A Reprieve

The doctor gave me a 2 day hiatus to let my body rest up from the ravages of the radiation. So now I don't have to worry about going out in the "storm". Will resume treatment on Thursday if all is clear.

6 More to go

There are only 6 more treatments to go. Today is the last one to affect my underarms. Then the healing begins. The five treatments are what they call boosters, they concentrate on where the cancer was removed. So next Monday should be my last treatment, but if the forecasted snow storm hits Wednesday, I will probably miss that day and have the treatment extend one more day.

Carving Thursday

During carving class yesterday, we learned that one of our carvers had to have surgery on the wrist that he cut while carving the week before. Ed was holding a chunk of wood in one hand and using a gouge with the other lost control and jabbed himself in the wrist. Keith took him to the emergency room because it was bleeding pretty bad. Evidently he damaged a nerve and will not be carving for at least six months. He is not a rookie and should have known better, but we all do stupid things while carving.  Hope he heals up quickly.

The sun is shining today! What a glorious sight. Maybe it will chase away the mid-winter blues that many are suffering. 

Nothing New

There is nothing new, just tired of looking at the blow-up Bear. I'm still doing radiation therapy; today was day 25 of 33. My armpits are taking a real beating with this stuff. They are real brown and are sore. They gave me a new salve to put on which I hope helps. It does so far, I just put some on a half hour ago and it does feel better.
I got a mailing today from Phil's Friends. On the front was a hand drawn picture of a snowman. It said what do you call an old snowman? Answer......water. It also said God is watching over you. And it was signed by Joshua from Gloria Dei School an 11 year old sixth grader. Very nice.

Da Bears

I don't know if this guy was a patient or what, but he was standing in the Doctor's waiting room and all of the employees were wearing Bear shirts.

The Wolf Head

This guy is done. Up above the fireplace he goes to keep the tiger head company. He is about 10 inches tall and 7 inches wide.

More Than Half Way

Today was my 18th radiation treatment. That is more than half way through my prescribed treatments - 33.

We had an LWML meeting that I had to leave early to go to the cancer center.  I don't think I missed much although I did miss the "coffee and" that was served after the meeting. Oh well, I really don't need the calories.

The wolf head is finished except for a few coats of lacquer. Pictures to follow. Working on another wood spirit and some more little people.

Woodcarving Class

Class starts up tomorrow after the Christmas holidays. I still have to finish painting the wolf's head, just need a span of time to work on it. I finished carving the little guy I started in the last class and completed two others. I'm taking a chunk of cottonwood bark to class tomorrow as I want to carve another wood spirit that I will have on hand for the next silent auction whenever that will be. 

Pot Luck Lunch

Today we had a pot luck lunch at Church that preceded a voters meeting. There was a big variety of food, from pasta salad, to cold cuts,  to little hot dogs, lots of hot pasta dishes and my Swedish Meatballs. Actually they weren't mine, I bought them at Ikea (2.5 pounds for $7) and the gravy which comes in a pouch and you add water and cream. They were very, very good. We had a good turnout and hashed through a few issues that needed decisions made.

Attention Suz and April!

I asked a bird question a couple of days ago and Robin, Elena and I are waiting for an answer. What kind of bird is it that swarms onto our house and trees and yard? Someone said they are Starlings, but I don't think so. They are brownish black and medium size as far as birds go. I thought for sure one of you would know the species.

Nature Lovers Question?

What kind of bird are the ones who move in flocks? They are not really large and are brownish black. When the swarm on my deck and yard, I think of Alfred Hitchcock's "Birds". Not one of my favorite movies since I can't stand the flutter of birds by my head.

The New Year

Started out quiet and peaceful. Hope it stays that way, at my age I don't need too much excitement.  The Christmas tree is still up. I'll take it down this week and the outdoor stuff before the weather turns colder. I started painting the wolf's head, sometimes I think the painting part is harder than the actual carving although carving in all the hairs takes time too. Hope to have it done before class which starts back up on the 13th.