# 100 ONE HUNDRED!

“You never know what's around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you've climbed a mountain.” 
― Tom Hiddleston

How would I know what could be around the corner when I began daily blogging?  Similar to hearing  about cancer.  One foot forward every single day.  Not looking back but always moving towards that next climb.

Blog writing.  Somedays it feels like everything and somedays it feels like nothing.

The number 100 arrives.  It is everything.

About 80 entries ago I couldn't see as far ahead as I do today and was stuck.  Now the future is looking brighter and the climbing is getting easier--most days.  Some days--not so much.

So I keep on blogging, still get up in the morning and still not sure what's around the corner but I'm learning. Learning that this mountain is not as formidable as it once was.

Thanks for reading # 100! of 7777.

#99 Packers--We Love You

&%$%@  I know it is over and the Seahawks are Superbowl bound but I thought the Packers had it and then-- what happened?  I won't rehash the game against the bad guys because it won't do a bit of good.  Keep it in perspective I keep telling myself.  It's not the end of the world, but really, I thought it was in the bag.

Ahhhh!  There is always next year and maybe Aaron's leg will be better and a few of the bone head players will be gone so we can have a fresh start. Always next year.  A football fan's mantra.

My mantra-- It's only a game.  It's only a game.  It's only a game. If I keep repeating it maybe I will believe it. Not working yet.

Packers, you are still the best (written with a big sigh as a tear slowly slides down my cheek).

Thanks for reading # 99 of 7777.

# 98 IDA! and the Oscars

 A few blogs ago I wrote about the movie "Ida" from the Palm Springs Film Festival. "Watch for it in the Oscars and remember, you heard it here first." From Blog # 84.

 I was delighted and somewhat surprised by the nomination and the reaction from the Washington Post. It was good, but, holy cow! I didn't foresee this award.  Well, I thought I did but that was just me trying to sound like I knew what I was talking about since we saw all of three films out of 190.

Foreign Language Film
“Ida”
“Leviathan”
“Tangerines”
“Wild Tales”
“Timbuktu”

Immediate reaction: It’s sad to see no mention of “Force Majeure” on this list, though these are worthy contenders. The Russian film “Leviathan” took home the Golden Globe on Sunday, but the Polish drama “Ida” has a good shot at the Oscar, with a 1960s-era story of an aspiring nun who finds out her family was Jewish.

I can't say my next career will have film critic in the title but when one is viewed as an exemplary piece of work, it gets noticed by the peons in the gallery.  

One other foreign film we watched was "Theeb", a story about a Bedouin boy and his coming of age in the desert.  I actually enjoyed this one more than "Ida", but then what do I know?  I'll rephrase that to--a heck of a lot...obviously.(wink, wink)

Thanks for reading # 98 of 7777.

# 97 Nobody is Born Wise

A little African wisdom today from afritorial.com. 

The wise women in David's village at their savings and loan meeting

• In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and the foolish build dams. ~ Nigerian proverb
• If you are filled with pride, then you will have no room for wisdom. ~ African proverb
• A wise person will always find a way. ~ Tanzanian proverb
• Nobody is born wise. ~ African proverb 
• A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. ~Kenyan proverb
• Wisdom is not like money to be tied up and hidden. ~ Akan proverb

Thanks for reading # 97 of 7777.

# 96 Pickleball

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 
― Albert Einstein

That's me in the white trying to stay out of the "kitchen" (pickle ball terminology)

And moving it will be.  I've discovered a new sport for me--Pickleball.  It is like playing ping pong on a court instead of a table.  Fast paced, wild and a ton of fun from the first serve until the last ball flies over the net.  There is a learning curve, but I've found it easier to play and a little less highbrow than tennis.

A little background from Wikipedia.

Pickleball is a sport in which two, three, or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over a net. The sport shares features of other racquet sports, the dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules similar to tennis, with a few modifications. Pickleball was invented in the mid 1960s as a children's backyard pastime but quickly became popular among adults as a fun game for players of all levels.

History

The game started during the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at the home of then State Representative Joel Pritchard who, in 1970, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the State of Washington. He and two of his friends, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, returned from golf and found their families bored one Saturday afternoon. They attempted to set up badminton, but no one could find the shuttlecock. They improvised with a Wiffle ball, lowered the badminton net, and fabricated paddles of plywood from a nearby shed.^[2][3][4]

Although some sources claim that the name "Pickleball" was derived from that of the Pritchard's family dog, Pickles, other sources state that the claim is false, and that the name came from the term "pickle boat", referring to the last boat to return with its catch.^[2][4][5] According to Joan Pritchard, Joel Pritchard's wife, the name came "after I said it reminded me of the Pickle Boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats. Somehow the idea the name came from our dog Pickles was attached to the naming of the game, but Pickles wasn't on the scene for two more years. The dog was named for the game."^[6]

Thanks for reading # 96 of 7777.

# 95 Stuck Like a Pig in Mud

As I'm sitting here today thinking of what to write, it occurred to me that there is nothing else to say.  I've ranted about the lack of funds until I'm even sick of hearing myself shout.  I've written funny stories(at least I laughed at them) about my husband, however,  lately he has been behaving himself so nothing new from him.  Blog entries from others have been arriving through the internet but I want to keep those on hand just in case I am really stuck (which seems like it might happen sooner rather than later).  Cancer topics have been exhausted.  No updates on the cat. What to do, what to do?

Have I turned into a boring, unimaginative, monotonous person with nothing left to contribute?  I hope not. Ninety-four entries ago I committed to writing daily for 7777 days so hit me on the side of the head, pull up my big girl pants and get going...or take a break.

Today may just be a day to sit in the sun, breathe in the fresh air of the desert and not worry that my fingers are stuck on the computer.  Tomorrow will be different.  It always is.

Thanks for reading # 95 of 7777.

# 94 Barbara's Blog

Since I'm still trying to recover from traveling, Sunday's amazing Packer win and the poor Duck loss on Monday night, I'll let my dear friend, Barbara, be my guest contributor today.


Okay. Here is my blog contribution. It is not written by me but it is important info for people to hear. It is from a website called Roadkill Goldfish - weird name I know. These are the words of Kim Helminski Keller is a Dallas-based mom, wife, teacher and journalist. She is currently receiving treatment for thyroid cancer. 

What your friends with cancer want you to know (but are afraid to say) 

People with cancer are supposed to be heroic.

We fight a disease that terrifies everyone.

We are strong because we endure treatments that can feel worse than the actual malignancies.

We are brave because our lab tests come back with news we don’t want to hear.

 The reality of life with cancer is very different from the image we try to portray.

Our fight is simply a willingness to go through treatment because, frankly, the alternative sucks. Strength? We endure pain and sickness for the chance to feel normal down the road.  Brave? We build up an emotional tolerance and acceptance of things we can’t change. Faith kicks in to take care of the rest.

The truth is that if someone you love has cancer, they probably won’t be completely open about what they’re going through because they’re trying so hard to be strong.

For you.

However, if they could be truly honest and vulnerable, they would tell you:

1. Don’t wait on me to call you if I need anything.  Please call me every once in a while and set up a date and time to come over. I know you told me to call if I ever needed anything, but it’s weird asking others to spend time with me or help me with stuff I used to be able to do on my own. It makes me feel weak and needy, and I’m also afraid you’ll say “no.”

2. Let me experience real emotions. Even though cancer and its treatments can sometimes influence my outlook, I still have normal moods and feelings in response to life events. If I’m angry or upset, accept that something made me mad and don’t write it off as the disease. I need to experience and express real emotions and not have them minimized or brushed off.

3. Ask me “what’s up” rather than “how do you feel.” Let’s talk about life and what’s been happening rather than focusing on my illness.

4. Forgive me.  There will be times when the illness and its treatment make me “not myself.” I may be forgetful, abrupt or hurtful. None of this is deliberate. Please don’t take it personally, and please forgive me.

5. Just listen. I’m doing my very best to be brave and strong, but I have moments when I need to fall apart. Just listen and don’t offer solutions. A good cry releases a lot of stress and pressure for me.

6. Take pictures of us. I may fuss about a photo, but a snapshot of us can help get me through tough times.  A photo is a reminder that someone thinks I’m important and worth remembering. Don’t let me say “I don’t want you to remember me like this” when treatment leaves me bald or scarred.  This is me, who I am RIGHT NOW. Embrace the now with me.

7. I need a little time alone.  A few points ago I was talking about how much I need to spend time with you, and now I’m telling you to go away.  I love you, but sometimes I need a little solitude. It gives me the chance to take off the brave face I’ve been wearing too long, and the silence can be soothing.

8. My family needs friends. Parenting is hard enough when your body is healthy; it becomes even more challenging when you’re managing a cancer diagnosis with the day-to-day needs of your family. My children, who aren’t mature enough to understand what I’m going through, still need to go to school, do homework, play sports, and hang out with friends. Car-pooling and play dates are sanity-savers for me. Take my kids. Please.

My spouse could also benefit from a little time with friends. Grab lunch or play a round of golf together. I take comfort in knowing you care about the people I love.

9. I want you to reduce your cancer risk. I don’t want you to go through this. While some cancers strike out of the blue, many can be prevented with just a few lifestyle changes – stop smoking, lose extra weight, protect your skin from sun damage, and watch what you eat. Please go see a doctor for regular check-ups and demand follow-up whenever pain, bleeding or unusual lumps show up. Many people can live long and fulfilling lives if this disease is discovered in its early stages. I want you to have a long and fulfilling life.

10. Take nothing for granted. Enjoy the life you have right now. Take time to jump in puddles, hug the kids, and feel the wind on your face. Marvel at this amazing world God created, and thank Him for bringing us together.

While we may not be thankful for my cancer, we need to be grateful for the physicians and treatments that give me the chance to fight this thing. And if there ever comes a time when the treatments no longer work, please know that I will always be grateful for having lived my life with you in it. I hope you feel the same about me.

You can listen to the author read this on her website 

http://roadkillgoldfish.com/friends-cancer-want-know/

Love you girlfriend.

Barbara

Thanks for reading # 94 of 7777.