Ran into an old friend

Terry in her happy place

Yesterday, when I went to a midday yoga class, I had time to walk over to check out the Value Village across the street from the new Senior Center. And there in the store was my dear friend Terry, who I recently learned is moving back to Canada, where she was born and raised. I've known her from the Senior Center, where she worked behind the coffee bar for years, and is now recovering from surgery just a week ago. She was pushing along a walker, but I suspect she won't be needing it much longer. She looked strong and happy to be back rummaging the aisles of Value Village. Rarely have I gone to the store and not run into her there.

Years ago, Terry wanted to join me in a skydiving adventure, so she and I drove to Skydive Snohomish and jumped out of an airplane together. She was with one of my favorite instructors, Vlad, and he treated her to a jump of a lifetime. I followed them out of the plane and took her hand in freefall. Terry was so overwhelmed by the experience that she remembered little of the dive itself, but Vlad filmed it and she was able to say, later, that she did indeed have a great time. I remember that feeling of not being able to take in what was happening in the moment, but that had changed over the years to one of familiarity. It's been more than ten years since I made my last skydive and hardly remember much of those days. I have logbooks, some of which I peruse now and then, but that's like another person did all that, not this current version of myself.

One day, I suspect that all of the years of hiking will feel the same. Each segment of our lives has its moments, but if we are able to move on when time and circumstances change, it makes for a much happier life. 

I think I told you about the squamish cell carcinoma I had removed awhile back, and I have since learned that it will be a few weeks more before the Mohs surgery that will excise the cancerous cells from my neck. I wish it could be right now, but that's not how it works. First the biopsy wound recovers, and then the surgeon digs it all out. Apparently Mohs is used whenever the cancer is on the head and/or neck and requires plenty of tissue to be excised. Today I went to the doctor's office to have the biopsy looked at, to see how it's coming along. I called them because I was having difficulty with the bandage causing it to itch. The nurse decided I don't need a bandage any more, just clean it with soap and water twice a day and cover it with vaseline. I'll be glad when the whole ordeal is done and behind me. Until then, I am in good hands with my new dermatologist. I probably won't meet the surgeon until it's time for the deed to be finished.

That's it for the week's news. See you again next Tuesday with actual dates. At least that's what I'm hoping for. I sure would appreciate some virtual hugs, if you have any to spare. 

:-)

Exiting the Trailblazers

Taken at a happier time

It's a bit hard for me to think of no more weeks hiking with the Senior Trailblazers, but that time has finally come. I've been told that unless I can bring someone to hike with me who can help me with my failing sight, that it's not fair to the others for me to ask for help all the time. And I know it's right, but since it's been a part of my life for so long (since 2008), I have been reluctant to stop, even when I have leaned on others inappropriately.

Today I was politely asked to not show up for the hikes any more. I know I cannot continue to impose on others, but I've also thought that maybe I would be better today or tomorrow. Not so. It's a progressive disease that has attacked my eyesight, and I know better: it' just hard to give up something so important to me.

But what I am actually giving up is the ability to hike with others. I know all the hikes and have enjoyed the companionship, but I can still get on the bus and ride it to my favorite trailheads and take off at my own pace. There are only a few of the hikes around town that aren't accessible by bus. With the right mindset, I can see this as a new adventure. I'm no stranger to change, and learning to cope with moving on will give me a brand new frame of reference.

But there's no pretending that I am not sad, though, and wishing this pesky macular degeneration has not affected me so profoundly. This will also give me a chance to find new ways to stay fit and active. It won't be that long before I will no longer be able to use my laptop in the ways I am using it now, and it's time to get cracking on finding new avenues for me to follow. I have so many virtual friends who have learned to adjust, even some who have gone from active lives to wheelchairs, and they have managed the transition, as will I. At least my activities are simply changing, not fading away all at once.

Just sitting here and writing this post has made me feel more and more positive. Gratitude and peace haven't left me, not by a long shot. And I am feeling my oats, even if they belong to an octogenarian! For the time being, I will be continuing to write my posts on Tuesdays and Sundays, so you can find me here on those days.

Onward and upward!

:-)

Toastry HOT

We are in the midst of a heat wave, with an advisory for the entire area, but it's actually nothing compared to what some parts of the country are experiencing. It got to 85 degrees F here in Bellingham, the hottest temperature of the season so far. I had absolutely no desire to hike today, especially after my horrendously uncomfortable excursion last week. In fact, I almost didn't have the energy to traipse down to the basement with my week's laundry, but I did. I was quite exhausted afterwards, and it was nothing much, just the usual work of washing, drying, folding and putting it all together. I was surprised at how enervating it was, but it sure feels good to have it behind me. Tomorrow is a trip to the new Senior Center for yoga; the new place is air conditioned, so I think I'll be enjoying that. Then on Thursday is my usual volunteer work at the old place, which doesn't have A/C but it is supposed to be a few degrees cooler.

I am not a fan of hot weather, even warm and sultry weather is not fun for me. I much prefer a cool breeze and overcast skies, but then again, I am spoiled and not acclimatized to the heat. In any event, I am looking forward to some respite from the unrelentingly blue skies, which most people seem to love.

Foxglove

The flowers certainly do seem to love the weather, however, and I suppose if I spent most of the year underground, waiting for the chance to emerge and shine, I might feel differently. I love the pretty foxglove and am delighted when it shows its beauty. 

Hope you are having a wonderful summer, not too hot, not too cold. And that you are surrounded by fragrant and beautiful flowers!

(smile)

Fragrance Lake

Our hikers 

I was very lucky during our hike to have found so many new friends. We had eight women and one plucky man. The hike was led by Sandy, third from the left in this picture, taken by a passerby. It was cool when we started, but by the time we reached the lake, it was getting warm. Not terribly so, but definitely into the 70sF. We passed many other hikers on the way to (and from) the lake, and plenty of dogs, too.

Many wswimmers, both four- and two-legged

I had a hard time with the strong sunlight, with bright sun and shadow, making it hard to see my footing when we returned via the same trail. With the help of Kathy, one of the hikers, who held my arm and told me what I was seeing, I was able to make it back to the cars. I skipped the loop around the lake, but everyone else went, so I got their picture as I waited.

Sandy in front as they finished the loop

I certainly enjoyed myself, but when I got home, drank a bunch more water, I then quaffed a cold beer. I got distracted by reading the news and forgot to post this, so here it is a day late. Life is good and I'll try to be on time next week. 

:-)

Hovander and potluck

Sunshine and lilypads

Today some of the Senior Trailblazers went on a leisurely walk around Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale, a short drive from Bellingham. 

Hovander Homestead Park preserves the rich history of pioneer farming and offers recreational opportunities for all ages in every season. The park encompasses nearly 350 acres, including over a mile of river frontage.

We broke into two groups and walked around the area, one around Tennant Lake (covered with lilypads, as you see here) and the other in Hovander Park itself. I don't know how many people we actually had, since we went in opposite directions soon after arriving at the park. We enjoyed a leisurely walk, meaning nobody was in a hurry, and the warm sun, with a delightful cool breeze, kept us from getting too hot. Here's another look at those lilypads.

Tennant Lake

There is a walkway that winds around this area, which we took (the top picture is from there), and then we went back to the homestead to join the other group. We then made our way from the park to John S's home in the Ferndale area, and enjoyed a really wonderful potluck. I managed to keep from eating too much, which wasn't easy.

Enjoying our lunch in John's backyard

It was a very laid-back sort of day, with lots of food, sunshine, company, and conversation. Around noon, we packed up and headed back to our homes. Thanks to John S and his wife (whose name I neglected to find out), we had a lovely place for our annual beginning-of-summer gathering. We have grown so large that this was the second gathering, after another one earlier at Cornwall Park. It's wonderful that there are so many Seniors not only enjoying each other's company, but also getting exercise and sharing stories and adventures with the others.

I did manage to eke out 10,000 steps for the day, which it wasn't all sitting eating. But in retrospect, that's pretty much what it felt like. Nice for a change, don't you think?

:-)