Karyn, Malcolm, Dad, Heather and Ken picking apples in the old Yeo Orchard--about 1959

Friends sent me a singing Valentine

Listen to the Nat King Cole song they sang. Click here.

Happy Valentine's Day

Click here for an old fashioned love song.

It's all about how much you want it.

Dr. Richard K. Olney, Felled by the Disease He Studied, Is Dead at 64

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/us/dr-richard-k-olney-als-researcher-dies-at-64.html?_r=1

Life is so stressful some days, so I take a nap.

Height doesn't matter between friends

A beautiful photo by my friend Libby in Dumfries(Holywood) Scotland

First snow in the city

Lovely short storm today.

Thank you

I want to send a special thank you out to all my friends, family, and Caregivers who once again helped me celebrate the season. I couldn't have managed without you. A special thanks to Tess, one of my caregivers, who helped my friends decorate and undecorate (my own word).

And of course an ongoing thanks to those who visit, do finances, make phone calls on my behalf, repair what I crash into(my brother Ken is 'Mr. Fixit), shop, send notes/emails/cards and good wishes. My life would be VERY difficult without you.

Yummy apple spice cake

A delicious final touch, the glaze adds a hint of extra flavor and an attractive sheen to this coffee cake.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 tart cooking apples, such as Granny Smith or
  Braeburn, 1 lb. total, peeled, cored and
  coarsely chopped
• 2 Tbs. strained fresh orange juice, lemon juice
  or apple juice
• 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at
  room temperature
• 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
  
  

For the vanilla glaze:

• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 2 Tbs. condensed skim milk, warmed, plus
  more as needed
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round springform pan or square baking pan or baking dish (see Note).

To make the cake, in a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In another bowl, toss the apples with the juice. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cardamom and cinnamon. Add to the apples and toss to coat. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, combine the butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar and vanilla and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour mixture in 2 or 3 additions and beat well until smooth. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold in the apples just until evenly distributed, no more than a few strokes. Do not overmix. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 60 to 70 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners sugar, the 2 Tbs. milk and the vanilla until smooth and pourable. Adjust the consistency of the glaze by adding more milk, a few drops at a time, if needed.

Remove the sides of the springform pan, if using, and place the cake on a wire rack set over a piece of waxed paper to catch any drips. While the cake is warm, drizzle with the glaze. Let the cake cool to room temperature. Cut into wedges or squares to serve. Makes one 9-inch cake.

Note: If using a glass baking dish, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.

"Change is good as long as you don't have to do anything different." Maxine

ALS demands me to adjust to ongoing changes. Sometimes I accept it and other times I fight it. I was happy to have a power chair as I wanted to get around. I gave up my car without argument as I didn't want to injure anyone including myself. Now it gets harder. I surprised myself when I balked at learning how to use speech devices--somehow I thought delaying the process was going to make my voice last longer. How silly was that!? Denial is a restful state. When it was evident that I had to give up the 'Sit to Stand' lift I got angry at my arms. It didn't improve their strength by the way--just caused further frustration. Surprise surprise. The BiPap(breathing device), I accepted as I figured out it was a good idea to keep breathing--and it was. I cry easily when something doesn't work but I have learned to laugh when my body doesn't work. I will continue to whine off and on--ignore me. I will manage just fine. We all need to give ourselves permission to grieve our losses and lean on our carers, friends and family to renew our strength. As I experience more weakness and eventually total paralysis, I will not lean on you, I will rely on you.

What can I say? Some cats think they are angels.

Merry Christmas to all

Whistler

photo by M.G.

School chums

When I was 15 I went to St. Margaret's School in Victoria with Margaret and Cammy. When they visit me we recall all the laughs and good times we had--and the good times we are having now. It's great fun. It seems so long ago --and it was --50 years ago!!
Roses are Red my Love by Bobby Vinton and Chubby Checkers(The Twist) blared on the radio. We were carefree kids who had no idea what life had in store for us. We were fortunate to grow up in a country safe and peaceful--and families that loved us. We all count our blessings--and there are many.

My party

I had a Christmas party and my hat sang and I danced. It took me 2 days to recover--but it was worth it.

Is Santa here yet?

Click here

Emily

"After a good book I need a nap," says Emily-- Anne's cat.

ALS Responds to Modified Parkinson Drug By Kurt Ullman, Contributing Writer, MedPage Today Published: November 20, 2011 Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner Action Points Explain that patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) showed signs in a small study that an investigational agent derived from the Parkinson's disease drug pramipexole might slow the loss of muscle strength and function. Note that treatment failures showed a significant dose-dependent relationship. Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, showed signs in a small dose-ranging study that an investigational agent derived from the Parkinson's disease drug pramipexole might slow the loss of muscle strength and function, researchers said.

Malcolm

He is doing well and back in Kamloops at the Rehab ward. THANKS for all your concerns and prayers. He is walking with a walker and talking well. I expect he will be home for Christmas.

Now that's a close-up.

Remember the Granville St. photographers? Remember the hair?

This is Steven and Karyn out for an afternoon of shopping.

Oh to be that young again. Sigh---

Since some have been asking, yes it's me in the picture at 23 yrs., and Steven is about 5. Steve is the son of a good friend of mine. I always liked to buy him clothes...and he tolerated it well. Unfortunately, he recently died from secondary lung cancer.

Out for a stroll/ride with my niece Kristina

life

Andy Rooney on life I've learned... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. That when you're in love, it shows. That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day. That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world. That being kind is more important than being right. That you should never say no to a gift from a child. That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

I'm still alive and causing trouble.

Here I am with my friend Joyce at the new restaurant "Edible Canada" on Granville Island. Joyce had to feed me but no one around us seemed to care. As long as I can laugh I can live.

I devoured a full order of fish and chips.

Malcolm

Malcolm is recovering from his nightmare. He spoke to me on Tuesday!

He has a long way to go on his rehab journey but considering where he was 2 wks. ago--it's a miracle.

Have You Never Been Mellow?

Click here.

Is that my Grampa?

Do you feel like working today? Me neither!

Update

Malcolm is doing better every day, but still in isolation in ICU.

Loss of a special man

Steve Mark David Griswold

|

July 30, 1962 - Sept.5, 2011

Steve was predeceased by his father, Herbert Dwight Griswold. Left to mourn are his mother, Irene Griswold (Tom Newell), sister Brenda Griswold, aunt Vivien Swonnell, first cousin Mitzi Swonnell and many other relatives and friends. He suffered intense pain for three months with no diagnosis of cause. On August 22, secondary lung cancer was found. On September 4 he received palliative sedation and 10am the next day he was gone to be with the Lord. REJOICE. Memorial service will be on October 16th at 2:00PM at the First Baptist Church, Nelson and Burrard, Vancouver. Tea will be served following the service. Wheelchair accessible. Parking is available. In lieu of flowers Steve preferred you send a donation to the ALS Society in honour of his friend, Karyn.

Reach--only way you'll get there

"When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either."

Leo Burnett

Good news

My brother Malcolm, wiggled his toes, recognized Ken's voice, and squeezed Kathy's hand. We're feeling hopeful.

update

Malcolm is still in an induced coma.

We are hoping for the best.

Malcolm in ICU

My baby brother is fighting for his life

in VGH ICU after complications following liver surgery.

PLEASE send him healing energy or remember him in your prayers. He needs all the help he can get.

Thank you.

Some times we just want someone to listen.

Such sad news--only 54 and so caring. ALS IS CRUEL.

Karyn-

Wayne passed away on August 7th - Our family would like to thank you for your friendship and support for Wayne.

I have notified patients like me of his passing and they said they would update something so if you know of anybody that is not aware yet - would you be so kind as to pass the word?

Thank you and wishing you the best,

Jim (Wayne's brother)

A tribute to those lost in 911

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3eQmzw6n3k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

OUCH!

I have an upcoming date with the dentist for a root canal. The darn tooth has 3 roots.

Woe is me--again.

Researchers Discover Underlying Cause of Lou Gehrig's Disease

Scientists have long struggled to identify the underlying disease process of ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and weren't even sure that a common disease process was associated with all forms of ALS.

In this new study, Northwestern University researchers said they found that the basis of ALS is a malfunctioning protein recycling system in the neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Efficient recycling of the protein building blocks in the neurons are critical for optimal functioning of the neurons. They become severely damaged when they can't repair or maintain themselves.

This problem occurs in all three types of ALS: hereditary, sporadic and ALS that targets the brain, the researchers said.

The discovery, published Aug. 21 in the journal Nature, shows that all forms of ALS share an underlying cause and offers a common target for drug therapy, according to the researchers.

"This opens up a whole new field for finding an effective treatment for ALS," study senior author Dr. Teepu Siddique, of the Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurosciences at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a university news release. "We can now test for drugs that would regulate this protein pathway or optimize it, so it functions as it should in a normal state."