As the day progresses

An old newspaper clipping of my days(18 yrs. young) in horse shows

For those who remember--Roy Rogers--"Tumbling Tumbleweeds"

The Crazy Two?

These two fit the song, "We Weren't Born To Follow." Click to hear the song. Besides Mickey and Tigger, they are also known as Sandra and Cathie. Ahhh, the memories of schools at Halloween.

Some photos from an afternoon at English Bay

One of my favorite things

When I was little I believed there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Now I believe the sighting of a perfect rainbow is worth a pot of gold. My apartment provides the best view for rainbows when the rain showers lessen and the sun breaks through the clouds.

It often only lasts 20 mins. and fades before you get to enjoy it. One of the benefits of being somewhat housebound in rainy weather is the rainbow.

"A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines onto droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. They take the form of a multicoloured arc, with red on the outer part of the arch and violet on the inner section of the arc."

Remember when we got home made treats?

The Giant Halloween Caramel Apple.

Surprise your favorite apple aficionado with a caramel apple whose impressive size conveys the extent of your good wishes. Each confection begins with a magnificent Washington Fuji apple, a varietal prized for its juicy crispness and sweet, slightly spicy flavor. Candymakers double-dip the apple in handmade caramel that's been simmered in copper kettles to rich, buttery creaminess. The apple is blanketed with a thick layer of premium dark chocolate, coated with roasted California almonds and finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate and orange-tinted white chocolate. Apple keeps 2 weeks refrigerated.

Don't Let The Rain Come Down

A song for my dear friend who sent me a postcard today. Last time I posted this song she told me she couldn't get the chorus out of her head--so just for her, here it is again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJHGHtVP9v8&feature=related

Perhaps Love

John Denver/Placido Domingo--click for song

Happy Thanksgiving

Fall in the city

Fall in the city is never the same as the mass beauty of colour in the country--but it is a pleasing stark contrast with skyscrapers, sidewalks, cars and shops. I'm a country kid at heart but I've grown to love the quick pulse of the city. The changing colours of the trees with geometric cement shapes as a backdrop has a scenic quality all of its' own--and worthy of photographing.
Here is a photo I took looking from my patio, across False Creek and into Yaletown.

Autumn and love

I was photographing the colours of Fall today and accidentally captured a Father hugging his child. What a bonus!

Sweet tooth

We all have our favorites and obviously Dottie, although a Scottish kitty, prefers Turkish Delight.

Heart attacks in women

Knowing your family's history of heart disease is important because if you have a close relative with heart disease or diabetes, you are at higher risk for these conditions, too.

Even if you don't have symptoms of heart disease, having a strong family history - particularly if a parent died at a young age of a heart attack - may be enough reason to be checked early to catch problems that may not yet be causing symptoms. In 40 percent of people that develop heart disease, sudden death is the first symptom.

Learn the unique symptoms of heart disease in women.

Chest pain is the most common symptom of heart problems in both men and women, but women are much more likely to also experience subtle symptoms such as headaches, nausea and upset stomach, jaw or neck pain, shortness of breath and generalized fatigue.

Get help immediately. "Research shows that women tend to call for help later than men do, possibly because they don't recognize these atypical symptoms as signaling heart troubles, or possibly because their tolerance for pain is greater," says Dr. Mosca. If you have symptoms and think you might be having a heart attack or stroke, don't delay; call 911.

A ride on the Canada Line to new Convention Centre

If you haven't been down to the new Convention Centre, it will be a treat. The views from the walk-around deck are beautiful.
I took the Canada Line from Olympic Station to the Waterfront. I was accompanied by 2 friends(my tour guides) and loved the day. It was sunny, warm and blue sky. The only glitch was when I held my sandwich at the side of my power chair(to prevent spilling mustard on my shirt) and a Golden Lab came by--and yes, you guessed it--slobbered all over my delicious Clubhouse. Lucky for me, I had eaten half before he tasted it.

I'm the fashion queen of 6th Ave.

Ask and you might receive

I was out with my Care Aid today to make some purchases at Staples. After buying a phone system with a head set to make calling easier, a fat pen to decrease difficulty when signing cheques, an easy grip case for my iPhone with speech program(not purchased as yet), and a pink high heel tape holder(don't ask!), we wandered over to Boston Pizza. Alas, it wasn't open so we waited in the beautiful lobby of the office building next door. As we "people watched" I saw a well dressed man hand a bright yellow/gold cape to a woman friend. I quickly powered over to him and said, "Excuse me, but where did you purchase that? I've been looking all over for one to wear on my wheel chair." He hesitated, and then said, "Oh, a gift for you." He reached in his bag and pulled out another and handed it to me. I was so-o-o pleased. It fit perfectly and covered my chair controls--ideal if I should get caught in the rain.

I spoke with the woman who received one as well, and asked who the charitable man was. "President of Polygon Properties," she replied. You see, you just never know who you might cross paths with--furthermore you never know when you might receive.

Now about the pizza--barbecued chicken and very tasty.

I can do it!

I do exercises with my care workers to maintain flexibility. As you can see in the picture, my right arm is good, my left arm only lifts half way(muscles have weakened and some atrophy is obvious). By someone lifting the arm for me, my shoulder doesn't seize. These exercises are called "Range of Motion"(ROM) and are recommended for all ALS patients.

Ocean and Boats

There is something romantic about the ocean and sailboats. It must be that dream of sailing away into the sunset with your perfect partner onboard-- no worries on the horizon. Of course if you've ever owned a boat it's very different. Storms, engine problems, sea sickness, all tend to destroy the romantic notion. However, I still pause by the seashore and dream. I dream of smooth sailing, candle light dinners, sunny warm weather and the perfect companion. I dream of anchoring in a beautiful cove and working on my novel that will become a best seller. I dream of impeccable health, fine wine, and watching otters float on the waves. I consider myself lucky that I love solitude, meditative time, and to dream. This way there is nothing I can't experience--real or not.

I wish I owned one--maybe in my next life!

I was shopping at the market and spotted this vintage car. What a beauty it was--in mint condition.

The market is getting less crowded as the high tourist season comes to an end. The Fringe Festival has been on and of course there are the weekend buskers trying to earn some money as they entertain with their musical skills. I always feel like I'm on holiday when I go to the market. A good feeling indeed.

It's great to forget how some people see you

Some days are for snoozing

To freeze, let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to 1-quart airtight containers, leaving 1/2 inch at the top to allow for expansion. Freeze the soup for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat over medium heat.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 lb. boneless beef chuck, cut into chunks

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 red-skinned potatoes, scrubbed but unpeeled, cut into chunks

1 can (28 oz.) crushed plum tomatoes, with juices

1/2 lb. green beans, trimmed

2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

Sauté the beef
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, warm 1 Tbs. of the olive oil. Working in batches, add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Cook the vegetables
Add the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil to the saucepan and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion, carrots and celery, cover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Return the beef and any juices from the plate to the pan.

Simmer the soup
Add 1 1/2 quarts water to the pan, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour. Add the potatoes, the tomatoes and their juices and the green beans, and stir well. Simmer until the beef and the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into individual bowls and serve immediately. If freezing the soup, set it aside to cool (see note above). Serves 6 to 8.

Sept. 13th 6:30 A.M.

Some mornings are too beautiful for words. A photo shares the moment best.

Wind Beneath My Wings

Click here for song.

Yummy!

Friends and my Care Giver made New York cheesecake on Thursday. It was great fun watching and eating. I always get the hard jobs!

I tried to save you all a piece but it seemed to disappear from the fridge.

Charleson Park

I had a wonderful day down at Charleson Park(15 min. ride from my home). It was the perfect temperature and all the seagulls, Canadian Geese, ducks and herons were there to entertain us. Tess, my care giver snapped some photos for me near the pond's edge. I didn't dare get too close with my power chair. Something about sliding into a murky duck pond didn't seem appealing.

It was a fun day and I stuck to the speed limit.

What Causes ALS?

What causes ALS?

The cause of ALS is not known, and scientists do not yet know why ALS strikes some people and not others. An important step toward answering that question came in 1993 when scientists supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) discovered that mutations in the gene that produces the SOD1 enzyme were associated with some cases of familial ALS. This enzyme is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules produced by cells during normal metabolism. If not neutralized, free radicals can accumulate and cause random damage to the DNA and proteins within cells. Although it is not yet clear how the SOD1 gene mutation leads to motor neuron degeneration, researchers have theorized that an accumulation of free radicals may result from the faulty functioning of this gene. In support of this, animal studies have shown that motor neuron degeneration and deficits in motor function accompany the presence of the SOD1 mutation.

Studies also have focused on the role of glutamate in motor neuron degeneration. Glutamate is one of the chemical messengers or neurotransmitters in the brain. Scientists have found that, compared to healthy people, ALS patients have higher levels of glutamate in the serum and spinal fluid. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that neurons begin to die off when they are exposed over long periods to excessive amounts of glutamate. Now, scientists are trying to understand what mechanisms lead to a buildup of unneeded glutamate in the spinal fluid and how this imbalance could contribute to the development of ALS.

Autoimmune responses—which occur when the body's immune system attacks normal cells—have been suggested as one possible cause for motor neuron degeneration in ALS. Some scientists theorize that antibodies may directly or indirectly impair the function of motor neurons, interfering with the transmission of signals between the brain and muscles.

In searching for the cause of ALS, researchers have also studied environmental factors such as exposure to toxic or infectious agents. Other research has examined the possible role of dietary deficiency or trauma. However, as of yet, there is insufficient evidence to implicate these factors as causes of ALS.

Future research may show that many factors, including a genetic predisposition, are involved in the development of ALS.

A wee bit tired

Do you ever feel like this?

ALS commercial running on City TV--at last

I'm pleased to see the award winning Canadian commercial for ALS being shown here. It's a shortened version, but good none the less.

It has been on my blog--but worthwhile showing here again CLICK HERE

Miraculous Morning

Mornings inspire me. I took this photo while the sun tried with all its' might to shine through the rain clouds. I often feel this way.

Today my speech is poor and no matter how hard I try the words don't come easily. Then I remind myself to be grateful for what I can do and not ponder too long on what I can't do.

This picture captured the beauty of small rays brightening a dreary day.

I can still click a camera and type so I hope I brighten your day with this photo.

Raising ALS Awareness

This is a video story of one member of ALS Patients Like Me.

People like Sharon are instrumental for increasing ALS awareness. Thank you Sharon.

Click here for video and be patient for video to start.

Wooden boat festival

I went to the wooden boat festival on Granville Island and saw some beautiful crafts. The work that it takes to maintain these boats is truly a labor of love.

It was a gorgeous day in a gorgeous city. How lucky we are to live in this country!

Being spoiled isn't always the best

The rain is coming and my human will make me wear this stupid cape.

Yummy

Easy Blueberry Yogurt Muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup of vanilla low fat yogurt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (divided)
• 1 tbsp sugar

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spoon 2 cups of flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, 1/3 cup of sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. In a separate bowl, combine orange juice, oil, vanilla, yogurt and egg; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moist. Gently fold in 1 cup of blueberries

Spoon batter into a muffin tray that has been coated with cooking spray. Divide the remaining 1/2 cup of blueberries between the muffins; sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly over the muffins.

Bake for 17-19 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Remove muffins from the pan immediately and place on a wire rack to cool. Slather with butter and enjoy.

Bette Midler--always makes me want to dance

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

An apple per day keeps the doctor away

I visited with Dr. Jeremy Road, my respirologist, Wednesday. My FVC had dropped over 10%. This is worrisome to me as it falls in the "caution" area.

FVC - forced expiratory vital capacity

The volume change of the lung between a full inspiration to total lung capacity and a maximal expiration to residual volume. The measurement is performed during forceful exhalation; the preceding maximal inhalation need not be performed forcefully . The volume assessed is the forced expiratory vital capacity (FEVC), commonly called forced vital capacity (FVC).

When I decrease to 60% I will be put on a wait list for a PEG(feeding tube). Although I may not need it right away, I will eventually, and they don't like to do the procedure when your FVC is below 50%.

I started in 2007 at 110%, then 96%, 85%, and now 73%. I seem to drop 10% every 6 mos. Although the doctor isn't worried, of course I am. I was originally hoping I'd be one of those lucky ALS patients who had strong FVC for years. One has to dream of the positive.

It's rather ironic that I developed ALS as I hate change. With ALS, you just get used to one change and another rears it's annoying head. I'm learning to adapt quickly--but not without frustration and tears. I've had some practise adjusting to change--regarding my clothing size. LOL.

Oh well, I have today, and tomorrow and ?? Living in the moment and enjoying every day becomes more poignant.

Hug your loved ones, phone that old friend, because "you just never know."

I know how she feels.