Advent, Health, And My Old Dog

Correction: Sandra commented that Advent starts on the 28th. I knew that, I looked at my calendar when I wrote this, and I thought it was the 28th! Which is after Thanksgiving, so this post makes no sense. But I hope you will enjoy it anyway. 

Some health issues have come to the forefront of my life. I now need supplemental oxygen at night. No big deal, the noisy machine is in the other bedroom and I quickly got used to sleeping with little cannulas in my nostrils . 

Tomorrow, my great-niece, Jasmine, will drive me to Bakersfield for a CT scan of my chest. This will determine if I need oxygen during the day. While that would be a bummer, I know I will get used to it as well. It doesn't really matter since I'm mostly here at home.  

I also want to learn more about breathing because I believe one can improve one's ability to breathe. At least while one is at the stage I am. The only symptom I've had is a little shortness of breath walking up my hilly road here. Nothing while on flat land or in the house. But the oxygen is important, of course, so I have to work with the medical people and learn as much as I can. 

I got a good book, called Breath, by James Nestor. I will study it and work on some of the exercises included in it.  

Jasmine, has been here to help with house cleaning and special projects. So far, she emptied my pantry, got rid of expired items, cleaned the cabinet and organized the good stuff. Now I open the door, look inside and smile. Then she did a great job cleaning my floors. It's been wonderful getting help and spending time with her.

Adding to my woes, I also have an infection in my mouth, which set off my blood sugars to unimaginable highs. I thought I was OK after finishing the prescribed medicine. Now I think it's probably still there. There's always a reason for unusually high blood sugars, if you haven't splurged on a bunch of cookies or forgotten to take your insulin, then you're probably sick somewhere in your body. 

Now, about the holidays. Global warming is in full force here, it's 63 F --- 17 C here today. And 69 F is projected for later in the week. That's Swedish summer weather. At this point, there's nothing much to do, but to accept it. Normally, I would have taken out my Advent candle holder, cleaned it, put four candles in, and lit the first one, representing the first Sunday in Advent. Granted it came early this year, before Thanksgiving, even, but with this weather, I had no idea. 

Samson, who is 12 1/2 now, is slowing down. He can't walk far, he needs to rest while on our walks. We will visit the vet soon to get an evaulation. Samson and I have lived together for a long time now. We raised puppy Faith together, we mourned Errol together, and we've walked these hills together for many years. A huge sadness fills my heart when I sit and pet his  furry head. 

But he's still here, he's still totally food oriented, has a good appetite, guards, and barks the same as always. 

This has not been a fun post, I know. Since I haven't posted for awhile, I just wanted to share my health issues. But I promise, this will not be a whiny blog. 

I have a wonderful true story to share as soon as I finish writing it. It's about an ancient oak tree in Sweden. 

And I have a new inspiration for another conversation with Faith. This one about a road runner, a bird of the American Southwest, who hitched a ride with a moving van and ended up in Maine. Faith will have some opinions on that, for sure. 

As for the holidays, I guess I will have to prepare for next Sunday now. 

I'm late with this for a Sunday post, so I will schedule it for Monday morning.