Welcome to my blog. I have had ALS for 10 years now.


Since I started this blog in June 2008 I've had amazing feedback. Family, friends, people from all over North America, Australia, Scotland, England, and places I can't recall, have commented, encouraged and corresponded. I had no idea when Cynthia taught me how to set this up, how much I would love posting and how many people would read it. I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has helped propel this therapeutic exercise into a daily routine. All of you, both friends and visitors, are now part of my blog family. Welcome.

From Go Pro

From Go Pro
View from my living room

Friday, April 30, 2010

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Princess and the Pea

This is me these days. The bed is too hard, too soft, has a bump, squeaks, too hot, too cold, hurts my back, burns my feet, scrunches my head, etc., etc.. I just can't get comfortable. To sit up takes too much effort and hurts. To turn is impossible.
My poor carers pump the ROHO mattress up, take air out, put pillows under my legs, take them out. They switch sections of the mattress around, adjust the height of my head and I still wake up with pain. As my muscles weaken I can't move my butt or straighten my spine. It's darn frustrating!
I feel better now--thanks for listening.
It's just a "poor me" day. I allow myself to have a few.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Control

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Kids!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Yummy omelette

This generously sized omelette is designed to feed a crowd. Keep in mind that a large omelette will take longer to cook than a standard-size one. To prevent the eggs from overbrowning, stir them continuously with a silicone spatula until they resemble a soft, loose scramble. Shake the pan so the eggs cover the bottom evenly, then place the filling on half of the eggs. Remove the pan from the heat and slide the filled side of the omelette onto a platter, using the pan to help fold the unfilled side onto the filled side.

Kids can help with several steps of the cooking process. They can break the eggs, cracking each one into a small bowl and removing any shells before transferring the eggs to a larger bowl. Then they can whisk the eggs with the water. Children can grate the cheese and, after an adult fries the bacon, crumble it with their hands. Under adult supervision, kids can stir the eggs as they cook.

Ingredients:

  • 12 eggs
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced diagonally
  • 1 or 2 pinches of salt
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 8 oz. bacon, cooked until crispy and roughly
    chopped

Directions:

In a bowl, lightly whisk the eggs and water until blended. Set aside.

In a large nonstick fry pan over medium heat, melt 1 Tbs. of the butter. Add the green onions and sauté until soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

In the same pan, melt the remaining 2 Tbs. butter and swirl in the pan until it foams. When the foam subsides, add the eggs and season with salt. Using a spatula, quickly and lightly stir the eggs in a small circular motion until most of the liquid has cooked off but the eggs are not completely solidified, 7 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese, bacon and green onions across half of the omelette.

Holding the handle of the pan in one hand and a serving platter in the other hand, tip the pan forward, toward the platter. Slide the filled half of the omelette onto the platter, then invert the pan to fold the omelette in half. Cut into wedges and serve immediately. Serves 6.
Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Farming with ALS

Frank lives in Mississippi and is pictured here with one of his Border Collies herding his sheep.
I have great admiration for people who never stop "living" despite their disabilities.
Way to go Frank!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

A trip around Granville Island



A beautiful day, good friends, and a walkway filled with spring surprises.
It doesn't get much better than this.






Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Cherry blossom time in the city



It was warm and sunny so off we went to Granville Island to take some photos of the cherry blossoms. It was
a magnificent day to view these beauties that never disappoint us every spring. From a distance they looked like large cones of cotton candy. Up close they're clusters of delicate petals.
If you live nearby and you look down 7th Ave between Hemlock and Oak you'll see branches of blossoms, like pink umbrellas, stretching over the street.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

I'm still celebrating my 64th

I'm in a chocolate shop with Shelby, my great niece, enjoying an ice cream treat, compliments of my niece Jennifer. We had lunch at Joey's and went shopping at the Kid's Pottery Barn. Sunny day--just perfect for window shopping and visiting.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Monday, April 5, 2010

TREES

TREES

by: Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

      THINK that I shall never see
      A poem lovely as a tree.
      A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
      Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
      A tree that looks at God all day,
      And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
      A tree that may in Summer wear
      A nest of robins in her hair;
      Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
      Who intimately lives with rain.
      Poems are made by fools like me,
      But only God can make a tree.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Enjoy!

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

My sister Cheryle, treated us to High Tea at the Hotel Vancouver. My Lavender Earl Grey tea was delicious and the "melt in your mouth" scones with Devonshire Cream and preserves-- scrumptious!
Pictured below, on either side of me, are my handsome two great nephews Brandon and Brodie.



















Thursday, April 1, 2010