Solstice?

I have pulled this sunny summer photo from my archives to remind myself that we are on the cusp of Solstice. Woke this morning to dark and gloomy rain. The garden is at least three weeks behind schedule, we have had so few warm days. There are less than six pea plants listlessly twining up their strings. They have not begun to bloom. I'll be lucky to get any peas at all this year. Perhaps I should prepare to learn how to garden on a glacier while making friends with the neighborhood polar bears. Climate change is taking its toll on my garden, though yesterday I noticed hundreds of darling golden honey bees on my climbing hydrangea. Happy to see they aren't extinct just yet!

I have launched into revisions on my novel High Tide and Low Expectations. An excellent rainy day pursuit. This novel is a cozy mystery set in Westport, Washington. Lots of pirates and smugglers, rusty crab pots and irate seagulls.

It's the story of Cora Jane Dooley, ex-wife of a serial killer the media had dubbed "The Boise Butcher". She's on the coast living in her RV, seeking an uncomplicated retirement far from the eyes of the tabloids. Oops! Here comes murder and mayhem . . . and she is compelled to become involved in order to clear herself from suspicion. All in all a perfect rainy day project. I'll keep you posted on how it's goin'.

Red House Blues

I've finished the fifth rewrite of my novel, Red House Blues! Now the fun part - having a cover designed, getting the proofreading and editing sorted out, getting it published - etc, etc. I will be publishing through Creatspace probably by the end of summer.

Many of you know that I've been participating in National Novel Writing Month for the past five years. I figured it was about bloody time I got one of those stories out into the world! This particular novel was sparked by a conjunction of deadly incidents surrounding one particularly nasty old house in the Central District of downtown Seattle. (No, that's not the house in the picture but that structure is only blocks from the house in question. The meeting hall pictured has its own fascinating history - it was one of the first places Jimmy Hendrix played. It's reputed to be haunted, by the way.)

It's a supernatural/mystery/thriller combo plate of a book that I have had huge fun writing. The story centers on Suzan Pike, a young widow who goes in search of her murdered husband's lost notebooks and in the process stirs up a mindless and voracious evil. As soon as it's up on Amazon.com I'll let everyone know!

Oh yes, the cheese! A former plant care client of mine, Kurt Dammier, has been in the local news lately ever since his mac and cheese made Oprah's top ten favorite things list. His company, Beecher's Handmade Cheese is well worth checking out. For years I urged him to come up with a gluten free version and I'm happy to report that it's in the works! His restaurant already offers it if you call ahead. Thanks Kurt!

COUPON CLASS AND CHEESE

Okay, I'm ready to admit it, I've become addicted to couponing! Last night I took a two-hour class at the Burien Community Center on how to more effectively feed my addiction (and thus my belly). The place was packed with eager cheapskates like me. Instructors were a mother and daughter team from the neighborhood who write a couponing blog. It's a sign of these hard times that we are all pinching pennies. But it's more than that. It's FUN!!! Every week the "junk mail" contains free money! Who knew?

My garage pantry is exploding!

My wonderful sister-in-law has been doing this for years and is a genius when it comes to getting things for pennies on the dollar. She is a true inspiration to this rank beginner. She has actually used bags of chocolate candy as packing peanuts when mailing more fragile goodies to us. Blows my mind! One time she shipped some homemade jams inside a giant box filled with tuna packs. We're still happily eating tuna-mac practically every week.

Which brings me to the subject of cheese . . . (to be continued. Have to get to yoga class.)

Shimmer Contemplating Sun

Shimmer warms his nose in a rare sunbeam, perhaps fearing that given the kind of spring we have been experiencing it may be the first and last indulgence of its type this year.

He teaches me to grab fleeting pleasures with both hands (paws in his case). This morning, having nothing scheduled, I sit in my semi-cozy chair revising a novel. In the living room Mom is finishing her breakfast while catching the news. Shadow is outside completing her early morning prowl of the garden. Later, if I can manage to get motivated, I will do the laundry and perhaps make a pot of spaghetti for lunch. What the heck. Perhaps the sun will break free once more from its cloud prison. I'm optimistic. Can't think of anything more nourishing.

It's been a long time coming this year but Spring may be sneaking in the back door. Yesterday I cleaned our algae-clogged fish pond, emptying it of all but a few inches of green water before I discovered that our three goldfish had survived the raccoon's winter foraging! I hadn't seen them for quite some time so supposed they had met their fate as a sushi platter. Happy surprise! There they were: Eenie, Meenie and Minie swimming delightedly around in their now-pristine pond. Alive!

We should be used to miracle resurrections by now, shouldn't we? Today we celebrate Easter with friends and family. This is the time of year our ancestors too celebrated the yearly resurrection of life.

And of course today our family is celebrating Mom's return from the brink! Happy Easter one and all!

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

My Spring visit to the inimitable Doctor Amos Shirman provided a wake-call. I'm pretty much back to where I was last Spring, health wise. And I was doing so well before Mom's fall last Fall! As Doctor Shirman pointed out I haven't been taking very good care of the caregiver. Stress, worry, and lots of comfort food has taken its toll. So the "Doctor Shirman's Orders" list has gone back up on the refrigerator door. No added salt, no butter, watch the red meat and cheese, pile on the veggies, get back to yoga class, drink lots of water, get more sleep. The usual.

He is right, of course, in getting tough with me. If I fall apart, who takes care of Mom? Which is more of an incentive than the fact that I'll be able to zip the jeans. Mom is doing pretty well now. She's been home almost three weeks and is getting around the house with her borrowed walker. Still pretty weak but gaining in strength every day. We have had a steady parade of physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers and personal health care aids. It's gotten so that I really need a bigger calendar for all of her appointments! It is enough to wear out a pro football player.

Check out the photo of Mom and our friend Mary sitting down to St Patrick's Day supper. Hard to believe Mom was deathly ill a month ago. She's one tough cookie. That's how you get to 96.

Still, it would be short-sighted of me to think she won't need my assistance for the foreseeable future. It's easy doing your duty by someone who needs your help - not as easy to pay attention to your own needs. Women tend to think they are being selfish if they take time for themselves, are taught that they're a good mom or caregiver only if they sacrifice themselves. It's something we must get over. Martyrs by definition don't thrive - not to mention that no one likes being in the same room with their self-destructive behavior. I'm keeping that in mind as I round up a crew of "mom sitters" so I can get back to yoga class once in a while.

It's been a pleasant surprise how many resources are actually out there for caregivers. At first I was so totally overwhelmed, feeling that I was doomed to house arrest 24/7 while I looked after Mom. That was before the army of social workers began showing up at our house (Thanks Gerry, Stephanie, and Selena!). I learned there are many services that provide respite care - as well as support groups where caregivers may vent and regroup. Through Medicaid, Mom qualifies for household helpers who can spell me off a few times a week. Sure, I'd heard the horror stories about how Medicaid takes away your home etc. Happily those stories seem to be urban legends. Yes, if you have to go to a nursing home your assets are tapped after you die to repay the system for your care - but assisting you to stay in your own home is so much cheaper! Thus, the in-home care programs that cost the client little beyond, in some cases, an affordable co-pay. I'm beginning to believe I can do this without killing myself in the process. Who knew?

Oh, almost forgot to mention: the dandelions are up in the yard! Already harvested and ate the first "crop". Doctor Shirman would approve - they are wonderfully jam-packed with vitamins and minerals. Yum. Called my son Paul, inviting him for lunch. He had some sort of lame excuse why he couldn't make it. Go figure.