Perhaps its the early morning sun casting long shadows over last night's meager snow fall combined with rain and forming a layer of ice on Everything.

It could also be, that while sitting here catching my breath after an hour of pushing snow about, I was reading Kristi's "French Word of the Day" and realized that I might have a thought or two worth putting to pen, so to speak.

Maybe it is the fact that I have not written a thing here in nearly a lifetime, or so it seems.

Anyway, last night was the State of the Union Address and all the hoopla that goes with it. Nothing too inspiring, at least, I  perceive, to most common sensed people, of which I include myself.  As a moderate independent, to me the whole political scene is one big 8 ring circus, or is it 9?

Hell, I can't remember all the names of those in the fray.  Enough politics.

After four and a half years of putting up with Idiopathic(operative word) Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia,  varying doses of Prednisone(between 1 & 80 mg per day), a splenectomy, over 400 blood draws, 4 transfusions(2 units each) and a roller coaster ride second to none, I may be out of the woods.  Only time will tell.  I feel good.  I have energy enough to get things done, sleeping well, holding my weight within tolerable limits and a genearl sense of well being.  It has been a LOOONNNGGG battle. Keeping the appropriate number of fingers crossed.

Midsummer 2008

20 July
Well, we are on the slippery slope to fall.  Lots happening here in Bristol Mills.  Installing a new propane-fired heating system after being here for 21 years.  The ole oil-fired hot air system finally STB.   Planning on saving BIG money with the new package.  New boiler is no bigger than a Microwave but a wee bit bigger than a breadbox.  It took the Canadians to develop a good unit in the Trinity series boiler manufactured in Sussex, New Brunswick.  Definitely plan to visit the plant in September during our annual trip to the Maritimes.
Cane & Canvas still marches on albeit at a bit slower pace than in the past.  Still have 4 boats to complete.  Covering kits are moving at about two per month.  Lots of recaning in house and promises of more for the winter.  Will close the shop when the temp drops below freezing as there is no way in hell will I try to heat that "barn" come winter.  With the new heating system installed, I'll have enough room in the cellar (definitely Not a basement) to work on one boat.