Bumbles Bounce

I was heading out the door with my two dogs for our daily walk. It was a chilly March day so I decided to layer two fleece coats. I put a head band around my neck area and one around my ears. I walked out the front door with my dogs in tow. The deck was a little slippery with a slushy type of snow. As I neared the end of the deck, I slid on the slush and lost my balance.. It was one of those moments where time stood still. While I was flying through the air, I thought, "don't break your neck or smash your melon." I pulled my head forward and used my right arm and shoulder to break the fall. I landed in front of our garage, which is concrete. Thankfully, there was a thin coating of slushy snow where I fell. I'm not what you'd call a 'small woman'-and you know the saying, "the bigger they are, the harder they fall." I managed to get myself up and limped into the house.

Once in the house, I headed straight to the medicine cabinet and downed a couple Advil's. I sat on my recliner and did some self-assessment. After ruminating about all the terrible things that could come with a hard fall, I decided to call the nurse line and see if they thought I should get checked out. The nurse listened to my story and told me to go straight to E.R.

I felt bad having to call my twin sister at work, but the nurse advised me not to drive. I guess it made a lot of sense. At this point I could barely turn my neck left or right, and there was a chance I may have suffered a concussion. I was grateful to reach my sister right away. I told her what happened and asked if she could bring me to the emergency room. I was really lucky she was able to juggle her schedule around to help me out.

The new ER clinic in town is state of the art. I was greeted by a woman holding a notebook computer. She took down all the needed information and I was immediately brought back to a room. The doctor listened to my story and then did a bunch of muscle tests. The prognosis: "a sprained spine." In layman's terms, it basically means I had a bad fall. She suggested I make an appointment for a massage and sent me home with a prescription for a muscle relaxer.

My sister eagerly greeted me as I made my way into the lobby. "are you gonna be alright?" she asked. "No worries" I said. "I'll be a little sore for awhile, but thank Goodness Bumbles Bounce"

A Cancer Survivor's Great News

I finally mustered up the courage to make a cat scan appointment I'd been putting off way too long. I made a vow to start out the new year, 'worry free'.  I pulled up my big girl pants and begrudgingly dialed my oncologist.

Why the procrastination you ask? As a cancer survivor, you always worry the cancer is going to return. I don't care how optimistic and hopeful you are. Worry is part of the 'new normal' of life. It doesn't matter how good I look or feel, that little voice inside my head has a negative attitude. Truth be told, every time I have to face results of a scan, I'm scared to death. I think other cancer survivor's can understand me when I say, facing results is horrifying. Most people don't have to think about their mortality the same way a cancer survivor does. Top off the fear factor with a worrisome scan, and your adding fuel to the 'already' blazing fire.

Last year was one of those scary scans that brought me to my knee's. The scan revealed two small spots on my right lung. (The same lung that had cancer removed in 2004). I've had worrisome scans before, but for some reason I couldn't shake the feeling the cancer had returned.

Sweat beads multiply on my forehead as I Sit--Waiting--for the Reaper. She comes in and asks, "what are you so worried about? your scan is beautiful." "Not only are the two spots gone, she says with a smirk, you've graduated to yearly scans for maintenance."

I left her office- Thursday, January 29, 2015-nearly skipping-head held high. On this day- the negative voices in my head are silenced as I strut down the hallway of the hospital.

I missed watching the ball drop on New Years Eve

I feel like such a fuddy duddy. This is the first year I can remember not making it until midnight on New Years Eve. It's tradition for my twin sister and I to watch "Dick Clark's Rockin Eve." We put out a delicious buffet of finger foods for the festive evening. We graze on the food throughout the night as we watch incredible musical performances on t.v. before and after the ball drops,

I had every intention of sticking to my holiday routine, but my body had other plans. The fun started when my sister, niece and I, went out to lunch at a local Mexican Restaurant. We filled up on delicious tortilla chips, sour cream and salsa. For lunch we had combination platters of enchilada's and re-fried beans. I definitely ate too much and felt a little uncomfortable.

My niece had friends over to the house for a slumber party. The highlight of the party was basically pigging out all night while they watched movies.

I had been sick with the flu for fourteen days by the time New Years Eve rolled around. I just had a little cough left but was told by my doctor that I was no longer contagious. Since my energy was back, my sister and I decided to go down the street to a charming bar and restaurant for some cocktails. I should have known my immune system better after being sick, to tap her cool. I had around five beers throughout our stay, which hit me like a ton of bricks.

By the time sis and I came home around 8:30 P.M., I was exhausted! I tried to watch some of "Dick Clark's Rockin Eve" but couldn't keep my eyes open. I felt so disappointed and a little guilty for pooping out so early on my sister. She says she still had a great time watching the show and nibbling on appetizers, but I know it wasn't the same. I apologized profusely as I made my way upstairs to my bedroom.

I promise I'll make it to midnight next year sister, especially if I'm not just getting over the flu.

Christmas 2014 is but a Memory

It's hard to believe Christmas of 2014 is already over. I barely had a chance to enjoy it and now it's only a memory.

What made this Christmas different from other years can be said with two words: "The flu." Those words would shape a typical Christmas into something I could only imagine. 

Every year my sister and I throw our annual Christmas Eve celebration at our home. Getting prepared for the party is as special as the actual gathering. Cleaning the house, grocery shopping, recipe's to prepare, and all those last minute errands. The hectic hustling and bustling is a big part of the charm that gets me in the Christmas spirit every year. How is it then that I missed all of these ritualistic traditions, but still found the magic of the season?

Once I accepted I had the flu and it wasn't going away soon, I tried to make peace with it. I begrudgingly announced to my sister and her two teenage kids that I was in no shape to help prepare for the holiday festivities. The kids would have to step up and help their mom with the party while I recuperated up in my bedroom. I secretly wondered if the party would be successful without my help. 

The day of the Christmas Eve party came, and with it, one more glitch. Now my nephew was down with the flu. We went from four helpers down to two. It was now up to my sister and niece to make the annual Christmas party a reality. 

I am so proud of how hard 'mother and daughter' worked to make the holiday gathering a success. Not only did they keep things running smoothly at the party, they made sure to make trips upstairs to check on the two patients. They thoughtfully brought us up a plate of goodies from the table and filled us in on the wonderful memories being made. 

A couple hours into the party, a touching thing happened: my nephew and I heard some rustling outside the door. Soon we would experience the true meaning of Christmas. The beautiful voices of our family began singing "Silent Night" and "I wish you a merry Christmas." 

Blessings to you and yours-Christmas 2014

House of Ruins

I wake to the sound of crashing waves
and pain of my body slamming against the wall 

I try to stand and get my footing 
but I'm flung about the room like an old rag doll

I feel scared and confused 
and move slowly to the door

Sweaty and tired I turn the brass knob
my loud screams drowned out by the horror

Water up to my chest, I go to the window
is this a dream or a practical joke

I shake uncontrollably;  legs turn to rubber
Fear overcomes me; I'm starting to choke

The sight so unbelievable I blink my eyes
yet the frightening vision is not a mistake

My childhood home has lost it's foundation
violently riding the waves of the lake



Written for dVerse Poet's Pub~Poetics
Prompt: DMT-Dream like State


*The prompt inspired me to write about one of my many dreams of my childhood and childhood home. I find great healing in my dream life; especially when it comes to working through a difficult childhood.

Masquerade

Watching as the play unfolds
take your seat amidst dark souls

All of us stars in life's charade
truth bends like branches in the shade

Men in black pretend to pray
beyond the cloth the wolf will stray

Trusting neighbor, Trusting friend
a masquerade that soon shall end

Lies are truth and truth are lies
beware the actors of disguise

dVerse Poets Pub~Poetics
Picture Prompt 
Photo Art by Phyllis Galembo

Getting together with the old Gang was a Love-Fest

My old Friend Steve Stewart -Keyboard Player for the current "Sweet" Band

It's a night I will never forget and forever cherish. My dear friend Steve- pictured on the right, came into town recently to perform at a local music venue. Steve plays keyboards and sings back-up vocals for the 70's band, "Sweet."

Who is the "Sweet" band?

If your scratching your head saying, "the Sweet band sounds so familiar," allow me to refresh your memory. The "Sweet" was a  British Rock band that formed in 1968. They rose to worldwide fame in the 1970's and had several hits. Some of their well known songs were: Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run, Little Willy, and Love is Like Oxygen.

Early on, the "Sweet" played mostly glam rock and pop music. Later in their career they would be known more for their hard rock and heavy metal music.

This is the "Sweet" at the height of their career in the mid 1970's. Clockwise from top left: Steve Priest, Brian Connolly, Mick Tucker, and Andy Scott.

Google Image

Since the mid 1980's, the group has had different versions of the "Sweet" Band. Currently, the two surviving members of the original group are Steve Priest and Andy Scott. Scott's revised band plays throughout the UK, and Priest's band plays in the U.S. My friend Steve (called Stevie to avoid confusion) plays keyboards for Steve Priest's U.S. band.

Photo's of the old Gang

Dean, Steve and Dave-Original members of 'Bacchus'Band from Mound, Minnesota 

The three men pictured above, were some of the original members of a popular local band called 'Bacchus' in the late 70's-early 80's.  A deep void was felt by all of us that night with the passing of my brother David in 2002. David was a talented singer and guitarist for 'Bacchus.'  We know he was there in spirit to see his best friend Steve, perform with the "Sweet."

Debbie C, Linda R, Dean W, Steve S, Michele R, Dave L, Laura R

Laura R, Steve S, Linda R

Stevie (from the 'Sweet' band) playing his keyboards at Medina Ballroom

It was a blessing that our dear friend Steve came into town. It was a great opportunity for old friends to get together and talk about old times. There were a lot of laughs, many old stories, and a great amount of love and healing. I will never forget it.