I’ll Say It Again…

…and I will. Last week I wrote: As the saying goes: If you don’t like the weather in South Dakota just wait a few minutes and it will change. ¶ This past week we had temperatures close to 60º on a couple of days. Then it cooled off again. Today was close to bizarre. This afternoon my car registered 33º and it was raining! A short time later I heard rattling at the windows and we were having a sleet storm. Now the ground is covered with little ice BBs. That should provide for some interesting travel.

¶ The city provides retention ponds at various locations. This is part of the storm sewer system. The ponds keep the system from being overwhelmed in heavy rains. The pond at the Cancer Center has been landscaped quite beautifully. The hospital has provided pumps that recirculate the water using a waterfall. Rather than just sitting there and holding water the landscaping and waterfall make it a beautiful sight. ¶ Needless to say, the cold weather causes the waterfall to freeze over. There has been enough warm weather now that the water is flowing. The ice is so heavy over the waterfall that it hasn’t melted yet and won’t for quite some time but the water is determined and flows under the ice cap. The view is of a large quantity of water tumbling down and emerging at the base with a beautiful cap of ice hiding the whole process. ¶ One day it was actually nice enough to have the door open and enjoy some fresh air. The great hunter Sophia thought it would be a good idea to be a little wary. She was sorely tempted to get closer to her friendly squirrels, but ultimately thought better of the idea and decided to remain out of sight. You never know if those beasts will attack!

¶ Today I led a Quiet Day at the Cathedral for those so inclined to begin Lent in such fashion. The time goes by very quickly, I find, but the preparation for that is certainly time-consuming. I’m not complaining, but I find myself pretty tired by the time the day is over. It went well, from the comments. That is gratifying. I’m grateful that I am still able to serve in various ways.

¶ This was chemo week. Blood work on Monday revealed that all was well, or as well as it can be, even perhaps better. The nurses have a thing going now. It is a little competition as to who can get me in and out the most rapidly. There was not much waiting around any day that I was present. I have a standard that was set by a nurse no longer at the Center. Everyone remembers her and they are now trying to surpass her record. It is fun and it saves me a lot of time when I can be in and out in just over 1 hour. TUG, the medication robot, is still sporting her Valentine’s hearts. I suspect that she will soon be adorned with shamrocks. It is just one more thing that shows how the staff will do most anything to make the chemo experience the best is can be. ¶ OLLI classes have started up again. I took three this past week. Two of those classes will have continuing sessions in the following weeks. There are so many interesting things to learn and having the classes on Zoom means no driving. Most of the classes are 30 minutes away from my house. That means that classes on Zoom save me 1 hour of time just driving, plus the fuel, etc. ¶ Weather update: It is now snowing on top of the sleet which will make the streets even more interesting. ¶ Thanks for reading, for supporting, for all you do for others. Have a good week.