Home for a while

I admit, I've been sluggish. We got home Thursday afternoon and here it is Saturday morning. Live with it.

So--what have I been doing? Tuesday morning October 14, Dory picked me up around 10 and we were off to beautiful downtown Fresno. We stopped at Pea Soup Anderson's in Santa Nella for a lunch of--what else--pea soup and a chocolate milkshake. We got into Fresno right about check-in time, which meant we didn't have to wait for our room but did have to wait too long for a bellman. For all the years we've been going to Fresno and all the years that we've been at the same headquarters hotel, they just don't seem to be prepared for us. The poor bellmen were horribly overworked. Everyone had too much stuff (us included) and all wanted to be taken care of right now. We got taken care of eventually and even had time to get our credentials for the convention before they closed for the day. True to my word, I took all five CP's. I wore the grey one so I wouldn't startle too many people that first day.

Wednesday was practices, a luncheon, and a dinner. The convention center had a little surprise for us this year--the arena where we met had become a permanent hockey arena--a little fact that the Worthy Grand Matron had learned the previous Saturday. She worked some miracles of her own, because when we got there, the dashers and glass had been removed and the ice was covered with mats. At least we could walk on the floor without skates and it took the chill a while to penetrate the mats. I don't usually take pictures at Grand Chapter, but thinking of my friendly readers, this time I did.

This is what I looked at all week. We've got some incredible talent in the Order. I am a great direction follower, but when it comes to art I do not have one original thought in my head. I stand in utter amazement of those who do.

Not an especially good picture, but this was the East, taken from my seat. Other better photographers or more energetic who were willing to actually move to take their pictures most likely got better shots, but at least you get the gist of it.

It was a wonderful Grand Chapter. The WGM presided beautifully and swiftly. We got out of each session at reasonable times and all business was accomplished with a minimum of dead time. There was about 1/6 of the attendance of my first Grand Chapter in 1982, which was too bad. I was there and I had a good time and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It did get chilly sitting on the frozen tundra--I was glad I had a sweater, even though the outside temperature in Fresno was in the 80's. Sitting on the mat covered ice was insidious. You really didn't notice the cold at first, but eventually it got bone chilling. Our dark blue dresses looked lovely on the floor, but they weren't lined and got increasingly itchy, particularly around the neck, sleeves, and down the zipper. After a while, I felt like a bear looking for a tree with really rough bark to scratch on.

My stamina wasn't at its peak. Going up and down the stairs to the arena floor, and sometimes just crossing the street to the hotel, was exhausting. I managed to get eight hours sleep each night (I may have been the only one who did), and that helped a lot. A friend took my stitches out on Friday, as requested by my doctor. That helped too. I dutifully medicated the area twice a day. It is getting much better. True to my promise, I wore each CP at least once. At the end of the Friday morning session, I reached up and realized that the CP had worked its way back an inch or so from my hairline--since my hair has started to grow out, the tape that secured the CP's to my head doesn't hold as well. I went up to the room before lunch and decided--the heck with it and went with my hair au natural. There were two other ladies at the convention with my same style, and I thought if they could do it, so could I. I haven't worn a wig since. My hair is growing out quite fast, so I may stay with this look.

Saturday evening came, and a new corps of officers were installed. A new Grand Chapter year has begun. Sunday morning we blissfully slept in, putting off our departure since we only had about 60 miles to go. Many people left Saturday night after installation--must like driving at night more than I do--so check out was lots less hectic than check in.

By now, it is Sunday, noonish, and we are on our way to Yosemite. I felt layers of stress peel away like onionskin with each passing mile. Since we weren't going to Reno after Yosemite (as is traditional whenever Tioga Pass is open), we stopped at the Indian casino in Coursegold for an hour or so. It was enough . We neither made nor lost fortunes, but we had fun.

We got to the Ahwahnee right around check in time. It is always good to be greeted by old friends. Our room was to the right of the upper balcony--you can't see it because it is shaded by the roof, but trust me, it was there. Dory was sorry that we didn't have the balcony for our little ringtailed cat to visit us in the night again. We made do.

One morning, while Dory was napping, I took a walk down to the river. There is very little water at this time of year, but it is peaceful and serene. It is my favorite time to visit. And this would be

One of the reasons why. The trees are so colorful and the leaves on the ground make a wonderful pattern.

Same morning walk--here is the Ahwahnee, hiding behind an oak tree.

And here it is, out of hiding, looking at the solarium, where Dory and I played cards. We played on the back patio one afternoon until we were beaten by a combination of sun and breeze that wanted to play with our cards too.

And here would be the obligatory picture of Half Dome.

We had a wonderful time. We got some exercise, even though I wasn't up to hiking. Next year. We had good food and lots of rest. The weather was amazingly beautiful. We had to keep reminding ourselves that it was October.

We left early, for us, Thursday morning (that would be around 10) so that we could get home before Glenn went to work at 4 and because we had obligations that evening. It was our Chapter's farewell meeting and we both needed to be there. I can check my e-mails from my cell phone, so I'm not inundated with those, but there were several phone messages to return--the worst of which was to my friend Margaret in Canada, to get the news that her dear Ken and died October 16 of the injuries he sustained in the car accident in August. I feel so blessed that I was able to spend that week with them in July. Ken was an amazing man, full of great stories, and a dear friend. I was sorry that I couldn't hop on a plane and go up for the funeral today, but that just wasn't possible. My heart is with them.

Yesterday, I checked out with my Radiation Oncologist. He doesn't need to see me again, but assured me that they are there if I need them. I won't be officially in remission until after we get the results of my CAT scan then end of next month, but I'm in remission. Now, I need to find my way in the world, to create some structure for my days. I thought work was going to do that, but I guess not. Monday I will start marshaling my resources and looking for a new part time job. I'm better and I'm ready for what's next.

xxooxx