TIME IS A SORT OF RIVER OF PASSING EVENTS, AND STRONG IS ITS CURRENT; NO SOONER IS A THING BROUGHT TO SIGHT THAN IT IS SWEPT BY AND ANOTHER TAKES ITS PLACE, AND THIS TOO WILL BE SWEPT AWAY.

MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATION iv.43

Last week I had a total thyroidectomy. It has taken me almost a whole week to get my energy back to almost normal but I am walking 2 miles every morning again (albeit slower than normal) and don't feel like I need to take a nap every couple of hours.

Today I saw my surgeon for my post-op appointment and it was an appointment filled with emotions as he told me that they found two nodules that had papillary carcinoma but that the good news was that they were very small, that they were removed, and that the cure rate for papillary carcinoma is about 98%. If you are going to get a cancer this might be the one you would pick. And, one of the "cures" was surgical removal. Done! I never wanted it but I am trying to "go with the flow" and look for the silver lining. Because I KNOW that there is a silver lining. In fact he said that because of their small size he would not even recommend that I do anything more as far as a follow-up treatment but that he would leave that up to my Endocrinologist and me to decide what course of action to take (or not). And so, life goes on.

My thoughts today are like the quote above: thoughts come to mind but are quickly swept away by another and another. I sunk in my chair when I heard the "C" word in his office but then I heard his voice telling me that we did exactly what we SHOULD have done: WE TOOK IT OUT! Now, that sounded GOOD. It was GONE. I feel relieved about that news. So, I received some bad news and some good news, in that order. It could have been the opposite way around.

REMEMBERING SUMMER'S BOUNTY

After seeing all the fresh fruit and vegetables on display at Pike's Place in Seattle, it reminds me to remember how fortunate I am to live in a land of plenty. When I am going through hard times (either emotionally, physically, or mentally) it is good to jolt myself occasionally to the fact that there is always someone worse off and in reality, I have it pretty good. I should REMEMBER to always count my blessings and be thankful for what I have because life is good and full.

MY FAVORITE COLORS

Walking around Friday Harbor on San Juan Island was a real treat. Store after store of fun things to look at and a feast for my eyes because I live in an area devoid of many stores. Sure, we have the hardware store, the grocery store, an auto parts store, a small library only open on certain days due to budget cuts, an antique store, and a few bars (why is it that there are more bars than anything else in our town?) But, a clothing store or a shoe store? Not one in sight.

We used to have one. In fact, I worked in it for a few years part-time as I was going to college late in life. But, with the slow economy and other things that got in the owner's way, the store had to move to a more populated area. It's a shame really. Now, even the bigger stores in our adjoining town are going out of business. Pretty soon we'll have to drive over an hour just to be able to purchase shoes and clothing unless you want to shop at Target. That will probably be the only one that remains open.

I was amazed to see such HIGH heeled shoes in a shop located on an island that you can only reach via ferry. And, it's a pretty hilly town too. It doesn't seem that these shoes would be very useful yet there they were: in the shop window, raised high on their pedestals, in my two most favorite colors: red and black. I have never owned a pair of shoes these high and I probably never will in my lifetime either. But, I know that there are those who do purchase and wear shoes this high. I admire the ability to walk in these and not look wobbly. I never could! But, they make me smile when I look at them and just might end up being framed on my wall in my bedroom. I guess that's about as close to me as they will ever get. Better on my wall that on my feet. I'm sure I'd end up with a broken ankle or foot or?

ROCKS----------------STARS

Today seems like such a strange day: from hearing about the death of "an Angel" to the death of a "rock Star". One can never predict what the future holds and yet we live as though we have a lifetime ahead of us each day when in reality, it could just be a second.

These rocks were on the shore at the beach we used while in Orcas Island. While I was wandering around picking stones up each day, it hit me: where did these rocks come from? Were they from some far-away land at one time and now washed up on this shore? What made one rock stand out from the other in my eyes? Was there something the rock was trying to tell me or show me? Some of the rocks made it all the way home with me in a bag. And some I stacked up one day in descending (or ascending) order (which ever way you choose to look at it) and wondered how many of them would be there the next day. Some of them would be washed by the waves, some would be knocked over by people who chose to look at them differently than I had, and some would remain there, perched on the piece of driftwood that I had stacked them up on until their time was over and they would be cast back to the water, destined to travel to another distant land.

Perhaps "the Angel" and "the Rock Star" are now among the stones of the many oceans and rivers in this place we call "world" or "home" or "earth". They are drifting now toward another beach, waiting to be picked up by someone who finds something special in them; something that makes them shine in someones eyes. We are never lost or gone forever; we are just rearranged on a different beach in a different time.

FRIENDSHIP

Hello everyone! I am back home now. I think that I did pretty well during the operation. I am a bit tender today but I'm on the road to recovery. I'll have to think about what to post (picture-wise) today because I'm sure you wouldn't want to see a photo of me today...hair sticking up in all directions, neck bandaged, etc.

I had a room in the hospital with a wonderful lady who turned out to be the same age as me within a month. If you didn't know better, you'd have thought we knew each other before because we layed in our beds late at night talking about our families and things related to us. We joked that we had one heck of a slumber party, pajamas and all. We just were lacking the popcorn!

Her name is Betty and her husband had passed away about 2 years ago, as well as her oldest son. It was very sad to hear her talk about her loss but she has learned to handle it and channel her energies elsewhere. Her husband was in the airforce so she traveled extensively throughout her life and lived in exotic places like Japan for three years. It was fun listening to her tell me about things in her life. I am constantly amazed at the places you will meet wonderful people. At the end of our stay yesterday she told me I was the best "roomie" she had had during her week-long stay. That made me feel great and she ended up getting released yesterday also. She was excited to be going home to see her goldfish!! She says that they recognize her and jump out of the water when she gets home! Isn't that fun? They probably know what a loving person she is. When I was getting ready to leave she handed B a piece of paper with her name, address, and phone number so I could keep in touch with her. And I will.

Friendship: it comes in all shapes and sizes, it takes all forms (letters, blogs) and you really know when you've been blessed. You feel the love and the warm thoughts across the miles. Thank you to everyone who was thinking about me during this time. I know it really worked because the doctor said that I did really well and hardly had any bleeding and recovered nicely. Just as I planned!!

I'm sending you all my favorite flower: the pansy. These were growing in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Washington and they were VERY happy there. I hope to be able to get some rest in and I will be reading all your blogs every day. You all will be helping me recuperate here in California. Thanks so much for your blog friendship. Even though I don't know any of you personally, I KNOW you through your blogs. Each of you has a different personality, your own style and character and I love you all for your differences and creativity. Like I said early in my post: you never know where you meet friends. I consider all of you my friends. We all touch each others hearts and to me, that is what is important.

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Yesterday was our last day on Orcas Island and it was such an incredible day! There was a farmer's market loaded with great food, flowers, arts and crafts. The town was really bustling and I am imagining with mostly locals. It was great to see so many people walking around town with their dogs and children and generally having a great day. And, to top it off, there was a Solstice parade at noon the likes of something I have never seen. Clearly the parade was "alternative" but that doesn't bother me. Remember me? I used to live in a 40 foot school bus while we were building our house and we didn't have electricity or running water. So, alternative really doesn't bother me at all. My daughter's call this group of people "granola" or "dome-ies" (named after the student at UC Davis who live an alternative life-style while on campus and their living quarters are geodesic domes. They raise their own food, ride bikes everywhere, and also raise chickens right on the premises. Naturally, they are free-range chickens. What else!

But, my point is this: the parade was incredible. I suppose that because they are so far north and experience many more daylight hours than we do here in the foothills a great deal farther south, that it is important to celebrate the return of the sun. Everyone was dressed in such bright colors, there was wonderful music playing (it ranged from bagpipes to drums to boom boxes) but everyone was definitely in a great mood. The weather was so perfect. A few clouds with great blue skies behind, a bit of a breeze, and at the end: the sun graced the celebration by putting on its own display with a corona, which, by the way, promptly went away after the parade was over.

There was music in the town center (I will post a picture later on this week and show you the town center...quite impressive with the giant timber they used for supports) and other sites around the island.

I am kind of sad to be home yet kind of pleased to be home. There is always a bit of melancholia associated with returning home after such a great experience someplace so unique. I would move there in a heart-beat if my kids lived closer. Somehow part of me thinks that I could not leave them. They are such an integral part of my life and I like it that way. But, maybe I should try it for a bit and see how it feels? Just maybe...

So, happy summer solstice to everyone. Here's wishing that the longest day of the year (today) gave you lots of time outside to accomplish what you needed to do or enough sunlight to be able to enjoy what you didn't need to accomplish but just wanted to hang out and enjoy some quiet time reading or gardening or holding hands with your sweetie! Here's to a happy father's day to all those fathers out there and to the lucky sons and daughters who actually still have their dad's around to celebrate with. Mine died when I was seven so the majority of my life has been without a father, although I had a great step-father for quite a few years of my life. He, too, has since gone on. I love you both even if you are not here to hear me say it. If your spirit is around, you will know that I do.

Tomorrow is the big day. At the hospital at 5:30 AM--surgery at 7 AM. I know I can count on all of you to send me good vibes and thoughts and shower me with healing thoughts as well. I'm sure I will sense all your thoughts and it will help calm me and assuage any of my fears. I thank you all in advance! Talk to you in a few days.

Oh---one last thing: the photo of the children carrying the world on the shoulders is great, isn't it? In reality, the weight of the world and all that will come to pass in the future will rest directly on their shoulders. Such a burdon to pass on to our children. Let's hope that they can come up with a new paradigm of thinking and be able to solve all the problems both enviornmental and emotionally. Like the bumper sticker I have reads: "When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power the World Will Know Peace". It's all good, Jimi!!! (Hendrix)

FRIDAY TRAVEL PICKS

TODAY I AM POSTING PHOTOS OF ANTHONY HOWE'S KINETIC SCULPTURES THAT WE VISITED YESTERDAY. THEY ARE DISPLAYED ALL OVER HIS PROPERTY HANGING FROM TREES, SUSPENDED FROM WIRES, AND ALSO THEY ARE SHOWN IN HIS GALLERY SPACE. ALMOST ALL ARE KINETIC ALTHOUGH I DID SEE ONE OR TWO THAT ARE JUST HUNG ON HIS WALL SPACE. I EVEN MANAGED TO BUY A SMALL PIECE THAT I CAN TAKE HOME AND PUT IN MY YARD. YOU CAN ALWAYS CLICK TO ENLARGE THESE PHOTOS IF YOU WANT A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT WHAT WE SAW. I HOPE YOU ENJOY. WE ARE OFF ON THE FERRY TO FRIDAY HARBOR FOR THE DAY. WE HAVE RAIN TODAY WHICH I HEAR IS MUCH-NEEDED HERE ON "THE ROCK", AS THE LOCALS REFER TO IT. GOOD DAY TO JUST STROLL AROUND A TOWN INVESTIGATING. INTO EVERY LIFE A LITTLE RAIN MUCH FALL!

THURSDAY'S ARTWORK TOUR

TODAY'S ARTWORK IS FROM SEATTLE. I'M SORRY FOR THE HURRIED POSTING BUT I WANTED TO SHOW ALL THE INCREDIBLE THINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN SO FAR. TODAY WE ARE OFF TO A SCULPTOR'S PLACE AT THE OTHER END OF ORCAS ISLAND TO SEE HIS PIECES.

WEDNESDAY'S WANDERINGS

THIS IS ROSARIO RESORT WHICH IS LOCATED SOUTH OF WHERE WE ARE STAYING IN EASTSOUND.



THIS IS MORAN STATE PARK AND OUR VIEW FROM MT. CONSTITUTION LOOKING DOWN. WE ACTUALLY WENT HERE YESTERDAY BUT I DIDN'T GET ENOUGH TIME TO POST THEM YESTERDAY.




THIS VIEW SHOWS A LAKE AT THE TOP OF THE ISLAND THAT WE WALKED AROUND. IT IS 3.9 MILES AROUND THIS LAKE AND WAS AN EASY WALK.

THIS IS A SNAKE WE SAW RIGHT BEHIND THE GARBAGE CAN. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT KIND IT IS? I HAVE NEVER SEEN A SNAKE THAT IS BLUE.

THIS IS A PHOTO WE TOOK OF THE LAKE WE WALKED AROUND. WE THOUGHT THIS STICK LOOKED LIKE THE LOCH NESS MONSTER.


TOMORROW WE ARE GOING DOWN TO THE GOLF COURSE. THE KIDS ARE GOLFING; I MIGHT JUST SIT AT THE CLUBHOUSE! THERE IS A POTTERY PLACE ACROSS THE STREET TO VISIT IF I GET BORED. WE WENT THERE TODAY AND IT HAS SOME AMAZING YARD ART. IT IS CALLED "CROW VALLEY POTTERY" AND IT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 50 YEARS. I'M JUST NOT GOING TO WANT TO LEAVE WHEN SUNDAY COMES AROUND. AND THE THOUGHT OF A 12-14 HOUR DRIVE TO GET HOME JUST DOES NOT THRILL ME AT ALL. OH WELL...IT'S WORTH IT!