Looking up

Since I'm without a 'real' camera and distance is not the iPhone's forté, I'll have to describe this morning's fascinating skyscape. The eastern horizon is starting to glow a dull, faded red. The moon hangs low above the silhouette of firs, its full, round body visible, but only the barest sliver illuminated bright. Venus, now high in the southeast sky, has left her moon man; just two mornings ago she was practically in his arms.

Yesterday morning when I got up, the fire was struggling and the house was cool. I opened the damper and sat down on the hearth to benefit from the flames now gulping oxygen. Casting my eyes toward the windows, I noticed Venus and the moon separated by the star on our Christmas tree. I snapped a photo out of habit, not expecting a worthwhile result.

Surprises never cease! At least this was a good one....

Rick left Saturday afternoon for some meetings in San Francisco that started the next day. After driving him to the airport, I drove Brian to his school for their talent/variety show in which his bell choir played a number.

Afterwards we decided to try one of his teacher's favorite food treats, me not realizing that the bread pudding is served at a coffee house and bar. We had just enough time to order, eat (oh, it was amazing!), and snap each other's photos before time was up for minors in the establishment.

The next morning, Sunday, Rick called. He wasn't feeling well and was worried (ha – what an understatement) it was his heart. After countless calls throughout that day and the next, interspersed with calls to a doctor friend of his and also his cardiologist, he flew home Monday night, two days early. Yesterday we spent six hours in town, seeing his cardiologist, getting bloodwork done, visiting the pharmacy repeatedly until scrips were finally filled. He's been feeling pretty much back to normal since he woke up in his own bed (of course), but I am taking him to the regional cardiac center tomorrow – Brian's birthday – for an angiogram and probably another stent.

I'm trying to bite my tongue and be pleasant, but sympathy is beyond me. Rick's lifestyle set him up for a heart attack eight years ago, and he's done nothing of significance to better his chances of avoiding another one since then. (I'd like to think I would do everything in my power to LIVE for my loved ones if I were diagnosed with a lifestyle disease!) We have no financial reserves to weather this latest storm since Rick had to replace two expensive pieces of diagnostic equipment this year, so that's added stress.

But such is life during this crazy last month of a crazy year. (Oh yeah; happy December!) I am following a Leader that will not fail me; no matter what happens, He can use it for good. The friends – two- and four-legged – He has surrounded me with do much to share the load. (A shout out to my mental health mustang, the most loyal dog a woman could have, and the amazingly therapeutic effects of a warm, soft, purring kitty on one's lap.)

That's the short report from . . .