It’s Amaryllis Time, Again

 

Some of the 2020 crop.

I remembered posting a picture of the amaryllis in my front garden sometime towards the end of last summer so I went back to look at past blogs.  I was kind of surprised to find out that this particular pilgrimage began just one year ago yesterday when I received my first infusion of chemotherapy. 

I remember that the oncologist broke the news to me of my cancerous condition and told me that without treatment I would no longer be present on this earth in 3 to 5 months. I chose the treatment option and here I am 1 year later hardly the worse for wear.  It is not only the drugs that have made this possible but all of your prayers, good wishes, and moral support that has helped me along. With all of that I look forward to each new day and what it will bring into my life.

Given to me by my Parish several years 
ago. It's been on my deck since I 
received it.

Now those amaryllis in the front garden will remind me each year of a life-saving event. Though they appear to have died in the spring when their leaves turn all brown and beg to be trimmed back, every mid-August they send up their long stems and bloom profusely.  An old, dear friend would refer to them as madonna lilies. That’s an interesting title since we are celebrating the major feast of Saint Mary the Virgin today. It’s lovely to have that reminder each year.

My week of chemotherapy has gone well.  Wednesday the nurse was nervous about using my port because it appeared inflamed again. She contacted the doctor who, after a few delayed communications, agreed with her and ordered an IV instead. So I had to have that inserted daily for the rest of the week.  The port is more comfortable because one can use both arms. The IV disables one arm for the duration. Putting on headphones must be a true comedy act accomplishing it with one hand and arm. An antibiotic has been added to my menu in order to clear up the infection, if there is one.  If it’s not that then further study will be needed to find out what is triggering the allergic reaction. Given the side effects many have whilst enduring chemotherapy this is really, really minor.

The park visitation score is up to 57 out of 80.  I do have to admit that I am experiencing parts of the city I did not even know we had! Navigation in the car is invaluable when one is in totally foreign territory and hasn’t a clue as to pinpointing the location.

Reading the historical markers in several of the parks has been very interesting.  I’m very happy the County Historical Foundation has put these up.  Today I learned about a journey some Native Americans made from the Niobrara finally ending up in the Flandreau vicinity.  One very aged lady had walked 90 miles in a few days and could finally go no further.  She froze to death during a blizzard in what is now the Hayward Area of Sioux Falls.  

From this vantage point Sophia
manages the goings on in 
the front garden.

I also learned that the part of the city known as West Sioux Falls was the creation of the first president of the University of Sioux Falls who bought the land in hopes of selling lots to home builders. He then used the profits to help out the ailing institution which was strapped for funds. A few of the first buildings including Beulah Baptist Church are still standing 100+ years later.

Last Sunday evening as the trash bin was being hauled to curbside in preparation for Monday’s collection there was a very loud crash. It turned out that one part of the two-trunk tree at the back of a neighbor’s property decided to not stand up anymore.  In its progress toward earth it took out a part of the neighbor’s fence and ended up with its topmost branches on the deck of the group home next to their back garden. Excitement in the neighborhood that was not gunshots for a change. Ufda!

That’s about all that’s gone on around here for this week.  Again, I am grateful for all you do for me.  Thank you.