Down and Up

Lately, it's been kind of down with fatigue for a good part of the day and then at least a partial—and often a full—revival later in the day. I would say that was the situation yesterday and today. So it is almost 5:00, and I am smiling.

I cannot tell what is going on with the T&P. The latter is supposed to make me hyper so I have to take it in the a.m.. I wish it would. The effect seems the opposite. Symptoms of the end game have diminished to an extent: no fevers for many days now, often no night sweats, weight seems stabilized. In fact I better be careful because I was so focused on trying not to lose more weight that I was (am) eating much more than I need to. I better go back to more normal eating. Even the cramps seem better with the higher dose of magnesium (400 mg at night). Also I am taking two Tylenol at night. Is the spleen smaller? Very hard to say.

I have been relishing the last red leaves and the yellows on the trees all around here. And the weather has been cooperative, at least till this afternoon when it started raining. They thrill me this year as never before I think. And I am also looking forward to the "bare, ruined choirs," when the trees show their lovely bodies to those with an eye for them. The new window high up in my bedroom lets me see the top leaves of one of the huge evergreens on our property. All great pleasures.

Last night Merwin went with me to a meeting of the Escorts for Planned Parenthood. Since the last murder of a provider, the doctors at Planned Parenthood here felt they needed a real security patrol rather than a couple of men and women volunteers. We volunteer escorts were there last night to find out what we could do in the future for the cause. Unfortunately, there is very little I can do. I had to give up escorting some months back. Other volunteer jobs are labor intensive, so I was able to put down only letter writing as a volunteer job. I am reminded of the many activities of my life that I have had to give up, putting each aside with regret but always finding something to replace them. So may it be for this one also.

Today was another day that began with fatigue, but we were enlivened by a visit from our almost son Rick, who is very dear to us. A former student, he has become a colleague and a friend. He came for a quick lunch and a catch up. His activities are always fascinating.

I am still working my way through the recipe folder: Here's one by my dear (now deceased) mother-in-law, aka Nana, transcribed from the version written in her clear hand:

Nana's Date Nut Bread

Preheat oven to 350

Mix together with a wooden spoon, 3 C flour, 3 t baking powder. 1 baking soda

Mix together 1 egg, 2 T oil, 1 and 1/2 C liquid or water or even orange juice (though I don't think she ever used it). This can be the liquid in which you soak the dates to soften them (if they are very dry only). Add the wet to the dry ingredients. Mix well but do not over mix.

Add 1 and 1/2 C chopped nuts
I C chopped fruit (dates or raisins) or more.
Put batter in one greased loaf pan or in two small greased loaf pans.
Bake 50-60 minutes if using one pan; 40-50 min for small pan. Press top lightly to test for doneness. The toothpick method doesn't work because the mixture is moist.

Enjoy!

Love to all,
Bernice