by bluepinecones » Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:53 am
My friend who arrived here 3 July to start sorting thru her late mother's stuff has decided to extend her stay until next Monday. After a very slow, poor start at the sorting, we have made major progress the past few days. She has packed up more things to keep than she can possibly take back this trip. Also managed to donate a number of items. She has decided to dispose of a few larger pieces of furniture. I have a friend who owns an auction house; he is meeting with her this morning to see if he will take whatever. I'm so far behind on everything else, I decided not to go to her mother's this AM. (She is staying at my house.)
I start a round of tests this afternoon to see if I have a rare form of blood cancer. Some strange markers were found in an earlier blood test that are usually indicative of multiple myeloma or that one is at very high risk for it to develop. Needless to say, I am on edge about the whole thing. I won't know anything more for at least a full week; see the oncologist on 20 July - just lab techs this week.
After an unusually wet winter and spring, our rain was almost non existent in June and most of July. That changed yesterday. Two severe thunderstorms with high winds and heavy rain; the first in late afternoon and another around midnight. It did cool things down a bit, High 90s to low 90s and washed most of the dust out of air and off plants. We needed the rain but it came down so hard and fast, most was likely lost to run off. My gutters overflowed badly; one more thing to put on the "must do something about it soon" list..
It was quite pleasant on the porch early this morning. Fortunately Nicky did not go back out with me the second time while I finished my coffee. Within a few minutes, a large rabbit ran across the yard and shortly thereafter a big raccoon - nearly as large as Nicky. I know the raccoons prowl a lot in the night but was surprised to see one after daylight. Nicky would have been in a chasing frenzy had he spotted either of them. I worry that he will get something that could injure him. Sadly he did get and eat a bird last week. I don't know if Nicky is all that blood thirsty or it is just the terrier in him for chasing/hunting critters. Either way, I probably should have a dog with less inclination to chase things they might actually catch or live in an area with less plentiful wildlife.
Well I've been interrupted several times by the phone while trying to type this. Got to give up for now and accomplish something else before going for the lab work. Will check back in as soon as I can.
The only major handicap in life is a bad attitude!