My dear friends and followers.

I’ve received so many comments from faithful readers about not writing the blog each day that I’ve decided to write today (still not everyday, mind you) and at other sporadic times.  Soon most of you will begin to nod off because of the relative boredom of my regular days.

Today was exceptional and I feel it!  I may have been a little over ambitious for someone quite out of shape.

This day began with an early trip to the Farmers’ Market, a lively, once per week event during “the season” in Sioux Falls. I needed to go early because I had other things to do.  Even at 10 minutes after opening it was a gala event in progress.  All kinds of people, children, aged and infirm, hale and hearty congregate to see their friends and neighbors, have a cup of coffee, a bite to eat and shop.  It really is a wonderful community and one seldom goes without running into someone you know. I picked up my healthy veggies for the week from Seedtime and Harvest, a dear family with whom I’ve traded for years. 

Part of Mrs. Robert Brydon

I rushed back home to give a little direction to the two angels who were busy loading a pick-up truck with trash, junk, bags of weeds and other just plain stuff from the garage.  It is now very clean, certainly more tidy and accessible for cars and humans.  What a blessing.  

Took my shower, shaved and went to the Cathedral to celebrate the Bartlemas, the English corruption of St. Bartholomew’s Day Mass. A few us went to lunch so I walked from the Cathedral parking lot to the Washington Pavilion, and back.  This is probably farther than I’ve walked any day since my parole from hospital.

One bunch of amaryllis.

Upon arrival at the homestead I said to myself, “Self, why don’t you mow the lawn?” And then self agreed that was a wonderful thing to do on this extremely mild and overcast August day. Mission accomplished!

Although it takes 15 minutes to mow my lawn, I did discover that the hills are not fun to mow when one is not in shape. 

The front garden is amazing when Mrs. Robert Brydon, a bush clematis is in bloom.  Bees and butterflies love her tiny blue flowers.  It’s amaryllis time when they shoot forth with their lovely pink flowers. The weather the last four days has been exceptionally nice. 

Sat a few minutes to read the mail and finish the August 4, NY Times magazine. One of my friends and teacher from the fitness center stopped by to visit for a bit and it was suddenly time for Evening Prayer and dinner.

Pause to ponder why people are shooting off fireworks tonight. Perhaps in honor of Bartlemas Day?

One hopes they are not gunshots.  Saw in the daily paper that an incident involving two ladies and one of their male friends resulted in some gun activity two blocks west of me! Not comforting in the slightest.

Valley behind the winery.

Suffice it to say I am weary this evening.

It is I, at the winery, obviously!

Yesterday I went on a road trip with my friend Colleen to a winery in Vermillion SD. It was a beautiful day to drive through the landscape still all green from our excess of moisture this year and to arrive at this charming place, totally unknown to me.  My friend sampled a couple of wines and I tried their locally produced bourbon.  I passed on the purchase.  Way too sweet for my taste with a maple syrup finish.  We went into town for lunch at a local restaurant which has excellent food and zero atmosphere.  It is a very busy place. Avocado tacos were superb.  It was also move in weekend for the eager students at the University of South Dakota so things were happening, as they say. Lots of weepy parents and scared kids all over the town.

The days since I last wrote were nothing to write about then, or now. So I won’t do it.  I have been feeling fine, no nausea, able to sleep, hungry all the time. I am so grateful that I’ve had none of the side-effects of the chemo, so far.  Many say, “just wait, you haven’t crashed yet.”  I can wait.

Thanks for your prayers and emails and cards.  They are all precious to me and I need every one of them.

I’ll keep in touch. Promise!