NO LONGER A COLONOSCOPY VIRGEN

After arriving home from Boone yesterday afternoon, my final trip of the summer (YEAH!!! I'll be home for a while!), I began the dreaded preparation for the colonoscopy procedure that I passed with flying colors this morning. (no puns intended)

Yes, it's true--the preparation is far worse than the procedure. Even the frequent trips to the potty were much more bearable than having to drink that god-awful solution that sets the trips in motion. I chose orange for my GoLytely (a mis-nomer, I'm here to attest!) flavor, thinking it would add some sort of tolerable taste to the somewhat salty and nauseating concoction. That was wishful thinking!!! By the end of the third and 1/2 liter of the stuff, I was done! I could NOT bring myself to complete the entire gallon. In fact, the sight of the jug itself was in and of itself enough to bring about close calls of the barfing kind. (Never disclosed before fact about drinking the purgartive solution: My MD said this morning that drinking only half the solution is quite OK. Too bad I didn't know that earlier!!)

Anyway, it's all over, and I'm no worse for the wear....I do have to have a follow-up stress test since my heart rate dropped significantly during the anesthesia. I could have told them it would...it always does, but I'll do the stress test for good measure...Anyway, I am thankful that my innards are polyp-free....Must be all the good eating I do!!

The trip to Boone was good. I read my 2nd and 3rd Miss Julia books, hung out with Samuel and Eliza, went to Mom's family reunion (it was bearable), and saw my beloved Grandma Ruth--the real highlight of my trip. She has been failing a bit, but she recognized me right off when she saw me, talked with me, and smiled when I told her how much I love her. Her dozens (literally) of hummingbirds whirled around the feeders outside, and the site of the mountains from her yard was breathtaking. I vote for Pigeon Roost as my favorite place on earth!

Now that I'm home and the heat's over 90 degrees, I'm inclined to take a couple of days to rest before the last push to get things done before classes start. That's a thought that I'll avoid for a couple more weeks. Until then, it's back to the outdoors with the flowers, the critters, and the land...the things I like best!

HOME FROM PHILLY...

I'm waking up this morning to the sound of a gentle and much needed rain outside. I've decided to take a lazy morning since the trip home from Philadelphia was a bit longer than expected...about three hours longer, to be exact. (See the official blog vent that follows.)

The state of Pennsylvania gets the award for worst exit markings off interstates, particularly the PA Turnpike, in the nation. In addition, if one misses an exit, there is NO, let me repeat, NO way to turn around until the next exit, which might be 65 miles down the road. Therefore, when I missed the exit to Bedford, MD, Eliza and I ended up in Somerset, PA and had to take a winding back road through the PA /MD mountains that eventually got us to the road we needed to get back on our route.

Thankfully, the "scenic route" did indeed prove to be a truly scenic one. Along the way, we saw a series of HUGE windmills across the mountaintops in the distance, beautiful farms nestled back in the valleys, and sweet little villages with homes that looked like they were built in the 1800's. Eliza reminded me to breathe in the moment and enjoy the hiatus from interstate traffic, and so we did....

The time in Philadelphia was great...we simply hung out with Bobbi and Isabella and loved every minute of it...did some yoga and pilates..shopped a bit...went to the pool to escape the heat...took a couple of good walks with my camera...laughed and laughed and laughed...

It's good to be at home....hope to get to the Y to exercise later this afternoon....then to buy some groceries....After that, we might have an afternoon of movie after movie since it's too wet to mow....

Off to get the day going....The world's in such a mess that it seems like a good day to meditate on peace, so I send it everyone's way....

T.

PD: Photo from a dry cleaners window in Philly...I related to the glazed eye look after nine hours of driving...

A VISIT WITH DANA & JAMES

I absolutely love it when the farm family comes home. Dana and James just left this morning after spending two wonderful days here at The Farm with Eliza and me. And what a wonderful time together we had! - - - Thai food (prepared by James and Eliza)...good, long chats...a trip to the movies..time sharing photos...walks around the garden (when it wasn't "pourin' down the rain")...Most of all, time together!

Both Dana and James are immersed in the rigors of doctoral programs at The University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Despite the tremendous amount of time, work, dedication, and discipline that process requires, these two maintain a balance in their lives that includes having their hands in the Earth and maintaining a healthy, loving relationship. Keeping it together while both partners are in grad school is not an easy task, but Dana and James pull it off gracefully and thoughtfully of one another..Way to go, you two! My love and admiration for you both is HUGE!

When Dana and James are around, we talk a lot about teaching. I would absolutely LOVE to be a student in their classes. The teaching profession needs educators like Dana and James...highly intelligent, creative, dedicated, provocative, sincere, and caring instructors. Listening to them talk about their approach to teaching and their love of the process inspires me beyond words.

I'll have these two on my mind all day as I putz around the rain-soaked farm in the heat and humidity. It's too wet to mow, so perhaps I'll tackle a few weeds, mulch around the plants Dana and I set out, and read James's blog over and over again.....

Namasté......T.

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN, JIGGEDY JOG...

(What Papa always said when we got back home from somewhere.)

I'm back from Ohio..Loved being in Boone...Loved the travel time in the car... Essence of the trip: Hanging out with Papa and Petie...Breakfast and coffee with Samuel...An afternoon at the winery....Observing Papa in his frailty....Kissing his head in the morning...

Going to Lowe's with Petie to pick out zinnias for her flowerbed...

Reading bits and pieces of our respective Miss Julia books to each other...

Laughing at Mom getting tickled as she read out loud...

Surrounded with rhododendrons everywhere.... Spent a lot of time looking at them closely...

Farmer's Market....Saturday morning and lunch with cousin, Bobby....

To see a performance of Pilobolus on the ASU campus Saturday night...AMAZING !!!

By chance, ran into my friend, Geraldine Plato....soooo good to see her and reconnect....

Time with Papa and Petie.....

The photos pretty much speak to the essence of the trip.....

Details to come as I get there in my mind....

Love to all.....

NOTHING COULD BE FINER....
than to be in Carolina....

Just a quick post from the Watauga County Library in Boone, NC. I arrived last evening after a 5 1/2 hour drive down I-77 in torrential rain. I actually enjoyed the drive; I just took my time and listened to some great music that I brought along.

Woke up this morning with Samuel hopping on my bed. It is SOOOOO good to see him. Those of you who haven't seen him in a while would be really surprised to see how slender and "buff" he is now. This summer, he's spent a good amount of time on his boss's mountain bike, riding in the mountains around the winery where he works. This morning I went with him to pick up a bike that he has had his eye on, and he's already off on an afternoon ride with his friend, Kirk. He has spent the summer biking and reading, and he seems like a happy camper (who is ready to get back into town and start a new job at a local high-end restaurant.)

The mountains are glorious in their full summertime greenery. I hope to get out to do some walking on a couple of familiar trails I've walked all my life. I also hope to get over to see Grandma Ruth. The report is that she's having a hard time sleeping and stays rather confused. I just want to hold her hand in mine. I can't get enough of her love!

The Smithsonian Institute also holds its summer art programs on the ASU campus. The Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit is in place, and there is a Pilobolus Dance Troupe performance Saturday night that I plan on attending. The area is ALIVE with art and creative things....makes me think I'd like to be here in the summer in the future. Hmmmm....

Time's running out on my library computer. I hope to get some photos of the mountains to post once I get back to the Farm. Looking forward to a visit from Dana and James next week. Joe Davis and I had a short visit Tuesday evening...So good to see him....I love it when the farm family comes home!

Bye from Boone!

JULY 2006

It's a warm, breezy Sunday morning, and all signs would point to a scorcher of a day. There's a strong feeling of thunderstorms in the heat and breeze, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear some drummers in the sky later on today. When Samuel and Eliza were small and a little intimidated by the thunder, I'd tell them it was just the sky people pulling out their drums. Sometimes we'd pull out our drums and answer the thunder. What a sweet memory....

This month's Llewellyn Witches' Calendar notes speaks of how the vibration of the natural world is full of "sparkling, combustible power." Around the farm, the energy of dive-bombing hummingbirds, lazing dogs and cats, glorious flowers, a flourishing garden, and hay-covered fields is full and fertile. On a pesty note, the Japanese beetles made their first appearance this past week. Funny how they time their arrival when the plants are most luscious.I always notice them in pairs, enjoying a piggy-back ride...Hmmmmm...Wonder what they're doing??? Two beetle bags now hang from trees in the yard, just in case my suspicion is right on and the population begins to increase quantomly. Those suckers can munch through the grapevines in a matter of a few hours!

I welcomed in the new month by going down to the historic Blennerhasset Hotel and dancing to the music of the Swinging Orangutangs. It felt great to move my body and to be surrounded by many folks dancing. I LOVE being in the middle of a dancing crowd...makes my heart light and brings big smiles to my face!

I hope all who read this are thriving and at peace....off to the outdoors..

Namasté...

T.

(July calendar art: Jennifer Hewiston)