(All photographs are mine unless noted.)
Tomorrow I go in for surgery to relocate two nerves that feed my right hand. I asked the doctor if he could relocate them to Los Angeles after all the trouble they gave me these past months. Without breaking a smile he said, "That's not how it works." Good! A serious and a most focused surgeon who took his time in evaluating the condition of the carpel and ulnar nerves along with carefully reading the EMG report which was a nerve transmission test I got earlier at another facility. I look forward to what I hope will be the end of pain which for awhile was a steady eight on a scale of ten.
I think I have enough posts prepared to last through the rehab process after which I will be able to type at length and use the mouse with the right hand. I am learning to use my left hand and I am getting more proficient doing so. The old dog can still learn a few new tricks.
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The following picture reminded me of a verse in a Russian Orthodox Liturgy which is printed below.
The
Akathist Hymn: "Glory to God for All Things"
This
Akathist, also called the "Akathist of Thanksgiving," was composed by
Protopresbyter Gregory Petrov shortly before his death in a prison camp in
1940. The title is from the words of Saint John Chrysostom as he was dying in
exile. It is a song of praise from amidst the most terrible sufferings.
(Verse 4 below)
Ikos 4
When the sun is setting,
when quietness falls like the peace of eternal sleep, and the silence of the
spent day reigns, then in the splendor of its declining rays, filtering through
the clouds, I see Your dwelling-place: fiery and purple, gold and blue, they
speak prophet-like of the ineffable beauty of Your presence, and call to us in
their majesty. We turn to the Father.
Glory
to You at the hushed hour of nightfall
Glory to You, covering the earth with peace
Glory to You for the last ray of the sun as it sets
Glory to You for sleep's repose that restores us
Glory to You for Your goodness even in the time of darkness
When all the world is hidden from our eyes
Glory to You for the prayers offered by a trembling soul
Glory to You for the pledge of our reawakening
On that glorious last day, that day which has no evening
Glory to You, O God, from age to age
Glory to You, covering the earth with peace
Glory to You for the last ray of the sun as it sets
Glory to You for sleep's repose that restores us
Glory to You for Your goodness even in the time of darkness
When all the world is hidden from our eyes
Glory to You for the prayers offered by a trembling soul
Glory to You for the pledge of our reawakening
On that glorious last day, that day which has no evening
Glory to You, O God, from age to age
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Ilesford, Little Cranberry Island - a few days ago.
Friends... they cherish one another's hopes.
They are kind to one another's dreams.
Henry David Thoreau
Without
friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods.
You may meet a person and instantly know that you will be best friends forever. Other friendships develop over an extended period of time. In some friendships you may feel a sense of equality, while in others there may be a clear sense that one is giving more to the friendship then the other. There are no rules about how a friendship has to be. If you are able to share your life with another human being, by all means go right ahead. All friendships are unique and special in their own way. Each one is valuable.
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Pema Chodron is a remarkable Buddhist teacher who has a center in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Here is a talk by her on finding true happiness with some most helpful directions to go in. A most worthwhile talk.
Click to listen. There are six tracks which can also be downloaded to convert to MP3 for all devices that play this format.
https://www.box.com/s/e6ae8e8594f5986c4e15
Click to listen. There are six tracks which can also be downloaded to convert to MP3 for all devices that play this format.
https://www.box.com/s/e6ae8e8594f5986c4e15
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The flower that prefers to look at Mother Earth for energy
When the stairs appear to take you to a new or the next door, take them.
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Some humor:
See you next week, Peace, Bill Lagerstrom
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