Interesting Times

 October 7.............I've had a cat scan, a visit with the radiation oncologist, a MRI done in great detail of my pelvic area.  The cancer appears to be limited to one area in the rectum/anal area.  Meeting with radiology on Tuesday to prep for a series of thirty radiation treatments.  There will also be chemotherapy given first and last weeks of radiation treatment.  My docs are all encouraging, but I am not feeling it.  I don't think it's the cancer so much as these difficult times we are living in.

 October 13........Most mornings I wake up in a state of panic and dread.  It's very strange, as I have no memory of dreams or nightmares.  Today I have appointments with radiology and chemo to map out a treatment plan.  Part of me is just annoyed at the whole thing; part of me is hopeful, part of me just says, 'Why bother in these times we live in.'  Part of me wants to curl up in a ball and hide under the covers.

Once I am out of bed, make tea, feed the birds I begin to feel much better.  I am registered for my mail in ballot.  But of course I will check several times to make sure this is true.

As always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Daddy Took the T-Bird Away!

Hares and Rabbits 

Had the colonoscopy on Monday and the results are not good.  Cancerous growth at the rectum.  Waiting for more results, but a  CT Scan shows only the one spot, so hopefully bloodwork will confirm.  Docs seem think it can be treated with radiology without surgery.  Have a radiologist appointment next week so we'll see grasshopper.............we'll see........

Meanwhile I feel like I have been hit with a ton of bricks and have only just begun to sort this in my head.  I may mention this on FB &/or IG but I will do most of my posting here.  Putting down in words does help me get perspective and make sense, but I  am not really up for a lot of weird advice. 

I haven't felt a bit of creativity until a few days ago.  Woke up this morning thinking about hanbuilt travel mugs and bunnies.  Perhaps a strange combo, but you never know. As always, thanks for stopping by.................*s*

PREP! PREP! PREP!

 Colonoscopy is scheduled for Monday Sept 28 at 8:00Am, which means Sunday will be prep day!  I don't know why I am in such a tizzy over this one, I have been doing these for twenty years or so.  And yet I have a VERY BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS ONE.  Perhaps it's because I don't have a lot to obsess about these days, more anxiety...?  And yes, I know the prep is the worst part of the whole procedure.

We are also expecting a major nor'easter this week end.  If the power goes I am not sure how things will proceed.  I'm going to put a call in to my doc to find out,    I will do updates for my own peace of mind.  Putting fears in writing helps calm me down,

As always, thanks for stopping by..................*s*

Fun! Fun! Fun!

FUN!   I use the word advisedly.  This afternoon I have my intake appointment for a long overdue colonoscopy. The need for one was the final nail to make me get my hip done, which has been a good thing. With my usual ability to find anxiety wherever I go I am imagining the worst outcome possible.  More on this later.

Labor Day was pretty normal.  Some call it the end of summer.  Me?  I think that is up to Mother Nature to decide.  Personally, my toes are crossed for one of our long, warm autumns.  Petunias at Thanks giving are always a treat.

Meanwhile the sun is shining and a load of laundry is waiting to be done............after I have another cup of tea and look at the flamingos.  Every yard needs some flamingoes.  

We'll see.grasshopper......we'll see........

As. always thanks for stopping by...............*s*  

Hello September

 Hares and Rabbits

Well, rabbits anyway.  The hares have taken a powder!

Wishing all a bounteous September.

As always, thanks for stopping by..................*s*

Bread for Lughnasa

 Yesterday was Lughnasa, the mid-way point between the summer Solstice and the Autumnal Equinox.  I think in the Celtic Calendar it marks the beginning of harvest time.  

I, however, continue to tuck in small pots here and there, because.......

I had some milk go sour so I decided to use it in one of my off the cuff bread making stints.  And after all bread making is a fine way to celebrate any season.  As per my usual enthusiasm I made a lot of dough, so decided to make half into a flat bread.  NO it is not foccasia, ciabetta or anything of that ilk....it's just a bunch of soft dough dumped onto a sheet pan, allowed to rise, topped with olive oil, salt and rosemary with lots of dimples because I like dimples.   It's very tasty, if I do say so myself.  The sour milk adds a nice background note.

I will probably cut most of it up into sandwich size pieces and freeze them.  I also made a regular round loaf for daily use.  I usually bake smaller batches in summer as our humid summer climate leads to quickly forming mold.  Moldy bread gets cut up into cubes and is frozen for stuffing, bread pudding etc.  Some year we have a lot of frozen cubes.

I bought another pot of sunflowers two days ago and SOMETHING is already eating them.  The culprit completely demolished a pot last year. I think I am going to repot and make some sort of cage for them.  I love feeding all the critters who come to eat, but enough is enough!

We are in for more clouds and rain this week.  Considering what many parts of the country are going through with wild fires I am not going to complain.  We live on the edge of state forest, so are always cautious about any potential for fire.

My hearts goes out to all those across the world who have had to evacuate and worse.

We'll see, grasshopper.............we'll see............

As always, thanks for stopping by............*s*

Brownies?

 I was reading Steph Blackwell's Comfort Chronicles (It's on Substack) where she is offering anew brownie recipe, which reminded me of the time my younger brother was doing some sort of cooking thing for scouts.  

This was back in the dark ages of childhood so my memory may be a bit faulty, but he decided on brownies as the dessert he would make.  My mother had an incredible brownie recipe so she oversaw the project.  Brownies went in the oven, mother had to go do errands but told him the amount of time they needed to bake plus or minus a few minutes until 'firm' on top. I guess my brother and mother had different definitions of 'firm' as he baked them for almost an hour until I happening into the kitchen told him I was pretty sure he should take them out.  They were not burnt but cooled to a rock-like consistency.  Needless to say none of us were interested in eating them.  But my father who believed that any cookie was improved for the better by being dunked in his coffee, dunked the brownie rocks until they softened a bit and declared the combo of coffee and brownie a hit.  I think my mother made some sort of sauce for them.  Not being coffee drinker I did not eat them, but others seemed to like them.

I always love it when others' stories remind me of amusing, happy times.  My brother did not live down his baking abilities for many years.

As always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*