Flashback - 1967

One of my favorites. Isn't it amazing how songs unlock vivid memories for us? Even over 40 years later.

A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Procol Harum



We skipped a light fandango,
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor.
I was feeling kind of seasick,
But the crowd called out for more.
The room was humming harder,
As the ceiling flew away.
When we called out for another drink,
The waiter brought a tray.

And so it was that later,
As the miller told his tale,
That her face at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale.

She said there is no reason,
And the truth is plain to see
That I wandered through my playing cards,
And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast.
And although my eyes were open,
They might just as well have been closed.

And so it was later,
As the miller told his tale,
That her face at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale.

Flashback - 1968

The Queen - Aretha Franklin

Coming Soon

In two more weeks I'll be able to order new glasses & I'll be able to see my 'puter again, which means I'll be able to finally blog about some recent thoughts.

Coming Soon ... 'The incredible advantage of rebuilding your life one piece at a time', and 'Finding my place'.

Remembering Satchmo!

Especially for Deacon ...

Wonderful News!

Earlier this week I got lab results that said the cancer cells are gone .. yayyyyy! Today I had my port removed. It seems like the end of a long journey, but in reality it's only the beginning. It's the end of surgery (unless I decide to have reconstruction), the end of chemo, the end of the bulging port on my chest, the end of the cancer ride. But it's only the beginning of a much happier life. How can that be? I want to go out on my deck and yell to all my neighbors .. 'I'm clear ! I'm happy!'. I'm truly alive for the first time in a very long time.

Holy Father, thank you for restoring my health.
You have ordered my steps when I thought I was lost.
Divine Mother, thank you for restoring my soul.
You have whispered peace to my heart in the midst of turmoil.

Blessed Father, I searched for you in lofty places,
And found you within my own heart.
Queen of Heaven, I wondered if you existed,
And found you in the air I breathe.

Sunshine & Rain .. Peace & Nightmares

Last weekend I had the most wonderful time with friends in a cabin in North Carolina. Days with shopping the cozy shops in Boone & Blowing Rock, and viewing one of the awesome fresco paintings at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Glendale Springs. Nights were listening to the rain & sitting by the fire, cuddling, sharing philosophical thoughts, breathing in the quiet peacefulness.

During that wonderful weekend however, an old demon returned to haunt me .. a recurring nightmare that propels me into a screaming fit in my sleep. I woke up everyone in the cabin before I could get myself awake. Usually that happens when I'm either over-heated or over-stressed, and this time I was neither. I was comfy, felt safe and secure, and was very relaxed. The only explanation I can come up with is an explosive release of residual stress. I suspect I darn near caused a coronary.

If I promise to behave next time, can we go again ?

Please please please.

Holy Father, thank you for the love of friends.
Help me return the love I have so generously been given.

Divine Mother, thank you for the beauty of the mountains.
Help me see your face in both the sunshine and the rain.

Girlie Weekend

I had the wonderful delight of spending time with my sister & niece last weekend. We ran away to a cabin in the mountains of northern Georgia for a 'girlie' weekend. Giggles & shopping, wine & a fire (in the fireplace not the kitchen), cookies & quiet heart-to-heart talks, dancing in pj's & peaceful rest.

During chemo, we had talked about how much we wanted to go to Helen, Ga, but I wasn't sure I would ever have enough energy to do that again, at least not for a very long time. It was amazing.

I still don't have my full strength back, but I seem to be able to tell a difference every week. I have fuzzy hair and eyelashes, I'm making it through the work-day much better, and I've even been able to do a few things after work several days.

I'm rediscovering my faith and seem to be finding a new niche. As bizarre as it sounds, I am a much happier little girl since surgery/chemo.

Life is good. I'm excited about it for the first time in a very long time.

Holy Father, thank you for the refreshing of my spirit.
Blessed Mother, thank you for the calming of my soul.