Today I am grateful for Larry's generous spirit.

Two weeks ago, Larry was donating platelets, and he busted a vein.

Thankfully, his arm is almost healed.

But...yesterday, the blood center called him, and they need him to donate again today.

He did not think long and hard about it, and came to the only conclusion he could come to.

He is donating again at 10:00 this morning.

I often go with him because he sometimes passes out, 

but this morning I will not go.

Photo: my second new cloche

 This morning, I will stay home, exercise (walk 2 miles) 

and bake a loaf of bread. (in the new cloche)

I have a new cloche to use because the first (birthday gift) cloche had a mishap. The link to the story is here:

The first cloche story

I hate sending Larry off to donate platelets alone and maybe pass out...but he will be fine. I told him to keep thinking, "soup and homemade bread" for dinner! (and to keep thinking that someone special needs his platelets)

The brand-new cloche will be  broken in on this cool autumn day.

Imagine, soup, salad and bread for dinner!

AUTUMN. 

The years last, loveliest smile.

~William Bryant~

Please have the most wonderful day.

What are you making for dinner?

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Today I am grateful to be cancer free. Again.

Photo: In the dressing room

 I undressed and put on a faded blue examination cape.

Then I waited in the locker room, 

waiting to be called back into a dark X-ray room.

Photo: This is the locker room

When I got called back, the tech introduced herself to me, but I cannot remember her name now.

The mammography machine is frightening. 

It is very cold in the room.

Photo: The mammography machine

It took a while to take my x rays. There are markers in my breasts from previous breast cancer surgeries. All markers must be in each x ray. The girl who's name I cannot remember had trouble getting all the markers in each of the x rays. She had to call a manager to help her. 

I stood in front of the machine freezing, in the faded blue cotton cape they make us wear. I was glad when they were finally finished.

I went back to the locker room to dress.

Photo: The dressing room.

The dressing rooms are filled with affirmations.

Words to make a person feel strong and invincible. 

But I did not feel invincible. I felt frightened and stressed.

I dressed in the tiny room and took my faded blue cape to the hamper in the locker room.

The people working at the imaging office are always kind to me.

They know that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer twice before and they say that I am a survivor. I do not feel like a survivor.

When a person is diagnosed with cancer, they are scarred for life.

 When surgery and treatment is over that is called being "cancer free".

Having cancer leaves physical and emotional scars that need to be worked on every day for the rest of your life.

I did not know all this until the past few years.

They told me yesterday that I am cancer free, but I am not allowed to celebrate yet. Next week I have to have my breasts examined by the breast cancer surgeon just to make sure that the mammogram was correct.

I know that sounds terrible,

but please have your screening. It can save your life.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Today I am grateful for National Pug Day.

It is true. I am one of those people. I am a pug person.

HAPPY NATIONAL CHINESE PUG DAY.

Photo: Libby

 My sweet Libby lived to be 16 years old.

She was a special dog, and I miss her every day.

Her head was very round, and it fit into my curved palm like a glove.

It was like magic.

She was my favorite model, as I made her costumes and photographed her. Avanti Press leased her photographs, and I still have a few of the cards around here. Somewhere.

Her dog bed is in my studio, and it is filled with her favorite, (chewed up) toys.

The link to her photos is below.

Libby On Flickr

The month of October is half over.

Our weather in Texas is changing every day and soon the leaves will be falling.

I am not sure if I am excited or sad about the pending winter.

Please have the BEST day.

May you feel happy and enjoy the moments.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Today I am grateful for easy Sunday dinners.

Photo: Larry prepared dinner last night

                Yesterday afternoon, Larry prepared Sunday dinner.

We enjoyed, pate, cheese, potato skins, radishes, fruit, bread and French butter.

It was perfect, and Larry took care of it all.

Photo: the best grapes ever. Larry bought the beautiful glass compote
 at a little antique shop in Garland Texas.

It was a quiet day here in the cottage.

We went window shopping in the early afternoon, and I worked on a few projects while Larry had a project in the garden. Then we had our dinner and movie.

Photo: Larry chose a good white wine for dinner

The wine was wonderful.....

Photo: The wine.

The wine went with the nibbles plate that Larry made....

Photo: Jalapeno cheese ball, Boursin cheese, pate, salami and gouda. All served with crackers and bread.

Lauren made pumpkin bread for us. She used my mother's recipe (mother was given the recipe in 1964) and it was the perfect dessert.

Photo: Pumpkin bread
Our pumpkin bread is always served with lots of whipped cream and cherries. 

The Sunday movie was "The Taste of Things"

It was in French but has subtitles if you wish.

The movie was beautiful. We enjoyed it very much and I want to watch it again soon....

Dear Larry,

Thank you for planning such a lovely afternoon for us.

I love you beyond the moon.

Me