“Sometimes at midnight, in the great silence of the sleep bound
town, the doctor turned on his radio before going to bed for the few
hours' sleep he allowed himself. And from the ends of the earth, across
thousands of miles of land and sea, kindly, well-meaning speakers tried
to voice their fellow-feeling, and indeed did so, but at the same time
proved the utter incapacity of every man truly to share in the suffering
that he cannot see. "Oran! Oran!" In vain the call rang over oceans, in
vain Rieux listened hopefully; always the tide of eloquence began to
flow, bringing home still more the unbridgeable gulf that lay between
Grand and the speaker. "Oran, we're with you!" they called emotionally.
But not, the doctor told himself, to love or to die together-- and
that's the only way...”
― The Plague
I am blogging daily again. Yay!
O.K., it's only been since yesterday, but I am all for small victories!
Today has been a good, balanced day. I am deep into the novel I'm reading: The Plague, by Albert Camus. As usual, I am reading far too speedily. It is what I do. Speed read. It is an excellent book.
Most thought provoking! I can't wait to tell my therapist I approve of his recommendation. Hopefully he will recommend more thought provoking books. (I already put most of the books that Albert Camus wrote on hold at the library. Hoping the rest of his books are this good!)
I am not going to summarize it for you. I may offer some quotes in the next few posts, as I have done today. It is such an excellent book, that I strongly encourage you all, dear readers to read it yourself. Many of you probably have already. I had heard of it, but had not idea it was so pround!
On another subject completely, but I guess not so far off, I had an extraordinary visit with my pulmonary nurse yesterday. She was astounded at my lack of cough! My cough, if you've read my blog in the past, lasted for over a year. My daughter, bless her heart, remarked that she might just write a horror story. And call it "Cough".
It felt like the plague of death. I have seriously not had trouble with my asthma since I last was seen in the clinic. She believes the inhaler is the reason. I agree. However, I did tell her I am eating healthier, have lost weight and practice Qi Gong breathing exercises daily. She was very supportive!
She suggested I get a flu shot. I had already decided the time was now. It would be my first. I've always worried a bit about the flu shot. But now that fall term is around the corner, I will be around a lot of little kids. And they, bless their little hearts, are carriers of many bugs!
So I got the shot. The nurse came in. She was very confident. She told me she is an expert at giving flu shots. She said that some people that are not as well trained, are not as careful about where they inject. "Too far up, or too far down on the arm will mess it up!", she exclaimed. Right before she poked me. I had no time to worry about a messed up arm. In fact I barely felt the stick.
I was a bit tired all day yesterday. So I went to bed early, slept like a log and feel pretty darn perky today!
Overall a very good medical appointment! I left glowing from head to toe, as if I had gotten an "A" on a term paper!
I stopped at the new Starbucks in Vancouver on the way home. It has become my favorite hangout, especially in the early evening. Since I am fasting, I usually get an iced tea, no sugar, with a splash of heavy cream and a bit of sugar free vanilla syrup. According to my "Dirty Fasting" group, this is permitted.
(Permitted or not, it helps me through my fast. And I was ecstatic to find that I had dropped another pound this morning.)
Every time I have visited this particular Starbucks, I have had positive social interactions. The barista's are stellar. They must have gotten extra training in being hospitable, because they are super nice to everyone, including the homeless people who come in asking for cups of hot water, or ice water. They carry on conversations with them, ask their names, and don't balk at giving out free water.
I think perhaps this is because it is right across the street from "The Navigation Center", which is a homeless day use shelter in Vancouver. And they are the same parking lot as WalMart. That area is filled with homeless people, many who are pushing carts and several who are talking to themselves.
It filled my heart with joy to see these young baristas treating all of their customers, even the nonpaying ones kindly. I noticed that the homeless patrons came in and asked for water or to use the restroom, but didn't hang out in the restuarant. They were all very polite.
One of the baristas comes and talks to me while I am sitting there. I have been finishing a pair of booties for my new grandson. His baby shower is tomorrow. The young man asked about the baby, my son and his girlfriend and then told me to wish them the best of luck. He remembers my name every time I come in.
Yesterday, a young frazzled mom with two school aged kids and a baby came in. Suddenly both of the older kids had to visit the rest room. She told the boy to stay with baby and escorted the little girl to the restroom. I looked up from my knitting and noticed the baby was sitting alone in her stroller! The boy said he couldn't wait and dashed to the bathroom. The mom screamed at him not to leave the baby unattended. But this boy had to go!
I told her I'd watch the baby. The mom thanked me. After they came back to their table, the older two kids were restless. I asked them if they'd like a sticker. Their eyes got big. Mom said it was fine. I told her I was a piano teacher and always carried stickers!
It made my day to help this young mom. In fact, any day I can help, I feel worthwhile.
But I must dash. Library is closing!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Happy Friday!
Love,
Zita
Here is today's hooping video. Day 146! Sorry it's odd and blurry. I was outside on the patio with my granddaughter and Honey Dog. Very limited space!
― The Plague
I am blogging daily again. Yay!
O.K., it's only been since yesterday, but I am all for small victories!
Today has been a good, balanced day. I am deep into the novel I'm reading: The Plague, by Albert Camus. As usual, I am reading far too speedily. It is what I do. Speed read. It is an excellent book.
Most thought provoking! I can't wait to tell my therapist I approve of his recommendation. Hopefully he will recommend more thought provoking books. (I already put most of the books that Albert Camus wrote on hold at the library. Hoping the rest of his books are this good!)
I am not going to summarize it for you. I may offer some quotes in the next few posts, as I have done today. It is such an excellent book, that I strongly encourage you all, dear readers to read it yourself. Many of you probably have already. I had heard of it, but had not idea it was so pround!
On another subject completely, but I guess not so far off, I had an extraordinary visit with my pulmonary nurse yesterday. She was astounded at my lack of cough! My cough, if you've read my blog in the past, lasted for over a year. My daughter, bless her heart, remarked that she might just write a horror story. And call it "Cough".
It felt like the plague of death. I have seriously not had trouble with my asthma since I last was seen in the clinic. She believes the inhaler is the reason. I agree. However, I did tell her I am eating healthier, have lost weight and practice Qi Gong breathing exercises daily. She was very supportive!
She suggested I get a flu shot. I had already decided the time was now. It would be my first. I've always worried a bit about the flu shot. But now that fall term is around the corner, I will be around a lot of little kids. And they, bless their little hearts, are carriers of many bugs!
So I got the shot. The nurse came in. She was very confident. She told me she is an expert at giving flu shots. She said that some people that are not as well trained, are not as careful about where they inject. "Too far up, or too far down on the arm will mess it up!", she exclaimed. Right before she poked me. I had no time to worry about a messed up arm. In fact I barely felt the stick.
I was a bit tired all day yesterday. So I went to bed early, slept like a log and feel pretty darn perky today!
Overall a very good medical appointment! I left glowing from head to toe, as if I had gotten an "A" on a term paper!
I stopped at the new Starbucks in Vancouver on the way home. It has become my favorite hangout, especially in the early evening. Since I am fasting, I usually get an iced tea, no sugar, with a splash of heavy cream and a bit of sugar free vanilla syrup. According to my "Dirty Fasting" group, this is permitted.
(Permitted or not, it helps me through my fast. And I was ecstatic to find that I had dropped another pound this morning.)
Every time I have visited this particular Starbucks, I have had positive social interactions. The barista's are stellar. They must have gotten extra training in being hospitable, because they are super nice to everyone, including the homeless people who come in asking for cups of hot water, or ice water. They carry on conversations with them, ask their names, and don't balk at giving out free water.
I think perhaps this is because it is right across the street from "The Navigation Center", which is a homeless day use shelter in Vancouver. And they are the same parking lot as WalMart. That area is filled with homeless people, many who are pushing carts and several who are talking to themselves.
It filled my heart with joy to see these young baristas treating all of their customers, even the nonpaying ones kindly. I noticed that the homeless patrons came in and asked for water or to use the restroom, but didn't hang out in the restuarant. They were all very polite.
One of the baristas comes and talks to me while I am sitting there. I have been finishing a pair of booties for my new grandson. His baby shower is tomorrow. The young man asked about the baby, my son and his girlfriend and then told me to wish them the best of luck. He remembers my name every time I come in.
Yesterday, a young frazzled mom with two school aged kids and a baby came in. Suddenly both of the older kids had to visit the rest room. She told the boy to stay with baby and escorted the little girl to the restroom. I looked up from my knitting and noticed the baby was sitting alone in her stroller! The boy said he couldn't wait and dashed to the bathroom. The mom screamed at him not to leave the baby unattended. But this boy had to go!
I told her I'd watch the baby. The mom thanked me. After they came back to their table, the older two kids were restless. I asked them if they'd like a sticker. Their eyes got big. Mom said it was fine. I told her I was a piano teacher and always carried stickers!
It made my day to help this young mom. In fact, any day I can help, I feel worthwhile.
But I must dash. Library is closing!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Happy Friday!
Love,
Zita
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