It has
been a very, very long time since I wrote in the blog for Circlemending (over 2 years, I'm embarrassed to admit). I have
submitted posts for a number of other blogs, but at the expense of spending
time on my own. This is a good time to change that . . . considering this "the sequel" to my "Circlemending Blog" (not to be confused with that "B" horror movie with Steve McQueen, "The Blob" - always a favorite for me).
As many reading this may know, my husband is very ill
(pancreatic cancer, complicated by congestive heart failure, pulmonary issues,
diabetes, and gastrointestinal complications) so much of my time has been
dealing with him and the various elements that are included in being a primary
caregiver. I have ended up with some physical issues as well as psychological
ones, but nothing life threatening, as long as a manage things appropriately.
Which I try to do.
So how
has life changed now that we are both feeling age in every joint and muscle (what
is left of those)? In many ways, not at all. We still argue about the same
things (but tire faster so most arguments are rather short . . . plus, we
forget what we’re arguing about within a few minutes, anyway); still plan to do
the things we have done in the past (but are always prepared to change plans
and directions – a trip to a museum may find us going a different direction,
towards the Veterans Administration Hospital in Loma Linda); we continue to
pray thanks for our blessings, but recognize that not all blessings are filled
with happiness and joy, but are opportunities to get to know “new” friends who
show up at the door to assist us with one task or another. And we still have
music in a very prominent position in our lifestyle.
We are
being very careful not to put ourselves in a vulnerable position, as far as
getting exposed to colds or diseases; my immune system is compromised by my
newly acquired asthma and my uncanny ability to “catch” any germ within a mile
or so, and Butch is on chemo so that comes with a danger to the immune system,
and the doctor has been very clear that he is to minimize or eliminate exposure
to illnesses by staying away from large groups of people in locations where ventilation
is poor (that would include airplanes, church, movie theaters, parties held
inside, etc.). So we don’t get out as much as we did but are looking forward to
the annual Folk and Heritage Festival in Glendale, Arizona on Feb 29 and Mar 1.
We will be doing some performing and a couple of workshops, but Butch will be
getting around on his electric scooter instead of hiking all over the festival
grounds. Everything will be outside so we are hoping for good weather and renewing
many friendships – albeit at a distance, if necessary.
I’m
excited to be seeing my friend and part-time music partner, Stefanie Eskander
(she and I will be performing as the String Sisters and are looking at doing a
program of camp songs). Our practice time will be minimal, but we have a second
(third, fourth, fifth?) sense of knowing what the other person will be doing
and we stop and start as though we’ve done the given song together for years.
Also hoping to see other friends and, hopefully, family – daughter, son-in-law,
a grandchild or 2 or 3 – making it a special event in more than one way.
So I
decided that, since my time is often spent waiting (for appointments or Butch's chemo infusions, mostly),
this is a perfect time to reinstate the blog and get into some music topics
that I have been gathering over my absence from this space. For those interested in how Butch is doing, I have a running "play by play" description at Caring Bridge: <
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