Rough Times

Sunday was okay.  I sang again in the choir, this time with Mary Gorton, and that was fun.  I think it was the best I sang and I hope to continue if my health permits.  I am still having problems with my eyesight.  That situation is getting worse.  My left ankle is still stiff and swollen.  I did get to ride my bike and do my knee exercises, but my breathing is still bothering me.  It doesn’t seem to matter too much if I use the nebulizer or just several puffs albuterol spray.  I wake up coughing around 3 and though I get back to sleep pretty quickly, I certainly am not getting a restful night’s sleep.  My breasts are still very sensitive also.  And I kind of feel listless.  I helped Mary with more packing and she appreciated that.  Jeff got in touch and I told him my situation and I said I would get in touch when I was feeling better.   I had a nice chat with Kelly about all the political stuff going on and she may come to visit after Christmas. 

Monday was okay with knee exercises, a bike ride for 40 minutes, helping Mary pack some more and taking her out to lunch at Olive Garden and then to Lowes for some packing supplies.  Holy Spirit group was okay and I enjoyed singing some of the songs. 

Tuesday was another listless morning but some knee exercises and then I headed in for my blood test with a new temporary woman named Tessa, who was very nice.   After a nice breakfast I went out to play golf and shot a 99 for 18 holes (now hitting from 175 and 275 because of my health and the jacket I was wearing.  I tried to contact Dave and Judy and will try again tomorrow.  I didn’t call Mary and it was nice to have a break.  I sang 3 of the new songs and I hope to be ready for Sunday.  I also took a 40 minute bike ride in the outside Perry street parking area and that was fun as I listened to my music.  I am going to see Rob on Thursday since my health issues aren’t getting any better.  I pushed myself to do my weights and yoga so I did get a lot of activity in even though I was not feeling great.   

Bad Night, Decent Day

Saturday worked out okay although I had an awful night sleeping.  I took a single puff at about 12:30 and woke at around 3 coughing a lot.  I had to use the nebulizer and that helped me get to sleep at 4.  I woke pretty tired and it was really tough to get going.  I am not getting much better if at all.  I did drive over to pick up my meds at Walmart and then I decided to see if I could play golf again (haven't played in almost three weeks) and I played okay even though I shot from 175 on the par 4s and 275 on the par 5s.  I ended up shooting a 7 over for 18 holes and my goal was a 13 over so overall it was a nice time.  I drove back home and watched the opening of the Alabama Auburn game and then Mary called and asked me to come over to help a bit and to just hang out and I enjoyed that.  I am really going to miss her.  I then drove over to ride my bike around the Tech campus and that was fun even though I was somewhat tired but I did do a 40 minute ride.  I then headed to Kroger for some supplies and then headed home to watch more of the Alabama Auburn game and have a big bowl of mixed veggies and then wash all the dishes.  I am not sure if I will have the energy to do my weights and yoga but I will give it a try. 

A Pretty Decent Day

Friday turned out to be a pretty good day.  I got up early and went to Our Daily Bread and got a quiche and a loaf of 12 grain bread, then returned home to do my knee exercises.  I then got ready and drove in to meet my kayak friend for lunch, then I headed back and sold my coin collection for 80 dollars, which I can use right now.  I stopped at Our Daily Bread and got a loaf of Olive Rosemary bread, then I headed back and rode my bike for thirty five minutes before taking a good nap then heading over to Glenda’s for dinner.  I gave Daniel the suitcase I had and he appreciated it.  I had a nice chat with Candi and Daisy and then I washed a lot of plates to help out.  The food was again terrific.  I drove back home and took a thirty minute walk before heading in and watching the Tech game.  I did a full set of weights and yoga and that felt pretty good.  I was not too anxious all day and that was a very pleasant relief.    

Things are pretty bad

Tuesday turned out to be a pretty important day.  I went to see my new apartment at Prices Fork and it looks fine.  The one problem I brought up is that there are no screens on the windows and that is important.  I told Heather Hodges I need at least one and two (for each of the rooms with windows would be best).  She is going to bring it up next week.  It shouldn’t be too hard to have a small frame built that would take care of the problem.  

      The bigger concern was my meeting with Dr. Trivedi and that was really a setback.  She explained that my numbers were slightly worse and that my case had turned into a refractory or difficult case and that meant that the prednisone was not working as expected (my dosage should be increasingly lower) and that is why she put me on 20 mg instead of the 12 and ½ I was on.  She offered me several options for an alternate drug but the best one seemed Prograf, a kidney transplant drug, that has to be strictly monitored and of course can have a lot of dangerous side effects.  I started on it that evening and will take two pills a day at about 9:30 am and pm.  I also need to start taking iron since my iron level is very low.  Trivedi thought much of my anxiety is coming from the move and from my returning to teaching in January.  I think it is mainly due to the prednisone but I’m not fully sure.  I did get another blood shot and it didn’t hurt much and hopefully it will increase my energy some.  I was really down about the visit and my relapse, but I did have a few laughs when I visited the Gallows.  Lou seemed pretty down but he has his own stuff to go through.  I did ride my bike along the river so that was a good break and some good exercise.   I also helped Mary with some of her packing.

Wednesday was the start of my new situation and I can’t say it was very pleasant.  I slept pretty good by using the nebulizer but when I got up I was very low energy.  I did my knee exercises, did a slight bit of packing, practiced the songs, rode my bike for 35 minutes.  None of it felt very good and I took half a valium to make me feel less anxious.  I went over Mary’s to help her pack more and then I came back for a real nap of over an hour then went back to Mary’s to help pack a little more and to socialize with her while she made bread.  I ordered a pizza and salad for us and then we played a game for an hour and I headed to Kroger for some grapes and clementines for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving at Glenda’s, then I chatted with Dave for a while and he seemed to be doing rather well. 

Thursday has started out pretty anxious and I am hoping that I can get out of the terrible funk I am in.  I am really down about my health stuff.  I talked to three people this morning, my sister Judy, Rob, and my sister Roberta, and I broke down talking to all of them.  I just feel lost, anxious, tired, just pretty awful.  Talking with Lou did help me quite a bit since we are both in a pretty deep hole and we are both doing well talking.  I did get my knee exercises in and I did go for a bike ride, for the first time since the asthma attack going up the smallest hill twice.  I then picked up some stuff for Mary and got ready for Thanksgiving dinner at Glenda’s.  Fortunately that turned out pretty well and I socialized okay and felt reasonable when I left around 7:30.  I took a 25 minute walk and talked to Lou again it was comforting to speak with him and he and Cathy and Maddie and Claire had a decent Thanksgiving so that was good.  I texted Gyorgyi and got a nice response and I sang three of the songs before doing a couple sets of weights and yoga.  

Singing once again

Saturday started pretty good.  I slept pretty well despite coughing quite a bit, and then I did my full knee exercises, along with reading some of Kings.  I packed 4 boxes more so I am only 2 behind on my goal of 12 (3 a day).  I did some catching up on my blog, sang 3 of the songs twice, tried to nap and failed, then started my prayers.  I felt well enough to go for a 30 minute flat bike ride with perhaps a cough or two, then I settled in to watch the Tech game, which Tech won 20-14, with a very exciting goal line stand my Tech to prevent Pitt from winning.  After that I got ready to go to mass and attended the 5 o’clock mass hoping to be able to practice the new songs, but two of the songs were different so I didn’t get the practice I was hoping for.  I saw Joseph and Felistus after mass and I gave Mary Bland back her book.  I had another good conversation with my sister Roberta and admitted what a dummy I was.  Then I had a long and good conversation with Lou.  He thought I should write about my Lupus experience and work with the wolf imagery.  Another thing that struck me was the lack of a future I have.  Later I  emailed Beth but she didn’t respond so I guess I will just wing it.   I went for a 20 minute walk over at Kroger and bought one of the small roasted chicken and enjoyed over half of it in my truck then drove home for a big bowl of vegetables.  Unfortunately I started coughing very heavily so that is very disconcerting.   I watched TV until 12:15, and then tried to go to sleep but I was still coughing heavily, even after I took several puffs, so I decided to use the nebulizer and that did help.  I had to move to the master bedroom to sit upright but fortunately the upstairs tenants were quiet and I did drift off at points.

Sunday I awoke at about 8:15, feeling pretty tired but not coughing too much.  I wasn’t sure if I should try to sing but after trying to nap for a few minutes and failing, I decided to get up and go to the church.  I got there just as the baptism was finishing and we started our practice around 10:30.  I felt pretty good during the practice and Beth didn’t complain so I decided to sing through the mass.  I had to go out at one point to cough and get some water but overall I think I sang pretty well, although Beth didn’t say a word.  I guess if she had problems with my singing she would have said something.  I felt pretty good about singing but not as good as the first two times, but I think that might be because I am not feeling that well overall.  I stopped at Food Lion to pick up some vinegar and take a 20 minute walk and I hope to drive to Walmart later for some supplies and for a longer walk.  I did a wash, watched a little TV, napped a little, and am going to try to work on a poem.  I did write a pretty good draft of a poem about losing my future to lupus, and I think it could easily turn into a series of poems.  I sent Lou a copy and he liked it.  I am planning to go over there for a quick visit on Tuesday.  I drove to Walmart for some supplies and a 45 minute walk.  That felt pretty good.  I haven’t taken any Valium today and I think that is very good, but I am not worried about taking some if I need to.  I guess today went okay.

Three bad days

Thursday started out okay, with knee exercises, some chapters of Kings, then packing three more boxes.  I had no luck trapping the mouse so I called Hethwood but got no response.  I took a decent walk along Stroubles Creek, seeing a number of small fish in the clear water.  It is a pretty little stream and I did some research on it, finding out that it starts in three springs in Blacksburg, goes under the Drillfield, enters the Duck Pond, then exits to become Stroubles for 12 miles before it enters the New near the Ammunition Plant.  I called Gyorgyi and she was available for a late lunch at the bakery and that was fine.  Then I did a walk in Torgersen before returning home for dinner.

Friday was not a particularly fun day.  I had slept pretty well with some coughing but I got up pretty early to get to Rob’s office at 8 so that pushed me.   Val wasn’t ready until almost 9, having to get the blood culture bottles.  She had to stick me in both hands because the test is more effective from two sites but each stick hurt and even taking the needle out hurt.  But I handled it pretty well, with no valium.  I showed Rob my swollen foot and he told me it was probably because my kidney numbers were worse than last time and he told me that Trivedi wanted me to go back to 20 mg of prednisone right away, not good news at all.  He wanted me to get a chest x-ray even though my chest sounded okay to him.  My thyroid level was good so that is not what is causing my incredible chills.  The blood culture stuff should help figure out if I have an infection in my blood. My eyes are also getting worse, probably from the developing cataracts which have been hastened by the prednisone.  I headed off for lunch with Claire and that was a pleasant respite.  The sushi at Greens was good as usual and Claire and I took a decent walk on the Drillfield.  Then I napped pretty easily, then headed for the Imaging Center for my x-ray.  It proved negative so that was good news.  After that I napped again briefly, then called Mary and went over to help her with her packing for her move to Texas at the end of the month.  We worked for an hour and a half and got a lot of books and stuff packed and then we had Chinese food (I treated even though she wanted to pay), then we chatted some and then I left around nine and went over to Tech to walk but Torgersen was closed and it was just a bit cold to walk outside so I went over to the University Kroger and walked there for 30 minutes.  After that I came home and was too tired to do any exercising.

Saturday started pretty good.  I slept pretty well despite coughing quite a bit, and then I did my full knee exercises, along with reading some of Kings.  I packed 4 boxes more so I am only 2 behind on my goal of 12 (3 a day).  I did some catching up on my blog, sang 3 of the songs twice, tried to nap and failed, then started my prayers.  I felt well enough to go for a 30 minute flat bike ride with perhaps a cough or two, then I settled in to watch the Tech game, which Tech won 20-14, with a very exciting goal line stand my Tech to prevent Pitt from winning.  After that I got ready to go to mass and attended the 5 o’clock mass hoping to be able to practice the new songs, but two of the songs were different so I didn’t get the practice I was hoping for.  I saw Joseph and Felistus after mass and I gave Mary Bland back her book.  I had another good conversation with my sister Roberta and admitted what a dummy I was.  Then I had a long and good conversation with Lou.  He thought I should write about my Lupus experience and work with the wolf imagery.  Another thing that struck me was the lack of a future I have.  Later I  emailed Beth but she didn’t respond so I guess I will just wing it.   I went for a 20 minute walk over at Kroger and bought one of the small roasted chicken and enjoyed over half of it in my truck then drove home for a big bowl of vegetables.  Unfortunately I started coughing very heavily so that is very disconcerting.   

A Difficult New York Visit

Tuesday is turning out to be a hard day. I started with my knee exercise, then straightened up some, then headed in for the lunch at Radford for our first candidate.  I was feeling okay and I wasn’t coughing, so after the lunch I decided to ride my bike from the dog run to wildwood park and I think that was a bad idea.  I started coughing when I got done and on my way to visit Verizon to see why my alarm wasn’t working, I called Rob’s office and he called me in an antibiotic just in case my coughing portends something serious.  I am to see him tomorrow at 1:30.  I got to my office around 5 but was very anxious and I took half a valium and napped briefly although I got very cold and had to hide under the covers.  I did force myself up, printed out this weeks songs, found out the time for the dinner, then started doing my blog.  I am not very happy.  The new York trip was not very good but I did get to spend a lot of time with Julian and some with Gabes.  Francesca was in Italy so I didn’t get to see her, but I did chat some with Arlene and that was good.  The train ride was boring, uncomfortable and it had a lot of people coughing so I think that is where I picked up whatever I have.  I spent about an hour walking around Times Square and Bryant Park and Grand Central Station but I had to stay near a bathroom because of an unpredictable constipation.  I did get to ride Gabe’s Peloton bike and that was pretty impressive.  I did a couple of trails in Costa Rica and along the San Francisco coast.

Wednesday was an okay day.  I slept pretty well despite coughing some and then I got up and did my knee exercises.  After that I packed three boxes of books and did some straightening out around the apartment.  The big surprise was that I saw a mouse exiting my garbage and that has to be taken care of.  I drove into town around 12:00, dropped off Mary’s stuff, picked up my jacket at Rose Tailor, then drove to Rob’s office.  He said my chills may be because of my thyroid, that the sensitive breasts might be because of a testosterone problem, that that my chest sounded fine but he was glad I was on antibiotics.  I talked with Gloria and we had a nice chat, mainly about how life sucks as you get old.  It really does.  I certainly lack joy in my life, and though I will continue praying, going to church and going to the Holy Spirit group, my hopes that some kind of joy or at least comfort might come from my struggle for belief, nothing has really happened.  I also talked to Cathy and both Maddie and Claire are sick and she is exhausted from all the things she has to take care of.  I do hope that she and Lou can work it out so she can quit her job.  I did print out the music for next Sunday and I did listen to several of the songs and I sang very softly to them.  I put out two mouse traps and I hope they will work tonight.  I wish I could be more positive and enthusiastic but it is so hard right now.  I do hope Dr. Trivedi can do something about the prednisone when I see her on Tuesday.   

An Awful Morning

Thursday started out an awful day, with my anxiety level way up there.  I hardly could stand it and I had to take half a valium just to calm down.  I called Dr. Trivedi’s office and Kendra said she would call me back to discuss me coming in next week instead of the week after (she never called).  If she did call I was ready to go get my bloodwork done so as to be ready for an earlier appointment.  I did my knee exercises, did some straightening around the apartment for tomorrow’s inspection, tried to nap, failed, then drove over to Tech to return The Magic Flute and then I walked around downtown a little. Then I went back to the apartment, got more things together for my trip to New York tomorrow, tried to nap again and failed again, then did my 45 minute bike ride and I was finally able to drift off at least for a few minutes.  I got up and packed my truck, bringing my computer with me though I was unsure if I really wanted to carry it in my backpack (I am pretty sure I won’t).  The drive up I-81 was pretty impressive and the leaf change seemed almost to peak.  I decided to stop at Barnes and Noble to see about purchasing A Man Called Ove but it was pretty large so I am just going to bring Tender Is the Night, the Fitzgerald novel I haven’t read in years and is pretty small.  I had some mussels at Carrabba’s with some of their delicious bread and then drove to the Holiday Inn Express where I finally got a reasonable nap.  After that I watched some TV and then I went down to my truck, drove around the back and sang three of the songs for church, two times each.  I hope to go down and sing some more later.   Kim’s surgery seems to have gone well and there is a chance she will be able to go home tomorrow, which would be great.  My right breast is still sensitive but I will just have wait until I get back to see what to do.  

A New Will

Wednesday turned out to be a pretty good day.  I decided that I was really being negative and I decided to try to make the day a good one even with the prednisone—and I pretty much succeeded.  I got up and did my knee exercises, did a wash, cleaned the bathroom a little for the inspection on Friday, did some singing on the new song, “Christ, Be Our Light” and then played the melody on the piano and sang to that.  I am getting the higher E better so progress is being made.  I then headed to see Bettye Ackerman and I got my new will and my power of attorney.  Bettye told me about a guy coming to find Tracy a few months ago who eventually killed someone in an optometrist’s office.  That must have been pretty scary for her.  After meeting with Bettye, I headed over to my office and got a good bit of stuff done, sorting things for my files, finding out my Long Term Care benefit, talking with Robert Williams some, chatting with Holly, getting a copy of the Power of Attorney and the Will for Rob.  Then I went bike riding along the river and up into Wildwood park for a decent 45 minute ride in the cold light mist.  Back to my office for some more work, then driving home to take a quick nap and then off to Tech to walk for 40 minutes in Torgersen Hall.  After that it was time for cooking dinner, a veggie burger and a big bowl of mixed vegetables, then singing “Christ, Be Our Light” and “All of Me” and “Green Dolphin Street.”  I guess since I can’t play the flute anymore, singing will have to be my musical way.  I am enjoying it very much.   

Negative Tests

Tuesday was a pretty stressful day.  I awoke anxious at about eight and then I headed over to the Imaging Center for my mammogram and for the ultrasound.  Rhonda, the woman who did the mammogram was very friendly and told me not to worry, that it wouldn’t be so painful.  She was right and the ultrasound was also pretty easy.  After the procedures I treated myself to the lunch buffet at Indian Gardens and then headed home for a nap.  I didn’t really sleep but after I got up I went for a 30 minute bike ride in the very dismal mist, stopping just as the rain began.  After that I did take a nap and practiced a couple of last week’s songs, then watched some TV, then did some scales (I was able to hit the higher E, so that seems progress), then I drove over to Tech (and it was hard to see since the sky was so dark) to take a 40 minute walk in the library and Torgersen before heading back home for dinner.  I watched most of The Magic Flute and should have it finished tonight.   I got a nice text from Cathy and I responded back to her, telling her that Lou seems to really care for her now and he spoke about her in a way I had never heard before, which is good.  I talked to Rob and he called Trevidi and she is not going to cut down my prednisone despite my anxiety.  Perhaps something will be done when I meet with her in two weeks.  My breasts still hurt but I am not too worried right now.

Another Kayak Trip and Growing Health Concerns

Sunday was a good day, though my fears about what’s wrong with my right and left breasts made me pretty anxious.  I get the mammogram and the sonogram on Tuesday and I am getting pretty scared.  I didn’t sleep very well, with my health issue worries and my concerns about singing plus my worry about the kayak trip since it was so gloomy out in the morning.  I packed up the truck with my kayak stuff, then headed over to St. Mary’s to get to rehearsal at 10:15.  I was very flustered at first but Beth was very helpful and the rehearsal went pretty well.  When it was over, I checked my email and my kayak friend had cancelled, which seemed a mixed blessing.  Now I didn’t have to worry about getting to the 114 bridge at 1 o’clock but not seeming my kayak friend was very disappointing.  Mass went okay and Beth said I did fine so I will continue with the singing and maybe take lessons but I will probably wait till after the doctors can figure out what is wrong with me.  As mass was going on I noticed that it was brightening outside and when I left after the exit hymn I thought to call my kayak friend to see if she wanted to reconsider but the woman parked next to me couldn’t get her car started and asked me if I could help and I did, pulling out my jumper cables and, with the help of another fellow, getting her car started.  I texted my kayak friend and then called her and she was having the same thoughts I had and we agreed to meet at the bridge at 1:30.  Our trip went very well, and though we had to pull our boats around the island because the water was much too low, we ended up doing the whole trip in about 2 hours, which was a surprise to us both, and it allowed her to get back in time to walk her dog.  Very good trip.  I then took a brief nap in my truck and then headed over to see Lou and Cathy.  I was a nice visit.  I gave Cathy her gift cards and they gave me a small CD/radio and that will be a useful thing to have.  I left there around 9 and since I really wanted a distraction, I headed to the Blacksburg Cinebowl to see the new Thor movie and it was very different than the earlier ones.  It was much more comedic and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Then I stopped at Kroger for some cheese and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, but the flavor, American Dream, was not to my liking so I only ate a little and I am going to throw the rest out.  I finally got to sleep around 1:30.

Dougie and Margee's Wedding

Saturday turned out to be an okay day despite being rather gloomy outside, very overcast with occasional rain.  I awoke a little anxious but I did my knee exercises and read more of Samuel 2.  David is a pretty rotten character at points.  I then decided to take my bike ride over at the Perry Street garage and I rode for 45 minutes going up the three ramps a total of 12 times.  That calmed me some and after getting home I took a quick but rewarding nap and then I headed over to the John Farm for Dougie and Mergee’s wedding.  I was a brief but nice ceremony with the couple mixing small bottles of sand together.  I saw a lot of the people from the campground and I talked with Tim, Danny’s son, and talked with Danny and Judy some.  The food was pretty good and I ate too much but enjoyed it.  I stayed for over 2 and ½ hours and almost didn’t get back to Blackburg in time to beat the darkness.  I emailed Kate but haven’t heard from her so I am not sure how tomorrow will go.  I wouldn’t mind not kayaking since I am going to sing tomorrow and I still don’t have the songs fully down even though I have practiced them twice each day.  I think my voice is getting a little stronger and with a little more range but they seem much harder than last week’s songs.  I also had a nice chat with Gyorgyi (she is doing well) and I tried to call Nora and Dave, to no avail.  I am watching the VT / Miami game and at this point Miami is ahead 14 nothing.  Tech is usually a good second half club.

A Mixed Day

Friday was a mixed day.  I did my knee exercises while reading more of Samuel 2.  Then I got ready to go for my appointment with Rob about my right breast and my concerns with how often I have to urinate now.  He thought the urinary problem might be an infection but he wasn’t sure about the breast pain.  When he probed it it was very painful.  He didn’t think it was cancer (especially since my left breast was also very sensitive) but he wanted me to get a sonogram and a mammogram.  Those are scheduled for Tuesday.  I am nervous about the procedures and of course the outcome but figuring it out now is the best approach.  Dr. Trivedi said not to drop to 10 mg on the prednisone so I went back to 12 and ½ this afternoon.  One of my ears had a lot of wax in it and Kelly got it out along with washing out the other ear.  After a visit to Walmart to pick up supplies I returned home then rode my bike for 45 minutes and that felt good.  A nap followed nap and then some cleaning up around the apartment.  I put coasters under the three largest pieces of furniture and that should help.  I did three loads of wash today and when the third load finishes, I am going to go for a walk over at Tech, inside if the rain continues, outside if it had cleared up.  Then I will return home for dinner and my weights and yoga.  I also practiced all my songs for Sunday and I am still nervous about getting them right.

Good Day at Jeff's

Thursday started okay.  I did my knee exercises, then I got ready to go see Jeff Saperstein.  We had coffee and the almond croissants I picked up at Our Daily Bread, then we indulged a bit before listening to a Boccherini String Quintet, some of the arias from La Traviata, one of Paganini’s violin concertos plus some other pieces.  Jeff had a wonderful memory for the music and I enjoyed all the selections.  Lisa came back from teaching high school and I chatted with her and Jeff before heading off to ride my bike on the River Trail before heading off to Hethwood.  Claire Gallo had texted me a late birthday greeting and I sent her a very friendly and supportive thank you and response.  I took a brief nap when I got back and then practiced my songs for over a half hour.  I am definitely nervous but I will do the best I can.  I will get to my weights and yoga after I finish this blog.  

Pretty Good Day

Wednesday was a pretty good day.  I did my knee exercises while reading Samuel 2, then taped all the new songs together, then sang each of them twice.  My voice is okay but I wonder if I should get some coaching.  I think my range is getting slightly better but I’m not sure.  Several of the songs are 5 pages long and that is a bit unnerving but I’m hoping the practice will help.  I then drove over for my appointment with Bettye Akerman and she was a delight to meet and to chat with.  I was very impressed with her.  Then I went over to get Cathy Gallo’s gifts and back home for my bike ride (only three laps since my neck started to hurt) and at the end my sister Roberta called and we had a very good chat for almost an hour and a half (it was too late to go to the 7 o’clock mass but it was very good to reconnect with her).  It was very easy and comfortable to talk with her and I hope we can stay in touch.  I got Kelly’s card today and I emailed my thanks and offered to come up on a Friday in the future so I can get back in time for singing practice on Sunday morning.  My kayak buddy also texted me about kayaking on Sunday and I should be able to meet her by 1 on Sunday.  I still have to call Nora and it will be nice to catch up with her and Gloria called and we had a very nice chat.  I am watching the World Series and the Astros are leading 5-0 and that is fine with me.