.
The Antarctic

A three part essay:

1. My elderly mother is experincing new issues that are worriesome. Her feet are swollen, and added furosemide is not fully alleviating it. It could be the switch to verapamil, but it could be something more sinister. The doctor (his nursing staff) does not seem to be particularly concerned for they do not offer any suggestions. Yet, accompanying this is a gradual decline in appetite, drinking, and greater sleeping again. She has an appointment with the heart specialist in a week, but I would prefer to have an appointment on Monday (actually I would have prefered last Friday, but they had no available space). They may not have space on Monday either.

2. My wife is driving her mother and father (and with a few of our kids) up North to my mother and father-in-laws childhood home territory to have a party with other of their relatives for my mother-in-law's birthday. My mother's condition preculdes my going. My wife may stay overnight.

3. I have always dreamed of goint to the Antarctic. I once sent in a proposal to work at one of the stations there on a biology experiment I designed, and was accepted. Unfortunately, issues at the time prevented me from taking the time off when my group was assigned to set camp. I am technically still on a list so that I can be put back into rotation for available slots. Sadly, I suspect it is only a pipe dream anymore.

PipeTobacco