Cancer, Friends and Family, Fall's Bounty and Photos

Our Summer slid into Fall quite fast! We've had lots of family gatherings and several day trips- to a county fair in Walton and the State Fair,and the Adirondacks, and the Munson Williams proctor Institute, an art museum in Utica.Many visits with our kids' friends enriched us (including Shaun's wonderful grilled burgers,a touching private concert by Christina who bravely sung to us as a gift in our living room before she returned home to Germany, and renewing ties with J's college buddies who stopped by on a bike trip).

My Dad's been diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer and I accompany him to doctor's offices to help process the onslaught of incoming information. We've been weighing options of the myriad treatments and realize there's no singular right way to deal with this condition.We have to figure out what treatment he can deal with. He's a man attached to his normal daily routine (which comprises a daily visit to see my Mom in a nursing home). We are trying to choose a course of action that allows him to adhere to his routine as long as he's able. It means we are standing up to standard recommendations of radiation and an IV treatment called Avastin (which seems to have devastating side effects that would not benefit Dad's quality of life). He does seem to be able to tolerate a chemo pill, Xeloda, at this point. The plus side of his diagnosis is recent visits from his Texas grandchildren and daughter-in-law. Love he has invested in us all is being returned many times from all over.

School has started once again and my youngest is thoroughly enjoying modified cross country events. He's very competitive and runs hard and fast, often often leading the pack. I enjoy seeing not only the field of runners scattered along the course, but also the dramatic shadows they cast, the contrast of Autumn's colors, a vivid, yellow tree against a backdrop of green, and fast, roiling clouds overhead. Sometimes I'm aiming my camera away from the sporting action to capture a lovely view or unique play of light.

I've also gone on a couple day trips of my own, mostly in search of apples and pumpkins After last Saturdays Unatego meet, I stopped by the Gilbertsville Quilt show at the Major's Inn, where my friend, Marilyn's, portrait quilt of another mutual friend, Alice, was on display near the entrance. The show was lovely as always. Lots of colorful and inspired creations! (The lunch was great, too!) It's a bountiful time of year! Enjoy!