What became of January

I left out January because in January I had flu, and the Arctic temperatures prompted a hibernation. It was so cold that the heat pump working all day could not raise the heat in house to 62. I slept and when necessary bundled up (3 hats, etc) to open and then close the chickens. Having to bring out the tea pot of boiling water to break up the ice in their water basin. Alma seems to have caught flu at nearly same time; she had the flu shot (which has proven nearly useless this year) while I did not (but I did have remedies which helped). Hardly went out for two weeks, just to avoid spreading flu to others. I couldn't visit Meghan as I couldn't risk giving her flu. This late fall she was diagnosed with 4th stage cancer of unknown origin, having ended up in ER with fluid surrounding heart. Meghan was just 60 last year and last year nursed Carol thru treatments for uterine cancer. Meghan wanted to fight her diagnosis as Carol had, the doctor ordered a chemo treatment which poisoned her nearly to death. Her legs swelled and oozed, she could hardly walk and the fluid began to fill her lungs quicker and quicker. She spent almost 2 weeks in the CCU in Roanoke, now diagnosed with CHF and 4th stage lung cancer. I went by to see her before I left for Dominican Republic, sensing I might not see her again. Carol took my note and eggs, but Meg was sleeping. She died on January 30, rode out on a giant blue moon.

pictures from the DR

Thoughtful faces intent on Kindles!

The pool in heavy down pour. We had rain at night and during the day. But always the sun would show up in the day, warm. It is 70 degrees here in Virginia, and Baldwin says that it is only in the 70's in Samana. It has been freezing in Houston and in Ocean Springs this winter. So strange. I wish that more action would be taken by our public officials to prepare for climate change. It seems a stand off not dissimilar to the subject of gun control. We have a bunch of equivocating cowards in office. School shooting in Florida yesterday afternoon, 17 people dead, 12 injured. Shame. I am disgusted.

Pearl took this photo of True and me. A very happy Nanee down in the tropics. Need to be there more of the winter. Have to make it possible.

Escape from Gray World to Beach World

For ten days from  January 24 to Groundhog day, happy trip to DR to stay in little house beside Baldwin and Mindy's rental near down town Las Terranes, Samana, DR.  A beautiful landscape, the little cottage to the right in this picture. It was cool enough that I only went into the pool once; Susan swam several days. The papaya and pineapple were heavenly. Large avocados. Plantain and yuca chips. El Presente cerveza en la playa. The beaches as always, beautiful.

Susan and I had a smooth trip with no hassles and no missed connections; and so much more fun to travel with friend than alone - sharing the anxiety diminishes it! It did rain quite often on the island, but hardly discouraged trips to beach. True was very sick the first several days, finally he rallied with the help of medicine for amoebic dysentery. But the time went too quickly; I hope I can arrange for 3 weeks next winter. I need to check to see how hard it would be to bring Mr. Lee - tho Alma loved having him and he seemed to enjoy his stay at her house. I have more pictures to post, though I am now posting on Instagram.  The colors, the light, the flora - the food! And how my skin drinks happily.