Wednesday, May 5, 2021

No journey home yet!



It was to take place this month. 
Now everything is cancelled as International travel
is still not really safe.
It's been two years since I've been able to travel
 to England due to the pandemic situation.  
I don't think I've stayed away that long in the 
 almost 59 years since emigrating to
the USA!


Torquay, Devon - circa 1960's


Torquay - Last visit home - May 2019

Am I homesick?
You bet I am!

We have rescheduled everything and now hope to make it
across the pond in September.
Family and friends over there think this is the best plan
and, sad as it is, we have to agree. Hoping by then life will be
better, perhaps not normal, but safer and more cheery and 
manageable for travel long distances from the comfort of home.



Monday, May 3, 2021

Cabbages and roses -




Changes in one's eating plan can sometimes make amazing differences. 
Many of us have tried diets of all kinds for reasons from wanting to lose
 weight, gain weight (though I admit never had that problem!), treat digestive
 problems etc., and apparently to address issues with food allergies.

The Low Histamine plan is completely new to me and, after doing
 it for four days, I have to say good results are already seen. 
I have dropped 3 pounds of that 6 pound COVID weight gain, don't
 feel hungry, and actually feel quite healthy. It's extremely restricted
 though with no dairy, no fermented foods, no alcohol, no citrus, no
 bread or baked goods, no sugar, limited vegetables and fruits. . . in
 fact limited everything really!
All meals must be freshly prepared at home - which fortunately
 is what I'm used to doing - and leftovers have to be discarded.

I don't advise anyone to follow this diet as a way to lose weight,
 and please remember any new diet you consider following
should always be discussed with your physician.

When this recent Polymyalgia (PMR) flare started, my own physician
 decided I should try this eating plan along with the Prednisone as I was
 possibly having reactions to fresh strawberries which I'd been enjoying for
 a couple of weeks as they are in season here and being sold at roadside
 farm stands! Also, it might help with the inflammation caused by PMR.

See that gorgeous Savoy cabbage waiting on my dining room table.
I used it as a centerpiece with some garden roses for the weekend!
It's one of the vegetables allowed - yes, there are even veggies, and
 fruits high in histamine which I cannot eat now!


The weekend weather was perfect here. Other than picking up fresh eggs
 at the Saturday Farmers' Market and taking a short walk, we stayed home
 enjoying the garden, front porch (above), and suppers in the gazebo while
 watching and listening to many birds now with chirping youngsters in tow. 
We have a nest of four baby Carolina wrens tucked into the urn by our
 front steps, and another with five Black-capped chickadees snuggled in
 the old wooden nesting box hanging in the fig tree. 
The jasmine is now in full bloom along the fences and the perfume 
quite intoxicating in the evening air. Hydrangeas are opening, peonies
 and roses budding, grass thick and green, basil, parsley, dill and sage
seeds all germinating in their sun-kissed pots along the front walkway.

Such a lovely time of year.
Enjoy this first week of May.

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Losing my grip!

 

                 
.........Russian Proverb



Sorry, it was just a tiny lie in my short last post.
 Everything is not really good.

The reason I haven't posted all week is that my hands aren't working
well and it's quite painful to do much on the laptop.
I've been struggling a month or more with really painful arms and
 legs, and then the hands/fingers started hurting and became numb
 and tingling. I dropped several things and Bob has been behind me
 sweeping up shards of glass, lifting heavy bowls, sauce pans etc.

Even prior to going to the doctor for blood work on Wednesday I 
just knew I was most likely having a Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
 flare having experienced this condition twice before!
So, unfortunately I'm back on the only drug which will bring relief
and help me get out of bed in the morning, Prednisone, which
 usually starts working within a week. 
I've also been put on a Low Histamine diet to help with inflammation. 
If anyone out there has ever had to follow this eating plan and has
 any tips, please share. Many of the foods I enjoy/love are banned
 so it's going to be a bit of a roller coaster ride when it comes to 
mealtimes around here for the next month or so!!!

I'll be back here soon. Meanwhile I'm enjoying your posts which I 
read faithfully, but may not be leaving comments for a little while.
Have a wonderful weekend.