Hello all. Relay for Life was a blast on the weekend! Pictures and videos can be found here: Relay for Life 2010

I’ve had lab tests, bloodwork, an mri and a bunch of other stuff that all points to my being ready for surgery (a partial mastectomy/lumpectomy) on July the 15th. People have asked me if I’m nervous, but the truth is, not really. I feel positive, hopeful and just take each day as it comes. This is all possible because I have health care and the most overwhelming support from family, friends and the medical professionals that I’ve seen. This will be an outpatient procedure. I will be going home the same day. Incredible what advances in medicine there have been in just five years, let alone since my Grandmother was diagnosed in the late 1950s. She left this world too soon, but her daughter, my Aunt Mary, is a survivor as well, and there are so many others I know who have fought back and won their battles with cancer.

They tell me I’ll have chemo once I’ve recovered from the surgery, and after that, radiation. There is more to talk about concerning those subjects, but I won’t get ahead of myself. Just going to focus on the next step. I will update you when I come to those bridges.

Speaking of Bridges, I watched an old episode of The Closer with Mom tonight, and I think Beau Bridges is stunning in a frock!

I am very much loving the sound of steady rain for a greater part of today. It’s been so dry outside, and so long without it, that I am not listening to music for a change. The rain is a pleasant song tonight.

And I’m still being a goofball, no need to fear any change from that!:

Double Vision.

Fun With Broken Sunglasses.

Self Portrait With Olympus

It’s been bloody gorgeous outside!

Go take a peek at the rest of the recent pics on my flickr photostream: Autumn 2009

Hope the 17th is nothing but lucky for you!.
Here are a few favorite flickr photos in celebration of the occasion!:

happythings

maccer

thecheifsource

Going through some major changes in my life, as most of you are aware. I’ve decided to take a month or two off from this website to sort out what I need to do in my life. It could be rough, but I’m going cold turkey. I’ll still post pictures at flickr though. Wish me luck!

Of Radish Tops on a Plate

There you are
4 buttons of purple-y red and pinky-white
Little disks of salad enhancement
Feathery green remnants on top
So simple, yet
Enough to make a meal just that
much hotter.
Like when I took your hand in mine
and you thought I was about to be sweet
But I slid your fingers
between my own just-washed, but not dried
gentle fingertips, and opened my
pretty mouth.
And popped you in, sucking a little with a shy smile.
It was unexpected
And a little bit, just a little bit, naughty.
Your hands are one of my favorite delicacies.
(I never did hear you object to such
playfulness.)
So, after that came a more spicy advance,
And that salad never did get made properly.
We ate greens with radishes anyway.
And I threw in black olives for good measure.
You threw in the dish towel and succumbed to my wicked game.
Thank God for that.

A. M. Lehr June 2008