Thursday morning - three pitiful ducks. That's what Jessie and I saw at the pond yesterday morning. Female. Smallish, perhaps juveniles. It was supposed to be 27 degrees, but possibly because it had been warmer the past couple of days, some of the ice on the pond that was there at our prvious visit had melted. Still the area in which these sad little ducks had to swim was small. I wondered if they were left behind by the larger group that inhabits the pond, or if they stopped at the park on their way from somewhere further north to somewhere further south. At any rate, it was good to see them, but I worried about them.
Friday morning - the ducks are gone. Hopefully they flew on south. It was even colder this morning and more of the pond was frozen over, almost all of it.
Perhaps because the pond-related level of activity is lower, I found myself noticing other things in the park. For instance, the odd consistency of the red clay path that circles the larger of the two parts of the park. It had snowed, the snow had melted, the water had soaked into the red clay and caused it to form pellet-like globules that crunch under foot. Jessie and I also went to the rock garden and I sat on a bench in the cold dawn light for while. The rock garden is so bare now. Truly a "rock" garden. While I sat there, a hawk flew overhead, followed by another hawk obviously chasing it. My eyes are too bad and the hawks were too high for me to be sure, but I am guessing red tailed hawks. Not sure.
One thing I'm grateful to this cancer experience for is what seems to be a newfound desire and ability to pay attention to the natural world when I'm out in it. I find myself wishing I could be able to walk in the park every single day for a year, paying attention to new details day after day. Maybe I can - if not every single day, then almost.
I've been enjoying my kids' visit. My daughter leaves this afternoon, my son and grandson stay over until Monday.
I saw Dr. M on Wednesday. He pronounced me fully recovered from the surgery and able to exercise and generally "do" whatever I feel up to doing. Of course, I am already back in my Tai Chi class. And my little Hanukkah gathering seemed to be a success - almost every single latke was devoured. Thanks to all the friends who came by - and to my kids for bearing with me in my desire to let my friends meet them and the baby. It made me happy (especial thanks to V and J for bringing the plunger and to J for using it with skill to unstop my kitchen sink which saved the day - and the party - literally).
I've mostly been focused on the kids and my grandson, but the back of my brain is now counting down days to Chemo #3 - next Wednesday. It will be a little odd to have chemo and go back on Christmas Eve for the NuLasta shot, and then experience the side effects of the chemo and the shot over the holiday weekend.
Okay, going to go out for breakfast with the kids.
Peace on earth. Now if possible.
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