I might have been tempted to use plethora once or twice ... be reassured, it disappeared in draft 2. Take care, Ramona. You are indeed a warrior and you inspire me. I'm sending love.
Dear Ramona, thank you for sharing your journey as you navigate the serious health challenges your body keeps throwing your way. It's hard not to get frustrated, discouraged and angry when aging bodies refuse to cooperate and keep up with our desire to feel good and continue to do all the things we did and still want to do. Aging bodies and minds can be cruel, then surprise you with their miraculous ability to rebound and heal. My mother lived to 97 with her body fully functional and healthy up until the last 6 months. Sadly, a big part of her brain disappeared years before and her world shrank considerably as a result.
That you found the courage to travel across the ocean for the first time for your 88th birthday, despite the knowledge that your cancer had returned and you had to return to treat it, is something many of us couldn't do. I'm sorry that temporal arteritis reared it's head towards the end of your visit but glad you figured out what was going on in time to get treatment. As someone beginning her 8th decade with a body that sometimes refuses to cooperate with best-laid plans, I celebrate you, your continued grace under fire, your big heart, wise and open mind, and ability to continue connecting with others through writing. Your words and your will to continue to live fully, despite everything, are my inspiration.
Really appreciate the repost from August 2021 following your update. It's very helpful for someone who has spent her life writing for herself while also longing to share thoughts with others. I'm printing this piece out and will refer to it often.
Ramona, please take gentle care of yourself in the coming months as you go through chemo. We will be here.
Dear Annie, you have made me cry, but it’s okay. I needed this, I think. You’re right about aging bodies. They don’t always want to cooperate, but I have to believe I’ll get through this. I’ve told my doctors that my plan is to live to 100 with my legs still carrying me and my mind intact, and they say they have no doubt I can do it. They’ve promised to do everything they can to make it happen—after I sort of made them promise.
My writing and my advocacy are helping me to keep going, so I’m grateful that I can still do both. Humor helps, too. Big time! ❤️
Dear Ramona, been thinking a lot lately about the lyrics from Joni Mitchell's song, "People's Parties". One line says, "...laughing and crying, you know it's the same release".
Have shed more tears over the past 11 months, than I have in years. A good cry and a good laugh both make me feel better but laughing is definitely more fun and enlivening. Which is why I've begun watching the opening monologues of Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and John Oliver in the evening. I watch them a day or days after they air since I can't stay up to watch live. Just started doing this since they canceled Stephen Colbert and temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel. Thankfully, they both remain on air and Stephen Colbert just won an Emmy. Jimmy Kimmel actually voted for him and ran a public campaign for others to do the same. This is the time to support the comedians who use their platform to educate about what's happening as well as to entertain.
Have canceled reading or watching all other news sources except for about a dozen substack writers I support along with a couple of magazines who haven't yet bowed to the bully. The past several days I took a break from reading anything online and spent more time outside, walking in the woods and along the beach. News and social media breaks are necessary now to keep our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being in shape for the long haul.
Ramona, there is not a doubt in my mind that your healthcare team will do everything in their power to keep you "alive and kicking" as my mom used to say. We can all use many more years of your gracious writing, continued advocacy, wit and wisdom.
Thanks for your kind words, Annie. We fighters need a laugh now and then and I had to laugh at your ‘remedy’ in watching the opening monologues of the late-night comic greats. I do the same thing! Maybe not as regularly, but I go to them when I need relief, and they never disappoint. They even make me laugh out loud! They’re national treasures at a time when we sorely need them.
#12 seems to have been replaced with “tl;dr:” these days. Okay, and #9 with “iow” or “IOW” (my autocorrect suggested uppercase — yeah, sure, whatever).
LOL. I never knew what TL;DR meant! (I just read that if it’s not capitalized it’s considered a typo. I don’t care. This is the first and last time I’ll ever use it. 😏)
Sometimes it feels like OMG OMG EVERYTHING MUST BE ALL-CAPS and sometimes omg omg everything must be lowercase. 🙄 (And I’m probably using the wrong emoji. <sigh>)
I'm sorry you are having health challenges at the moment. I'm sure you will find your way through them with your amazing warrior spirit. Lots of love to you 💕
Ramona, I’m so sorry you’re experiencing these health challenges and not feeling well. I hope treatment goes as smoothly as it can. Please be kind to yourself as you rest! 💐
I agree with everything in your article except that list of they'll want yous. But maybe that's another story (a phrase that perhaps should also be consigned to the literary wastebasket, or recycle bin.) For what it's worth (definitely should be tossed), I have my own list of phrases, beginning with "at the end of the day" and "in my humble opinion." Certain words, too, like "mesmerize" and "shambolic." Then there's flagrant misuse of perfectly good phrases, like "begging the question." I could go on....
Oh my!! I am in trouble. Since I seem to use all the "words that drag you down". I'm sorry if I offend you.
But, however, since no one reads anything I write anyways I suppose my use of colloquial Ozarkian vernacular may be maybe forgivable (is that a word?).
That said, I hope you take this post in the good humor it was meant to be. As I do love your writings. (Your's too Lev).
It all depends on who "they" are because everyone has different tastes.....
Exactly. And sometimes we even talk about them. 😏
I might have been tempted to use plethora once or twice ... be reassured, it disappeared in draft 2. Take care, Ramona. You are indeed a warrior and you inspire me. I'm sending love.
Thank you. 💕
Dear Ramona, thank you for sharing your journey as you navigate the serious health challenges your body keeps throwing your way. It's hard not to get frustrated, discouraged and angry when aging bodies refuse to cooperate and keep up with our desire to feel good and continue to do all the things we did and still want to do. Aging bodies and minds can be cruel, then surprise you with their miraculous ability to rebound and heal. My mother lived to 97 with her body fully functional and healthy up until the last 6 months. Sadly, a big part of her brain disappeared years before and her world shrank considerably as a result.
That you found the courage to travel across the ocean for the first time for your 88th birthday, despite the knowledge that your cancer had returned and you had to return to treat it, is something many of us couldn't do. I'm sorry that temporal arteritis reared it's head towards the end of your visit but glad you figured out what was going on in time to get treatment. As someone beginning her 8th decade with a body that sometimes refuses to cooperate with best-laid plans, I celebrate you, your continued grace under fire, your big heart, wise and open mind, and ability to continue connecting with others through writing. Your words and your will to continue to live fully, despite everything, are my inspiration.
Really appreciate the repost from August 2021 following your update. It's very helpful for someone who has spent her life writing for herself while also longing to share thoughts with others. I'm printing this piece out and will refer to it often.
Ramona, please take gentle care of yourself in the coming months as you go through chemo. We will be here.
Dear Annie, you have made me cry, but it’s okay. I needed this, I think. You’re right about aging bodies. They don’t always want to cooperate, but I have to believe I’ll get through this. I’ve told my doctors that my plan is to live to 100 with my legs still carrying me and my mind intact, and they say they have no doubt I can do it. They’ve promised to do everything they can to make it happen—after I sort of made them promise.
My writing and my advocacy are helping me to keep going, so I’m grateful that I can still do both. Humor helps, too. Big time! ❤️
Dear Ramona, been thinking a lot lately about the lyrics from Joni Mitchell's song, "People's Parties". One line says, "...laughing and crying, you know it's the same release".
Have shed more tears over the past 11 months, than I have in years. A good cry and a good laugh both make me feel better but laughing is definitely more fun and enlivening. Which is why I've begun watching the opening monologues of Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and John Oliver in the evening. I watch them a day or days after they air since I can't stay up to watch live. Just started doing this since they canceled Stephen Colbert and temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel. Thankfully, they both remain on air and Stephen Colbert just won an Emmy. Jimmy Kimmel actually voted for him and ran a public campaign for others to do the same. This is the time to support the comedians who use their platform to educate about what's happening as well as to entertain.
Have canceled reading or watching all other news sources except for about a dozen substack writers I support along with a couple of magazines who haven't yet bowed to the bully. The past several days I took a break from reading anything online and spent more time outside, walking in the woods and along the beach. News and social media breaks are necessary now to keep our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being in shape for the long haul.
Ramona, there is not a doubt in my mind that your healthcare team will do everything in their power to keep you "alive and kicking" as my mom used to say. We can all use many more years of your gracious writing, continued advocacy, wit and wisdom.
Thanks for your kind words, Annie. We fighters need a laugh now and then and I had to laugh at your ‘remedy’ in watching the opening monologues of the late-night comic greats. I do the same thing! Maybe not as regularly, but I go to them when I need relief, and they never disappoint. They even make me laugh out loud! They’re national treasures at a time when we sorely need them.
May they always find a way.
They make me laugh out loud, too, Ramona. That's why the monologues are a new part of my nightly routine. Been sleeping better, too!
I’ll give it a try at bedtime. Thanks!
{*{*{* hugs *}*}*} dear lady! 💚💚💚💚💚
“That which does not kill us gives us something to write about!”
Love that saying
#12 seems to have been replaced with “tl;dr:” these days. Okay, and #9 with “iow” or “IOW” (my autocorrect suggested uppercase — yeah, sure, whatever).
LOL. I never knew what TL;DR meant! (I just read that if it’s not capitalized it’s considered a typo. I don’t care. This is the first and last time I’ll ever use it. 😏)
Sometimes it feels like OMG OMG EVERYTHING MUST BE ALL-CAPS and sometimes omg omg everything must be lowercase. 🙄 (And I’m probably using the wrong emoji. <sigh>)
I know! LOL in all caps because it’s not cool otherwise.
I'm sorry you are having health challenges at the moment. I'm sure you will find your way through them with your amazing warrior spirit. Lots of love to you 💕
Thank you, Cali. Giving up is not in my vocabulary. At least not permanently. 💕
Ramona, I’m so sorry you’re experiencing these health challenges and not feeling well. I hope treatment goes as smoothly as it can. Please be kind to yourself as you rest! 💐
Thank you, Erika. That means so much. 💕
You’re so welcome! 🤗
Sorry to hear about your health challenges, Ramona. Sending you love and very best wishes 💕
Thank you, Victoria. ❤️
💕
I agree with everything in your article except that list of they'll want yous. But maybe that's another story (a phrase that perhaps should also be consigned to the literary wastebasket, or recycle bin.) For what it's worth (definitely should be tossed), I have my own list of phrases, beginning with "at the end of the day" and "in my humble opinion." Certain words, too, like "mesmerize" and "shambolic." Then there's flagrant misuse of perfectly good phrases, like "begging the question." I could go on....
Good luck with your daunting challenges.
Sending you good vibes, Ramona! I appreciate the reminder about over-writing (I'm guilty of a plethora of those, heh heh).
Oh my!! I am in trouble. Since I seem to use all the "words that drag you down". I'm sorry if I offend you.
But, however, since no one reads anything I write anyways I suppose my use of colloquial Ozarkian vernacular may be maybe forgivable (is that a word?).
That said, I hope you take this post in the good humor it was meant to be. As I do love your writings. (Your's too Lev).
Get better sooner than later.
Okay, Kim, you're the exception. If colloquialisms are your thing, revel in them! They can be fun--unlike those words in my list. 😉
Okay Doky.