Many fish bites if ya got good bait

Here's a little tip I would like to relate

Big fish bites if ya got a good bait

I 'a goin' fishin'

Yes, I'm goin' fishin'

And my baby goin' fishin' too

Taj Mahal -- "Big Fish Blues"

The above photo is for my father. Katie P. is doin' her Daden proud in the fishing department; she likes the challenge, the glory, and most especially the eating. That's my girl.

Art Camp officially ended today. Bye-bye, 8:30 t0 5:00 break from the oldest Short Person. I am mostly pleased, because I did miss her very much, but it was wonderful to have so many fight-free days.

India had a ball, and came home laden with an appalling amount of unidentifiable glazed clay figurines, a new tie-dye shirt (we just can't have enough of those in this house), a papier mache hat covered with blobs of tissue paper, an array of drawings and lots of new skills, including PLATE SPINNING. They did a "circus" segment, that included tumbling, juggling, etc. Thank goodness she hasn't asked to hone those skills at home.

Her favorite class by far was music (imagine that) and she surprised her teacher with the selections she brought in, which ranged from Del McCoury and Bobby Darin to Spanish music. I had to steer her away from her perennial favorite, "Willin'". Call me crazy, but I just didn't think the "weed, whites and wine" line would go over well. Although, after getting a good look at the music teacher and the bumper stickers on her guitar case, it might have been a welcome addition.

Notice that India is by far the tiniest in her little group. She's at about the 10% percentile...odd given that Tracy is 6ft 2in and I am 5ft 7in. I do have to say, though, that despite her height her apple didn't fall far from our tree!

The weather is looking dreadful this weekend, so beach and boating is out. I suppose that means Tracy and I may have to face painting the bookshelves we have had sitting unfinished in our den since Christmas. Damn. Somebody's gonna have to break it to Kate that she won't be fishin' this weekend, and it's not gonna be me.

Back in black

I hit the sack

I've been too long

I'm glad to be back

Yes, I'm let loose

From the noose

That's kept me hanging about

ACDC -- "Back in Black"

Well, sort of back. I'm moving a bit slow. I'm three weeks out from surgery and for the last few days I finally feel better. It was not a fun process, but the ENT feels like he was successful in removing all the staph infection. After a 2.5 hour surgery, I should hope he got it all. I can't say I notice an improvement yet given all the swelling and other unmentionable side effects of the procedure, but if he feels confident, then I'm going with his opinion. Luckily, he does not utilize packing so I missed out on some of the more painful aspects of the surgery that some friends experienced, nor did I bleed from the eyes like my friend Louise's husband (thank god). I do have to go in weekly for a procedure that I will not describe for you. Let's just say that a pain pill is beneficial before each visit. Thank you, Percocet!

It's been a difficult few weeks around here, but we got by with a little help from our friends (perhaps I should have used that song as an into) and family. Tracy's parents took the Short People for a week, and my Mom stayed with us for a week. Many of my wonderful women friends kept us VERY well fed, and I received flowers, phone calls and cards galore. We feel very lucky to have such a great support system. Thank you! You have no idea how much you helped us through.

Now comes the climbing out of the hole portion of the show. I am appallingly weak and I find this incredibly frustrating. I haven't exercised in about 10 months, I've been taking Prednisone for months (this causes significant weight gain), and I've been bedridden off and on for months, so I am fat and blobby. None of my clothes fit and I can't even wear my wedding rings; perhaps another intro song could have been Queen's "Fat Bottom Girls". I am hoping to be able to head back to the gym very soon and start working some of this weight off.

In the meantime I am trying to get back to a normal life. Today's photos are from a cookout with friends on Saturday and a beach outing on Sunday. They were my first outings and took a lot of energy out of me but were such great therapy! It was fabulous to leave the house for something other than a post-op visit. Since the Short People really haven't experienced a good snow, they invented their own version of "snow angels". Some of the mystique is lost, but it did work, as you can see.