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Friday, July 31, 2009 Heartsore I’m having a heartsore moment (writing this on Thurs, July 30). I’m not sure if heartsore is a real word, but it works for me. The kids and grands just walked out the door of our Sunriver vacation rental and even though we’ll see them this evening at a concert in Drake Park, I’m feeling the loss already.
I just cleaned out the refrigerator, stuffing as much as possible into our ice chest. (I haven’t figured out how I’m going to lift it into the back of our vehicle, though.)
and I will try not to think about saying good-by. Meanwhile, I need to go wrestle with a 100-lb ice chest.
meet the "phantom grandchildren." My boss, Peggy Carey, says I always talk about them and show photos, but they were never really sure if I truly had grandchildren. Now they know!
Monday, July 27, 2009 In the moment I’m sitting outdoors on the deck of a vacation rental home in Sunriver, a cup of orange spice tea steaming in the cool air, our oldest granddaughter bundled in a sweatshirt nearby and reading a book. The baby is still asleep, which allows the parents to sleep in a little, and our grandson is watching cartoons in the living room.
What a luxury it is to sit here – no office to report to and not a care in the world. If I put my mind to it, I could find a couple of cares to worry about. But I am not letting any worrisome thoughts anywhere near me on this day.
Sunriver is about 12 miles south of our hometown. With family visiting for a week and a tiny duplex, Gary and I searched online and found a reasonable vacation rental. He and I settled into the cabin Friday evening after work and our daughter and son-in-law and the grands joined us on Saturday.
We barbecued salmon and corn on the cob Saturday evening and our daughter made barbecued pizza for dinner last night – yum!
revenge). We’ve watched iCarly and Sponge Bob and the Next Food Network Star. And the oldest granddaughter and I walked to Sunriver Village for tea – Chai for me; bubble for her.
We’ve been cooking and eating and talking and laughing. Lots of laughter – especially at the baby who shakes her booty to music only she can hear!
Gary and I have to work the rest of the week, but we will drive here in the evenings, and then back to reality early each morning. And for this moment, I’m living in the present, feeling so blessed with family and hope and the unexpected fun of a vacation cabin nestled in the tall trees.
Friday, July 17, 2009 Extended birthday present You know those obnoxious kids who are given a treat and make it last a long time, much to the annoyance of their siblings who gobble theirs down right away? I was one of those kids.
That childhood skill, however, came in handy recently. As a birthday gift, my thoughtful and considerate husband (did I mention handsome?) arranged for an hour massage with a professional massage therapist, who also happens to be a good friend. And I came up with the brilliant idea of splitting it in two to make it last longer.
It was the perfect birthday – Gary even watched an old classic movie with me later in the evening. And the second half of my birthday gift is still coming up! Thanks, hon … you’re the best!
And thanks, JoJo of Zao Massage Therapy (Zao means, “To live, breathe, be among the living” … but it’s all Greek to me).
Saturday, July 11, 2009 River traffic We just spent the better part of the day with a group of survivors and caregivers. About 34 of us launched kayaks and canoes from the Sunriver Marina and floated lazily down the Deschutes River.
Mt. Bachelor shows above the tree tops lining the Deschutes River
The plan included a potluck barbecue afterward. I sat in the shade and chatted with a fellow caregiver, Mary, as we watched the activity – a couple of yard games in full swing, turkey burgers being grilled, people chatting around the patio table, the entire scene infused with laughter.
Mary leaned over and said, “It’s hard to tell who has cancer and who doesn’t.”
Which is precisely why we like hanging with this group, made up of DEFEAT Cancer attendees. Not because it’s my job to be there; not because we have nothing better to do; but because it’s always encouraging to be around people that are living well with cancer. And we are certainly blessed with an extraordinary group of cancer community friends that is doing just that.
Thursday, July 9, 2009 Munch & Music They say there are 2-3 events almost every weekend in our hometown of Bend, Oregon. I think it’s to keep the tourists entertained (although I don’t see how they could have time for art festivals or concerts or quilt shows when there are so many mountains and trails and lakes).
Sunday, July 5, 2009 Dealing with the paparazzi I’ve lugged our laptop in my backpack and am sitting in a little meadow overlooking Mt. Bachelor across Todd Lake. I can hear the shutter clicks of the paparazzi hovering nearby – no, wait … that’s Gary with his camera.
We attended a 4th of July BBQ yesterday in honor of a couple that got married on July 3 in a small family gathering. The groom, Al Huntley, is founder of Wendy’s Wish in honor of his first wife who died of colon cancer; the bride, Marcia, is a lovely 2nd grade teacher – the kind of person you like immediately. We wish them more happiness than they can contain.
college and high school classes full-time; teach a nutritional cooking course at Gilda’s Club in Manhattan; write more books; settle into a mountain-view lodge with access to trails and room for lots of guests interested in learning more about a healthier lifestyle – a cancer retreat center, of sorts.
Bottom line is, God has it all figured out and has already made provision. And our hearts are quietly at rest as we wait for open doors – whether that’s in an RV on the road, an apartment in Manhattan, or a country lodge with views much like what I’m seeing at the moment as I deal with the paparazzi.
Saturday, July 4, 2009 Midnight cruise For our anniversary, our daughter and son-in-law gave us a gift certificate for a midnight canoe trip. We waited until the local weather warmed up, and booked with Wanderlust Tours for last night. Of the eleven moonlight adventurers, Gary and I were the only locals (lucky us … I think the tourists were jealous).
When we reached the second lake, Jeff the tour guide, instructed us to parallel
Friday, July 3, 2009 Behind red doors I mentioned Gilda’s Club as one of the places we visited last week to discuss our survivorship message for possible use in their line-up of programs.
Rhonda was our hostess for the meeting and gave us a tour through the bottom two floors of the lovely, old building behind its large mullioned bay window. The rooms are tastefully decorated and comfortably furnished. The cozy lending library boasts of computers, and a kitchen has been renovated with stainless steel appliances and beautiful wood cabinets. There are large living room spaces … and smaller spaces where doors can be closed for privacy, the overstuffed chairs inviting long periods of day-dreaming.
The clubhouse is staffed with professionals who are trained in supporting cancer survivors and their families. Volunteers facilitate knitting and exercise classes, and art and writing workshops. I found myself for a moment wishing I lived in NYC just so I could volunteer to lead a weekly class or workshop.
likely to change their eating habits than if you simply hand them a healthy recipe.
We could pre-purchase the ingredients, show up a little early to get things organized, and then pretend to be Food Network personalities, talking about all the components for healthy survivorship as we get the audience involved in stirring and tasting. How much fun would that be?!
I can’t wait to e-mail Rhonda first thing Monday morning!
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