A full day already

What a morning.  I woke up and had some coffee with the dogs before HB woke up.  I watched some "No Reservations", the Montana episode to be exact.  How beautiful that place is.  I learned about the artist Russell Chatham and the writer Jim Harrison on the episode, and I instantly became fans of both.  While HB was showering I spent some time looking at some of Chatham's paintings.  I'm a big fan of his landscape work.  I don't normally get art, but his speaks to me.

I spent some time with HB while she was getting ready, and made her lunch.  This is really the best way to start any day, and I'm thankful for each and every one that I get with her.  After she left, I made some cappuccino in the cappuccino maker that my parents gave me for my birthday (thanks mom and dad!), and took the dogs outside.  What a gorgeous morning!  It's hazy and foggy out, and the spring birds are chirping up a storm.  The irises and crocuses are starting to come out, a sure sign that winter's grasp is finally starting to lose hold, and we'll soon see warmer days ahead.  I love foggy, soggy mornings like this (it must be my Scottish heritage).

It's only 9:30 am, and I feel like I've had a full day of wonder and beauty and learning and closeness with loved ones.  To make the day even better, I get to spend the rest of it with my sister who is visiting (when she finally decides to wake up).  I have plans to make some bacon and eggs and hang out with her, which hasn't happened in far too long.

In medical news, I finally had my consultation for the shunt that will hopefully alleviate the fluid build-up.  There are two options they are looking at.  The first option, would be to re-route the vein that is blocked into another artery in my neck, thereby recycling the fluid back into my body.  The second option is to place a spigot into my abdomen, that I can use to drain the fluid off myself.  The doctors are going to discuss at the tumor board meeting, and decide which option would be best for me.  Either is good in my book, although the first is more enticing.  I think recycling would be better than having a spigot hanging out of my side.

I was in Alma briefly for a funeral yesterday.  That was pretty tough. Randy donated a bunch of money in my name to Relay for Life.  I liked Randy a lot, even though I didn't know him all that well.  He was a kind guy, far more kind than most I meet, and he will surely be missed.  Some day I'll see him again, and I'll get to thank him for his kindness.

Here's one of Chatham's paintings, called "Summer on the Clark Fork".