Saturday, July 3, 2021 3:13 PM

  Hello, hello! We're back, planted in our condo in Pitt Meadows. Just like everyone, juggling the fans around the house to the best position to maximize any cool draft! We sure did enjoy the clouds & the breeze of the last 2 days.

  We got back on Wed. June 30 from enjoying 5 great days on the Sunshine Coast. In spite of hi, hi heat temperatures, we enjoyed a couple of days: I won't say 'at' the lake, but 'IN' the lake, for hours at a time. Inland Lake, Powell River, perfect water temperature, our own private beach, with shade from tall evergreens. Perfectly relaxing, fully embraced by the beautiful environment of nature. Dreagonflies resting on our heads. One on my finger. If you can imagine, I didn't even mind the 'lime size' tadpoles all around us, or the occasional (I can't believe it) 'snake', swimming along the shoreline, freaking out, not me, but the tadpoles.

  We enjoyed super hospitality from a couple of friends. Really felt spoiled. So wonderful to ease up on the distance between us that we've had to endure for such a long time.

   It's day 3 of being home. Battling a little dizziness from blurred vision (side effect of chemo), plus (I call them football feet) 'pitted edema', which is very swollen lower legs & feet. It's a result of my meds being adjusted to bring my blood pressure up from dangerously low levels. After the day with the Aunties at Queens Park, I took my sandals off at home, to see very deeply sculpted sandle strap pattern in my feet. I took a photo & faxed it to my doctor, in case he thought I might be exaggerating. He called and changed my meds right away. So far, it's not made the difference I'm hoping for. So my walking is limited & I'm trying to plug away through it. The great news is I'm getting really good sleeps. Also, creative cooking without salt. Did you know that there's sodium even in milk? So far (don't be jealous) quinoa & roasted beet salad; broccoli, craisin, almond salad: & spud salad with sour cream, oil & vinegar. I'm not suffering for sure, and I don't have to worry about Larry stealing any. I even made mixed herb & a craisin cinnamon soda bread. Not too much sodium, one slice at a time.

  Don't know why (& I should stop wondering why) depression has set in. It comes and goes, and I'm so grateful it stayed away on our trip. Radiation starts in 5 days. I'm not excited, but working on accepting it in the most positive way that I can. That's kind of how it was before chemo, and that wasn't as bad as I wondered about.

 Praying for the people of Lytton who have lost so much, including family members, & who will be displaced for quite some time. We're looking for the best way/agency to contribute to, to help out.  God bless them all, as well as the many fire fighters, risking their lives for others.

   Grateful for the Covid restrictions being lifted, but still being cautious. Very thankful that churches are free of the strict limits we've endured for such a long time.

    I hope you're finding joy in the gifts that come your way. 'Taking time to smell the roses!' God bless you! xoxo