Happy Labor Day

I hope you've had a wonderful Labor Day.  This is the official end of summer, which has been a trip though wonderland for me, as I've gone through my chemo treatments for the lymphoma.   The body has responded well.  Most of the lymph nodes behind my ear are a normal size.  I am in awe.

Next, I will say that all the nurses at the center where  I go are amazing.  They work their hearts out, taking care of their patients.  I'm sure that there are days when they go home exhausted and discouraged.  I do appreciate them.

After this last round out chemo, my numbers all dropped, but again the nurses have helped me through the situation, letting me know about Ensure and giving me fluids.  My doctor has been great, too.

We can wonder and question why this type of thing happens.  That hasn't been my reaction.  What I wonder is what I need to learn in this situation.  God is walking with me, so  I need to pay attention.  I've order the book, Praying the Names of God, by Ann Spangler.  I am looking forward to learning how to walk closer with God.

I want to thank all the friends and family that have provided meals and prayer.  Y'all are a treasure.

PS.  A good friend, Mindy Openhaus has her first book out this month.  She is blogging at http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/
Please go and take a look.

A New Adventure

On May 22 of this year, my husband and I celebrated our 42nd anniversary.  (Mind you, I was 5 when I got married.)  It didn't go quite the way we planned.  Instead of "Star Trek" and a nice dinner I was in hospital having a brain tumor removed.  My neurosurgeon said to my hubby, "Happy Anniversary.  I got it all."  When we went to have the staples removed from my head, we expected her to tell us that the tumor had been benign.  Well, it wasn't.  It was Hodgkin's Lymophona.  So now I am in the chemo stage of this experience.

In the midst of this madness, God has been there a steady source of peace.  And our friends and family have come around us and lifted us up in prayer and provided meals and prayer.  The out- pouring of love has amazed me.  I have been humbled by the actions of my friends, family and church.  Sometimes we don't know what seeds we plant until the harvest.

I am in in the midst of shedding my hair, (I'm out-doing my daughter's lab and her shedding) and discovering all the side effects of chemo, but my God is greater than any cancer and I take each day with joy. 

 Well, my Iris are almost finished blooming.  Next, we'll go onto Gladiolus.  It is fun to go out in the morning and see what has bloomed.  I want to wish all the mothers a early Happy Mother's Day.

This is my favorite shot so far this season.  My peach colored Iris are next to bloom so stay tuned.  I've put together a board at Pinterest if you want more.
 http://pinterest.com/leann78/garden-shots

Spring and the Last Big Push.

I am on the second draft of my WWII book even if the flowers in my garden are calling my name.  I really do want to go out and dig in the dirt, but this draft is to smooth things and sharpened those scenes.  But I run about on my breaks and take pictures.  Enjoy.

Spring is here in all it's glory.  I love going out each day and seeing what has bloomed this morning.  With Iris, you have to 'dead-head' them to make your stalks look sharp.  Some of my Gladiolus are pushing through the soil, but I have more I want to plant.  I find gardening relaxing and all I'm responsible for is planting them.

The Hope of Spring

These are pictures of my Iris ready to bloom.  See the buds, the yellow and purple edge Iris. Those buds hold the hope of beauty.  Soon I will see a beautiful flower.

 

For me writing is that way.  You come up with a proposal, that bud you send to your editor and then when you write the book, it becomes that beautiful flower.  I am working on the WWII book, and wanting that flower to bloom.  There are other stems on my bush that are beginning to bud.  I’ll be excited to see those stories bloom, too.

Please check back daily this Spring, 

because I will post pictures of the latest blooms.