A Change is Gonna Come

Nothing would give me greater joy right now in this world, then to see Barack Obama elected President come November. Watching the Democratic National Convention all week long, on television when I could, on the internet when I missed it, makes me feel like there is a light at the end of an 8 year long tunnel of lies and deception and ignorance and arrogance. George W. Bush and every one around him have not only tarnished this country’s image, economy, values and overall state, they have robbed me and the millions of other young people of 8 years. Eight years of our youth spent listening to the likes of Bush.

I don’t know how any of that happened. It’s like a big blur. A big blur that I don’t want to remember, but can’t forget.

Watching Obama and John Kerry and Al Gore and Hillary Clinton, as well as Michelle Obama speak has not only filled me with hope, it has renewed my faith in people - people that want change, that want to fight to make the lives of others better, who want to give every single person in this country a life worth living

It is that American spirit, that American promise, that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend.

That promise is our greatest inheritance. It’s a promise I make to my daughters when I tuck them in at night and a promise that you make to yours, a promise that has led immigrants to cross oceans and pioneers to travel west, a promise that led workers to picket lines and women to reach for the ballot.

And it is that promise that, 45 years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln’s Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.

The men and women who gathered there could’ve heard many things. They could’ve heard words of anger and discord. They could’ve been told to succumb to the fear and frustrations of so many dreams deferred.

But what the people heard instead — people of every creed and color, from every walk of life — is that, in America, our destiny is inextricably linked, that together our dreams can be one.

“We cannot walk alone,” the preacher cried. “And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”

America, we cannot turn back..

… not with so much work to be done; not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for; not with an economy to fix, and cities to rebuild, and farms to save; not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend.

America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone.

At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise, that American promise, and in the words of scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess. - Barack Obama

I’m crossing my fingers that the people in this country who are on the fence, the people who aren’t sure, even the people who support the opposition, finally come to their senses and understand that change is imminent. Change is necessary, now more than ever. And just like John Kerry said in his amazing speech, which still gives me goosebumps even though I’m just reading a transcription of it, “Years ago when we protested a war, people would weigh in against us saying, ‘My country right or wrong.’ Our answer? Absolutely, my country right or wrong. When right, keep it right. When wrong, make it right. Sometimes loving your country demands you must tell the truth to power.”

Amen.

End of Summer Mixed-Berry Pie

Oh, Summer. You’ve almost come to an end. I’ve been dreaming of the days where I can wear scarves, boots, beautiful coats and cashmere ever since you began. I’ve been counting down until the moment where I can make gingerbread men, pumpkin pie and peppermint hot chocolate, until I can turn on the oven and relish in its warmth. Oh thank God you’re almost over. Do me a favor, tell Fall and Winter to bring me rain and windy days and maybe, hail and if I’m lucky, even snow.

It’s a lazy Sunday and you know what that means: baking! I decided to commemorate the end of Summer by baking a season appropriate treat, a mixed berry pie, more specifically, a citrus-scented mixed berry pie with an oatmeal lattice crust, courtesy of Epicurious via Bon Appétit magazine.

The recipe called for fresh fruit, but I only had a bag of frozen mixed berries from Trader Joe’s. I thawed and drained them for well over an hour and they almost looked fresh.

I made the crust myself as well. Making things from scratch for some reason, is just always more rewarding then buying store-made supples. It was a lot of hard work, but gratifying in the end. My favorite part of making pie crusts is slicing the lattices to put on top.

The last step was going over the lattice with a well-mixed egg and then sprinkling a bit of sugar on top. It was during this that I realized I hadn’t cross-hatched the pieces. Oh well.

Enjoy with a glass of cold milk or a cup of warm tea.

Henry Goes to Rehab

This week, I made the trek across town to take Henry to a physical therapy appointment, and I left with three different supplements, eight pages of physical therapy exercises, a dent in my credit card and one tired dog. Henry went through a thorough 2 hour exam where every part of his legs were checked. When we got home, he went straight to sleep. I really have my work cut out for me. In order to aid in his recovery from luxating patella surgery, Henry must take antioxidant supplements, fish oil as well as a pain/mood enhancing medication. His diet also needs to include only 50 percent commercial food and will be supplemented with various fruits, vegetables and spices. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t be feeding him any commercial food, but because I don’t have the time to cook for him, he does eat kibble and canned food. However, his food is always supplemented with vegetables and pure sources of protein, like chicken, beef and turkey. We make sure to cook for him as often as we can.

Henry’s therapist was the first professional I had met in the field of veterinary medicine that advocated the use of cooked meals and raw, organic foods in a dog’s diet. It was then, that I knew I had made the right choice to take him in for an exam. Every other vet I have spoken to or pet owners in general, usually don’t advocate the use of so called ‘human’ food in a dog’s diet. I always thought this was a ridiculous idea. Despite them being different, a dog’s nutritional needs are not that far off from a human’s. I feel sad for dogs who are always kept on dry kibble and never have the chance to experience the taste of foods that are good for them. What a boring palette. Food is the essence of life, in my opinion and should be enjoyable for humans and animals alike.

But, I digress. For the last 2 days I have been doing exercises with Henry when I’ve come home from work. These include short walks and a number of balance and flexibility exercises. Getting through all of them is hard. I am so tired by the end of it, not to mention stressed. I just can’t wait for him to fully recover. If I had the necessary funds, I would put him in the physical therapy program that the rehabilitation center offers, which includes 2 visits per week, but unfortunately, I don’t.

While we were there, Henry met a dachshund named Lily and he kept pulling on his leash to go play with her. When they took her away, he started to cry! My heart broke. He definitely needs a playmate and I look forward to the day when I can get him one.

It’s been a little over 5 weeks since his surgery, however we’ve got a long road ahead of us. One that involves much exercise, stressful days, sleepless nights and extra cuddles.

Quote of the Week: Leroy Sievers

I used to read a blog on NPR called “My Cancer.” In that blog, Leroy Sievers, a journalist, producer, cancer-survivor and now blogger, chronicled his life with colon cancer. The posts he made were succint and to the point, but nevertheless, they were so real. And so tragic. And so real. Unfortunately, Sievers passed away last week, but according to the comment count on the entry where news came of his passing (1258) he will be truly missed. I wrote a post about it on LA Cityzine last week, but here I have included one of his quotes.

“Being a cancer patient is hard work. And you’re on the job 24/7. There are no breaks. You don’t get weekends or holidays off. If you don’t feel it physically, you live with it mentally. It can be unrelenting. I think that’s what I’ve been feeling.

Boxers get that break between rounds. Football players can catch their breath in the huddle. Sometimes those few seconds can make all the difference in the world, can mean the difference between victory and defeat. I just need a time-out.

Except there are no time-outs in this game. Somewhere deep down in yourself, you have to try to find the strength to just keep going. Sometimes I find it, sometimes I don’t. And if you don’t find it one day, maybe it will be there the next. But it’s hard. Probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do.”

Photo via NPR by Tyrone Turner

Thank You for the Memories

I woke up with a terrible headache this morning and when I took one look at Henry and saw how peacefully asleep he was, I knew I couldn’t get up, get dressed and fight the traffic to get to work. So I ended up staying home, nursing my head (and Henry) and cleaning my room up a bit. By the end of the day, I was feeling much better. It’s so nice to be home once in a while. My mind was so at ease. It was so nice being able to look outside at my garden, instead of the walls of the cubicle I sit in. It was so nice, that I decided to play photographer and took some photos of my usual subject, Henry.

Roaring white lion.

Little Lion in my Lap

Henry was barking up a storm a couple minutes ago because he could smell that the neighbor’s had brought an unfamiliar dog into their backyard, probably just a pet of a visiting relative. He’s calmed down now, but he was being very annoying. This morning I let him out of his crate and he ran circles around the coffee table, an old habit he hasn’t been able to do for a month now. I tried to catch him as fast as I could, because he’s not meant to be running, but as per usual, he thought I was playing with him and proceeded to hop around as if you to say “catch me, if you can.”

I felt his fur today and he’s got more knots than you can imagine. I want to brush him, but I’m scared it might hurt his legs, so I’ve just let him be as frazzled as he wants to be.

This week, he’s got a physical therapy appointment, but I’m having some doubts about taking him in because he seems to be doing incredibly well and I would just hate to spend so much money on something I already know and can do at home. I’m not sure about that yet, but we’ll see.

This weekend we tried putting him in a bath full of water, with a towel around his waste, so he could exercise his legs, but he wanted no part of it at all. He was slightly terrified, even though I was with him and the water was warm. I finally managed to submerge him, but he froze and wouldn’t move. So I just ended up bathing him quickly and then taking a shower myself because I was drenched in water.

He is one tired furball. He still sleeps next to me, which he loves and I love a lot as well. Speaking of which, I think we will both be going to do that now. Au revoir!

Edible Gardens: Part 2

Do you see this beautiful tuft of spinach above? I am shedding tears right now knowing that I grew this in my garden. No not really, but I am really proud of myself. I can’t believe I didn’t kill my plants! But wait, there’s more.

Tomatoes! Can you believe this? It looks like I do have a green thumb after all. I was so excited when I saw these little tomatoes. Currently, I have about 10 that will hopefully grow into nice, red robust tomatoes. It’s quite exciting. This is all it takes in life to make me happy. See how easily pleased I am?

Pomegranate! Oh wow so many exciting fruits and veggies. Unfortunately, this was the only fruit that the tree gave, but I don’t mind. Hopefully I can spend some time caring for it so it bears more fruit.

I was so excited about my edible garden that I planted oregano, basil and arugula, which have all sprouted. I honestly love the idea of growing my own food so much. If I had the time, energy and money, I would have a farm. I would love to grow sugar pumpkins to make pumpkin pie with and peppers. I have to say, that growing food is the only reason I love Southern California weather. Fruits and vegetables that regularly have a ’season’ can be grown year round here because of the weather. It’s nice.

This Cannot be the Endeavor of a Broken Heart

I can’t seem to write today. I’ve tried but I’ve rewritten a draft about three times. I’ve been listening to Mew all day long. I want to leave work and go have a boba while I work on my idea for a book. I want to have some tea and watch While You Were Sleeping. I want to knit a scarf and bake some cookies. I want to be in the garden, planting vegetables. I want to be playing piano while it’s raining outside. I want to organize my closet. I want to draw and listen to Mew all day long. I want to be anywhere but here, where I am now. Is that sad? I don’t think so. It’s the truth.

Don’t be back late, she said. Don’t worry if I am.

Luxating Patella Surgery: Day 30

Well, I can’t believe it’s been an entire month since Henry had his luxating patella surgery. These 4 weeks not only have been hard on him because he’s been stuck in his crate, they have been incredibly hard on me as well. I haven’t gotten a decent night’s sleep, but this week has gotten better.

Henry was dropped off at the vet yesterday morning and I left work early to pick him up. Unfortunately, I was stuck in traffic for an hour and a half before I got to the vet. His x-rays revealed that he’s doing great and the vet even commented on what a great dog he is. His appetite has improved so drastically, you wouldn’t believe. He eats now because he wants to, not because he needs to and loves his dry and wet foods. I always sneak peppers and blueberries in there as treats.

He’s still on cage rest, although he’s allowed short, leashed walks during the day. I plan to do a little water therapy with him by filling up my bathtub and holding him up with a towel so he can exercise his legs. I have heard that water therapy is a great way to rehabilitate muscle, in humans as well. The vet also showed me to do additional therapy by having him lay on his back, while I stretch out his legs. I was also informed I should continue to give him pain medication. He doesn’t seem to be in any kind of pain, but I will comply.

His hair is growing back at a rapid pace, although he has so many knots because he hasn’t been able to be brushed properly for a month now! He’ll probably have a good shave once more of his hair grows in.

I have started him on glucosomine supplements again in pill form. I crush the pill with the back of a spoon or knife, mix it in with his wet food and he doesn’t even know the difference. One of the best treats I’ve ever found that has glucoasmine is by a company called Dogswell. They have these amazing sweet potato pieces wrapped with chicken that Henry loves. LOVES. He will fight you to the death for one. They also have one in their line called “Veggie Life” that contains flaxseed and vitamins A & E.

I haven’t had any time to take photos of his progress, but I will upload some soon.

I Have Only Slipped Away Into the Next Room

A close friend of mine lost a loved one this week. You can be floating along in life, worrying about traffic, wondering if you’ll ever achieve anything, complaining you have nothing to wear, criticizing people and wishing the day would end, but all of that just means nothing when reality hits you and you realize you’ve lost someone you can’t live without. The room begins to spin and you can’t seem to contain emotion that you’ve trained yourself so well to hide.

Time becomes heavy and all you can do is wait for it to pass. It never gets easy. People say, I’m so sorry for your loss. They send cards and flowers and their condolences. Some of it helps, but it doesn’t take the pain away. Not completely anyway. I guess it’s just a part of life and like all other things, we must deal with it. We must deal with it.

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
that we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without affect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.

All is well.

by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)
Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral