And a trip back to Bremen!

Is there a better way to start a day?

Taking its inaugural beverage (with me at least)!

A happy new addition to my mug collection!

I understand it was handcrafted in Juneau!

How much is that cute kitty on the linen shelves

The one with the really bright eyes!

Sunday’s sickness.

Some of you may have heard that Sunday was not my finest day. I was actually beginning to understand why Richard was opposed to the idea of riding into Portland on a daily basis. Maybe road tripping was a poor choice of activities for me.

It is possible that I over did it on Saturday with the trip to Walla Walla. Or maybe it was the chilidog at the restaurant in Pendleton. 

Or maybe it was the tumor breaking apart and emitting creosote that made my body think there was trouble, so it emitted anti-creosote bodies.

Yes, my medical professional, Michael listed that as a possibility (it wasn’t creosote, but something that sounded similarish.)

Quite possibly my fever and fatigue was a good thing!

Yee-Haw!!! I'll take a bad day occasionally as long as there is a good long term outcome!!!

More rotating sisters

One sister leaves

And another arrives!

Roadtripette!

Time for a real road trip was short and there were a couple of other issues. Because I am on more drugs than you can shake a stick at, I can’t drive. And thanks to all the drugs that I am on, I often doze off. Which meant this; Karla had to do all the driving, and for significant stretches, Karla wasn’t able to think over the loud sound of snoring. This was a pearl of a road trip for Karla. She got to do all the work. I’d gloat about it, but frankly I don’t remember large parts of the roadtripette!

It wasn’t absolutely perfect, but I still had a great time! I hope Karla did.

Mt. Hood blessed us at our early morning send off. It would have been earlier, but one of Satan’s cousins ran out of the house and we had to wait for him to return.

We tried to have breakfast at Dinty’s in Biggs Junction to honor our cousin. But it isn’t a restaurant. I remembered that it was a restaurant 25 years ago, but maybe it wasn’t. We ate at Linda’s and we were happy.

The sign for Chateau Ste. Michelle made Karla quiver. We had to stop and bask in the glory of wine.

The Columbia River gave us quite a show for much of our trip. It truly is an amazing body of water!

The real impetus for this roadtripette was the Whitman Mission. Karla has been itching to see it since she studied it in the 3^rd grade. So we loaded up the mini-van and headed to Walla. Walla Walla that is. The town so nice they named it twice. This is a pond at the mission.

I made a friend in downtown Walla Walla. It was pretty cool!

And though I slept much, I did see a windmill on the way home!

A stop in the metropolis of Cascade Locks

A view of the Columbia from Marine Park.

An experiment in posting

I am, for the first time, posting from my laptop. (Or, I think this is the first time I have posted from my laptop!)

The picture is from Dalton Point, an exit from I-84 that I had never taken before.

This morning, Annie and I took the exit. It was less than exciting.

Let us not bid adieu, but just a fond farewell until we meet again.

It has finally happened. I have shaved what I had left. Okay, I didn’t technically shave it, as I used an electric device that cuts hair. I had said device set at .5 (in European measurements). So I have extremely desirable stubble.

And I have this righteous hat that makes me look 

terrific!

Our Adventures Today!

After a rousing round of radiation, Karla and I braved the Scenic Highway.

First we stopped at Crown Point and Vista House.

It was a dark and moody day!

But we even stopped to see Horsetail Falls!

I know, we lead such wild and unpredictable lives!

After

Another day, another couple of pictures!

Domesticated houseplants enjoying the great out of doors! I’m cool with it as long as they don’t start hanging out with the wild flowers. That would be nothing but bad news!

It was a beautiful, but stormy morning. There was a thunder and lightning show to go along with the colors.

Sorry, nothing earth shattering, just pictures from my boring life!

Before!

A day or two in pictures.

Tom and Max spent about fifteen minutes in a stare down. I’m not sure who won, or what the stakes were, but I was happy there was no bloodshed!

Among the great achievements of the modern era was my getting irrigation water to my house. As you can see, the water pressure is amazing. Why, I can water almost a full plant without moving the sprinkler a dozen times. Hallelujah, life is good!

I just love this picture of my statue of St. Francis of Assisi. (Oh, and just a by-the-by, don’t call him Frank the Sissy when Richard is in earshot. You will get an earful… even if you have to wait for the afterlife!)

And the lilies in bloom!

Day 21 of 37.

I still say that I am doing very well, considering the circumstances. I have few side effects from chemo or radiation. I am tired often, but I have learned to appreciate the art of fine napping. I am losing my hair. I trimmed the ‘stache back to the nubbins yesterday, and soon the hair on my head will follow. I imagine tomorrow I will cut it down, too. But I have this totally cool hat that I will wear to disguise my lack of hair. I am looking forward to that.

And the medicines are causing a little battle with constipation, while the cancer itself is wreaking havoc with the nerves in my arms, which is causing a loss of coordination and strength in my right arm. Yes, I am right handed, and no, I did not have any extra coordination or strength to lose. This is distressing, but they say I could regain portions of the muscle and dexterity in my arm.

And at the advice to two of my medical professionals, I am now on morphine 24/7. So far it is looping me a little, but I am able to function. I would hate to see me behind the wheel of a car, but I can walk out to the mailbox, as long as I have a map.

Considering where I could be at this point, I think I am doing more that very well. I would say I am doing remarkably well. But there is a long way to go, and the worst is still to come. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

It's so good having Karla here.

She takes care of all those little things I have been putting off.

Like doing the laundry!

And the ironing.

And even tending to my gold mine!

45 years ago today,

Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.

I know, I’m with you all. I thought it was Michael Jackson who invented the moonwalk, but apparently he just perfected it.

The Austro-Hungarian School of Moustachery

Not your mother's cookie duster, the Austro-Hungarian School of Moustachery promotes robust, healthy upper lip hair.

And yes, until recently I was a devoted member. I regret to announce that I have been kicked out of school, due to a wimpy soup strainer. I am ashamed.

You might call it an epiphany.

You wouldn’t be accurate, but it makes it sound really amazing and it does have some similarities.

I guess I think of an epiphany as a sudden moment, where the light shines bright and reason abounds and the chorus line joins you for an amazing song and dance routine.

My flash, call it an epiphany if you must, was not a single moment, nor was it particularly sudden. There were no bright lights, all though there were some semblances of reason. And trust me, no chorus line joined me for a song and dance routine. I tried to pull one off on my own, but I’m sure you all realize what a disaster that was.

Without argument, I think it is fair to say that my life has been on hold for a year and three months. Arguments could be made for a longer period of time. Hold the arguments: I’m not into quarrels at this point in my life. Nor am I into willing to deal with an “on hold” status. I am going forward full throttle.

One month ago I couldn’t have said this with any conviction or honesty, but now I can say I have full intentions of beating cancer.

Frankly, I’m going to kick its ass.

Kick its ass bad!!! Really bad!!!

MH17

I just read that among the 298 people who died when Malaysia Airlines flight #17 was shot down from the sky were 100 of the leading experts on HIV/AIDS. Of course, my heart bleeds and my eyes shed tears for the family and friends of each and every single person who died in the tragedy. The loss for them is wrenching, I am sure.

But my heart also aches heavy for the AIDS community as a whole. They have already lost so much.

And as one Australian researcher said, “What if the cure was on that plane.”

To whoever shot down that plane, I hope you are happy. And I hope that every time a man or woman dies of AIDS on this little planet we live on, another needle is driven into your heart. Rot in hell, you bastard(s).

Max and I played together.

He is such a good cat. He called 911 for me. 

The paramedics were able to patch me up almost as good as new!

Farewell, Elaine!

Broadway will miss you!

And so will I!

Crisis in the Gorge!

If one were to list all the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, one would be real tired of listing side effects. There’s infection, bleeding, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation or a combination of the two, difficulty swallowing, aberrations in taste, changes in sexuality, fatigue, hair loss, ad nauseum.

But for me: no infection, no bleeding, extremely minor nausea, appetite is still okay, I take pills to make my bowels move – I have no clue what they would be doing on their own, I can swallow with the best of them, there are no odd tastes in my mouth and I am pretty sure I am still gay, but I admit I haven’t had the opportunity to prove it lately.

That leaves fatigue and hair loss. Frankly, I have learned to love to nap, so fatigue is not an issue in my book. And I have an adorable little hat to wear when my hair starts to drop out. But, (and now we get to the crisis situation), it is my moustache that I am losing not the hair on the top of my head.

Okay, I have nurtured that little babe from a fuzzy caterpillar four decades ago to the robust ‘stache I have today, (or perhaps “had yesterday” would be a better way to describe the status.)

Why doesn’t someone just kick me in the gonads and let’s be done with it.

Rotating Sisters!

One might be tempted to say "Out with the old, and in with the new", but one might get in trouble if one said that. So lets go with a more generic;

Out with one sister

And in with the another!

Some might call it indentured servitude.

I prefer to think of it as sisterly duties.

6:00AM – Working the fields

6:30AM – Hanging the laundry

7:00AM – Domestic duties, including the dangerous and appropriately feared activity of vacuuming.

Don’t worry, every hour there is a 5 minute break that can be used anyway the sister wants! And we are usually done by 9PM! (And that is the editorial "we".)

Just hanging with one of the sisters.

One of  the Sisters of Providence, that is.

Heureux quatorzième juillet

On July 14th, 2010, Richard and I enjoyed Bastille Day in Avignon, France. 

It was magical!

Must See!

Get your tickets now! I'm sure the rest of the performances will sell out!

Road Trips:

For those of your who think the following road trips that I am suggesting are nothing more than thinly veiled attempts by me to get to all 50 states, you are so wrong. There is no thin veil involved. I am out front and blatant. I am going to all 50 states and you’re welcome to ride with me as I hit the last five.

Spring 2015: I’ve Gone to Carolina in My Mind. Fly into Raleigh, NC and spend a moment or two visiting the capital city, then off to the Outer Banks of NC, Myrtle Beach and Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA before heading back north in a more westerly route and visiting the cities of Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC. It’s 1,239 miles covering three states. I would suggest a 6 nights/7days format. An additional side trip could be to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and DOLLYWOOD!!!  YEE-HAW!!!

Summer 2015: Ring Around Superior. Fly into Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN and dash up to Duluth for the real starting line. This one is pretty simple. From Duluth will head northeast along the shores of Lake Superior though Grand Marais and Grand Portage, MN (possible side trip to Isle Royale National Park) and on to Thunder Bay in the province of Ontario. Zipping our way through such metropolises as Nipigon, Marathon and Wawa, we will eventually find ourselves inspecting the locks in Sault Ste. Marie. From Sault Ste. Marie, we can either opt to continue to hug Superior and return to Duluth or we could take a more southerly route through Wisconsin back to the Twin Cities! It’s 1,328 miles covering three states and a province. Passport is required. Once again, I would suggest a 6 night/7day format.

Fall 2015: New England’s Colors. This one I have worked out every detail of. Fly into some city in New England, drive around and visit all six New England states. See all sorts of bucolic vistas, historic sites and fun times. Then fly out of some city in New England. Although there is obviously still some flexibility in the schedule, I think we want to make it as long of a road trip as possible.

Spring 2016: I Saw, You Saw, We All Saw Arkansas! This one is damn near as thoroughly thought out as the last one. Fly into Little Rock, or Memphis, or St. Louis, and since this is a road trip, drive around for a while, making sure to see Arkansas. Really, that is the only purpose of this trip.

There you go folks! Sign up soon as seats are going fast! (And as these are road trips, and not sib trips, they are open to everyone, related or not!)

Yucca Bloom

With thanks to Beth for reconnecting me with the outdoors!

Harley-Davidson recalls 66,421 motorcycles

I'm sure you all understand that I am crestfallen. And in the height of my riding season!

No ifs, ands or buts...

Rock rocks!

Bethie asked if her driving made me nervous.

I was so discrete in grabbing the rosary from Richard’s belongings that I don’t think that was what tipped her off. And she didn’t notice my white knuckles as I grasped the armrest in the car. So, I’m just sure that wasn’t what gave me away. I’m betting that it was me screaming out “We’re all going to die” while singing “Rock of Ages”.

Hard to get anything past that woman!

We made it to Portland and back with Beth driving both ways. Day 12 is down, just a whole bunch more to go!

They’re forecasting a tropical heat wave for the upper valley.

How many days of triple digit temperatures do you think the Mt. Hood-Parkdale area will have in the next week?

I’m too tired for heat. I vote “Zero”!

By the skin of my teeth

I have survived another day. I spent a little time at work, did radiation, had blood work done, ingested a baggy of water laced with sodium for moister, more delicate skin, and other than exhaustion, I seem to be fine.

In 29 minutes, I can take my last round of pain meds and trample off to bed. Boy, am I looking forward to more sleep!

And a quick shout out to Abby & Steve!

Who undoubtedly have great plans for celebrating the day after their 8^th anniversary!

Sorry, I’m late, but hope you had a great anniversary, and enjoy the day after!

Sunrise

The start of just another beautiful day in the upper valley!

It should have been a quick trip to Portland.

But Beth had a $30.00 coupon from Kohl’s that was expiring tomorrow and she gave it to me.

I toddled at top speed to the entrance, threw the door open and grabbed the first employee I saw by the collar. “I want a list of everything in the store that is normally $60.00 and is on sale for half price. Don’t shake your head ‘no’. I know you can do it.”

I released the poor clerk and apologized. “It’s just that my sister told me I can use her thirty dollar coupon, which means I could get something that used to cost $60.00 for free. I tell you, it’s just like shoplifting, but I won’t have to spend time at a penal colony.”

The salesperson bolted. I’m afraid the poor being is still running these many hours later.

It all worked out. I bought a cute new outfit and a plate holder to display one of my pieces of Mystic Mud pottery. I spent her entire $30.00 coupon plus more. Beth paid for the balance. She’s never been to a penal colony and hopes to keep it that way.

Beth and I have installed a temporary clothesline.

Richard didn’t like clothes dried on the line. I do. But it was one of those things you give up for the greater good.

Sadly, you will note where evil and depravity have moved into the yard. Indecently handy to each other by my puritan standards!

They are so close that could actually touch in a stiff breeze!

Ick!  Cooties!