The door is our major effort at decoration this year. It looks great coming in at night and people passing by can see the light if they look quickly. Mitch next door appreciates it as it is the view from his dining room and kitchen.
We've had a nice two evenings out getting us very much into the spirit. Thursday we saw the professional production of
Its a Wonderful Life - the radio show. It was well done and the set attractive. I actually enjoyed the amateur production we saw two weeks ago a bit more. I think in part because we knew several of the actors, esp. the angel and that part was better in the amateur version. (actually, there were two different scripts written by different people.) Then last night we went to a concert by Ars Nova, an excellent acappella group in town. They have been around for a number of years, have performed all over the world, and have 10 CDs. The program was at the local Episcopal Church, stone, very Gothic, a perfect setting for the opening music - the singers came in with candles and the church was lovely. The music was all Christmas oriented from the Renaissance til now. Amazing the sounds the human voice can create. It was great.
We are about to go to Boden's basketball game and then the Kelloggs are coming for dinner. They are on vacation for two weeks.
We are looking forward to being in Dobbs Ferry. We leave Wednesday in the late afternoon and return on January 3rd - a long break which I will enjoy. Life has been very busy with the United Nations Association and will continue as I'll be President next year. The organization is going to be a challenge and I feel Mom believes I am crazy - I may well be. I thought I'd learned to say no, but that was a dream.
I know everyone has a lot on their plate and don't want to add to it, but I would feel better if I clue you in on a few things that have been happening to me. I got a clear report after my physical in October until the blood tests came in. The cholesterol was way up so I stopped Ben and Jerry's, butter, etc. and I was put on Lipitor. The BP dropped 105 points - from 260 to155. However, there was a warning from anemia ( I have had it off and on for 20 years) and kidney so I went to a specialist, had an MRI, and they found a cyst on the kidney, not malignant the doctor says. Iron tablets have picked up my energy so that is better but the doctor thought I should have a colonoscopy which I did on Tuesday. I'll hear final result this week but the administering doctor thought it was OK - no signs of bleeding, the usual cause of persistent anemia. Then last Sunday I had cold sweats and faintness, went to the emergency and they found nothing as was the case in the previous two situations, but I have worn a halter to see if there is anything irregular with the heart. I haven't felt anything, but I'll get a report soon. My conclusion is my blood pressure is acting up, I am on new medicines - the kidney doctor put me on Omnipresent to stabilize the BP which I've been taking twice a day and which IS erratic. Once that is settls down, I think this long and convoluted episode should be over. I don't feel badly. Ever since we have been here I get times when I feel the altitude with a little lightheadedness but not often. I am feeling the cold more and the hands continue to be very cold - as they have for 50 years!. I am swimming 3 times a week and doing a lot so I see no reason to worry, but thought you should share this background information both for your own future health matters and to be aware in case Mom says something,or I do. Thanks for reading all this and a Merry Christmas in spite of this bit of inconclusive info.
