Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Ad Hoc Book Group



Today I did one of those things I do every year, often with little success - I planted seeds in peat pots. I'm not sure why I haven't yet learned this life lesson that this doesn't generally work well for me. I just like to think it's because I'm optimistic. And I planted things today that I've never planted before.

Today I planted lots of sweet peas and hollyhocks. I've never had any of either and they both seem perfect for me. Sharon, landscaper friend extraordinaire, tells me apparently I want a "cottage garden." I think she's right. I've always wanted a profusion of plants and blooms - of all different sorts, living harmoniously. I have no idea how to achieve this, of course, but I feel all the more inspired to try because Sharon has generously made my front flower bed ready to receive plants. I have had success with some things from seed, so maybe this will be a banner year for me.

It has been a long day for me. I had one of those days that has happened a few times since surgery - I could have stayed in bed all day long. I mean ALL day long. My body was saying, "please, please, please, let me sleep... I need to sleep... please, don't make me get up... I need to rest." Unfortunately for my body, I had a board meeting tonight and had to prepare for it, so that wasn't possible. But very shortly I will be laying my body down for some much needed rest.

I'm thinking about another ad-hoc book group to discuss "The Geography of Bliss." It was a great book and I think it would be a good one for a group to discuss.

The ad-hoc book group is very ... well ... ad-hoc. When I run across a book I think friends would enjoy I just send an email and post a note on the blog saying, "hey, lets get together and discuss this at some point in the not too distant future." I'm guessing this will be April or May. I'm just not up to entertaining yet. Anyway, eventually I'll pick a date and whoever wants to come over can come, I'll make dessert, and we discuss. So, if you think you might want to do this at some future time, pick up a copy of "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner.

I like to give people plenty of time to read the book. I think you will find this book wonderful. The first page tells you this guy can write. If his name is familiar it's because he has worked at NPR for years.

I also don't have a schedule because I think this is a key to getting groups together these days. I don't think anyone wants to have another "second Thursday every month" event on their calendar for a group where you're going to be missed if you're not there. I know I don't. This way there's no commitment beyond one night and one book. If you're reading this and interested, consider this your official invitation. I will post details here as they develop.

In addition, I think we'll soon have a writer's group in Hutchinson. I've talked about starting one off and on and have an opportunity to meet with a number of other writers at an upcoming event. So, I'm going to ask if any of them would like to get together on a regular basis to discuss our work. Again, we may do it ad-hoc. We'll see how that all develops. But, I'm excited by the possibilities. I have a couple of folks who have emailed at various times asking if there is a group, so soon we'll be able to say "yes" to that.
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Really... I'm doing well

Today I've had three people ask me if what I'm saying on the blog about how things are medically is really true. Am I really OK? Yes. I am. I'm healing very well. More than one doctor is surprised at my recovery. They all agree it's because I was so active during my hospital stay and since then. (Say it with me now... "people who are ambulatory after surgery have far less risk of blood clots."

The incision is all healed up. I'm starting to bend more, which is good. Tomorrow is six weeks, which means I can increase my activity level after tomorrow. I'm feeling good overall.

I have been completely truthful here about the situation, recovery, etc. I'm not hiding anything. I really am doing well and I appreciate everyone's continued good thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

I went to see the cardiologist today. I had yet another EKG. I've lost track of how many that makes in the last six weeks - they must be a miracle test. He listened to my heart, felt my pulse, declared my a-fib nothing more than an annoyance, and told me to come back in six months. I was hoping for a better solution, but "annoyance" is much better than "problem," so I am just going to be thankful for it and hope the medication continues to work better as time goes on.

So, that's the medical update for those who have said I'm not providing enough info. I'm just healing more every day and being careful to not overdo. Every week or two I wake up one day and feel significantly better than I did the day before. Overall it's going well.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on facebook.com. Follow me at twitter.com. All text and photos on this website are copyright Patsy Terrell, unless otherwise noted. None are to be used without permission. Thank you.