The "C" Word

When I was younger, the "C" word was a swear word, particularly hated by women.  Now, the "C" word is Cancer, and it's hated by everyone.

So many of my friends and family members have battled it - some are still battling, some have won the fight, and unfortunately some have lost.

Now it's in my home.  If you have been following my posts, you know that my husband is battling prostate cancer.  We were hoping the fight would be done once his prostate was removed. 

But that giant shoe finally dropped.

Starting in October he will be going to London for radiation treatment for six weeks.  Monday to Friday he will stay in a lodge and go for treatment every day.  On the weekends he can come home to our dog Raven, and to me.  I wish we could go with him, but we can't. 

And for the added twist..... I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma - skin cancer.  I had it removed this morning and will get the pathology reports next week.  As the doctor removed it, he said "no need to worry this is usually very slow growing" and the first thought that popped into my head was, yeah that's what they told us about prostate cancer. 

Don't get me wrong - I am not worried about me at all.  I'm fine.  I'm worried about John.

I finally figured out who, or should I say 'what', the monster under the bed is.  He is lying in wait under everyone's bed.  And he is hungry........he is always hungry.

Sshhhhh.....

The monster is stirring.  I can't see it, but I can feel it.  
Ssshhhhh.  Don't wake it.

Waiting for the other shoe to drop.....

I used to hear that saying all the time when I was growing up.  I have no idea where it came from, but it is supposed to signify that you are waiting for something to happen.  That is the feeling I have, and I am not sure why, or what, but I have a feeling it is very important, and scary.  It's not "the-waiting-for-something-to-happen" that has me worried.  It's the "scary" part.

Why do I feel this way?  Hmmm.....not really sure.  I just know that it is a very strong feeling. 

It's the monster under the bed.  The one we can't see, but we sure know it's there.  I hear the house creak, and I know it is watching me.  Watching and waiting.  Because it has all the time in the world.  So it will wait until my guard is down.  And then what? 

Geez I wish I knew.

Recovery

This has been quite a summer.  A radical prostatectomy for my husband and hip surgery for me.  Most of the summer has been spent with one or both of us in recovery mode.
John is doing fabulous - he started cycling last Sunday and plans on completing the 25 mile Centurion ride on September 15th.  He is hiking Blue Mountain with our dog and started back at exercise class today.  He has switched from recovery to training mode. 
When he completed a 38 km ride a few days ago, I said if he could do that then he could absolutely finish the 25 mile Centurion ride mid September.  I was proud of him and thought I was being supportive and positive.  But I got quite the "look" as he turned to me and emphatically stated, "I don't just want to complete it - I want to be first in my age category."  I guess I was told!
He is not only doing the ride for himself either - he will be raising funds for our local hospital.  Added incentive.
I wish I could do it with him, but I am only 2 weeks post surgery, so it's not in the cards for me.  But I will be there cheering him on.  After all, he is my hero! 

Good Intentions

I was so excited when I first started writing this blog - we were out in BC for the winter and I was thoroughly enjoying the 'west coast' life.  We were cycling and walking to town, playing with the grandkids, spending quality time with our sons and John was getting in lots of skiing.  I had so much I wanted to write about, and truly believed I would be writing at least three blogs per week.  But good intentions have a way of going off track when you least expect it.  Our world was turned upside down and inside out when my husband found out he had prostate cancer.  And not the "run of the mill, if a male is going to get cancer then prostate cancer is the best case scenario" kind (and yes, we have been told that a few times).  No.  He has the aggressive type - you know, the one the doctor tells you they hope it isn't.....yah, that one.  So no, I haven't been able to write for awhile.  I haven't been able to wrap my head around much, let alone put it on paper.

I know what you are thinking - I am not the one with cancer.  And you are right.  But this is my soul mate we are talking about.  The man who is never sick.  The man who has been with me through all my trials and tribulations with my health and various injuries (and there's been a few).  My rock.

You see, I didn't get married until I was 38 years old.  I just hadn't found "the one".  John is it.  Sure he came with baggage - two ex-wives and three kids.  But he has been worth all the ups and downs and "crap" that sometimes (probably always) comes in that kind of package.  Worth it and more.  So believe me when I say I am not letting cancer win this fight.  I am preparing him, and myself for the fight of our lives.  We have a lot of living, exploring and experiencing to do together.  So I am reading everything I can about exercise, nutrition, homeopathy and anything else I can use in my arsenal against this attack.  And we are going to fight back, together.

Damn cancer won't know what hit it.

Veggie Container Gardening

When I was a little girl my parents had a vegetable garden.  I think almost everybody did back then.  I loved picking cherry tomatoes and popping them straight in my mouth – it was an explosion of flavour! As I grew up, it seemed that many people stopped planting vegetable gardens as flowerbeds claimed the yard. But as with everything else, planting vegetable gardens is back in style, in a big way! “Locally grown” is the new buzzword and what could be more local than your own backyard!

But what if you don’t have the space for a vegetable garden? Vegetables are easily grown in containers and with many advantages as well. Containers are easily moved, so you can follow the sun for veggies that love the heat, or you can move them to a shady spot in the scorching afternoon sun. You can also lift them up out of the way of hungry rabbits. I grew lettuce in containers last summer and although there was evidence of rabbits, they could not reach my lettuce! Having the ability to move the pots into the shade and away from the hot sun also meant I was cutting lettuce almost every day well into August!

I know some people who don't want to pot up veggies as they don't think they will look as nice as flowers, and may even spoil "the look" of their yard.  But it doesn't have to be that way.

With the use of colours and textures you can create a beautiful vegetable container!  Try pairing the fine, needle-like leaves of rosemary with the big leaves and bright flowers of a scrambling cucumber. Or how about red-stemmed swiss chard with marigolds and red hot peppers? Garlic chives have a grassy texture, wonderful taste and edible white flowers, so would be a great addition to any container. And don’t forget strawberries or cherry tomatoes for your hanging planters!

The familiar adage “Thriller, filler, spiller” works for veggie containers too.  A wrought iron obelisk in the centre of the container to support vines such as cucumber, beans or peas would make an interesting thriller, with kale as the filler, and nasturtium spilling over the container.  I found this pic and I am going to try this in my yard this year!   

Flowers, especially in the daisy family, not only look pretty but attract beneficial insects. Beneficial insects kill pests such as tomato hornworm or aphids and also pollinate fruit-bearing vegetables.  I have always used marigold in the past, but Gaillardia would be a great addition to containers of tomatoes or peppers. Edible flowers not only add colour, but are great in salads or as a garnish.

There are so many colours and varieties of vegetables available now.  I am definitely going to experiment with different combinations this year.  Let me know some of the combinations you have tried!

Bees

I watched the “Bee Movie” the other day with my grandkids. If you haven't seen it, it’s an animated comedy of a bee’s life through the eyes of a bee, starring Jerry Seinfeld and Renee Zellweiger. The grandkids loved it. I enjoyed it too, but surprisingly, I also found it inspiring!

I love bees. The sound they make when flitting from flower to flower makes me think they are humming while they work - and that they truly love what they do.

We really take bees for granted. When we think of bees, most think honey. Honey bees make honey. But did you know there are over 1000 species of bees in Canada?

Pollination is the most vital function bees perform. Pollinators provide up to 90% of the world’s flowering plants, including 2/3 of the world’s crop species and they sustain plant communities that provide food and shelter for other animals. Bees are the most common pollinator…….what a bleak world we would live in without the bee.

And bee populations are declining rapidly throughout the world, especially the honey bee and bumblebee. Insecticides, loss of habitat, viruses, parasites and stress caused when moving honey bees long distances for crop pollination, are some reasons. Colony Collapse Disorder is a phenomenon affecting honey bees and bumblebees that presently has no cause, although research is underway. Until scientists find an answer, we can help by creating habitat for bees in our gardens.

Create a garden with plants blooming from spring to fall, in colours of white, yellow, blue or violet and rich with nectar and pollen. Native plants and old-fashioned varieties offer the best nectar. Modern hybrids often have the scent and nectar bred out of them to attain other attributes. Plant a wide variety, but in clumps of six or more, not only for the bees, but for visual impact in your garden. Most importantly, don't use pesticides/insecticides.

Plants that will attract bees will also attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Some of my favourites are: cardinal flower, chives, honeysuckle, bee balm, zinnia, mint, fuchsia, cosmos, lavender, nasturtium, lupine, coneflower, geranium, black-eyed susan, aster, butterfly weed, butterfly bush and roses. Some bees have short tongues so prefer flowers such as marigold, daisy and phlox.

Fresh, clean water is also important. I have three birdbaths – a small, very shallow one for bees and butterflies and two larger ones for birds. You could also put a small saucer from the reuse centre in your garden and keep it filled with fresh water.

So when choosing some flowers for your garden this spring, choose a few for the bees. And don't worry if you are allergic to bees. I am, and I work beside them in my garden all the time, confident they will not sting me – they are far too busy to bother with me!

One of my favourite quotes is about bees - and we could all learn something from it.:

"Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway."
(Mary Kay Ash)