Normal Day

Today I was engaged in normal life. I went to meetings and had lunch with my friend Miriam Dym (Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland...yum). I even went to her West Coast studio of Dym Products and saw work in action. Her projects hung from every wall. It was exciting to me because the space was alive and buzzing with her thoughts and movement and visions. There was a bag broken into a sea of turquoise pieces and hung on the wall with magnets (except for the pieces on the floor as their magnets had been temporarily abducted for other items). There were large paintings with words such as "surplus, abundance, reuse." I think it said abundance.... did I conjure it? There were very cool men's underwear with obscene green tassels and purple velvet g-strings. There was a large wall (2 actually) of handmade sponges. Every time she drinks, she makes an intricate, handmade sponge with which to clean it. Then she hangs that one-time used sponge on the wall(s). I even spotted a group of green chewed gum balls on the materials table. I touched it in disbelief and recoiled, "Is that chewed gum?" I asked. It was kind of pretty... the bright green. Did she chew that color on purpose?  "Everything that's not biodegradable I have to use," she explained to me again. But gum? She wants to dip it in gold and use it. stretch it? cool.  She handed me pieces she had created out of "broken" clothes of mine. 

I am a sentimentalist. I know it. I keep most of my clothes. I still have things from the 8th grade (and wear them). I know the story of each of the items, when I got it, etc...I finally passed some things over to Miriam that I either really liked and had holes, or things that were unable to be saved (by me, at least). She made a shawl I have, cooler... Mended a sweater with a funky patch and created a show-stopper of a skirt with the rest. I'm wearing it tomorrow if it's not too hot!

George is obsessed with piano and wants to practice all the time. Cole is very determined to learn as well, though he has to weigh the choice of playing power rangers or piano carefully. Adeline wants to sit on my lap as they play (though I have to restrain her).

Cole is quite fragile right now as if in parallel with my own fragility. Tom and I are trying to figure out how to navigate this.

I am trying to plan for my time in the hospital and in chemo. I am trying to take care of my family. Organizing after school activities and cleaning. Freezing dinners.  A friend who is herself going through chemo right now brought dinner tonight. She says it will help her to bring meals, and I know what she means. Thank you! Mom is coming out soon for which we are so grateful. I have not spoken with my father. It is hard to tell your dad that you still have cancer. I haven't told my step-mother or sisters either. I have been a coward in not calling. I hope they haven't learned about the cancer from the blog. And if you have, I am sorry and will call. I love you.

Your emails and comments and cards are beautiful. Each one is honored and read aloud to Tom who also appreciates them. 

Comments

[Lilo]

The Penland clan sends their love and support: Nancy, Ralph, Liz, especially. You are considered one of their duckies.

[Don Menn]

Want some pizza and wine or something or other digestible sometime this weekend? Not only that but a free parents-evening out due to unexpected veteran babysitter showing up? I'd sure love to be the bearer of something good if not tidings...
XO