February 7, 2026
Almost a normal day. I felt a little like I had been hit by a truck, but I managed to have an almost normal day which included a ride with Bently (EJ's car) up to the rookery and up and around the hill. Thank you, Bently, for a steady and secure ride.
One of the things my Mother taught me early on was when you are in an uncomfortable spot, going through something not fun and you have to wait, to use that time to remember something you love and how it made you feel. So yesterday I did a lot of remembering things that made me feel good. She used to say think of the feel of black velvet or remember your entire birthday. As I lay there waiting to be rolled off to the surgery room I started wondering what were some great days or times that made me feel wonderful.
Lying on a blowup innertube on a hot day in July in the middle of Puffers Pond where the water is velvety and just the perfect temperature to while away the hour.
Or, there's this certain moment in a massage when your body lets go and everything just sinks into relaxation. Trying to create that feeling through breath and memory isn't always successful, but works in distracting one into calm.
Remembering the day of Marlboro Remainders worked for me yesterday even though my knee was completely out of place and I was in so much pain. But I was surrounded by this event that was so entirely wonderful. People I hadn't seen in years focused on each others' creative works. It got me thinking about having to do it again this year.
And of course there's being at the piano with Daddy singing from Gilbert and Sullivan.
How about the feel of heated flannel on your chest?
Yeah, distracting myself by remembering the good, running through the decks of the Queen Mary, lying on the trampoline while being jumped on. When I worked at Holyoke Community College with Billy Arcand I would stop at the Northampton Inn on my way home and use their pool for 17 dollars a month. I'd swim the circumference of the pool 22 times. That water was cold. If they brought it up to 80 I was lucky, but I'd swim 22 circles and kick for10 minutes. I felt so good afterwards, even if I had to go out in the cold cold and get in my car to drive home.
Try it, find your fun memories.
Last night's post got a lot of attention and once again I am warmed by the care and love I am shown. The procedure I went through yesterday was in response to the internal medical issues I have been having since August. In July I went to stay with my friend, Loren in Maine and threw my knee out just riding in the car to Maine. I decided that I needed to do something about getting the knee replaced and I had to lose some weight first. I gave into the suggestion to take Ozempic. 2 weeks later I lost all control over my bowels. I stopped taking the med immediately, but the symptoms have not gone away. The doctors were making sure I did not have anything severely wrong. My sister, Barb, died of colon cancer 2 years ago. So I've done a number of tests and ruled out everything, given a clean bill of health. It appears that this is a side effect of the med that may not go away. It is not ok, and I still have to have my knee replaced and the eye surgery that keeps being delayed. So as for yesterday, the immediate news was terrific, but as for a diagnosis and a way of changing the situation, no answers. Thank you all for your concern and your best wishes, I am eternally grateful for your support and your love.
EJ and Di just picked me up and we went to Manna House for dinner. It was delicious.
He wants to learn how to cook Korean food. I'm going to ask a friend if we can have some lessons.
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