Thursday, August 31, 2006

Waving Away Pain


Waving Away Pain, originally uploaded by ujima.

Tracy here cleaning so I had to get up, showered and
dressed and out of the way so she could change my bed.
At Becoming Center working twice as hard as I though I
could. Was letting the other two in the class hold me
back by their minimal efforts. Then too, their
arthritises, knees and backs are worse than mine.
Gonna get strong. Gonna get stamina.

Sis's chemo was to start tomorrow, but her biopsy scar
is not healed enough for the doctor to put in the
shunt. She'll have to wait until next week.

Gonna cook sweet potatoes, stir fry some broccoli slaw
and chicken breast pieces. It's $2 U-Name-It at the
Clubhouse so I'll go down and hang out. Probably
football or tennis on. As long as it's not P.O. and Dallas.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Wednesday Walk


Wednesday Walk, originally uploaded by ujima.

Trying to build strength, stamina. So today I was walking,
walking, walking around the nabe and the shopping center.
Met a young woman, a new neighbor, who told me she was from Africa.
I told her she must say the *name* of her country, Nigeria, when
people ask where's she's from. She says people don't know where
that is. So I told her to say she's from Nigeria in Western Africa.
Someone has to educate people about world geography.
Walking, walking, walking. Trying to remember to be straight,
not bent over which feels better but is a bad habit. Meet
former computer students and ask about their progress.
Resist the temptation to say how I'm really doing. Just say,
"Fine,thanks" when asked.
Walking, walking walking. Frank sees me and picks me up
for the last 300 yards home. YAY! We talk about Anime. I'll
relax by watching tennis. Hope Serena or James are on.

Watery Tuesday


A Watery Day, originally uploaded by ujima.

Up and out to water therapy. I *really* needed it
after the weekend in town at Park Hyatt @the Bellevue.
Great room, foods, jazz! Even watched the E-A-G-L-E-S
win! Walked many streets, finally checked out Macy's.
Needed the warmth of the water today and the
stretching.

At home later watching the torrential rains, hearing
the thunder, blinking at the lightning. Went out on
the balcony to watch the mud river below.

Sis and Mom, driving home from Lazy Boy and lunch in
Montgomeryville took an alternate route home fearing
that Bell's Mills would be flooded.

Was the rain a one year memorial for Katrina? tears
for the people who cannot return? And W was down there
having a picture op with Fats Domino. Grrrrrr!

Monday, August 28, 2006

March On Washington


March On Washington
Originally uploaded by ujima.

August 28, 1963
Don't remember where we boarded the bus after dawn. We
were a sleepy,excited group. Everyone just napped as
we headed to Washington. Later, we got off the bus at
a rest stop in Wilmington to buy snacks and use the
restroom. The owner's wife ran out to lock the
facilities but we outnumbered her.

When we reached Washington, organizers were very
nervous because the crowd was so small. But, true to
CPT, the crowd soon grew and grew. I remember much
singing, the wonderful speeches, the diverse crowd and
Louis Berry in his business suit, carring his lunch in
an attaché case.

I did walk up to take a look at MLKing when he began
to speak and was caught up in the rhythmic cadence of
his words.

It ended too soon. We drove in the darkness toward
home. people threw rocks and firecrackers at the buses
from the overpasses; but that just added to the energy
of the day. I'd been to many marches before and have
been in many since, but that one was the most
stirring.

(I'm in the picture bottom left, Sis bottom right.)

Thursday, August 24, 2006

C Ya!


C Ya!
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Went to water therapy this morning. I've been
certified through September. That should allow me to
build up stamina.

My sister from Baltimore is here until Sunday.
Tomorrow I'll go to town and stay at Park Hyatt at the
Bellvue until Sunday noon.

Organizing for packing. Counted out my vitamins,
allergy pills, blood pressure med, teeny-tiny aspirin
and put them in small plastic bags. Washed blouses.
Decided which slacks to wear.

Now I'll sit and listen to my sister talk and talk and talk.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Unsung Heroes


Unsung Heroes
Originally uploaded by ujima.

The commercial district of Ridge Avenue in the
Roxborough neighborhood is unusually clean and neat.
Tommy Davis was the unsung hero until he was profiled
in a front page article in 8/9's Roxborough Review.
Whenever I see him, I ask for his autograph, and he
laughs.

http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=
17032705&BRD=1680&PAG=461&dept_id=40301&rfi=8

Mom's ride to Exhale Beauty Salon fell through. She
decided she was going to go on the bus!! She hadn't
ridden public transportation in over two years but was
determined to get her hair washed and styled.So I got
dressed and set out with her. It's about two blocks to
the bus stop which isn't far. But for a 93 year old
waking with a cane, it can be quite a journey when
you're mostly used to only walking to the car.She made
it in ten minutes. A neighbor on Old Line Road rushed
out to speak to her not having seen her in such a long
time.

When we got to the salon, it was locked! I called the
number, left a message and we sat down on the steps to
wait. Luckily, neither of us is a whiner or chatterer.
We sat there for 30 minutes, watched the passing
scene, enjoyed the infrequent breezes and talked to
passersby.
Then we walked up the block to Coyle's Cafe, sat and
waited in a cooler place. Mom was *determined* to get
her hair done, so we waited, drank water, talked with
Mike Coyle and others until the stylist called.

She finally got her hair done after waiting an hour
and then took a cab home. Mom couldn't take her usual
nap because she was too stoked about walking to the
bus, riding it and being out in the world.

I wanted to ask for her autograph.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Keep Your Sunny Side Up


Keep Your Sunny Side Up
Originally uploaded by ujima.

At aqua therapy working hard but laughing and enjoying
work on boards and noodles.

Having difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
Thinking about my sister and what she must go through
and how we will get the nerve to tell Mom.

Sis came by and we talked and laughed. She said she
was going home to work on her puzzle.(5000 pieces?!)I
loaned her some of my DVDs--the one about the Eagles'
fans, Springsteen where he sings Seeger songs and the
documentary about Neil Young.

We've got to keep our heads up as much as possible
while not ignoring or making light of what is
happening.

Monday, Monday


Monday,Monday
Originally uploaded by ujima.

so good to me.

Unpacking the rest of the bags from shopping
yesterday. I put away the things for the fridge and
freezer yesterday.
Sis from Baltimore called and said she'd be up
Thursday-Sunday. Got on the computer immediately and
booked a room at a downtown. Got the 50% off rate for
seniors. Delicious.
At night watching Acts I&II of Spike's "When the
Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" on HBO. So very
disturbing even 12 months later. Our government has so
much to be ashamed of then and now in their response
to this disaster.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Victims of War


Victims of War
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Wearing my savedarfur.org t-shirt and again thinking
about the child victims of war in Lebanon, Israel,
Darfur and too many other places. Trying to recreate a
photograph I had seen in the newspaper yesterday of a
grieving Lebanese child. Guess Garry Trudeau is
thinking of the children too. Today's cartoon had Mike
daydreaming about people being safe and enjoying peace
in Kabul, Gaza, Southern Lebanon and Baghdad. Sadly,
it is only a daydream. Save the children.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Her 93rd


bday.bloons_1
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Today's Mom's 93rd birthday. She gots loads of cards and presents by mail. She was thrilled by the card from George and Wendy in Australia.
Mom's tired and Sis is too and so, we didn't do a big "do" as we usually do on her birthday. Everyone visited by telephone.
Then we went for a ride in the country and ate at a Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood.I got vanilla icecream with walnuts from Cold Stone Creamery for to eat later.
Sis had her appointment with the oncologist today, but we didn't have time to talk about it. We'll talk tomorrow.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Busy Day


Busy Day
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Tired and happy. Working with water weights for an
hour during aqua therapy. Feeling the burn 8>D Don't
want to make progress too swiftly or they'll send me
to land therapy. I'm loving the water so much.
Rested and went out again at 6:30 to Coyle's Café for
wrap party for Relay for Life. Our total raised is
$66,500, up from $50,000 last year.
Hung around with lagers and friends watching
E-A-G-L-E-S. So happy for Buckhalter and his 48 yard run!

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

American Legacy


American Legacy
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Latest copy of American Legacy came today so I stopped
what I was doing to read it. American Legacy is the
Magazine of African-American History and Culture.
Enjoyed learning more about Louis Latimer, the Edison
Pioneer and will pass the facts along to friends who
are still teaching so they can pass it on to the
children. Michael Richards, the sculptor who was
killed in the tower on 911 was profiled and his Tar
Baby vs St. Sebastian sculpture was discussed. Skipped
the Malcolm article. Saving the best for last.

The electricity went out 5:30 -7 PM. It made me sit
quietly and think about what I had learned today.

Tuesday


Tuesday
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Becoming stronger because of water therapy exercises.
Did well today. Later Sis came by and she, Mom & I
went to get our nails done and then had a snack and
some talk at Mickey D's.

Monday, August 14, 2006

On the balcony


On the balcony
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Able to enjoy sitting on the balcony now that some of the
branches are gone. Sat out and continued working on NYTimes
puzzle from yesterday (evil). Walked out for exercise and to do
errands. Back hurts. Returning to aqua therapy tomorrow.

from the front


from the front
Originally uploaded by ujima.

When you see this one from the front, it looks normal.

Front from street


Front from street
Originally uploaded by ujima.

It looks normal from the street.

Front tree


Front tree
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Now that some branches have been removed, I don't hear the
eerie scratchings at night.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Brain Dead


Brain Dead
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Out to club Friday night. Danny's band was playing and
there was the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk fundraiser. The
band, formerly Brain Dead, is now called Out to Lunch;
but they will always be Brain Dead to me. They play
Classic Rock loudly and well.
Got up and out Saturday morning. Mare, being a good
friend, drove me to Flourtown Farmers' Market so I
could get fresh chicken and fish. We stopped at Spoons
on the way home for cappuccino and howled with
laughter at things that people had done on Friday
night under the spell of Captain and Coke.
My back did well last night and today so I rested and
read and watched TV in the evening.
About midnight, the smoke alarm started beeping
intermittently. We called the service and a guy came
out within 15 minutes and replaced the old one. Great
service!
My sister's home from Massachusetts, rested and ready
for the oncologist. How are we going to tell Mom that
she has cancer?

Friday, August 11, 2006

I Can See Clearly Now


I Can See Clearly Now
Originally uploaded by ujima.

They *finally* came to cut back the trees! The one in
front scraped across my bedroom window nightly
creating a very spooky sound. The one in back blocked
sun from the balcony so there wasn't light enough to
grow flowering plants.

Now that the sun will come, I'll all Andrew to clean
the porch and head out to Ott's Exotic plants for some
beauties. Let the sun shine in!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

In the Water


In the Water
Originally uploaded by ujima.

n the water becoming stronger doing stretching and
strengthening activities. Stopped in the library for a
few hours helping students and making signs for the
AIDS Benefit.
Resting in the evening watching the E-A-G-L-E-S
preseason win.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Beautiful Day


Beautiful Day
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Blue skies smilin' at me
as I walk along pain free.
I had waited yesterday
for stiffness and pain
that never came.

Instead of waiting for #35,
I walked erect feeling
happily alive.

Bored the women at Exhale
with my aquatic therapy tale
until one couldn't hold it
any longer and said
"Water makes the back
grow stronger." 8>D

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Becoming


becoming.jpg
Originally uploaded by ujima.

@ the Becoming Center (becomingcenter.com)

Floating along on a noodle lifting one leg and then
another
Bending one knee and then the other
Twenty times.
On tiptoe and then down twenty times,oh my!
Up and down. Reach for the sky.
Cupping the hands to make resistence makes it
difficult to go the distance
from one end of the pool to the other.

The hour went by so fast!
In the shower, out and past
a woman drying her *toes* with the hair dryer :)

Dressed. Driven home still hearing the flutey music.
I am becoming.

Monday, August 07, 2006

Thank you for Relay for Life Success


Thank you for Relay for Life Success
Originally uploaded by ujima.

(I spent yesterday and today with my sister, talking, watching our E-A-G-L-E-S.
Her diagnosis *is* cancer. My nephew drove my other sister up from Baltimore today
and we all hung and talked. Mom doesn't know yet about the diagnosis. My oldest
sister died of cancer at age 60.) Sis is going to rural Massachusetts with friends
tomorrow for five days. No TV, no cell reception. They'll play guitars and sing,
tell stories and keep good thoughts.)

Dear Friend,
Thank you for supporting me and my team, Coyle's Café, in the 2006 Relay for
Life of Roxborough/Manayunk. Your contribution helped our team raise $8418.50,
and the event netted over $65,OOO for American Cancer Society research,
education, advocacy and patient services.
Even though it was a hot day and we had some rain, participation was up, and
we surpassed our event goal. (I made it round the track twice!) We honored 69
local cancer survivors in the survivor lap. (I was the longest survivor--25
years.) Hundreds of luminaria were written with special remembrances.
Thank you to the Summit Park Clubhouse for allowing us to host our fundraiser
there and to all the wonderful residents who gave donations.
I hope I can count on you again next year in supporting my and my team's
efforts or joining on the fight against cancer.
Sincerely,
Ujima

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Two Ellies


2elefants_1
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Me 'n Elly


me&elly_1
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Got some flowers and went to visit my sister. She'd had a breast biopsy yesterday and I needed to sit and look at her and listen to her talk. We listened to Sinatra et. al. sing the standards and looked at old photos. Remembered a lot of good times.
She let me try on her new elephant backpack :) She has a large collection of elephants in many sizes, colors and materials---hundreds of them. Even has an elephant tattoo on her arm! But today was a day for the feel-good soft,cuddly,pillowy ones. Comfort and smiles.

Friday, August 04, 2006

Outtie!


Outtie!
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Didn't want to stay at home with no airconditioning so
we got Arlene to drop us in the shopping center on her
way out. At 66, I was the youngest person in the
supermarket because the Cathedral Village bus had not
yet picked up its residents. Saw people I hadn't seen
in a while because they travel early, while I'm still
asleep. All of the people who work in the market were
pleased to see Mom. She hadn't been there in a while.
Doesn't get out as much as she used to.
As we walked to the drugstore, we noticed how it had
gotten hotter already, but not nearly as scorching and
humid as it's been this week with 120F heat factors.I
was pleased that the young man from Burkina Faso was
in the store to meet Mom. I had told her that most of
the cashiers hired there are from different countries
in Africa. They are found to be excellent workers:
intelligent, prompt, friendly and polite, dependable.
The customers love the guys!
At the library, they couldn't tell Mom enough stories
about the trouble I always cause with my silly (but
helpful) attitude. I showed her the computer for
people with vision problems, and we sent Mike an email
with a gigantic font.
We crossed over to the nail store for manicures. She
got plain. I got burning summer orange polish.
At Mickey D's we had thick vanilla shakes and shared
small fries.
The electricity came on about two and things slowly
got back to normal until the power went out at 8 PM!
Luckily it wasn't off long. But now I have to reset
all the clocks again.
It was great to be out walking again. The pain is much
less severe. There's hope for me!

Now Macy's


Now Macy's
Originally uploaded by ujima.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Resting from getting injection, waiting for a new and better feeling and so, I missed the Grand Opening of Macy's,it's first department store in Downtown Philadelphia. We no longer have to travel to a suburban mall to shop Macy's.
It's in the building where Wanamaker's (possibly US's first department store) was located. I *love* the old buildings that housed department stores. Beautiful brass sculptures and fixtures. The 2500 pound Eagle and the pipe organ will remain as a part of Macy's. "Meet me at the Eagle" has been a traditional Philadelphia saying and meeting place since the very early 1900s.
Today the Heat Factor is 120º so I'll wait for the steroids to kick in and for the expected storm to lower temperatures before returning to the world.Waiting...waiting..

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Walkin' the halls


Fwd: Walkin' the halls
Originally uploaded by ujima.

@ Chestnut Hill Hospital rehab for evaluation. After
you walk so many loooong halls and finally find the
place, you *need* rehab. I suggested they move closer
to patient entrance. They'd heard *that* before.
Going to Becoming Center for aquatic exercise as soon
as a spot becomes available. Becoming? I hear soft
flutey music....

Which Is Worse?


Which Is Worse?
Originally uploaded by ujima.