May 8, 2006 - Day 6 - Week 5 - Foggy Days

I did not want to admit reality, but two foggy days in a row have descended on this home, actually just me, here in Southern California, though the literal sun did come out both afternoons.

Yesterday, I thought I was invincible and the treatments were to only be a minor inconvenience, until about 2 in the afternoon when all of a sudden I began to sweat like a stuck pig and could not even navigate the house without bumping into walls and chairs.  A nap was in order and I crashed hard for two hours.  What was a real “bummer” is that Katy and I were to have had our semi-annual bowling adventure at Pico Lanes with good friends of ours.  I do not have my own set of golf clubs, but I do have my own bowling ball.  I obtained this dappled grey 15 lb. Brunswick Beauty in Kansas City in 1970 for the princely sum of $19.95.  Winters in Missouri can be long and brutal and the local clergy ad hoc bowling league had a new recruit fresh out of seminary.

Never great, always competitive, a healthy athletic Peter is important during this phase of life.  Granted the aerobics at the gym and the weight training is part of my regimen for getting well, but frankly the gym is boring and Katy bribes me by agreeing to drive every time we go.  I sit in the passenger side and read the latest of my email offerings.  But, back to bowling!  Exercise in sport form is much more fun for me, but alas I had to pass on bowling, at least for now.  No, I do not have a shiny bowling shirt with my name on the back, but it is a social outing for anyone and I always try and beat my all time high score – a score that I choose not to divulge.

Today was a new day, or so I thought.  Up and at ‘em for a 9:00 AM meeting with our next guest on Earth Talk Today, Dr. Dale Kiefer, I had my usual breakfast of a banana blended with apple juice and the funky green powder called The Perfect Food.  Dale and I had a fascinating discussion of his area of expertise and crafted a thoughtful show on the state of the world’s oceans.  That eco-system, like mine, is being compromised with drugs of all types, as well as the other factors affecting its health like climate change.  Pollution is mounting worldwide and of grave concern to many.  A few office chores, a couple of phone calls, a letter or two, and then I ordered a salad which I ate quickly, maybe too quickly, but I was famished; even though I had eaten the requisite protein bar mid-morning snack.

From 1:00 PM on I struggled once again to stay awake in the office.  Foggy and not able to focus, I gave in, listened to what my body was telling me, and came home for a nap.

A nap was always a luxury, now it seems to be a necessity.  Learning to listen to one’s own fragile eco-system is probably time well spent.  When hungry, I now eat.  Smaller portions more often seem to be what this old frame is telling me is required.  Sleepy and foggy, I seek respite in the prone position.  Formally an admission of not being on top of my game and of time not well spent, I now realize that even just minutes in the sack or a comfortable chair may be life giving.

Maybe I’ll go catch another 30 minutes or so hoping tomorrow brings internal sunshine and energy.

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