Wanda's Garden

Wanda Purcell

Last Thursday evening I was in the kitchen making chili.  Blue our 11 year old collie was tied out front and barking - a lot.  I went to the front door to try and settle her down when my neighbor Wanda Purcell came through the front bushes sweet talking to Blue. 

As is her custom, the dog will frequently greet neighbors and visitors with her Lassie-type, high pitched barking.  Blue is hard to ignore.  Our neighbors often come to say hello to Blue who immediately settles down once they have said hello, and can go on their way.  Wanda came over to visit with Blue and joined me inside for a visit before she headed back home. 

Wanda was in a delightful mood.  She and Jim were celebrating - that the siding on their house was completed that day.  Indeed it looks grand.  Wanda was debating about trimming back the Butterfly, Rose,  & Hydrangea bushes that grow gloriously in their front yard.  I have the best view in the neighborhood of  the flowers because  my office window overlooks Wanda's garden.  Every spring and summer I enjoy watching the seasons unfold through the gift of Wanda's green thumb.

 "The house looks so good." she'd said," Jim and I are thinking of cutting back the flowers so it can be seen from the road." 
I laughed and said, "They'll only grow back. I remember how you cut all those bushes back last fall.  They are bigger than ever now.   Everything you touch explodes with life!"

Her green thumb and my lack there of was a joke between us.  I can plant daisies and they will not take.  Wanda would plant daisies and they multiply.  She had pansies that actually bloomed in January!  Our yards are across the street from eachother.  Does ten feet really make that much difference?  Wanda would say, "Denise, you don't fertilize and there isn't enough sun shining there."

Wanda tasted my chili and advised me about adding a few spices.  I had them all on hand and I was happy to follow her instructions.  She took the spoon out of my hand and started stirring the pot on the stove- "This is how you do it" she said, "Don't worry, I won't make a mess."  Then we laughed as the chili splattered all over the counter and stovetop.  It was a great visit that ended with a hug.  Wanda left making me promise to give her a taste of the chili on Friday for lunch. "You've got a deal, Wanda.  I'll see you tomorrow." 

My friend and neighbor Wanda died suddenly on Thursday night. While I ate lunch on Friday, my Vinny was driving Wanda's Jim to Boston to pick up their son.  I miss her already.

Wanda lit up this neighborhood with her singing, her stories, her flowers and warmth.  I can't grasp that she is gone.  Rest in peace sweet friend.  I am so thankful that you were my neighbor these last 10 years. 

Hand Made Tag Art July 2010

June/July 2010

I made these tags in a 5 hour class with several other artists - Time flies!

Enjoy Life - It Goes Quickly

Life is too short to not enjoy it. I am spending my remaining years learning how to enjoy something every single day.  It doesn't have to be a big thing, it may be a conscious moment sipping a cup of tea.  I could be having a conversation with a friend or listening to music.  I will confess that on the top of my list is this:  I love to spend time with Vinnie - my husband of 38 years.   You know, I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. There are moments when I think we are still in our early twenties - that delusion doesn't last very long but I cherish the moments anyway. 

I have known Vinnie for 40 years.  We started going out when I was still in high school and we have been together ever since.  I was watching him sleep the other night thinking how at times he still looks the same to me. I find that amazing.  There have been days when  I would look in the mirror and think I have not changed either - especially since Vin would often say so.  That is until this past winter when he got a new pair of glasses.  It was funny when he commented on a few lines around the eyes we both have that he'd never seen before. "Quick" I said.  "Take the glasses off!"

When I need a break and its time to play solo - I write, or photograph something.  I love to bring my camera with me when I take walks.  Creating a scrap book pages or making hand made greeting cards ofen grounds me and feeds my soul.  I may start on a project and find that hours have passed before I have a finished piece.  Artist time flies for me. Tell me what makes time fly for you?

A1C - Three Months later

The results of my A1C test came in. This is 3 months after diagnosis. Due to lifestyle changes and medication the number is 6.2%. The doctor was impressed since my first A1C was 8. I am pleased with the results and feel exonerated. All of a sudden the doctor was in full agreement with everything I was doing, including losing weight at the perfect rate for me. Last month (see post) I'd felt disheartened by her words to "lose weight" even though I have been consistently losing weight on purpose.


The week prior to testing, I was nervous about the blood test and almost afraid to find out what the numbers were. My diabetes educator's estimating it would come in below 7 after reviewing 4 weeks of records but I didn't trust the process enough.

May, June & July have been full of finger pricks, cleaning blood off of the kitchen counter and refrigerator, careful food records, number tracking and withdrawal from the habit of grabbing and eating any "low fat, low cal, low point" carb carrying snack that I 'felt" like having.

I wrote a lot in between mini meals and I have been reading about diabetes. I joined a gym. Better than that, I started working out at the gym. I got over the paranoia about getting into the pool with a group of strangers. Basically, I reinvented myself. I have new patterns and continue to make changes.

Changing to accomodate this disorder is hard work. Harder in fact than preparing formula for a colicky baby with allergies or learning about how to care for a cardiac patient because this was about me. The doctor told me that she would like me to continue to lose weight and if I do so I may be able to come off the medication. I need to understand that regardless of the A1C numbers, I am diabetic and it is my responsibility to do all I can to continue on this path each day.

I made a choice to live a better and longer life - in doing so I have made several changes - I am still new at this. A daily food plan and basic self care have a new meaning since type 2 came into my daily awareness.

Now, I am learning about how exercise affects my blood sugar levels and am delightfully surprised. I also am concerned when I feel dizzy from a sugar drop and I am confused about what eat to counter a low. My numbers have rarely gone into the 80's. But they have done that a couple of times. When they are there I feel like crap. I feel light headed at 101 - I don't understand that. I thought that 101 was more a "normal" number.

My diabetes educator tells me I don't have to concern myself with carrying glucose tablest, orange juice, or a quick fix for sugar lows, but I have a can of juice nearby whenever I am doing cardio. I don't like feeling vulnerable and dizzy. I have fallen twice at the gym.

I don't like wondering if I am going to get into trouble with a hypoglycemic response. I tell myself, it's all new-give it time. My body is adjusting to a lot of changes - medication, weight loss, & consistent exercise. I tell myself it is what it is and be patient as I adjust to changes. As I try to learn what the next best thing to do is, I continue to reach out and share. My diagnosis is just over 3 months old. I find that I am grateful knowing I have this Type 2 diabetes for many reasons. Not the least of which is to have a community at TuDiabetes.org where I am able to ask questions of those who walk the walk.