Today it feels like spring in south Texas...not that I've been outside to enjoy it, but the chill is gone from my room and I know that spring is not far behind. But I'm in no hurry...I'm looking forward to a couple more cold snaps before our inexorable march toward heat and humidity.

I've now seen my original target date for being through with the antibiotic treatment come and go and I'm still waiting. I'm still hoping for a surgery date by at least mid-March but that is looking less likely with each day that passes. The wait is hard, though I've become used to the routine and I've found plenty of things to keep me busy. My days consist of: reading, both books and on my Kindle (which I can also access on my computer and it's easier reading that way); enjoying audio books, currently listening to The Help; working puzzles in my book of Brain Games; helping the kids with schoolwork; doing a little work and other writing projects; and devising creative strategies to keep lunch down. Sometimes the latter takes precedence over everything else, and I find that sleep is about my only weapon when the nausea is bad. But at least I have lots to keep me busy in the in-between times :-)

As if that's not enough to keep me busy, I'm poring over The Teaching Company's catalog, trying to decide which course to "take" next. I'm leaning toward something in the American literature area, perhaps one on the American short story. If you haven't ever considered this route of expanding your knowledge in some field, you should. These courses are terrific! (Just make sure you never buy anything that's not on sale. Every course goes on sale every year, and you just need to wait for the ones you want to come around!)

I'm fascinated by the current duel between those who say that the ObamaCare strategy to destroy health care is "dead" and those who are still saying it will be rammed (or "Rahm'ed) through within 60 days. I still think that something will be passed; I can only hope that whatever it is a mere skeleton of what the Left wanted and that the harmful parts will be repealed by the next Congress before enough people get sucked in by dependence on government coffers. It's really hard to vote no on something once you've gotten a check. (And I include myself in that. I would hate to give up my mortgage credit on our income tax, and yet I believe that the government should not give such credits. If anything we should be encouraging saving, not borrowing. But then that's a whole other argument.)

As predicted, the Olympics has been such good company for me in these waiting days and I'll be sad to see them end. I don't necessarily enjoy every event (watching hockey as I write, and it's certainly not my favorite), but I've kept it on no matter what the event. I'm proud that USA is, at least now, far ahead in the medal count and representing us well!

Another distraction: Tim Challies has a project this year of reading every New York Times bestseller and reviewing them on a blog he calls 10 Million Words. How this guy can manage to fit in reading all these books into his already crazy-busy life is part of the attraction for me. Whether or not I ever read anything he's reviewing, it's a very interesting blog to follow. And then again, there are a few books that have caught my attention that I might never have thought to read without his recommendation, such as The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Put this blog on your Google Reader or Bloglines and follow a fascinating project.

I must buy a new computer. I must buy a new computer. I must buy a new computer. I would rather endure bamboo shoots under my nails. And it has little to do with the expense. It's just such a headache. Not only the choice, but the transfer of everything in my life to a new machine is more than I can bear. So this one limps along.

I'm having fun helping Shelley plan her senior piano recital. She's working hard on the music and I and some good friends are working on the reception. This will be the first time we've ever done this, and I'm really excited about displaying and honoring all her hard work at the keyboard!

Snip, snip, that's all, folks!

Labels: Books, Health, Political Observation, TV, Weather