caucus99percent

free-range politics, organic community

I spent 10 months, this past year, undergoing chemo and radiation therapy in my battle against cancer. It was the lowest point of my life. But I didn't let it break my spirit.

I made the decision early on that I would concentrate on the task at hand and avoid the depression that can so very easily set in under those conditions. The struggle ahead was as much of a battle with the disease that was attacking my body as it was a battle with the gloom and doom that could attack my mind if I allowed it. I couldn't control the disease but I could control my spirit. And it was that spirit that drove my will to not lose hope in that fight for my life.

To beat the depression within, I had to beat the depression without. I did this mostly by limiting my time on that great instrument of despair, the internet. I'd wake up in the morning, take a quick look at the news headlines and then find other ways to occupy my time. I diligently researched everything I could find about the malady I was facing. I talked with old friends and family on the phone. I forced myself to eat as much as I could. I spent a lot of time watching the birds at the birdfeeder. I did a lot of looking out the window in general, and contemplating. I practiced my dobro to keep my fingers nimble, stiffness being a side affect from the chemo. I slept, oh boy, did I sleep. But most of all I would stretch out on the recliner and watch my rather large collection of old documentaries, TV shows and old movies, mostly old westerns, one after another. It was cathartic watching the good guys beat the bad guys, and emblematic of my struggle to beat the cancer within.

Some American Songs

Coming up on 4th of July! I have been listening to some 'old' songs (we all know them, and were young when they were released) which really speak to me about America, and have all my life. This first one, The River, by Bruce Springsteen... well, it basically speaks about the life I was lucky enough to escape. And, boy, did I learn what he was singing about when I made my first trip across the USA from Santa Clara, CA to Philadelphia, PA in the 1980s. I was listening to this song, and others from Bruce's album, The River, as I did that long drive. And as I got closer and closer to the East Coast, to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Philly, New Jersey, and as I lived in Philly for years, everything Bruce wrote about became clear and understandable to me - a West Coast descendant of working class truckers and electricians, who has had a different life because of the early and continued support of her mother and father, and the brilliance and luck of her father.

The River:

Link to video on Youtube.

I'm interested in these religious organizations and their "ministers" or whatever they call themselves. It's not surprising the influence these church leaders have over their followings. A few days ago, a major cult figure was arrested and jailed June 24 for campaign election law violations in South Korea. Lee Man-hee is the "Chairman" of the Sincheonji (new heaven and earth) Church.

I'm a little light on substance this morning. Have had several days of cloudy/rainy weather, a couple of tornado warnings, and all around busy time.
Harvested my first potatoes yesterday. They were all volunteers from last season. But I had to make way for my late season corn, which needed to be planted.