Sympathy Pains

I'm home, reclined in bed, the only position that is actually comfortable. Flat on my back hurts too much, sitting upright hurts too much. I'm waiting for my upper back to relax so I can try and do a few exercises to loosen things up.

I have an old injury from a horseriding accident, which acts up sometimes. Right now appears to be one of those times. I'm not sure what happened - this morning, all was well, then all was not-well. My chiropractor isn't calling me back, and I don't want to go to anyone else. So I am home, trying to relax, trying to relieve the pain.

I find myself feeling a lot of sympathy for Terri, who feels this sort of pain almost daily right now. I do not know how she does it. That girl has a will of steel.

But, it's a beautiful day outside (which I can see from the window), and I can hear the little birds starting to arrive and sing. I'd like to get a bird feeder to hang outside our window somehow. Maybe I can make one to hang over the sill. I can never decide if I like spring or fall more. I think fall, but when spring is arriving, it's very difficult to decide. I love that bright green grass that pushes up, and the arrival of chirping little birds, and the way the light shifts. In honor of my trying to find ways to love it here, I am noticing what is particularly wonderful about spring here in the Bay Area. One thing is, it starts nice and early, and it gets warmer faster. We have beautiful flowers for a long season. The hiking trails are dry sooner, and you can get out and see wildflowers without having your boots caked with mud.

Which reminds me, I need to plan a wildflower-viewing trip soon.

I have a trip coming up (possibly, maybe, crossing fingers). We've decided to try and make it happen. D'Arcy, Darren, Ismail, Monica and me: the Finn-bound Rotary Students of 1992-93, are going to have a reunion this summer (hopefully!). We have not all been together since, I believe, June of 1993. We'll meet in Ottawa, at Darren's, and do whatever you do when you haven't seen each other all together in 14 years. Laugh, tell stories, share pictures, play cards, make Finnish food, catch up, argue... all those things. These people were my family and my deep, close friends. They still are. I can't wait. Must start doing research on how to gather up some essentials:

• Makara and mustard
• Karalian pies and cheese
• Pulla and kahvi (sweet rolls and coffee)
• Ruisleipa (Finnish rye bread)
• Fazer Sininen (the best chocolate EVER)
• Maybe even some salmiakki

I wonder if we can make a big bonfire...?