Visit from another high school friend, Karen and her husband Dan. Very interesting and enjoyable. Many years have passed. It seems we are closer now in many ways than ever. Dan fascinates me because he defies categories. Who knew then that we'd ever be our current age???

Another Tuesday with the MD. This time it was determined a biopsy was needed. Have a great fear of pain (which makes me feel like a baby and think I act like one). Truly, when it came down to it - was focused on breath, breathing hard and somewhat observing the sensation (I labeled it high discomfort and then the "p" word.) She couldn't get the sample - so a DNC has been scheduled. Was in quite a stunned state when I left, forgot to stop at Earthfare and then in broiling heat sat in traffic jam (several cars broken down) for an hour.

It all made me think of the (zen?) monk read about recently in "Tricycle." He had a tooth pulled without anesthetic. He described all the things leading up to the extraction that DIDN'T hurt....

Home -just typed "Hope" is minty cool and inviting. Well, they both are.

We sang at Sangha today. What fun! There is a playfulness that Tich Nhat Hanh seems to encourage. Asked Russell about socially responsible investing and he came back with a very convincing sales pitch to invest in his company. Why not? It sounds like they are doing all the right things.

Trip to MD yesterday did NOT result in my lying about agreeing to a certain procedure which involves a camera up one's colon. Told her I had just done a 10 day fast, am very healthy, liked her and didn't want to say I would do something I wasn't going to do. It worked out very well to my surprise.

Did have to do another office procedure. Now taking big doses of ibuprofin which really does feel like it's rotting my stomach and interesting to sense it throughout body.

So much for probes and ibuprofin... Often when sitting, feel I am a shell, sometimes cracked open, an egg with contents spilling out. It is not at all an uncomfortable thing. Also, moments of great clarity and others of such mind boggling mind-wandering that it's tempting to judge the latter negatively and former positively. Am doing neither, thanks to WM.

Making up for those (fasting) days of lassitude when I did nothing.
Cleaning frenzy, house improvement frenzy, cooking frenzy,
studio frenzy. Ok, just lots of energy!

Friend Karen and her husband will be visiting, great excuse
to make things lovely-lovelier.... It's SO green! Heavenly!
Put unbrellas up for shade. Now enjoying front deck and
eating out there evenings. Tibetan prayer flags near front
door. Cleaner kitchen! Hooray.

Overcast with lots of rain last night.
Perfect time to catch a breath!