It's a New Day

Yesterday all physical remnants of my recent surgery were removed. Wow! What a relief! I am still very tender, but physically, I haven't felt better in years. It will be a real joy to return to school in a week, minus that hernia and feeling at least ten years younger. For those of you who haven't heard, I am changing schools again. After four fantastic years at Freeman, I am off to open another new school library at La Villita Elementary. I can not wait! The building is positively beautiful and the library is a central focal point with it's raised natural wood ceilings and window walls.

Open Hernia Surgery

I had an incisional hernia repair last Monday. After two days in the hospital I was released on Wednesday afternoon and returned home with staples and a wound drain. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and hopefully both will come out. All in all, the experience was not too bad. I don't remember one thing from the OR. Those pre-op drugs are good!!

I had an IV and catheter in until midday on Tuesday when both came out. I haven't been taking anything but a strong NAISAID for pain and am taking a strong antibiotic to prevent infection. I don't like being sick or restricted but am trying really hard to stick close to a comfy chair and my bed. I am wearing a band which the doctor recommends using for at least 4-6 weeks. I won't argue. It is nice to be waited on!!

The Theater

I attended a performance of High School Musical at the Dallas Summer Theater. It was an energetic if somewhat chaotic performance. There were lots of young girls in the audience who were very attentive to the entire show. More interesting was the production going on in the ladies room. Four rest room attendants ran the coming and going like the director of a Broadway show—Arms motioning, voices commanding, “This way, ladies, two openings this way.” I felt as though I was in a commercial for Visa Check card. You know the one, where motion is fast, furious and controlled until someone tries to pay with cash or a check and everything stops. I will say they kept things moving, like a finely oiled machine—in and out in no time. I think they need these ladies at the ball park, Texas Stadium and the AA Center.

A Writing Fool

I've spent the last three weeks at North Star of Texas National Writing Project Summer Institute. What an amazing experience this has been. The opportunity to share my writing and hear the stories and poetry of an other 17 women has been life affirming and emotional, truly a transforming opportunity.

Here's one of my poems, inspired by a brief lesson on the Alamo.

I am
a spiritual place
where many feet have trod
none so remembered as that day in 1836.

I am
a place of God
that has witnessed ungodly acts
and stand in testament for all to know what happened here.

I am
the dirt that took in the blood
of men from two places
who met here on that fateful day
and fought to the death.

I am
the walls that echoed the screams of fear and pain
that offered resistance for many days
until our noble efforts failed.

I am
the ceiling that bore the cannon and musket fire
until the night stars looked down on those inside
counseling them the end was near.

I am
the air, staid and still
that enfolds you now
as you remember what happened here.

I am
the Alamo.




Gayle Baar
North Star of Texas Summer Institute 2008

Crowns

Eric and I attended the Greater Lewisville Community Theater production of Crowns tonight. Teresa Ferrell Buntain, director, is a long time friend from R. L. Turner High School. The play portrays the importance of hats among African American woman of the south. The play continues next weekend too. It would be a great Mother's Day present to share this play.

I was reminded of my own mother's love for hats and how I loved to go to the hat shop with her. As they performed the old gospel hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow, which was my mother's favorite, I could see her sitting at her organ, singing this song. As for the hats--apparently I thought they were pretty cool too!

Travis

This is my dog, Travis. You may notice that Travis thinks he's human. He enjoys getting up on the bed, put his head on the pillow and cover up with the comforter. He's a cute little Pomeranian. Right now he is sporting his spring hair cut, which makes him look very "foxy."

Stars Hockey

We lost tonight. There were some pretty stupid calls or lack of calls, but still we should have been able to put the series away tonight. Let's hope they can do that on Sunday and move on to the Western Conference championship game with Detroit. It will get interesting around here if that happens since my husband was born in raised in a Detroit suburb and is a loyal Red Wing fan.