Lovin' the Questions

My longtime dear friend Zazzy has tagged me with some questions. Thanks, sister, for giving me something to write about!!

What is your favorite color?
Much as I feel I'm stuck in a rut, it's gotta be blue. All shades in general, but especially that sapphire blue tone that the sky gets just before sunrise in early spring and late autumn. When I was still working, I'd take the bus at 6:15 and was able to catch that color for a couple weeks. Sublime in every way.

What is your favorite animal?
Dogs. Big slobbering labradors. Tiny yippy lapdogs with ribbons in their hair. Stately standard poodles. Weiner dogs. Old jowly beagles. Armstrong, my neighborhood Afghan hound whose owner must spend a fortune in professional grooming. Pugs - I love their smashed in faces and curly tails.

What is your favorite drink?
Coke Zero with a lot of lemon. On rare occasions when I drink alcohol, champagne or a nice pinot grigio.

Facebook or Twitter?
Well, I've only done Facebook and I just love it.

Favorite passion?
Helping street people. Yes, I know this can get a bit subjective at times. And sometimes backfires like last week when I bought a man a turkey sandwich, apple and bottled water. He was sitting on the sidewalk outside the store. When I presented it to him he said he would have rather had ham and cheese; he couldn't eat the apple because his teeth were in poor shape; and he'd really like a cup of coffee (it was 91 degrees - go figure).

Giving or Receiving Presents?
Both!! I used to agonize over finding the perfect gift for someone, but now I don't. If I see something the person would like, I get it. There doesn't have to be an occasion attached for gifts.

Favorite Day
The Saturday of a three day weekend, when it seems like the entire city has emptied out and gone to their lake cabins up north. I love the feeling of quiet emptiness and the lack of lines at the hot breakfast places.

Favorite Flower
Purple iris. I have it tatooed on my belly. Many years ago I had a tai chi teacher who was also a florist. One day he brought each student a flower that he'd selected especially for them. He gave me the iris and said it represented the flower of a warrior, because its leaves were shaped like a sword. To this day, whenever I see one, I feel as if the Source is telling me that everything's gonna be okay.

My Creepy Arm

I met a former co-worker at the Mall of America for lunch today. She also is living with a cancer diagnosis so we had a lot to talk about. I was proud of myself because I spent no $.

I decided to take the train downtown, and just as I was boarding, heard a shrill voice, "yoohoo....Kathy". I knew immediately that it was S, a woman who's lived in my neighborhood for years. We've never had more than a 5 minute conversation on the street, but when I saw her coming my way, I wanted to bolt. I was about halfway through a good book Tales of a Female Nomad but now would be stuck in conversation with S for the entire 40 minute ride. In addition to being a chatterbox, she is a bit daft in the head. At times I've enjoyed her eccentricity, but in very small doses.

There was really no way to avoid sitting next to her. She started taking her purchases out and was going to explain each one. Suddenly, she let out a little scream.
S--Oh my gosh. What happened to your arm?
K--Remember I told you I was on dialysis? Well, this bump is the matured vein graft.
S--Oh you poor thing. ("You poor thing" is one of my least favorite phrases. I am not a "thing". I am a 59 year old woman who has made a remarkable recovery from a complex medical situaion.) How do you stand it?
K--Stand what?
S--Having people stare at your arm. It makes me creeped out just to look at it. Maybe you should wear long-sleeved t-shirts. I think they were on sale at Macy's.
What on earth would you do if a man asked you out?
K--I don't think that situation is likely to arise. (I didn't tell her about Stanley from the Y who wants to go to the Pub and play darts - he is about 80 and walks with 2 canes. I'd probably have to hold him up by his armpits as he took aim.)



We've had short sleeve weather for about a month, and I haven't noticed anybody staring at it. Last weekend we were at my cousin's daughter's graduation party in south Minn and no one said anything. My relatives are pretty blunt.

So, before I could let her ruin my day any further, I simply got off the train at the next stop. They run every 10 minutes, so the time sacrificed was well spent in getting to the next chapter of the book. Some people can't be reasoned with.

Keep calm and carry on.