Adventure #2, as of Dec 31

Hi Folks,

Here's an update from my musings and activity from Dec 23 - 31 on this adventure back into PTCL-NOS.

Quotes I Kept in Mind Last Week:

"Dear God, give me wisdom, I am very much in need of it for this moment."

"I pray I am with you in the baptism of today."

Abe, many times a day

Thanks Yous

To Mom, my sisters Cindy & Susan, and brother-in-law Chris for making the Holiday Week so nice. And special kudos to Chris for a real life version of the Netflix show Maria Kondo - he doubled the free space in my garage. Just amazing.

Adventure #2, as of Dec 23

Hi Folks,

Here's an update from my musings and activity from Dec 16 - 23 on this adventure back into PTCL-NOS.

Quotes I Kept in Mind Last Week:

"Waking up this morning, I smile.

Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.

I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

"Life's what happens while you are making plans.”

Front cover of Winnipeg Free Press, sometime in 1974

Thanks Yous

To my Mom and sister Cindy (she flew in last week) for all the ways they are helping out. Day in, day out. And to the family and friends who send in notes to wish me well and mention they are praying for me.

Adventure #2, as of Dec 16

Hi Folks,

Here's an update from my musings and activity from Dec 9 - 16 on this adventure back into PTCL-NOS. Please note I have no intent to make people feel dismayed (some of you commented some of this is bleak - yikes). Life is good, in a 1,000 ways. These notes are about that sliver of existence that runs in parallel to that river of whimsy, that's all, and what has surprised me along the way.

Quotes I Kept in Mind Last Week:

I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust the sails to reach my destination.

James Dean.

Day after day, O lord of my life, shall I stand before thee face to face?

With folded hands, O lord of all worlds, shall I stand before thee face to face?

Under thy great sky in solitude and silence, with humble heart shall I stand before thee face to face?

In this laborious world of thine, tumultuous with toil and with struggle, among hurrying crowds shall I stand before thee face to face?

And when my work shall be done in this world, O King of kings, alone and speechless shall I stand before thee face to face?

Gitanjali, Song 76 by Rabindranath Tagore

Adventure #2, as of Dec 9

Hi Folks,

Here's an update from my musings and activity from Dec 2 - 9 on this adventure back into PTCL-NOS.

Quotes I Kept in Mind Last Week:

"My body is broken. But my life is still grand." 

I am sure many have said this - I cannot find one source.

It's times like these you learn to live again

It's times like these you give and give again

It's times like these you learn to love again

It's times like these time and time again

Foo Fighters, Times Like These (see two great videos: studio version; live version @ Wembley stadium.)

Thanks Yous

The parents of the Interlake HS Cross Country team brought over 3 waves of sumptuous food. Thank you to Margaret, Eugenia and Michelle. It all felt far above my pay grade. In a very, very, nice way.

Adventure #2, as of Dec 2

Hi Folks,

Here's a quick update from my musings and activity in the week ending Dec 2 on this adventure back into PTCL-NOS.

I have been in Southern Illinois at Mom's place since Wednesday for the Turkey Day holiday. Now, Mom is next to me on an Alaska flight winging back to Seattle. She will be "local" for the rest of the treatment regimes. Luke Skywalker had Yoda and Obi Wan Kenobi. I have Mom who is the Zen master I lean on, and Dad sending me stories and jokes from some place faraway, like Obi Wan. Everyone needs characters like this when they run headlong into a malady, no?

The past week was blustery, as my sisters, brother-in-law and I helped Mom identify the best 67 or so watercolors for an art show that opens in January at Southern Illinois University's Art Gallery. "My last show!" she declared a number of times. She's as artistically productive at 80 as she was 35 years ago. You can see examples of her work at www.marypachikara.com.

Quotes I Kept in Mind Last Week:

"Thank God ahead of time."

Father Solanus Casey, beatified in 2017 and 1 step from saint hood.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

The inimitable Prayer of Serenity by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr