Bruce Barone

(Long post. Mostly photos. With a surprise ending.)

This post is mostly about January 2020.

Susan and I began coughing and sneezing on New Year’s Eve and continued coughing and sneezing throughout the month of January. My doctor said, “Let it run its course.”

I must admit I was mostly worried about my urologist appointment which was scheduled for January 31. I had an operation back in November and I was concerned I might need another one. The doctor said, “We may have to go in through your back.” My back!

I was more of a fear worrier than a prayer warrier during the month of January.

What’s that verse from Thessalonians?

^“16 Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~Thessalonians 5:16-18

Let’s say it out loud: “¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I had forgotten to say this to myself during the month of January.

And then I read this from The Daily Word, which helped to put me back on the path of well-being. It was entitled “Healing:”

“I focus my thoughts on health.

“When faced with a health challenge, I may be tempted to keep my thinking focused on what might be wrong with my body, but keeping my thoughts and feelings focused on disease keeps my attention focused on illness, not wellness.

“I can make a new choice. While caring for my body with proper exercise, rest, and nutrition, I focus my attention on those parts of my body that do feel well. From there, I feel gratitude for the healing thoughts that are filling my mind and inspiring me, crowding out all thoughts of illness or dysfunction.

“As a spiritual being, I know that wholeness is my divine nature, and I gratefully welcome my healing. Today I think health-producing thoughts and speak words of healing into being.”

And at my doctor’s appointment on the 31st the doctor said, “We’re not recommending another operation. Rather, we recommend shock wave lithotripsy.”

This procedure doesn’t require any incisions. Instead sound waves are sent through your body, crumbling the stones into tiny, sandlike pieces. The pieces can then pass through the urinary tract more easily.

Good news, indeed!

Early January Susan suggested we have soup for dinner as often as possible to help with are coughing. And we did.

I made Fish Chowder:

I made Spicy Shrimp Tomato Soup:

I made Mushroom Barley Soup:

I made Kielbasa Collard Greens Soup:

I made Turkey Lentil Soup:

January wasn’t all about soup. I also made Lasagna:

I made a Mushroom, Roasted Red Peppers, Red Onions and Spinach Pizza:

I made Apricot and Olive Chicken (This recipe from Nick Stellino.):

The month wasn’t all about coughing and sneezing—and sleeping.

We thanked God every morning we were alive and many mornings beautiful sunrises greeted us. Here are two:

And beautiful birds to behold out our window brought us great joy during the month of January:

Freddy brought us joy every day! He does every day! He’s a very good boy!

A few nights ago, February 1, I believe. I got sick; I think from goat cheese. The dinner was delicious but I think the cheese might have gone south. We had Roasted Salmon, Roasted Beet, Walnut and Goat Cheese Salad, and an Orange and Fennel Salad.

I wrote a poem about being sick:

Diarrhea can really wipe you out.

And if you have kidney stones they might move about.

So when you wake you will probably see

Most likely blood in your pee.

~~~

Who laughed?