Summer's End
Even though Phil starts back to school the week before labor day, it always feels like the official end when those last 4 days of vacation are used up and he returns to work after labor day.
I have to say, this was probably one of my worst summers ever and I think it was for Phil too. The grief over losing Ezzy was not something that could be wrapped up in a neat little box and put on the shelf marked closure despite my best efforts to do so. Phil and I had decided to use the summer to finish projects in the house. It seemed like something that ought to take just a few weeks but it literally sucked up most of the summer. The house was in construction work shambles and the projects still are not ready to be officially crossed off the list. I appreciate Phil's effort and I know that going back to work for him was a vacation from the summer.
Without getting into a lot of details, I have had some health issues. I had bloodwork done and the results showed that I have severe anemia and probably have had so for quite some time (looking at my symptoms, I would say 2 years, with the lowest numbers over this summer). My naturopath and I discussed the possibility of needing IV's to get the iron in my blood boosted but decided to go with high doses of iron supplements for the next 3 weeks and then reevaluate. I will probably be seeing her regularly for quite some time. Not only do we need to get my iron levels up to a safe and normally functioning level but we need to find out what is causing such depletion...possibilities include internal bleeds and autoimmune disorders. I am so relieved to have a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
So where do I go from here? I think first and foremost is just rest and recovery...keeping life simple. This is so very challenging with Phil transitioning back to work, starting the homeschooling year, lots of appointments, and a long list of Fall projects. I am not even sure what this looks like but I know part of it is just meeting the Lord where I am at...in my weakness, being still and listening to the Holy Spirit, and resting in His grace.
My favorite time of the year is the Fall. There is truly something magical that happens at the end of the summer and before the rain comes. The fields are golden, the sky is pale, the air is cooler but the sunshine is still hot, the light is filtered and has a golden glow...something I only notice in the Fall. The colors are on the opposite spectrum of the glorious greens and brights of springs to golds and reds and warm browns. There is a beauty to Fall that I just have to soak in, that I just can't stop admiring. I have to say the weather this year has completely ruined the Fall palate. The clouds have masked that beautiful lighting, the rain has made the air humid and stifling especially at night, and the fields are muddy looking with dull greens. I have to admit, it has been very disappointing...like we skipped Fall.
I did a quick garden walk one morning after the rains let up.
Zinnias
I have to say, this was probably one of my worst summers ever and I think it was for Phil too. The grief over losing Ezzy was not something that could be wrapped up in a neat little box and put on the shelf marked closure despite my best efforts to do so. Phil and I had decided to use the summer to finish projects in the house. It seemed like something that ought to take just a few weeks but it literally sucked up most of the summer. The house was in construction work shambles and the projects still are not ready to be officially crossed off the list. I appreciate Phil's effort and I know that going back to work for him was a vacation from the summer.
Without getting into a lot of details, I have had some health issues. I had bloodwork done and the results showed that I have severe anemia and probably have had so for quite some time (looking at my symptoms, I would say 2 years, with the lowest numbers over this summer). My naturopath and I discussed the possibility of needing IV's to get the iron in my blood boosted but decided to go with high doses of iron supplements for the next 3 weeks and then reevaluate. I will probably be seeing her regularly for quite some time. Not only do we need to get my iron levels up to a safe and normally functioning level but we need to find out what is causing such depletion...possibilities include internal bleeds and autoimmune disorders. I am so relieved to have a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
So where do I go from here? I think first and foremost is just rest and recovery...keeping life simple. This is so very challenging with Phil transitioning back to work, starting the homeschooling year, lots of appointments, and a long list of Fall projects. I am not even sure what this looks like but I know part of it is just meeting the Lord where I am at...in my weakness, being still and listening to the Holy Spirit, and resting in His grace.
My favorite time of the year is the Fall. There is truly something magical that happens at the end of the summer and before the rain comes. The fields are golden, the sky is pale, the air is cooler but the sunshine is still hot, the light is filtered and has a golden glow...something I only notice in the Fall. The colors are on the opposite spectrum of the glorious greens and brights of springs to golds and reds and warm browns. There is a beauty to Fall that I just have to soak in, that I just can't stop admiring. I have to say the weather this year has completely ruined the Fall palate. The clouds have masked that beautiful lighting, the rain has made the air humid and stifling especially at night, and the fields are muddy looking with dull greens. I have to admit, it has been very disappointing...like we skipped Fall.
I did a quick garden walk one morning after the rains let up.
Zinnias
Bananas! We had 3 blooms this year.
Watermelon
Eggplant
Fall Figs
Green and overgrown
A somewhat messy and tired looking garden. I am hoping to find time this Fall to finish clearing out all the spent plants and mulching everything down to wait for spring.
Comments
Post a Comment