Gardening,sun and lupus............

For those of you who know I have lupus; the sun can be friend and foe
Here is a poem I awoke with late last night inspired by the green lushness of spring. I put it to written word.

A hot spring night's dream of a gardener's lament

Immediately I feel myself drift from winter into spring. The long cold dark gives birth to steamy-musty spring air and I am caught somewhere in between two worlds. I know the frost covered leaves give way to green blossoms as a sneaky little tease. I sweat under our comforter and feel heat flush over my body like an internal wind carried by each deep sigh. I yield the impulse to walk to an open window and breathe the moist outside air; fresh with abundance and hope for a fruitful year of growth, heat and sun. I am foredoomed by the sun as well; that hot orb as a double edged sword for those of us who should fear the fate of the suns powerful rays. Those of us affected by its biting, burning beams of bright light can see the scars it leaves behind. They are stronger than clouds of cold and more brutal than bitter ice. The sun is my gift and enemy both at once.

When I walk to the open window I feel the moist, cool, damp spring air and now I can breathe. I feel that all is well internally and with the emerging turned soil. Why is this time of year more torturous than others? The inevitable sunshine and sweat that plagues our sleep, the butterfly kisses on my face or the swelling of joints after a long days work in the dirt and the delight of a fruitful day of harvesting our gardens bounties?

I long for the turn of winter to spring and then summer with trowel and shovel in hand under early morning shade then hide inside during sun's peak hours from its perilous rays which make wolves come to feast on my body. I can sense the time upon me with great expectations mixed with excitement and wonder. That which I cannot explain nor do words form in my mouth. I can only write at this late hour my deepest fears and aspirations both at once as if fallen into a vortex of unknowns. My head swims in the thoughts. I know when I awake in the morning sun I will find the greenest of leaves and grass growing so fast one can hear its moans. The soil is rich with worms and hopes of growth. I can feel the dirt under my nails not yet fully washed away after weeding earlier in the day. Knees burning from kneeling and knuckles wrinkled with pain and stiffness are signs that bring joy and concern at once with great anticipation for many unknowns.
The garden heals my soul and challenges my body yet it is my greatest joy. I long for it like a remote lover.

Tonight I rest on my laurels for another day. One filled with certainty and vagueness alike for tomorrow is another day bright with opportunity and hope.

Celebs who support lupus and celebs who have lupus..Seal The Musician?

http://cure4lupus.org/awareness/celebrities.htm

With all these famous folks donating and advocating for a cure why is it still behind the scenes? Why do insurance companies cover Viagra and still have yet to come up with something lupus patients can take that will not kill their bones, give them cancer, cause heart issues or worse??????Celebrities can help because they have a voice.

If you Tweet please tell your favorite celebs to join the cause for a cure. Everyone knows someone with lupus.

band together for lupus.Julian Lennon and James Scott Cook

http://www.youtube.com/lupusfoundation#p/u/1/0HyD-bHFFjI

Check out the you tube video for "Band Together For Lupus"

Gratefulness and lupus and Thanksgiving

Wow !! I just received the best news today. My nurse Claudia called and said my last labs were perfect !!! I am not on Cell-Cept or anything for lupus. I am only on the minimal steroids for what my adrenals should be making and blood pressure-kidney meds. The rest is supplemental-natural except for sleeping aide when I need for pain or discomfort. This is huge. I am not on immunosuppressives anymore and I am doing great!!! This does not mean remission. I still have a positive Anti-DSDNA test but it is lower than it has been since March from 21 to 13(?) I think that's what she said and some minor symptoms and fatigue.

I was having a moment when she called and a bit pre-occupied with my own "stuff". We all have our moments. It is one of those things we humans have to deal with that animals and plants seemingly are free from......"Human Drama". I got my feelings hurt today and that is all I have to say. It was great to hear Claudia's wise voice telling me my tests came back fabulous !!! Now I can just focus on healing bones and joints with out worrying about kidneys and lupus. I also smelled my mom again today and that is always a good sign.

So Douglas and I got some of the prep complete for tomorrows meal. Dad has the pies and turkey and we roasted chestnuts(yummo),made cranberry-orange sauce,prepped the veggies for the dressing, cooked cornbread and bread for dressing,prepped the mustard green-white bean salad,(picked the greens this am) and managed to have a lamb curry stew to boot from the farmers market. Not bad for a crip. Doug moved furniture and we are ready for the event. Doug's mom sent a lovely flower arrangement which smells so good! and is beautiful. Wish we could have all our family together. Looks like we will be 6 in total. Nina is coming over for breakfast only and the rest of the Gross family will be here around 1:00 for 2 pm dinner.

May you all have good news to share and blessings to count. Much love.........Angela