Tips for hand arthritis

here's another helpful link:   http://arthritishandpain.net/

Arthritis tips...

     I came across some tips for arthritis this morning from the Mayo Clinic.  Link attached...Slide show for arthritis

Tangier Island Poem, July 15, 2012

The salt spray on my face,

Chatting with Mark Crockett, the boat captain,

The roar of the Joyce Marie,

The American flag waving in the breeze,

This big crabbing vessel,

(now in business ferrying passengers from Onancock to Tangier)

Choppy waters,

Staying dry,

The sailboats in the distance,

Holding on,

Richard the waterman who took me to the beach,

The long stretch of sandy beach,

The Kansas family that gave me a lift in their golf cart,

Fern Tyler, a Tangier native who took my photo on the beach,

Sand in my shoes,

No cell phone access,

Soft shell crabs at Lorraine's,

Friendly people,

Enduring friendships,

The wind to cool me,

The wind to calm me,

A safe trip back to shore.

Letter to Family

    Dear John and Chris,  had a nice and relaxing trip up to the Eastern Shore of Virginia and am staying on the water at Mimi and Jim's house on the water.  Had my first swim yesterday in their pool and enjoyed the sight of the egrets flying by.

 Last night we ate in Onancoke at the Inn and Garden Cafe and visited the art galleries in town.  I kept expecting to see a film crew drive past, as this was a "picture perfect" town on the water.  Some houses have deep water docks so people can keep their boats in their back yards, so to speak.  We topped the night off with a visit to the carnival, run by the volunteer fire department.  What a night!

I've known Mimi since my Richmond days, and later in Alaska...so nice to re-connect.

From Folly Creek Cottage, July 12, 2012

       I ventured up to the Eastern Shore of Virginia today, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and into the small village of Accomac, where Folly Creek Cottage sits nestled into a cozy estuary.  Hours were spent talking with Mimi, about our early days in Richmond, her travels to England with 3 young children, to Alaska where Chris was born.  Mimi has been such a big part of my life, of so many lives...

     Now I'm propped up in the big brass bed which Mimi had in Alaska, surrounded by friends, and comforted by memories.  So many memories...

"Pink Slip" (c)

Twelve years ago, it happened

in that office by the door.

The end of a four year battle.

My little civil war--

"The decision was made to..."

My mind freezes at the word.

What now--

The end of misery and abuse--

The beginning of what?

Searching, 

Pain,

Suffering,

Closed doors,

More that open--

to the Library of Congress,

Chapel Hill,

the mountains,

the sea,

UNC,

Paris,

Normandy,

Hemingway's hang-out,

My first camping trip in a long time,

Durham,

the Nasher,

writers and poets,

DPAC 

and Boston

and back here.

Where is here?

To gratitude

for where I am now,

and for not being where

 I was then.

I've given the pink slip

to that person,

and that time,

and love 

my prayer

for grace and

forgiveness.

This Morning, July 11, 2012 (c)

This morning,

I woke up gently,

My legs,

stretched across the bed,

on soft,

peach colored sheets,

slow breaths,

lingering in the moments,

of quiet, easy

being,

in my cherry bed,

of beautiful, smoothe wood

like skin,

like your smoothe skin.

My hand rests quietly

under the curve

of your warmth.

Good morning.

More deep breaths

give me peace and joy

to go into the day.

Enjoy What is Beautiful

     I enjoy the beauty around me and am staying in an attitude of gratitude.  There are so many things to be grateful for:  feeling relaxed and peaceful, drumming meditation, fresh fruit and vegetables, my new tighter, toned body, deep breaths, the promise of the future, and a 4th of July celebration to attend tomorrow.  Life is sweet.