Saturday, December 28, 2013

Any Crumb...


Well, gosh, a little good news.  Despite his infections that caused him to stop eating and lose weight over the past two weeks, v was able to gain enough once the antibiotic started working that he weighed the same as he did the last time he was weighed at the doctor's office, two weeks ago.  So, good.  He's beginning to put back on a little weight.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Friday, December 27, 2013

And Why Not?


Well, we didn't do a lot of decorating, but we did some and the place looks Christmas-y.  v has been up and down.  He was so happy to have his daughter here for the holiday, that was lovely.

It does seem that as we slay one dragon, another will rise up to take its place.  He's lost a dramatic amount of weight and has been complaining of the taste and texture of food.  He's been dealing with a sore throat for several weeks (he recently admitted). He was afraid that his throat cancer had come back.  We were so overjoyed to find that he had an infection (which could have been treated all along!).  Just as that was beginning to clear, and food was becoming enjoyable again, he now is suffering stomach pain from the antibiotic.  It's just a vicious cycle. We just move forward.

Every year, for the past several, we've been having a few friends over on New Year's Day to share black-eyed-peas and rice for a prosperous New Year.  We debated over having the gathering this year, but then we found ourselves mentioning it to one friend, and then suggesting another join us as well, and...well...It looks like a few people may indeed be coming by for that bowl of peas.  And why not?

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Rush at the End of the Year!


It's really late, I know, but I just put in the garlic.  More of a token planting than anything really substantial. I just had to get them in before the winter solstice so they'll be ready by summer solstice.  We shall see.


I'm also working in our workshop trying to figure out what to have for our friends this Christmas.  No matter how many months we ponder and urge ourselves to get going on the planning, it always boils down to the last week, with distant friends knowing that gifts will be "off-season".  Oh why do we feel locked into this gift giving only at one time of the year??? Not everyone, of course, but my oh my it's like a freight train is barreling down on us. v laughed when I told him I used to start in June getting ready for Christmas.  He's finally understanding why.  So, we do have some things tucked aside to fill packages with. It's just that the season being upon us throws so much more inspiration our way.  It's hard to imagine bright packages of red, green, gold, and silver under a sparkly tree when your watching for whales across the bay in July, really.


Happily, however, the shop is painted its bright and cheerful colors.  That's one package already wrapped.

Oh! and another, surprise, gift!  My photo of v on the trail in Elkhorn Slough was chosen to be featured in their 2014 calendar!  My first published image! (that I know of)


We are September!


In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Our Friends


v's shop has stood, since he completed the construction, at the back of the garden with a primer coat sadly waiting for some color to be applied.  But, unfortunately, v has been battling one cancer after another since that summer four years ago.  Thankfully, he's had good use of his shop but, for one reason or another, it just never got painted.  This Christmas we decided it would be a nice present to both of us to finally do the deed.  We thought, maybe, I could manage with his coaching.  However, on the day we had scheduled ourselves to get started, our friends, a couple from the nearby village of Spreckles, came by and got down to business!  Within a short time the body color had been applied right up to the worrying peak of the building!  The following day we were even more delightfully surprised when we came home from our shift at the Monterey Bay Aquarium to find that the trim had been painted, and there are several windows!  I can at least say that I painted the door.  From a distance, that looks like a pretty good job, too.  Up close it looks more like a talented pre-schooler got loose with a red crayon.  What I really, really appreciate (aside from the energy derived from all the color) is that those two are so good that even the paint brushes, buckets, and drop cloth were all cleaned and stowed neatly away!  What a gift!  



Sunday, December 15, 2013

Winter Concert


I can't play a note, but I find these instruments works of art. I can't resist if one is resting long enough for me to take a picture of it!

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Friday, December 13, 2013

Sea Shells and Frost


Frosty morning, but not as cold as it has been recently.  A warming trend, maybe.  How odd to be so cold so close to the sea...at least on the West Coast.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Jolly Holidays


The holidays make it so much nicer somehow.  We're tired and we're battered, but here we are waiting for Christmas and enjoying the bright touches everywhere.


'Tis the season...

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Stre-e-e-e-etched


Sometimes it's just too much. Everything I have is just not enough.  What else can I say if I'm not heard anyway?

In bocca al lupo.  m & v