The 2017 Version of the Dreaded Holiday Letter

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

It’s time for the dreaded holiday letter, the 2017 version.

I seriously have no idea where to even begin.

So, let’s try a calendar approach.

January, February and part of March 2017 found us near Fountain Hills Arizona where Al had prostrate cancer treatments. The treatments went very well, the after affects were not as bad as they could have been. His PSA has dropped dramatically and the doctors are quite happy. He walks around telling all, I will not die from Prostrate Cancer, I will die with Prostrate Cancer.

Part of March and April took us to Cottonwood Arizona where he continued his healing process. With Sedona within miles, healing is gonna happen, body and soul.

By May we were back in SE Michigan where we tackled the acres. I had been suffering from a partially frozen shoulder for 18 months in late 2015 and through 2016, the plants and weeds went wild. Over the winter 16/17, the shoulder healed and once again I could move and work, it was quite wonderful actually.  We worked all summer long, but, failed to conquer it all.  However, we were very pleased with what we did manage tho. 

June, July, August, September and October, we dealt with that yard, needed a new fridge which we are well pleased with. We also needed a new door on the back of the house. Ordered in May, but, not ordered by the sub-contractor, then was ordered wrong, finally was mostly installed in late October. Had a broken spring on the garage door. Ya know, you stay in a house for 22 years, stuff just starts failing. Pull out the wallet, fix and move on to the next problem. We are never bored.

Later summer brought hurricanes. UGH. We had Mom evacuate for Irma, she caught one of the last planes out of Ft. Lauderdale. She got to visit twice this summer. We spent a number of hours getting her new iPhone and iPad all set up. Her iPhone case is the envy of all women in Ft. Lauderdale, let me tell you, bling supreme.

As one who lives with the Demon (diabetes) and living with one who is a survivor of cancer, we find as a couple that we share our "reduction of stamina" issues. This is actually a good thing. When we travel we no longer disagree about how far we can go in one day or how long we will stay. LOL. It took us 2 weeks to get from Michigan to Las Cruces, our first stay for the winter. One month in a favorite place.

Our current plans, as I frequently say, are written in dust, but, they include several months over in Arizona, revisiting some places and staying in new places as well. Come April 1st, 2018, we will begin the slow trek back to Michigan.

2017 has been a year of stress and grief, having lost several family members, including recently, my uncle Charlie. He was 93, lived a good life and was well loved by his family.

Man and I are deeply concerned over the state of our nation. We see much that is alarming. Frankly, from my seat, I am rather horrified that this new “norm” is what we are leaving for our kids and grandkids to deal with. Our generation, the “hippies” that preached love and peace and a side of “weed”, thank you very much, have turned out so much differently. Surprisingly tho, we seem to still embrace the right to free speech and protest and march for what we feel strongly about.

This fall, as I talked about a few weeks ago, I jumped out of the Microsoft Windows family. Slowly, I am adjusting to my new world of Apple. I’ll say, I am not one bit sorry I moved on. The desktop rides well in Tana, is easy to set up, plug it in, grab the wireless keyboard and mouse and turn it on. Boom. I can leave it on for days if we are parked somewhere. It’s becoming more and more simple and amazing.

We continue to enjoy and worship the little yorkie, Winston. He is a show stopper, every one he meets ooooohhhs and ahhhhh over him. Of course, he sucks it up.

Man and I wish you and yours the very best holiday season and much health, success and happiness in 2018.

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A Holiday Story, Of A Different Sort

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

If you have diabetes or know someone that does, you know that part of the challenge is the highs and lows. For me, the lows are more physically challenging, I shake, and feel like crap.

I will say, the new regiment of shots and pills, and such, I don't have nearly the issue with lows that I did before. It's been pretty good.

BUT, now and then - - WAM!!

Today, I had a wam! I tanked. And, it was fast. Which is of course, a nasty part of the equation.

I ended up walking into a coffee shop (not naming on purpose, the name would add nothing to the story or discussion).

I said to the young man/clerk, "I am tanking, what might you have that is sweet?"

He took one look at me and said,"hold on". He came back with some yummy to the tummy desert, and said, "I paid for this myself, see if it helps."

I said, "I have money", he said, "nope, just feel better".

I ate, I felt better.

Just so happened I saw him about 30 minutes later as he was taking the trash out. He yelled over, "was it good??" I said, "it was!"

I proceeded to thank him again and gave him a big ole hug!

Then, he tells me, "my parents are both diabetic, I knew what you needed and how fast."

I'll tell you, those parents raised a special young man.

Gave me a huge hunk o 'holiday' spirit, let me tell you.

Happy Holidays to all.



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Happy Holidays, 2013

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Man and I find ourselves in southern Florida for the holidays.

It has been memorable year. Some of which I have been able to share with you at Reflections. Some of which will be shared in much of 2014 at the rate I am blogging lately.

We started out the year in Tucson, and visited Quartzsite, Buckeye, Death Valley, Bakersfield California, Morro Bay and up the coast to Oregon, including an interesting stop at San Francisco, over to Portland Oregon, Mount Rainer, Seattle, over to Glacier National Park and eventually back to SE Michigan. We visited many National Parks, all beautiful. We loved the California and Oregon coasts. We visited the headwaters of the Mississippi River and paid a quick visit to a Michigan favorite, Mackinaw Island. We visited friends along the way, so many welcoming friends. We attended at least two Montana Rallies, one in Jackson California (where we made a day trip to Reno) and one in Goshen Indiana. We ended the year with a mad dash out of Michigan outrunning a snarky ice storm and ending up here, in Florida.

WOW, hard to believe that all in retrospect.

We are thankful and extremely appreciative of the many blessings. We attempt to fully live each day, knowing that nothing of a future is promised. Man had two skin cancer surgeries this fall and I gracefully (NOT) took two stairs as if they were one resulting in a quick trip to the ER and a pulled ligament. We are both healing fine.

For our friends and family we have offered many prayers and hugs. We are always sorry to see illness and other issues they are facing.

That is the year in review, the quick review version.

Man and I send our best to you and yours for a wonderful 2014. Health and happiness, satisfaction with who you are and where you are. Peace of soul and warmth of love.

Happy Holidays!

Man and 

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