Not only did the morning glories begin their blooming early this year, they are now blooming in November - a previously unheard of blessing! The blossoms are a bit smaller than their summer's end version, and star-shaped. And beautiful.

R's MRI was cancer free. We live in the joy and relief of this reprieve, for a time, of worry.

In a season of Thanksgiving there are many small joys to be gently handled and treasured: children, grandchildren, family and friend near and scattered across the states and further. The connections between people are truly the most amazing gifts.

No great work of literature, but I am working on a Season 2 RS Christmas story, a Christmas card for our little community. Will post at the appropriate moment in the season.

Since the time when R's balance and mobility were first impacted nearly four years ago by a brain tumor he has been engaged in continuing rounds of physical and occupational therapy calculated to regain the fullest possible degree of normal movement. Progress was rapid at first, then slower. Some would have guessed that after eighteen months, and surely after three years of hard work, R would have reached his highest potential, and maintaining what he has already achieved would be his goal.

Instead, R and B have explored alternative therapies, researching cutting edge therapies such as the Taub restraint therapy in Birmingham, AL and tongue sensor therapy last December in Toronto. While not all these efforts have yielded clear results, these therapies have led to the vastly improved dexterity of R's right hand and cane free steps a year ago in March. R and B's most recent efforts have focused on therapeutic horsemanship, as pictured above, and tai chi, guided by a licensed physical therapist.

Several weeks ago R and B undertook a new adventure. On a sunny afternoon in Forest Park they, along with some friends, spent several hours riding a tandem bike! Suffice to say it was a successful undertaking. R thoroughly enjoyed riding on two wheels once again!

R's regularly scheduled MRI will take place this month. He has gotten more savvy, or perhaps assertive about scheduling, and has this and appointments with his oncologist and neurosurgeon lined up on the same day, to minimize their disruption of his work day. Prayers for reassuring outcomes of this procedure are always appreciated.

The morning glories still reign on our porches. We're soaking them in each glorious day!

Tags: brain tumors, mri, tandem bikeriding, therapy

The morning glories have begun their yearly reign - on both my front and back porches. We are being treated to their majesty at least a month ahead of schedule, though I have no complaints. The color and delicacy hold me completely captive. Surely they are God's gift to both celebrate summer, and to soften the sorrow of distantly approaching winter!

A sad tableau has been taking place in my backyard for the past several days.

Like many urban/suburban environments we have become well populated with deer, hawks, turkeys, raccoons, fox, coyotes etc. The animals which no doubt once lived here undisturbed, and have adjusted to life among people and houses. We live in uneasy peace, enjoying watching them at times, and railing against their consumption of our ornamental plants and birdfood at others.

Of course when it comes to babies, we appreciate the chance to watch them grow close up.

 A tiny fawn - barely bigger than a long legged cat - has been running back and forth, bleating like a little goat, approaching with great intent any adult deer it spots, only to be repeatedly rejected by those adults, kicked at and even stomped on.

This tale, we fear, had it's origins in a thoughtless human who picked the tiny creature up and held it to show it to some neighbor children.  From what we can read on-line, the human scent makes deer vulnerable to predators, putting the herd at risk as well, so he is cast out. Now we see the ugly side of our relationship to nature, one that is broken; this little fellow the victim of our interference. There is no way to mend the harm - though we keep hoping some adult deer will take pity on him and adopt him. 

It has been nearly three days of searching for our little guy.

March 1986

It is my goal that these characters embody the best of those created for the television series Remington Steele. Any resemblance to actual people or places is entirely unintentional: I leave it to the locations manager to find a setting in which to film.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

A scouring wind screamed through the stained stones of the cemetery, sweeping a twisting funnel of leaves into the dark beyond. Wisps of cloud disintegrated in the shifting gusts, occasionally allowing the light from a quarter moon to briefly illuminate the eerie setting.  A massive brick church loomed over the graveyard, dark and still, a single glowing red light visible through a narrow window in the door.

Steele’s gaze narrowed as the church’s side door silently opened and a dark figure slipped through. A second, slighter figure, followed a few seconds later.  

“What is the enigmatic Miss Holt up to now? And couldn’t she have at least have warned me she was going to be out on an all night escapade?”

 

( Read more... )

Tags: steele bunnies

Steele making some edits to a fairly fluffy story, will post before Easter.

Tags: asher asleep in his swing

A quiet moment in the summer of 1988

Laura’s a gifted detective, rightfully confident in her ability to outthink, outrun and out-maneuver criminals.

 Somehow she has less faith in herself when it comes to dealing with the men she cares about…   

 

Steeley Blues

A rough block wall concealed Laura; she peered around it, the stone cold against her cheek. The alley stretching before her was dim and only indirectly lit by a distant streetlamp. The sound of water dripping down a drainpipe echoed in the dark silence of the night. Shivering a bit, she pulled her coat more firmly about her, shifting her tired feet. With a nervous scowl, she shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Fatigue befuddled her. The details of the case that had brought her to this black doorway were vaporizing from her mind, much like the mist rising from the damp pavement. A plaintive cry came from some distance. Laura tensed, listening carefully to discern the direction from which the noise had come.  When no further sound pierced the thick quiet of the night, the detective closed her eyes for a moment to think.

Something was wrong.  

A sudden chill shook Laura, despite the warmth of her coat, and she crossed her arms tightly around herself.

 

( Read more... )

Tags: steeley blues

A guttural moan escaped from somewhere deep in Steele’s chest. It would be hard to say if the sound were one of real pain, or rather, of frustration at being helpless; captive ultimately to Laura’s cajoling demands.  He twisted slightly, his hands clenched, knuckles white and shaking.

Laura reached for one of his hands, slipping her small, soft fingers into the circle of his fist and gently stroking it with her thumb until it relaxed. She laid her cheek against the back of his hand for a moment.

“Hush, Mr. Steele,” she whispered soothingly, as a mother might have reassured an ill child. She wondered briefly if Frances had found herself in a similar position. “You’re doing just fine.”

 

( Read more... )

 

Tags: steele in need

 Several months later

“It would work out great for both of us. I can cook, all vegetarian meals – real healthy - and shop, and keep the yard up. You’ve got room for a garden back there. I could grow fresh tomatoes and beans, peppers and melons. The money you’d save on groceries would just about cover the rent you’re looking for.” A slow voiced, incense-permeated woman with an unsmiling child balanced on her hip, stood on the Holt front porch, staring fixedly at Laura. “You’d hardly know little Boo was here. He’s a real quiet kid.”

Laura reached out to smooth “Boo’s” hair away from his dirty little face, sorry that she couldn’t somehow help this little lost soul, but unable to accept his mother’s offer to trade work for rent. Laura needed actual money to help cover the costs of living here. “I’m so sorry. I just don’t think it’s going to work out. “

( Read more... )

Tags: laura alone, laura alone part four