it's a blow-out on a birthday cake
and i'm a birthday candle
floating in the lake
where are you? it's getting late.

And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on until tomorrow,
let it be.

I did take that walk--another 5 miles, bringing my one-day total walking distance to 10 (ten) miles. By the time I finished screwing around with my last entry the temp had dropped into the high 80's and it was lovely.


I wore a hat to protect my brain from overheating in case I need to tell someone how many palms are in a cubit.

( six more pictures and plenty of witty banter! )

Campbellford, Ontario--home of the Toonie

Happy Canada day to all my amazing and wonderful Canadian friends!

Here's what I accomplished today:

1. I called my cousin in Oregon and said "hi".

2. I scheduled for 2 more "emergency room" orientation shifts at the other hospital. One of them is for tomorrow.

3. I scheduled myself for an ICU shift this week. They were surprised, because everyone thought I wasn't ever coming back.

4. I bought a bunch of fine-art paper to make prints.

5. I matted a print for my friend Franklin. It's an ordination present. We were supposed to have lunch today, but he had to do a funeral.

(aside--I had 4 different lunch or dinner dates [no, not that kind of date] for this week and all but the one for this evening canceled. Odds are, I'll be eating alone tonight.)

6. I called my teaching boss and told her I couldn't teach in the fall unless they could figure out a way to get me some paid health benefits. My COBRA runs out at the end of the year and it's either that or take a real job. She sounded motivated to find a way to do it. Good.

7. I opened the mail and paid bills. I have gotten into the habit of just piling up my mail and opening it once or twice a month. Unless it's something from you! Or them.

8. I took an early-morning walk. I thought about things along the way. I found myself in a pretty good frame of mind, all things considered.

9. I updated my calendar for the summer. I'm a lot busier than I thought, and I haven't even scheduled most of my work shifts yet. I should take this opportunity to mention that I am grateful to have such a full, diverse and interesting life. What an unexpected gift.

10. I updated myasma. I haven't taken my picture yet for lowflyingsquab. I guess I ought to go do that. Maybe I'll wait to see if my dinner plans hold up and take a picture of that.

Not bad for a Wednesday, eh?

I had to hang out all day waiting for a truck to come and pick up some of the stuff I'm getting rid of, so I messed around with my camera and came up with this. I like it.

I had them take away all my living room furniture. I never liked looking at it, and it was not even comfortable enough to sit on with my eyes closed. It's always been such a non-room.

Now I'm going to move my comforable family room furniture in there (including the browncouch, and turn the family room into a creative room, because it has really nice natural light.

This was the first step in de-volumizing and simplifying my life. My goal is to give away three-quarters of my stuff by the time the summer is over. I'm guessing it is going become more difficult the further along I get.