Walking in Hocking Hills, Ohio

Rock House

Wading in the water at Lower Falls near Old Man's Cave

The Gorge near Old Man's Cave

Conkle's Hollow

An amazing walk through enchanted forests inHocking Hills in southeastern Ohio. The more I walk the less I hurt and the less I fret, so I walked miles today. More pictures than words today is the result.

Walking against the Wind

The sand on the beach on Balboa Peninsula recalled snow drifts in Morin Heights, Quebec almost 40 years ago, and although the strong cold wind had a bite, its teeth were not the sharp canines that had cut through my flesh in a Laurentian blizzard.

Walking against the wind seems cleansing. Good to do, but tough.

Miriam, our sickly dog, seems brighter today. Her cancer can behave like that. Ups and down. Barry B. (see comment) suggested modified citrus pectin (MCP), and there are a few studies that look promising.  It may slow the growth of the cancer. So might the NSAI she is taking for pain. Not a cure.

I will pick the MCP up tomorrow. Thank you Barry for the tip.

Me? I too have my  ups and down. The imminent possible return to work is forcing me to reflect on what's been lost and gained over the last year. It will be a major shifting of gears, done before my masterpiece is painted and my  great Canadian/American novel is on top of the NYT bestsellers list.

Transitions are always tough.

Tomorrow I see Dr. Forman. Another chance to take measure of my progress. Now that's a word that cuts both way for those of us with cancer.

I better lighten up before Niagara Falls.

Yesterday my wife and I spend a wonderful afternoon with friends that I had not seen in 22 years. Fellow Canadians. We lived nearby in Claremont, and then they followed their dream to Hawaii. It had a lot to do with surfing. I even learned to surf from this old friend in my 30s.

It was so sweet to see how they had so fully self actualized, had lived the life they wanted. It was wonderful to see how gracefully they had slipped into "retirement". Much to learn. It felt good to reconnect.

Walking (again)

This time I just walked shirtless along the shoreline. Warm sunny California and I am not dreaming. Not thinking much either. 

Soon I will start packing for Baltimore and Chicago. Leaving tomorrow early morning. Gone more than home. I will happy to stay put for a long stretch.

Mobtown isn't much on vegan food. The Windy City has some great choices and at least two fine raw establishments (and I am not taking sushi or oysters).

Saw Dr. Sharma today. Will wait 6 months on CT if Forman buys in, and my disease behaves.

Walking

In Gotham, I walked to organic juice bar, walked to the vegan pizza stand, walked to organic cafe and sandwich shop, and of course, walked for hours in Central Park. I even walked to the drug store to buy mole skin, because my foot was sore from all that pounding of pavement.

In the Steel City, I walked along the Allegheny River past the Roberto Clemente Bridge to cross on the identical 1920s suspension bridge a few block down in this city of bridges. This one was named for a native son who made being famous for 15 minutes famous, namely Andy Warhol. I walked through the seven story museum dedicated to his art and his business and his self reported highest achievement: Art Business. 

In the OC, I drive every where. I walk on the beach to exercise and clear my head. Very different.

Next week I will walk in Mob Town and the Windy City.

Then I get to be home for awhile.