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reflection |
day in the life
Highlighting
the everyday life of a couple living well with a slow-growing cancer.
Life isn’t
always easy, and there will certainly be sorrows and losses
along the way. But being alive is good. It is very good.
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Sunday, Jan 30,
2011
Might as well dance
Hubby is a left-brained computer nerd. Played basketball and ran
cross country in high school. Likes to explore tall mountain
trails. But line dancing? I don’t think so.
And yet.
Guess where we were Tuesday evening? At Dance Central Studio
with a crew of cancer survivors and caregivers learning the
grapevine, triple step and jazz box.
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No,
this isn’t hubby and me since we don’t own
cowboy
boots, but
our line dancing is just as impressive. ;)
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And then Thursday evening you would have found us hula-hooping our
buns off – again with a bunch of crazy cancer survivors
and caregivers.
As if that wasn’t enough for the week, hubby and I joined yet another group of survivors and
caregivers yesterday morning on a snow-shoe trek in
Yosemite. No, wait ...
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Snow-shoeing in Yosemite?! |
(You’ll
have to excuse Mike, our fearless trail leader. Sometimes he
gets carried away with the PhotoShop thing.)
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Snow-shoeing on Swampy Lakes trail ... now that's more like it |
My co-worker and I are currently piloting a series of movement opportunities—a fancy
way of saying exercise without scaring people off—for
our survivors and caregivers.
In addition to the wilderness snow trails, there’s hula-hooping,
a Pilates mat class, and line dance classes.
Professional instructors volunteering their time at no cost
to participants. Pretty cool, huh?
Here’s what I think: The level of my ability doesn’t matter.
What counts is joining in and having fun and getting some
really great exercise in the process.
I like Dave Barry’s wisdom: “Nobody
cares if you can’t
dance well. Just get up and dance.”
Friday, Jan 28,
2011
Mexican-Peruvian
marriage
This evening,
feeling a bit adventurous, I ordered a Peruvian dish, Lenguado
– seafood
and vegetables in a sauce with quinoa on the side. Yum.
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Hola!
Restaurant |
Gary ordered a
Mexican dish that’s
been in the restaurateur’s
family for over 75 years
– chicken
breast simmered in a light sweet chocolate sauce. Of course.
Hubby’s
only disappointment? That there weren’t
chunks of chocolate floating in the sauce. Of course.
Photos and comments
from our Friday night Mexican-Peruvian adventure date can be found at
Family Seasonings.
Wednesday, Jan
26, 2011
Some attitude
Hubby says all cancer survivors should have an attitude. What
kind of attitude, I’m wondering, ‘cause there’s only so
much I’m willing to put up with.
A while back Gary asked his doctor how much time he thought he
had left – not so he could plan a funeral, but so he could walk
back into the doctor’s office at the end of his designated time
and say, “I’m still here.”
Now there’s
an attitude I could live with. No, wait ... I am living
with that attitude.
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Bill and Mary from Pennsylvania, vacationing in our
hometown of Bend
last week, also have an attitude. They are
card-carrying members of the Cancer Club and the
Highpointers Club.
To belong to the Highpointers, you’ve got to have a
strong urge to get to the highest point in as many
states as possible.
Bill has visited high points in 42 states; Mary’s
been to 36. |
Bill & Mary at the highest point in Hawaii
–
Mauna Kea at 13,796' above sea level |
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Bill sent a link to an article, The
Yellow Kayak, written by a friend of his, Howard McDaniel.
Diagnosed with a head and neck cancer, McDaniel underwent
surgery, chemo and radiation, but didn’t let that stop him and
his wife, Lyn, from exploring Alaska’s national parks – hiking, kayaking, and fulfilling their dream of visiting all 50
states.
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Kayaking
in Alaska (stock photo) |
“So what if I have a peculiar eating regimen?” says McDaniel. “I
am alive and personally I can think of plenty of worse things
than having a feeding tube in my belly.”
Some attitude.
Not all highpoints are mountains. Bill and Mary, below,
stand at the highest point in Kansas
–
Mt. Sunflower. At 4,039’ in elevation, Bill says Mt. Sunflower
is 800 feet higher than any point in Pennsylvania with its
Appalachian and Pocono Mountains.
Go figure.
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Bill and Mary at the highest point in Kansas |
Bill defines a true highpoint
not so much as an elevation measured in feet but “... the
elation one feels having completed a journey.”
Now there’s an attitude I can get behind.
Saturday, Jan
22, 2011
For the birds
We know of a place in the Cascade Mountains where the birds eat
right out of your hand …
Broken Top above a
frozen and snow-covered Todd Lake
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...
or off the top of your snow-shoes, whichever you prefer.
Snow-shoe perch
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To get there this time of year, you have to trek in two miles
from Mt. Bachelor. The good news, says Gary, is it’s downhill
to Todd Lake. The bad news is it’s
all uphill from there.
With temperatures soaring into the 30s on this glorious sunny
day, we were up for some good, old-fashioned outdoor exercise.
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After
crossing a meadow, the trail heads
back uphill to Mt. Bachelor
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I packed a lunch
–
chicken salad with celery, cranberries, and toasted pecans;
mandarin orange slices; and homemade granola bars, baked fresh
this morning with dark chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
I’d
have to say that the locals preferred our cranberries and nuts.
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The locals preferred our dried cranberries and nuts |
After all that effort, hubby says my cooking is for the birds.
See if I ever cook for him again.
Wednesday, Jan
19, 2011
The glass castle
She is in a New York cab en route to a party when she glances
out the side window. To her horror, she sees her mother—long
hair tangled and matted—digging through a dumpster.
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Recommended reading |
I just finished reading Jeannette Walls’s memoir,
The Glass Castle.
Walls tells of growing up the daughter of a
brilliant but alcoholic father and a free-spirited
mother who fancied herself an artist.
Walls and her three siblings were mostly left
unattended to make their own way. What impressed me
most was their resourcefulness and work ethic,
especially when they didn’t have that example in
their parents. |
I’ve always appreciated true-life inspiring stories. If
Walls and her siblings could survive poverty and hunger and
cold and lack of parental guidance at a time when it was most
crucial, then what hardship can’t I survive?
Come to think of it, what hardship have I even known compared to
their story?
The Glass Castle
is an amazing tale of the resilience of children who loved their
parents, and who prospered as adults even as their parents chose
a different lifestyle.
Recommended reading.
Friday, Jan 14,
2011
Friday night date
in small town America
There is a village just 18 miles northwest of Bend – Sisters,
Oregon, population 1,925 – snuggled at the base of the Three
Sisters mountains, each standing over 10,000’ in elevation.
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The
North and Middle Sisters, photographed on one of our
hikes |
The town of Sisters boasts the
largest outdoor quilt show in the world. And it’s
annual rodeo is billed as the “biggest
little show in the world.”
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Sisters Town Square |
If you’re traveling over Santiam Pass to central Oregon from the
valley, the highway goes smack dab through the middle of town.
At a crawl. And the Sisters Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t have it
any other way.
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Welcome to Sisters |
They put in a theater not too long ago. Green chalkboards on the
outside of the building list movies and their play times
–
printed by hand in colored chalk.
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Movie House - green chalkboard
marquee
to the left |
When you purchase movie tickets, you
can order pizza or a panini and they’ll deliver it to your
theater seat.
Gary and I caught a late
afternoon matinee
in this scenic town—True
Grit starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and newcomer Hailee
Steinfeld.
An employee welcomed the audience from the front of the theater: “I
think you’ll really like this
movie,”
she said.
”Great
photography and great acting. Enjoy the show.”
Have I ever mentioned that I love small town America?
Monday, Jan 10,
2011
Family seasonings
We are three generations of women with different tastes,
interests and geographical addresses.
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There’s our 10-year-old granddaughter Lilly. She
talks like an adult. She’s very competitive – likes
to earn good grades; likes to win games; has a couple of
karate trophies that stand almost as tall as she.
She watches the Food Network, enjoys cooking, has
even created a couple of cooking videos with her
brother Titus. |
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Granddaughter Lilly |
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And then there’s daughter Summer. Jersey housewife.
Married to her college sweetheart. Mother of three adorable children. A
self-confessed celebrity chef stalker. An aspiring
Italian. Member of the
New York Road Runners (this is the girl who hated
running in high school).
I taught her the basics of cooking at a young age.
Still to this day – she loves cooking, hates
cleaning up. Some things never
change. |
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Daughter
Summer |
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Daughter-in-law Denise learned to cook tantalizing
Mexican dishes from her grandmother. She is a make-up artist, has her
own NY cleaning
business, works side-by-side with our son Jeremy
in their
photography business.
Denise and Jeremy are organic semi ovo vegetarians –
mostly fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes … with
some poultry, fish and eggs thrown in for good
measure. All organic
stuff. |
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Daughter-in-law Denise |
Lill, Summer and D are all city girls. I am a Pacific Northwest,
give-me-my-hiking-boots sort-of girl.
Two coasts. Three generations. Four very different women. Yet
this in common: we are family, we love to cook and eat, and we
love to feed the men in our lives.
Check out our new food blog:
Family Seasonings.
Tuesday, Jan 4,
2011
Dad’s coat
I’ve seen photos of the old Victorian farmhouse. Three stories
with a basement and beautiful scrollwork. Abandoned as family
eventually moved away. And gutted through the years of its
cupboards, stair rails, windows, bathroom fixtures.
My dad grew up in rural Wisconsin on this dairy farm. Three
generations living together. He used to tell us how he had to
get up at 4:00am and put in nearly a full day’s work before
breakfast. We’re
talking hearty breakfasts here
–
steak, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, flapjacks with molasses.
My grandmother and great-grandmother fed the homeless
passing through if they’d help around the farm
(they were called hobos back then).
My dad and uncles went skinny-dipping in the creek when they
could sneak away from their chores.
Grandma gave her three boys to World War II. My dad was
stationed in France. One of my uncles came down with pneumonia
and died while in the service.
My father passed away not too long after my parents’ fiftieth
wedding anniversary. Mom was cleaning out closets when I rescued
an old army jacket and one of Dad’s
vintage coats.
Made by Plymouth of Boston, the tagline reads: Smart rainwear
for men.
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Plymouth of Boston
- new lining, original label |
I rolled the sleeves up and wore it until the fragile lining
fell apart. It hung in the back of a closet for a few years. I
always intended to replace the lining. Someday.
Someday
was this past weekend. I took apart the old lining, using it as
a pattern for the new, and sewed everything back together.
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Dad’s coat – vintage America |
I will always cherish this coat. Not just because it’s vintage
America (I love old), but also because my father wore it.
He was raised in an austere manner. His family didn’t
say I love you to each other. And that’s the only way he
knew to raise us kids.
But I am grateful for this hard-working man who taught my
brothers and me good work ethic, frugality and
self-discipline.
Growing up, I didn’t
always appreciate those things. But this I know today: I am the
daughter of a good man.
Sunday, Jan 2,
2011
Off to a great start
Eighteen degrees out this morning. Hmmm … do we stay by the warm
fire or layer up and walk the river trail? That’s
a no-brainer.
It’s the last day of one of those perfect 4-day weekends made up
of a combination of all the things we enjoy: playing outdoors,
touching base with family, trying new recipes, completing a
couple of long-overdue projects.
Playing outdoors.
That’s easy in our hometown of Bend, Oregon, situated at the
base of the glorious Cascades.
If mountains and lakes aren’t enough fun, there’s the Deschutes
River that flows through the middle of town. You’d think you
were hiking in the wilderness and not within city limits.
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Deschutes River trail in the middle of town |
Overdue projects.
I’ve been meaning to replace the lining in a vintage coat that
was my father’s. The machine stitching is done, but there’s
still some hand-stitching to do. Photos and story to come.
Keeping up with family.
Now there’s an interesting exercise. On New Year’s Eve, son
Jeremy and DIL Denise were in Times Square—along with a million
other people—to watch the ball drop.
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Christmas in New York |
And if that’s not insane enough, at the same time, daughter
Summer and SIL Josh were gearing up for a 4-mile midnight run in
Central Park. Crazy kids.
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Midnight
run in Central Park |
New recipes.
I adapted an adaptation of a Sunset Magazine recipe (did you
follow that?) to create
Granny Apple Bruschetta, a healthful alternative for those
upcoming Super Bowl parties.
We sautéed Granny Smith apples and green onions; added raisins
with a dash of real maple syrup and Dijon mustard; spooned onto
toasted artisan bread and topped with feta cheese and pecans.
Mmmmm.
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Granny
Apple Bruschetta |
Actually, any 4-day weekend is good in my book
–
no matter if we play hard or rest, accomplish things or not, eat
well or just eat on the run.
Already
–
the year 2011 is off to a great start!
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December 2010
Sharing your story
The night before Christmas
Christmas movies
Happiness studies
A year’s span
Stormy detours
Another black eye
Snooded
Winter play
November
2010
Adventuring
Feeling healthier already
Heart wide open
More fun than a grandparent
ought to
have
Private marathon tour guide
Choosing quality of life
Geese and GPS units
Thanksgiving month
October 2010
Knitting up a snow storm
Third time’s
not a charm
The verdict is in
Resourceful assignment
High school audience
Accidental tart
Pepsi ... or not
Custom cakes
September 2010
Hundreds of quilts later
Wedded bliss
Teach a girl to fish
Rainy day chili
Living fully
Photography 101
No drop in the bucket
Family of elk
Scenic route
Red rocks and blue falcons
Alpine hiking
August 2010
Outdoor town
Perfect weekend
A big little life
Once in a lifetime
Summer weekend
Take five
Twenty years from now
July 2010
Beauty in the high desert
Another shot at life
Happy Hour
Almost perfect
Enjoying the journey
Birthday week kick-off
I’ve become my mother
Bobby McFerrin + OBF
50 things to do
–
Part II
June 2010
Like what you do
Colorado wildlife
“Life
is good”
wisdom
Sad day
Rocky Mountain high
Cowboy sing-along
My kind of town
Please don’t feed the bears
Naming buildings
Low expectations
Heaven Can Wait
Because nice matters
May 2010
Don’t get to pick your
family
It’s in the bag
Only in Hawaii
Japanese-Hawaiian wedding
Meeting Yoshi
Happy campers
Gearing up for Hawaii
Hitting a rock wall
Love story
Oversized check
Extraordinary ordinary life
April 2010
Technology and pedicures
Idaho ranch hands
Blonde moments
Being in community
Live strong
Cutting edge
Florida in April
Easter blessings
March 2010
Heading east
March Madness
Welcome to spring
Half birthdays
Destinations
Most romantic bridge
Stellar team
Talent
Upgrading into the 21st
Century
February 2010
Uncles and nieces
Blue skies in Portland
The subject of
heroes
Caliber of our friends
Courage walking
Only in Southern California
Well trained
Diversity
Cream of the crop
January 2010
End of the tunnel
Disturbing the snow
Good things come to
an end
American mobile family
Get moving
Any excuse for a date
Much more than a sports flick
December 2009
All the facts are true
No-el, No-whale
Mountain snob
Going to Hawaii
Finding our own way
It's just a number
Seasons of Christmas
Civil War in the CTC
My life in France
November 2009
Empty cafeteria trays
A few of my favorite things
Counting eagles
America’s best and brightest
Thinking about
Large amounts of hope
Memories, milestones
Married to a very patient man
October 2009
Healing reins
Trail to nowhere
Above the fray
Knitting connections
Touching everything
Modern technology
Hot date spot
Red sock day
I got all my sisters with me
September 2009
Tenacious like a bulldog
Best years of my life
Now we should live
Across the high desert
50 things to do before you
die
Anticipation
Summer past and random
thoughts
Running to win
August 2009
Far cry from canned chili &
peas
Knight in shining armor
Berry-Peach Cobbler
Roller coaster rides
Celebrating life
Dan in Real Life
Ridiculous
Gift of life
Grant-writing retreat
July 2009
Heartsore
In the moment
Extended birthday present
River traffic
Munch & Music
Dealing with the paparazzi
Midnight cruise
Behind red doors
June 2009
Happy kind of exhausted
4:30am blog
Fat checkmarks
One of the benefits of cancer
Calm before the storm
Big picture thinking
May 2009
Back to the real world
Quick trip to the EC
Audacious living
Connecticut adventure
April 2009
Flat Stanley in Ory-gun
Baby steps
Four-day weekend
Soaring on wings
Sunbathing
C.O. style
Real men wear pink
Fun in the CTC
March 2009
Live like you were dying
Day jobs
Connected
CAN Cancer
The power of one
February 2009
It's official
Fun with the medical professionals
To my valentine
Moments in Jersey
January 2009
Leaving on a
jet plane
Scans ordered
Welcome to life
Insane residents
Back in high school
Engaged crowd
Out of the mouths of babes
Divine intervention
December 2008
Christmas
via webcam
A merry little
Christmas
Somewhere on purpose
Adventure and
romance
Celebrate life
Imagine
Men and menopause
November 2008
My Thanksgiving list
Thanksgiving
Eve
Roundabouts
How Starbucks
saved my life
Training for
Switzerland
Radio interview
Super colon
Thoughts on
being invisible
The speed of a turtle
October 2008
Obligation of
the cured
Cancer Adventures – the book
Blue and orange town
Hope Couture
First snow
Simple
pleasures are the best
128 quilts
September 2008
Whale watching
and kite flying
The new and relaxed Gary
The scenic
route
Packing the essentials
One step at a
time
PSA count celebration
August 2008
Frost in August
Reading list
Soaring Spirits
Checking in
9:30am rock band
Lingering
July 2008
Grand for a reason
Mickey Mouse
pancakes
Survivorship is all the rage
Follow your dreams
Birthday weekend
Only in America
Unrelated goose incident
June 2008
Geese
Road trip
Friday night date
Tough day on the job
Best dad
Confession
Light bulb moment
Homesick
Amazing volunteers
May
2008
Countdown
Extended family
Testing the limits
Trailblazers
The last lecture
Mother’s Day thoughts
Welcome to our world, Lydia
Personal touch
April 2008
Dispensing goodness
Cancer community – Part II
Cancer community
Barn
door analogies
Homemade soup day
Mice and tumors
Waiting room magazines
Weekend date
First entry
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