Annapolis by the Sea

A picture's worth a thousand words? What are three pictures worth? Happy crab cakes one and all! The sun is shining on a whole new era..... (they are standing in front of THE very boat that was featured in the movie: "Wedding Crashers" alas, we didn't have enough time to take it for a spin, this trip.)

Foggy Morning Departure

Thick as pea soup. Shrouding the world in a cotton-batting wrap. Disclosing only the most immediate of details. Upon closer inspection there is a dock.... sure enough the ghost is actually a sailboat moored in the mist. An eerie way to start the day. Time to return home to that which is familiar. Final impression of a glorious weekend. Season's changing. Gratitude's constant.

Farewell foggy-town. Impression seared permanent.

Noelle & Baseball Season

Here we have my brown-eyed, classical musician daughter posing in downtown Annapolis during our mom & daughter, girl's-romp-of-an-afternoon. It's been fun watching Noelle develop an interest in sports, via Zac's enthusiasm. I got to watch her learn all about the concept of "intentionally walking" the batter. What a foreign concept that was for our novice. We also had an opportunity to explain what a 'double-play' means. She's taking her new found enthusiasm to heart and is learning much about the sport. Congrats, for stretching your wings, Beanie!

Larry, Curlie and Moe

Look at all this testosterone -- right there in my kitchen!! These are the brothers Clement, in matching hats no less, as they were preparing for their recent cross country road trip. Our new southern home is ready in sunny Florida.... awaiting our gradual relocation to the warm clime: swimming pool, palm trees and Friday night line-dancing await. Allen's excited about the view out our lanai. He assures me that we're far enough away from the ninth green to be safe from errant missiles. Time will tell. We have a guest room that's already completely furnished -- just waiting for company to come!! Call ahead on your way to Micky Mouse.

We are planning another jaunt south in about a week..... I will be speaking in Atlanta and that's just a few hours away from our southern branch-office so this next trip will have the goal of warming up the space, with some furnishings!

Our five year plan continues to unfold, with another major hurdle being crossed.

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Look at all of the fun we had today!! Zac got his boat out and away we went.....

Our destination, after bouncing like a wild scrub-board gone crazy was to Thomas Point Lighthouse, which is right out in the middle of the water: fun, fun, fun!!

It was a gorgous, crystal clear, blue-sky day -- on the east coast. Who says fall is coming?

(Don't they look happy together?)

Happy GG's Afternoon Fun

Oct: Breast Cancer Month

I'm taking a deep breath. Wondering where exactly to begin this installment?? Today begins an official month of BC awareness, exposure, discussion, disclosure. A lot has happened. I'm 1.5 years out from my diagnosis. Last year I was filled with gratitude over every pink ribbon hung, every pink product sold. I've learned a lot. There is controversy as to how much these various pink products contribute and where?? I've even learned the term: "pink-washing" to refer to 'feel good ribbons' at the expense of real progress toward a cure.

What I know for sure. We are our own best advocates.... especially so, when it comes to our own health. My BC was detected thru my annual mamogram. I was called back for additional film, then a biopsy, then a second opinion, then an MRI, then an MRI biopsy, then surgery, then radiation therapy and now AI prescription (thru my oncologist) -- sorta like a daily micro batch of chemo to ward off anything that might be lurking or ever want to lurk.

There are MANY issues when it comes to healthcare in this great country of ours.... many when it comes to BC, both diagnosis and treatment. I am the most fortunate of all. The cancer of my diagnosis is termed DCIS -- the last two letters are the most significant: in situ.... so, before invasion. I am the poster child for "early detection saves lives."

There is a brand new effort being launched for research. They want a million women in the test. Go and learn more at: http://www.armyofwomen.org/ and tell your friends.

So get all of the tests you need..... especially your annual ones. Read the fine print on the pink products and be aware of what you are supporting. Thank you to everyone who "walks" for this issue. The pictures above are the back of my first Koman walk t-shirt. The names in the top pic are the nicknames of those who were active in the chatroom, when I was first diagnosed. The nick names at the bottom are those of the MI team, "Wings of Hope" that walked together in Detroit.