More old friends

Tony R. contacted me last night on facebook. He and Bruce P. were best buds in high school. He hasn't contacted Bruce, but is friends with Bruce's sister. So, I contacted her today. We're official facebook friends, but haven't communicated directly. Isn't the internet strangely and wonderfully powerful? I might even find Julie Steinmasel....if I wanted to.

Night life

Since I'm working exclusively graveyard shift, it makes no sense for me to switch back to days if I've just got a day or two off. So, what do I do on my nights off?
Tonight, I made some split pea soup in the crockpot and have banana bread cooking in the oven for breakfast. I watched a lovely movie "Greenfingers", which I highly recommend about prisoners becoming gardeners. I read some cookbooks to get ideas for tasty vegan nonfat desserts. I will go run my five mile loop once it gets light and a little warmer. Then, I'll go to bed about noon.
Scott calls what we do "hot-racking", apparently a navy term for one person replacing another in the bed. The dogs are completely confused. Somehow, strangely, this schedule works. I think Scott and I both need a good deal of alone time, with a few hours together being just what the doctor ordered.

True love

One of my favorite people died this week. He was very, very old. He and his wife had been married for over 70 years. For about 50 of these, she struggled with mental illness. He remained strong, happy, humorous. He cared for her through thick and thin. Even a couple of years ago, when I visited them in their home, he was busy rigging up a pulley that would help his wife ambulate if he wasn't immediately available. He went to a wedding with her and danced with her in her wheelchair. When I think about true love, I think about them. They lived the hardest marriage that I can imagine...and remained joyful.
Travel gently, beautiful man.

So proud

to be an American.
Thank God that Barack Obama will be our next president. Thank God that sanity has once again entered the White House. Thank God for hope, tact, wisdom, and acceptance.

Old friends

In the past couple of weeks, I have gotten emails from Elizabeth, Sherri, and Janet. The internet is amazing! EJ sent me pictures from Yellowstone and Hendrix freshman year. She and Hannah are now facebook friends. Sherri is talking to me from Jamaica. Janet and I are just beginning to get into touch with each other again.
I found out the my old crush (unrequited, alas), Matt Evans, died in 2007. He was just 48. I haven't found out the cause, but it looks like his life was full...two daughters, co-owner of a hunting club in Louisiana, and co-owner of a mosquito surveillance company, as well as a family doc in Magnolia. Finding out about him spurred me on to re-establish with old friends. Life is all too short.

Yarn

My favorite yarn place is Katsara Luxury Yarns (online), which hand dyes the yarn of your choice and mails it to you. I'm getting started on a baby blanket, which is a beautiful multicolored pastel...lots of coral, green, beige, aqua. I only have to have it done by the baby shower tomorrow...well, maybe it will be done before the baby turns one. (Well, I only got it this morning, but I do my best work under pressure.)

On my drive home, I saw...

Clarification

Whoops! I guess I should give you the address...www.mcdougallingme.blogspot.com.

On another note, I just finished a six mile run/walk on the treadmill. I was looking over my training log...two months ago, I started back, walking .25 miles in 30 minutes. It took me 1 hour and 21 minutes to do six miles tonight. Progress is a wonderful thing.

Second blog

I started a second blog on Christmas Day related to diet. It's called McDougalling. I have become very interested in the health issues related to animal proteins. So, check it out if you like.
Happy New Year, everyone!