Arthur and I went out seeking fish, unrequitedly.
We went out to the open ocean south of Noyes Island. Here is a picture from the boat, looking toward the beach.
The ocean was calm.
Arthur believes the lack of catching is due to the drought.
Month: July 2019
Caveat: Poem #1069 “Transparency”
No wind blows at all: the broad ripples bare their souls to the weedy sea.
– a pseudo-haiku.
Caveat: Tree #183
This tree is at the top of Jeongbal Hill, a few blocks from my apartment in Ilsan, Goyang, South Korea. It’s on the way when walking “through the park” from the National Cancer Center and my apartment. I took this picture in July, 2013, a few days after my discharge from the hospital. I walked past it (among many trees in that park) many times during my treatment at the Cancer Center.
[daily log: walking, 2.5km]
Caveat: 6 Years Cancer Free
On July 4th, 2013, I had surgery to remove a stage 3 golf-ball sized tumor from the root of my tongue, at the 국민암센터 (National Cancer Center) hospital in Goyang, Korea. The surgery also removed some lymphs from my neck. I subsequently spent 23 days in the hospital, and continued daily visits through October, undergoing radiation therapy.
Up until last year (2018), I continued living in Korea. Then, last summer, I moved back to the US, to Southeast Alaska. I feel that my life has undergone huge changes this past year – almost as huge as those wrought by the cancer itself.
Regardless, much to my surprise, I remain alive. And I keep adding things to this here blog thingy.
Here is a picture of me from July 4, 2013 (I am in the ICU after my surgery).
Just for contrast, here is a picture of me that I took yesterday, at Craig Seaplane Base, looking out toward Wadleigh Island.
Bear in mind July 4 is not a holiday in Korea, just a regular day – that’s how my cancerversary falls on a US holiday. Frankly, this makes the holiday much more significant to me personally than it ever was before.
Caveat: Poem #1068 “Sleep brightly”
twilight to twilight you'd think sleeping difficult but it's just brighter
– a pseudo-haiku.
Caveat: Tree #182
I saw this tree.
[daily log: walking, 2km]
Caveat: What?
Arthur returned from his 36 hour sojourn in Anchorage, where he got fitted with his new hearing aids.
His first comment on the topic, was that the turn-signal blinker on the Tahoe was awfully loud. So I guess the hearing aids are working.
Here is his plane landing at Craig harbor, just as it first touched the water.
Caveat: Poem #1067 “Incognito”
slate colored summer drapes water over the hills and conceals the sun
– a pseudo-haiku.
Caveat: Tree #181
A tree.
[daily log: walking, 2km]
Caveat: Sand over mud
Firstly, Arthur went to Anchorage. He has to see the VA about his new hearing aids, and they decided, in their infinite wisdom, that this should be at their Anchorage location. I’m a bit frustrated with how this has progressed: it seems to me that Arthur could have used the opportunity at being at a large, well-staffed and equipped VA hospital in Anchorage to have taken an extra day or two and set up some appointments to look at his various other issues – the vertigo, the still-sore neck, etc. He will have none of it. Sigh. So he’ll be back tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Richard elected this morning to begin work on our new septic tank for lot 73. I spent the day helping him. Digging in mud, and packing down a layer of sand for the floor of the septic drain field.
It was hard work, but more-or-less satisfying.
Caveat: Poem #1066 “Inscrutability”
No. I have never attempted to understand the plans of eagles.
– a pseudo-haiku.
Caveat: Tree #180
I feel that one of these trees is more salient than the others (hint: lower left).
Here is a salmonberry.
Here is some grass.
[daily log: walking, 3km]
Caveat: Poem #1065 “Externalities”
The air is thick like damaged feelings - the morning's seen better mornings - like the water was angry at the unhappy trees, but at last gave up, yielding to those persistent rooster crows.
– a nonnet.