It Might Be May…

It might well be May by the calendar, but the temps the last couple of days have felt more like October. After several pleasant days the mercury plunged. The forecast for overnight has been in the high 30s with not much more than 65 for the day temps with wind. We’ve also had a good deal of rain. I measured 1.25 inches one night. Anyway, I’m back to using the fireplace in the evening. It feels good to have the warmth. ¶ The “front door” birds are growing like crazy and making a big mess. Last week they just had fluff. This week the have all their feathers. It is unbelievable how fast they mature. I expect they will be leaving soon. I assume they will not clean up their mess so that will be left for me to do.

¶ Much excitement in the infusion center this week. I’ve written about TUG before. This is robot that the pharmacy uses to deliver the medicine. I guess there are two of them so I don’t want to cast aspersions on the well behaved one. The other, on Tuesday, decided to try to enter one of the larger infusion rooms that also has bed as well as the recliner found in every room. One of the nurses tried to dissuade TUG from entering but it was determined. After a period of pouting in the hallway it finally went on its way. ¶ The next day errant TUG went down a small hallway that has access to two restrooms. In the process it trapped one of the patients in the restroom with her IV pole and all. Not polite TUG!

¶ The following day TUG proceeded to the manager’s office, a place where it is not proper for it to go. This day and the previous, pharmacy was suffered to come and retrieve its beast. There is a leash which can be pulled from the lower front so TUG can be led where it wishes not to go. It’s amusing to see the robot obediently following the pharmacist back to its home. ¶ By Friday all the hijinks must have played out. TUG was very well behaved and quite prompt. It evidently got quite a scolding from its handler. It is quite something to see these machines traveling about the hospital and infusion center delivering their goods to the appropriate places (mostly!). If someone tries to enter the elevator with TUG, it politely says “I prefer to ride alone.” ¶ Extended TUG tales are evidence of the fact that the week of infusions is rather boring. One looks for entertainment wherever it may be available. This week I had company for two of my five infusions which considerably shortened the time. Just having someone to speak with makes the waiting and infusion fly by. ¶ All of my tests were good with no apparent causes for concern. I had some swelling in my left ankle but that seems to have righted itself without medical intervention.

¶ Friday was the celebration of the natal day. It’s really hard to believe I’ve been alive that long. Facebook suggested a fundraiser for my birthday. I opted for that to raise money to provide lunches for children. It was a blessing that my $250 goal was exceeded by about $1100. Thanks to the generous folks who donated to make a child’s life a bit brighter and allowed an old man to realize, once again, what wonderful friends he has. ¶ That’s about it for the week. I’ve enjoyed watching all those things planted last week grow. I’ve enjoyed seeing the weeds disappear, thanks to helping hands. ¶ Thank you for your concern, thoughts, and prayers. They are appreciated more than you will ever know.

We Did It!

Thanks to the help of a good friend, all those plants purchased last week are now part of the garden or in the pots on the deck. When I say “all those plants” that means more than 80 of them. It’s early for me. As I recall last year it was well into June before I was motivated to do the garden thing. ¶ Many of the plants are already growing and helping to make things beautiful. There are lots of colors, shapes and sizes which, I think, makes for an interesting display.

¶ There are also a good number of weeds which have been dealt with as well, again thanks to my gardening friend. It is truly amazing how those unwelcome things can grow almost overnight. In reality the main difference between a weed and a plant is its desirability. One wants the “plant” to grow. One does not want the weed to grow. They are both plants. There is really only that difference. ¶ On the privacy panel near the front door there is usually a wreath of some kind. The Christmas wreathe is an evergreen of some sort. Some of the seasons only get a bare twig wreath. The early spring wreath is twigs with a few (fake) flowers. I was about to change it when I noticed an addition to said wreath. A wren had built a nest in the bottom of the wreath and there were five tiny eggs therein.

¶ Upon examination the next day some of the little birds had hatched. They were basically bare naked with just a bit of fluff. In the following days the fluff increased and they had grown. One of the little ones had decided to leave the nest when his mother was not around. I was fearful of picking him up and hoped he would find his way back. Sadly, he was found in the flower pot below the next day so we conducted a mini burial for the poor thing. ¶ Today when we were photographing the nest all of these beaks (4 of them) appeared with wide open mouths. It is just amazing how fast they’ve grown. Mother has been very busy. Unfortunately for her, it’s right next to the front door so she flees for safety every time the door is used. ¶ Several birds have begun enjoying the bird bath. Sophia is quite interested in their antics in the water. The lilacs are in bloom and very fragrant. It is wonderful to see the leaves on the trees again. ¶ Last Sunday’s labors on the organ and piano went just fine. This Sunday I need to sing. Next Sunday I will play once again. ¶ Next week is chemo week. I’ve been feeling fine. Chemo week is not something to which I look forward. I’m so grateful it doesn’t bother me very much at all.

¶ It is wonderful to be able to get together with others again. All of those with whom I come in contact have been vaccinated. I still wear a mask when in a store even though many stores have taken down their “wear a mask” signs. Hopefully those who have not been vaccinated will get that done soon so we can return to normal life. ¶ Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts. I treasure your support and know it is lifting me up, keeping me safe, and filling my heart with gratitude. Please do have a wonderful week.

Blood On the Floor

There is nothing to get excited about. I’m just referring to a drop of blood on the floor in front of the dishwasher. Upon seeing it one wonders from whence it came. Upon further investigation I discovered it was my arm that was bleeding. Somehow I managed to scrape my arm. One of the things that comes from chemotherapy is fragile skin. I suppose it has something to do with the multiplication of skin cells. The reason for the hair loss in cancer treatment is the functioning of the chemo in preventing the growth of the fastest growing cells. Among those cells are cancer cells, hair cells, and I’m venturing a guess here, skin cells. I notice that my usage of bandaids has increased. ¶ We’ve had beautiful weather for the better part of the week. One day brought some much needed rain. The sun has been out. Things are growing rapidly, in particular the

lovely yellow flowers that pop up in the middle of the lawn. ¶ Monday’s road trip included a trip to McCrory Gardens in Brookings. This is a botanical garden in connection with SDSU. It is rather early to appreciate all the gardens have to offer but they do have a tulip show which was very nice. ¶ Following the inspection of the gardens, a stop was made at Medary Acres Greenhouse, a very large operation with many temptations. I was tempted and returned to Sioux Falls with an auto full of things to be planted. ¶ Tuesday and Wednesday and were occupied by other duties, so the flowers waited patiently. On Friday, following my Pavilion duties. the auto headed toward Iowa, to a locally famous greenhouse in the city of Alvord. If you’ve not heard of this metropolis you would not be the only one. Actually we never found the town but we did find the greenhouse on a dirt road. ¶

Said facility is huge and presented another temptation to purchase even more things to plant. It now seems that one must cease buying things to plant and actually to begin planting the things purchased. Part of today was spent doing that very thing. There is still much more to do, however, so there will be no leisure for a few days as I try very hard to avoid greenhouses! I’m very grateful for a friend who enjoys gardening and is helping me in the endeavor. ¶ Considerable time has been spent at the keyboard, both the 88 key variety of the piano and the 61 key variety of the organ. I’m to play at the Cathedral tomorrow. That has required considerable time. If one were to play weekly it would be much easier. In my situation of random substitute gigs, a lot of time goes to warming up and relearning some of the basics before one can even begin to practice. Hopefully, all will go well. A new crop of wheatgrass arrived this week, much to the delight of Sophia. She was so excited she uttered an exclamation began chomping away.

¶ I’ve felt well all week. No chemo this week and next. I am so grateful that I have these two week “rest” periods. This allows my body to repair itself somewhat from the onslaught of poison dumped into my veins every third week. ¶ Thank you for all of your prayers, thoughts, messages, and kindnesses. I am supported by them each day. I feel my plans have been made for the next week–planting flowers.

I Almost Forgot

Whilst going about my Saturday tasks, amongst which is the laundry, the time just passes swiftly. I finished praying Evening Prayer and the thought came to me—the blog. It’s Saturday and you write the blog! ¶ Well, here we are writing the blog. I mentioned last Saturday that I was going to be brave and attend the symphony concert. I’m very happy that I did so. Emanuel Ax was fantastic. He played the Emperor Concerto of Beethoven with the symphony and then the famous Chopin Polonaise as an encore. The crowd was ecstatic and it was fun to be with a group of people who were excited about something. One misses that no matter how many opportunities there are to experience performances on the internet. I have a very safe seat on the end of the first mezzanine row, and the others in my row were not present so I did not feel medically threatened. The symphony concluded the evening with Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. It was the concluding concert of the season and the beginning of the centennial year.

¶ I am truly amazed at the improvement in the symphony over the past years. It is really a delight to hear them. In my college days, music majors were obligated to attend all concerts, no excuses allowed even for illness. The symphony played in the old Washington High auditorium. That was trashed in order that the new hall could be constructed in the same space. The seats were of the study hall variety, complete with those desk things that could swing up upon which one could write. Needless to say they were not padded. ¶ The conductor of the symphony was shared with the Sioux City orchestra. There were a good number of amateurs who played—some well, some not so well. It was something to be endured to attend a concert. ¶ When a full time executive director was hired, and then a professional string quartet, followed by a wind quintet things improved tremendously. The conductor is shared, still, but now with the New York Philharmonic. He has been with the orchestra 10+ years and shows no signs of diminishing energy. He’s brought a lot of vitality to the ensemble. They like him and he likes them and it shows. I’ve been to symphony concerts in other places where it is very obvious that the orchestra despises the conductor, and it sounds like it.

¶ Along with the project down the street, the replacement of the water main. My neighbor to the immediate west is having a new driveway and sidewalk installed. Sophia reports that she is most unfond of jack hammers. She cannot get her necessary rest when that thing is making all its noise, and it scares away all her personal livestock which she enjoys watching from the living room window. ¶ The landscape architect produced the plan and the cost estimate for the project mentioned last week. It will be a tidy sum but I hope it will be worth it, plus I will have much less grass to mow. I am looking at it as a win/win situation. ¶ This was chemo week and I’m glad to have that over with. I’m tired and I did experience some nausea this time around. I did learn that if I take an anti-nausea med before I go and also receive the anti-nausea med that is part of the infusion, I seem to be fine. I will file that away for future reference. ¶ Other than that it’s been a pretty quiet week. We’ve had several bright days with pleasant temperatures. Today has brought forth rain most of the time but we really need the moisture. ¶ Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers They do keep me afloat. I appreciate them so very much.

The Project Has Started

Last week it was reported that there were considerably more markings in the area of those I fretted about two weeks ago. This week the “crew” got serious. It seems the water main is being replaced from 28th to 31st Streets underneath Holt Avenue. The signs were moved into place and the chunk of 28th Street at Holt torn up. According to one of the “victims” the project will take four weeks.

¶ In the meantime those afflicted are receiving water through rubber hoses attached to their exterior water faucets. Other houses, according to another neighbor, have no water from 8 to 5 on some days. ¶ A phalanx of mailboxes have been set up so that all may continue to receive the post. Some will have to travel several blocks to collect same. Driveways are unusable causing autos to be parked helter-skelter in any available location near or far to one’s home. Let’s hope for clement weather so this project may be completed on time. ¶ The current temperature is 91º on this first day of May. I see the lilacs are nearly ready to pop. In days of yore we were lucky to see them by Memorial Day. There is little trust in the weather patterns so wise gardeners still will not plant outside until the 15th.

¶ Last week I reported that my main helper was working in the garden. He put in seven hours that day and got everything cleaned up. Things look ever so much better with all the winter trash, leaves, and dead stuff neatly tucked into paper bags in the garage. They will patiently await their journey to the landfill. ¶ Tomorrow another friend will come to plant some Easter lilies and discuss other items which may be inserted into the ground, now or in the future. No word from the landscape architect as yet. Patience is a virtue. ¶ Thursday I had my CT scan for this period. When I met with the oncologist on Friday he showed me the results which are very good. There is no longer evidence of the lung lesions. The liver lesions are smaller and will continue to show up on the scans. He explained that the density of the liver will not allow the lesions to disappear. They may be dead but the organ will hold its shape. No other cancer appeared on the scans. It will be another 6 weeks or so before an MRI which will reveal what is happening in the brain.

¶ Tonight is the kick-off for the centennial year of the South Dakota Symphony. I am going to be brave and attend the concert. It will feature Emanuel Ax as guest pianist. I do want to hear him play. ¶ This morning there was a knock on the door and the young lad from a nearby house with whom I often visit when on my walk handed me a May Day present, a lovely little plant. What a sweet gesture and a heart warmer. ¶ I hope you have a pleasant week with more and more reminders of spring coming your way each day. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts and cards and messages.