Not epic

My friend Miriam says that things don't have to be epic; they just need to be done. So here's a short, definitely-not-epic, post on the evening before Val sees the oncologist about what he has planned for her for the next two sessions.

Val making sushi rolls. 

It's been a long week. We are both tired: Val from the build-up of chemo fatigue - her eyes are really sore (nothing seems to provide relief though covering the eyes and lying down is better than nothing), and me from end-of-term-and-general-life-duties fatigue. Together, that makes for pretty low-key living. For example, we didn't make it to the symphony last Saturday and this Saturday Val didn't leave the house all day because it was rather cold outside. She used her energy to make sushi rolls for our supper; very labour intensive, but a very tasty change from our usual menu.

Voila! Sushi rolls for supper!

Sunday afternoon, we both toddled around the Palmerston Loop (not long) and used our energy to tidy out various drawers in our desks. Quelle excitement!

Earlier in the week, it had been exciting when Jacki got a lead on some second-hand cork flooring that she and Val decided had to make its way into our houses. Jacki picked it up and brought our share over on Tuesday late afternoon; between us three (Val included) we got it into the house (Jacki), down the stairs (me) and into three piles (Val) in the basement. Frank (our friend and handy guy whose skillful labour has transformed Clifftop Cottage and the gazebo over the last few years) will come over to install the cork onto Val's yoga floor and our office floor; we hope this will make both floors warmer - especially in the summer when the furnace doesn't come on.

This evening we finished watching the final episode of Season 4 of Doc Martin. What drama in that little Cornish village, I must say! We are really enjoying it.

I have rather stalled out on the reading front - just can't seem to find the energy to concentrate in a sustained way. Although I am persevering with Harold Fry on his pilgrimage across England. I'm sure I should have more empathy for him on his journeys - spiritual and physical - but I don't always think he deserves it. Oh well. I'll carry on with him for a while yet. Val, on the other hand, continues to read philosophy and ideas books. Her capacity for such thoughtful pursuits is remarkable, I think.

I am behind on email replies. Apologies to each of you whom I owe a response, and apologies if my response is shorter and more brusk than my usual style. Needs must, I'm afraid.

That's all for now. More tomorrow when we know more.