My sister, living in north FL, was recently diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive brain cancer with a very, very low survival percentage WITH surgery and radiation. She's not yet 62, and until a few months ago, an active member of her community, General Manager of a popular restaurant, and loved by her many friends, co-workers, bosses, landlord, etc.

On Jan 14th, she drove herself to the ER near her home, though she didn't know why, and didn't remember getting herself...

A few months ago, my sister Donna was forced to give up her job as General Mgr of a restaurant in northern FL because of health concerns. She is a single woman without means other than her work. It's just her and her corgi, Molly.

She went on part-time, but lost her health insurance benefits. The medical bills quickly consumed her reserves. I know, it's a common story. Though I didn't know it, she was also having problems with her thinking, losing gaps of time. I learned this recently...

The good people of the country looked to their leaders,
And they saw there were no leaders.

They looked to their churches,
And found no men of God.

They turned to their doctors,
Who told them they must run more tests.

And they knew they were alone.

The knitted hat pattern I am working requires a set of five double-pointed knitting needles for the bind-off, which (of course) I don't have. I searched online for where I could buy a set and found them at the JoAnn Craft Store in Lynnwood. Yesterday, I drove over there to buy a set.

I found the display, the size I needed, and walked them up to the line for checkout counter. I had a coupon for 20% off, and a gift card that Mom gave me for Christmas back in 2009. I think it was originally...

We were speculating over our split pea soup whether your flocks were gathering in plans of a migration south,

Or were you arriving from a more northern climate in hopes of wintering here?

We were so happy that you'd found the cotoneaster berries,

And the rains were keeping Bigun indoors to watch benignly.

Then, we heard that forceful THUD on the sunroom's eastern window; the same window that took one of your brothers (sister?) last spring....