Author: Jana

  • harrowing adventures

    First, it must be said: There’s no place like home. I’ve smothered all the peoples here with hugs and kisses. And the kitties, too.

    To the harrow:
    ~Within 48 hours of my arrival in Colorado, my leg infection returned (but, hey, before it got out of control I at least got to hang out at the Hot Springs with my hot sistas, so I feel I can’t complain too too much). I got acquainted with the fine healthcare system at Swedish Medical Center and can say that if one is in need of urgent care in Denver, that is surely the place to head. Yes, I’m doing better now–started yet another round of antibiotics and spent some time with my friend vicodin.

    ~Coming home I had my most traumatic experience with airport security yet. I politely explained to the guard before I walked thru the metal detector that I didn’t need to remove my shoes because of my disability and I would have to be hand-searched because of my prosthetic leg. However he decided that I was being a “belligerent passenger” and called out the red alert. I ended up removing my shoes while being surrounded by several security personnel and then penned in a plexiglass enclosure.

    Moments later, as the head of security was profusely apologizing me for all that had happened–I still in my socks and walking on a slick linoleum floor, slipped and fell in front of a huge crowd of onlookers. I was just mortified–at the horror of being corralled by security, at being held and treated like a criminal simply for trying to explain my needs to one over-reactive employee, and then slipping. And just feeling so vulnerable everytime a TSA employee takes advantage of me (it’s not the first time).

    And, why, oh why do I not feel one whit safer in the skies with these numbnuts policing our airlines?

  • Making History


    Forgot to mention that a few days ago I posted episode 7 of the Making History Podcast. John Demos is a giant in the field of narrative history, having written several landmark books about colonial America.

    It’s definitely worth your time to take a listen…

  • call me picky…

    but a scone, to be a good scone, needs either a light wash of sugar glaze or a sprinkling of crystallized sugar on top. At Panerra yesterday (yes, I stopped to Panerra because I couldn’t find a local bakery that was still open at 8 pm) there were orange scones bathed in thick frosting glaze or cherry scones with powdered sugar dust on top. I opted for the latter, having had the orange scones before and not liking them so much.

    Sigh. It’s just not right…..and where is the scone fairy when you really need her????

  • why, oh why?


    i heart moving, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    Can you rent cars and rooms when you travel…but not kitties?

  • rocky mountain high


    rocky mountain glory, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    A weekend with friends in these very gorgeous mountains. Pic taken as I was trying to distract myself from Caroline’s crazy driving on curvy mountain roads!

    This trip has become far more interesting than I originally planned. Details to come soon…

    In the meantime, I’ll share an image and song with you. I awoke to the most gorgeous bright light this morning, streaming in through a high window in the bathroom of my hotel room. It reminded me of this song, which seems so apropos given that I am in Denver right now:

    Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
    Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
    Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
    Sunshine almost always makes me high

    If I had a day that I could give you
    I’d give to you the day just like today
    If I had a song that I could sing for you
    I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

    Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
    Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
    Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
    Sunshine almost always makes me high

    If I had a tale that I could tell you
    I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile
    If I had a wish that I could wish for you
    I’d make a wish for sunshine for all the while

    Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
    Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
    Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
    Sunshine almost all the time makes me high
    ~John Denver

  • live now…

    I think Sara’s really onto something with this phrase and logo. As for me, I am living extraordinaire right now, heading off to a weekend with the Exponent girlz.

    So much to do to prepare, so little time to pull it all together. But at least I am living. Yes. Living, breathing, working, playing catchup from weeks of bedrest, hardly able to find a second to sit down.

    It feels pretty damn good, my friends.

    How are you living right now?

  • Make me smile…

    –one more hurdle crossed, my first-ever baseline mammogram. Whew. Like when the tech said I had to hold my breath while she took the film, I wanted to say (had I had breath to do so), how could I not hold my breath when she has just squished me into this vise? But really it was far faster and far less painful than I’d been led to believe. And it’s over and from what they said this may well be the most painful one (given that boobs tend to get smooshier over time, I suppose?). [Note: I am a bit on the young side for a mammogram, but I’ve recently learned that women who had my type of cancer and treatment have a much higher risk of breast cancer]

    –drove to Long Beach and back in record time to get GameBoy’s cello repaired in the nick of time before his grande concert. Jacarandas were everywhere along the way. How can that not make me smile?

    –had some QT in the garden yesterday. Planted more basil (for 14 plants total this year! pesto, anyone?), marigolds, asters, peppers, one more tomato (squeezed in just so), and a new-to-me type of lavender (that makes four so far). I have the most amazing new garden neighbors who are planting cucumber vines all along our shared fence (yum). And did I tell you that blackberry season just began–I nibbled my first 2 last Wednesday and expect to have a few cupfuls by mid-week? I didn’t get the corn in this weekend as I’d hoped, but fortunately I can plant it until late July if need be. As I was telling a friend yesterday, I refuse to feel garden guilt if I can’t get everything in as early as possible. I’m taking things one step at a time this year….

    :)

  • so sweet


    a perfect little gift, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    If it was your birthday, and if you found this sweet little package waiting for you this morning, you might be especially thrilled to offer your beloved some vanilla-lavendery kisses.

    My lips could get very spoiled by all of this….

    :)

  • drive-by


    all the pretty jacaranda, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    Snapped this pic as I was driving down the street this afternoon. I just couldn’t help myself. Fortunately there was no one behind me so we didn’t end up getting rear-ended….

    :)

  • steps in the sand


    pilgrimsteps, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

  • A beach holiday


    A beach holiday
    Originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl

    Because the kids were off of school today, we decided it would be super fun to go to the beach. Oddly enough for a May day in SoCal, it was barely 60 degrees and the winds were more than 16mph at the beach near our home. Shortly after I took this vid it started pouring rain. At that point we decided that heading home was sounding pretty good…

    :)