Re: Chatting for

[Guest guest]

, I think you haven't been receiving messages because -- none of us have

been writing!

Break the pattern! Tell us what you're doing! This means you. And you. And you.

Any of you, tell us what your medical concerns are or just tell us what movies

you've seen! Are you snowed in? Do you have ice dams on your roof? (I remember

those.) Are you hanging out in Florida? Are you thinking of getting a pet,

getting pregnant, getting some ice cream? Have you read anything good lately?

Unless everyone has gone into suspended animation until spring time, there must

be something to talk about!

I'll plunge in and just talk, to get things started. Nothing below is important;

I'm just talking to encourage others to d the same.

Here, we don't have to be on-subject. This is a place where we can discuss

medical things -- that's by far the most important goal -- but we can also just

chat about how our lives are going.

My medical news is that I don't really have any news. For the first time in ten

years, I'm not scheduled to have labs for three whole months! One month is the

longest I've gone, before, and often it's been much more frequent. Prednisone is

down to 5mg, which is very low for me and which probably will be my permanent

level. (I take 100mg azathioprine, too.) This is all good. I seem to be losing a

little weight without particularly trying. The bad part is that, probably

because of the lower Prednisone, odds and ends hurt a lot more than they used

to. Pretty boring in terms of news, but wonderful from my viewpoint. I'm

determined to exercise, which I couldn't begin to do six months ago. Things are

great, except for hurting, which is really incapacitating sometimes.

Life where I am, on coastal northern California, is lovely this time of year.

Most days, lately, are golden and warm, as high as 85 degrees. Spring flowers

came out quite a while ago. I see wonderful birds and deer and wild turkeys (not

so welcome here). I keep looking for whales, but I always miss them. Then, some

days there are wild storms, with hail piling up on the deck and raging waves

nearby. As yet, we haven't had any electrical outages. We haven't been willing

to put out the money for a generator, but for Christmas I got some lanterns --

battery powered, solar powered, crank powered. So, I'm ready this year; I can

read in bed!. Past years I've spent many nights in the dark, saving batteries.

That gets old after while.

Last week our neighborhood Mammalian Mower team showed up. That's a few dozen

sheep and goats; they're herded where needed to remove grass in their sheepish

way, cutting down the risk of wild fire. They were about 15 feet from my window.

One morning I watched them wake up, stand and go to the center of the meadow and

eat a while. They they came back to my area, where there's a tree with a

low-hanging branch. They took turns -- took turns! -- standing under the branch

to rub their backs. They almost looked as if they were waiting in line. Then

they went back to the center of the meadow, where grass was greener.

Lately I've discovered I like opera. All my life I thought I hated opera. So, on

several Saturdays this year I've driven 20 miles to the nearest theater in a

tiny fishing community. I get there at 9:30 AM for the Met Opera live

broadcasts; they go on until about 2pm, with intermissions. The theater, which

was built in 1870, seats 170, and for some operas it's completely full, with a

waiting list. All those days have happened to be sunny. Afterward, I've driven

down to a nearby fishing pier and watched families fishing over the side,

fishing boats unloading crabs, brave people surfing in wetsuits, and a certain

bird, Al the Albatross, that's supposed to be in Guam but comes here every year,

for nearly 20 years. I get a cup of coffee and just stand there. Nice.

Last week the opera was Nixon in China, by , who directed that day. I

learned that he lives about ten miles from us, doing his grocery shopping and

getting his mail in our very small neighborhood. Now I know what he looks like,

so I can watch for him -- watching for his usual plaid flannel shirt instead of

the dinner jacket he conducted in.

I've been updating my Disaster Planning training for my area. We live on a major

earthquake fault, the San s, and when IT comes, we'll likely be isolated

for a long time. My husband and I were assigned new walkie-talkies last week;

the only trouble is that they tend to go off for no reason in the middle of the

night. I used to have a major role in our Disaster Planning, but I resigned

because I saw I didn't have the energy to be dependable. Now I'm feeling so much

better that I want to do much more.

Tonight I'll roast a chicken in a way that's fairly new to me; we like the

results a lot. You just cut out the chicken's backbone, starting from the top

and going down both sides of the spine. Then you pull out ribs and wishbone and

any big fat pads. It sounds worse than it is. I cut off the ends of the wings,

too. We put the chicken in a big cast iron skillet (easier to clean than a

roasting pan), and dash on some olive oil, lemon juice, and a bit of thyme or

rosemary and sea salt. For a five-pound chicken, we put it in the oven at 425

for 30 minutes and 325 for 30 minutes, or to 170 degrees. The chicken roasts

quickly and evenly, and the meat can be removed easily, neatly. Leftovers are

great. Cooking anything is a big accomplishment for me, in recent times. I used

to cook a lot, and very enthusiastically. Then, I found if I cooked I wouldn't

have the energy to eat, or to do anything the next day. My husband is away most

of the time; when he's home, he's happy to do the cooking and to make things for

me to eat while he's away.

I don't go places much, but next month is different. I plan to fly to Seattle

with my husband (he's giving a talk there). We'll be in Seattle three or four

days, and I'll probably see old friends at the conference, as it relates to what

used to be my line of work. I have hopes of getting to a glass museum in Tacoma,

but the timing may not work. We'll drive back, stopping in Ashland Oregon to see

three plays, staying in a B & B that's very familiar to us.

I couldn't possibly have done this until recently. A year ago, I went with my

husband to a similar conference, very small, at a beautiful place I've loved for

years (Asilomar, near Carmel). I paid for all my meals in advance. I went to one

wonderful family-style meal with friends and then I had to stay in my room the

rest of the time -- I was too tired to do anything else. Now, I feel pretty

confident that I can make this trip; it will be tiring, but I can do it.

Workers came out to look at our windows today. They're rotting. Agh. We're

hoping a warranty will cover some of the problem. It's not good!

So -- I've done my bit. Now you folks do yours! Write something! Liver-related

is best, but we'll go for any chatting.

Harper

[ ] Hi from W Va.

I have not been receiving any messages from the group and am not sure why. If

you get this email would someone please let me know so I can check my settings

to make sure there is nothing wrong?

Thanks the WVa hillbilly

LOVE IS IN ALL THINGS AND IN ALL THINGS IS LOVE

[Guest guest]

Hi loved the post. I remember you talking about the sheep. I think it is cute

that they stand in line waiting for the chance to scratch their backs.

I read about that opera you mentioned. Fantastic you got to hear it and that the

conductor lives by you. Sounds like a real interesting place to just sit and

people watch.

We live in Tacoma for 4 years and I loved being there. On the weekends we would

just get in the car and drive some where to explore. Lots of interesting areas

in Washington.

I am really happy you are doing so much better. Enjoy your trip.

LOVE IS IN ALL THINGS AND IN ALL THINGS IS LOVE

________________________________

From: Harper <flatcat9@...>

Sent: Fri, February 18, 2011 7:28:18 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Chatting for

, I think you haven't been receiving messages because -- none of us have

been writing!

Break the pattern! Tell us what you're doing! This means you. And you. And you.

Any of you, tell us what your medical concerns are or just tell us what movies

you've seen! Are you snowed in? Do you have ice dams on your roof? (I remember

those.) Are you hanging out in Florida? Are you thinking of getting a pet,

getting pregnant, getting some ice cream? Have you read anything good lately?

Unless everyone has gone into suspended animation until spring time, there must

be something to talk about!

I'll plunge in and just talk, to get things started. Nothing below is important;

I'm just talking to encourage others to d the same.

Here, we don't have to be on-subject. This is a place where we can discuss

medical things -- that's by far the most important goal -- but we can also just

chat about how our lives are going.

My medical news is that I don't really have any news. For the first time in ten

years, I'm not scheduled to have labs for three whole months! One month is the

longest I've gone, before, and often it's been much more frequent. Prednisone is

down to 5mg, which is very low for me and which probably will be my permanent

level. (I take 100mg azathioprine, too.) This is all good. I seem to be losing a

little weight without particularly trying. The bad part is that, probably

because of the lower Prednisone, odds and ends hurt a lot more than they used

to. Pretty boring in terms of news, but wonderful from my viewpoint. I'm

determined to exercise, which I couldn't begin to do six months ago. Things are

great, except for hurting, which is really incapacitating sometimes.

Life where I am, on coastal northern California, is lovely this time of year.

Most days, lately, are golden and warm, as high as 85 degrees. Spring flowers

came out quite a while ago. I see wonderful birds and deer and wild turkeys (not

so welcome here). I keep looking for whales, but I always miss them. Then, some

days there are wild storms, with hail piling up on the deck and raging waves

nearby. As yet, we haven't had any electrical outages. We haven't been willing

to put out the money for a generator, but for Christmas I got some lanterns --

battery powered, solar powered, crank powered. So, I'm ready this year; I can

read in bed!. Past years I've spent many nights in the dark, saving batteries.

That gets old after while.

Last week our neighborhood Mammalian Mower team showed up. That's a few dozen

sheep and goats; they're herded where needed to remove grass in their sheepish

way, cutting down the risk of wild fire. They were about 15 feet from my window.

One morning I watched them wake up, stand and go to the center of the meadow and

eat a while. They they came back to my area, where there's a tree with a

low-hanging branch. They took turns -- took turns! -- standing under the branch

to rub their backs. They almost looked as if they were waiting in line. Then

they went back to the center of the meadow, where grass was greener.

Lately I've discovered I like opera. All my life I thought I hated opera. So, on

several Saturdays this year I've driven 20 miles to the nearest theater in a

tiny fishing community. I get there at 9:30 AM for the Met Opera live

broadcasts; they go on until about 2pm, with intermissions. The theater, which

was built in 1870, seats 170, and for some operas it's completely full, with a

waiting list. All those days have happened to be sunny. Afterward, I've driven

down to a nearby fishing pier and watched families fishing over the side,

fishing boats unloading crabs, brave people surfing in wetsuits, and a certain

bird, Al the Albatross, that's supposed to be in Guam but comes here every year,

for nearly 20 years. I get a cup of coffee and just stand there. Nice.

Last week the opera was Nixon in China, by , who directed that day. I

learned that he lives about ten miles from us, doing his grocery shopping and

getting his mail in our very small neighborhood. Now I know what he looks like,

so I can watch for him -- watching for his usual plaid flannel shirt instead of

the dinner jacket he conducted in.

I've been updating my Disaster Planning training for my area. We live on a major

earthquake fault, the San s, and when IT comes, we'll likely be isolated

for a long time. My husband and I were assigned new walkie-talkies last week;

the only trouble is that they tend to go off for no reason in the middle of the

night. I used to have a major role in our Disaster Planning, but I resigned

because I saw I didn't have the energy to be dependable. Now I'm feeling so much

better that I want to do much more.

Tonight I'll roast a chicken in a way that's fairly new to me; we like the

results a lot. You just cut out the chicken's backbone, starting from the top

and going down both sides of the spine. Then you pull out ribs and wishbone and

any big fat pads. It sounds worse than it is. I cut off the ends of the wings,

too. We put the chicken in a big cast iron skillet (easier to clean than a

roasting pan), and dash on some olive oil, lemon juice, and a bit of thyme or

rosemary and sea salt. For a five-pound chicken, we put it in the oven at 425

for 30 minutes and 325 for 30 minutes, or to 170 degrees. The chicken roasts

quickly and evenly, and the meat can be removed easily, neatly. Leftovers are

great. Cooking anything is a big accomplishment for me, in recent times. I used

to cook a lot, and very enthusiastically. Then, I found if I cooked I wouldn't

have the energy to eat, or to do anything the next day. My husband is away most

of the time; when he's home, he's happy to do the cooking and to make things for

me to eat while he's away.

I don't go places much, but next month is different. I plan to fly to Seattle

with my husband (he's giving a talk there). We'll be in Seattle three or four

days, and I'll probably see old friends at the conference, as it relates to what

used to be my line of work. I have hopes of getting to a glass museum in Tacoma,

but the timing may not work. We'll drive back, stopping in Ashland Oregon to see

three plays, staying in a B & B that's very familiar to us.

I couldn't possibly have done this until recently. A year ago, I went with my

husband to a similar conference, very small, at a beautiful place I've loved for

years (Asilomar, near Carmel). I paid for all my meals in advance. I went to one

wonderful family-style meal with friends and then I had to stay in my room the

rest of the time -- I was too tired to do anything else. Now, I feel pretty

confident that I can make this trip; it will be tiring, but I can do it.

Workers came out to look at our windows today. They're rotting. Agh. We're

hoping a warranty will cover some of the problem. It's not good!

So -- I've done my bit. Now you folks do yours! Write something! Liver-related

is best, but we'll go for any chatting.

Harper

[ ] Hi from W Va.

I have not been receiving any messages from the group and am not sure why. If

you get this email would someone please let me know so I can check my settings

to make sure there is nothing wrong?

Thanks the WVa hillbilly

LOVE IS IN ALL THINGS AND IN ALL THINGS IS LOVE