The phlox attracts so many butterflies that it's worth planting for that alone. And such gorgeous butterflies! That is a Giant Swallowtail and I'm sorry I could only catch the underside of the wing but butterflies just do like to flit and flutter from one nectar-filled throat to another.
Here's a Palamedes Swallowtail that was sipping at the same time as the giant.
I have seen quite a few butterflies this year between the phlox and the zinnias. It is quite gratifying.
I wish my entire day had been about beautiful butterflies but it has not been. Last night, just about the time I was getting ready for bed, I realized that my right side where the stone has been lodged in my kidney causing me no problems at all was...twinging.
The feeling was all too familiar and I knew exactly what it was. It has been twinging all day now, not bad pain, just there and so easily identifiable after my last stone. And of course Mr. Moon is out of town because this is how these things go.
Sigh.
I know that with the last stone, I suffered twinges and then real pain for at least a month, probably more. Because I am an ostrich and, as Kathleen used to say, I carry a bucket of sand around with me to stick my head in whenever I need it, I ignored it (mostly) until the pain became unbearable and that, along with the blood in my urine, let me know exactly what it was and forced me to finally deal with it. So what I'm hoping is that this stone is just making its first tentative little jolting steps towards my urethra and will not be sending me to the ER this weekend. There is no visible blood in my urine and I am taking that as a good sign.
The feeling was all too familiar and I knew exactly what it was. It has been twinging all day now, not bad pain, just there and so easily identifiable after my last stone. And of course Mr. Moon is out of town because this is how these things go.
Sigh.
I know that with the last stone, I suffered twinges and then real pain for at least a month, probably more. Because I am an ostrich and, as Kathleen used to say, I carry a bucket of sand around with me to stick my head in whenever I need it, I ignored it (mostly) until the pain became unbearable and that, along with the blood in my urine, let me know exactly what it was and forced me to finally deal with it. So what I'm hoping is that this stone is just making its first tentative little jolting steps towards my urethra and will not be sending me to the ER this weekend. There is no visible blood in my urine and I am taking that as a good sign.
I have talked to Glen and reassured him that I do not need him to come home and that Lily and Lauren are not working tonight and the children will be at Jason's and they have promised that if I do need to go get help, they will take me.
Needless to say though, this has been quite unsettling. I have been hoping that, as my urologist said, the stone might never move at all, and thus need no attention. I guess that may not be the case. And if it continues to bother me, even if I don't have to seek help for pain, I do believe I will make an appointment with the urologist and get the fucker blasted because FUCK THIS.
And I did so want to avoid that because, as you may remember, after I got the last one lasered, it took a almost two weeks to pass the remaining grit and each of those episodes were, if not excruciating, then close enough to be real good friends.
Am I catastrophizing? I may well be but honestly, I have some remnants of PTSD from the last stone because it was indeed quite traumatic.
Anyway, that's what's been going on here today. I have tried to just have a normal day, going about my business the way I do. I did some laundry, I swept a floor, I made a nice breakfast, I scrubbed toilets, I picked the garden.
I had not picked green beans in three days and due to the heat and the enormous number of beans on the vine, it took me two trips to the garden to pick them today. That was my harvest and I probably picked another basketful and a half of beans that were too big and thus, too tough to eat. Those I just tossed in the yard beside the garden, wishing that I still had chickens who would so gladly peck at them. I may start leaving the huge ones on the vine and try cooking just the inner beans or saving them for next year's planting. That would be the sensible thing to do.
My supper last night was so good. I made salmon, cooking it in a skillet with a little olive oil, lemon juice, dill weed, salt and pepper, my favorite delicious roasted cauliflower recipe which Mr. Moon has asked me as gracefully as possible to cook when he is gone, rice, and some...LeSuer peas! For my lunch today I finished the cauliflower and the rice. It's bizarre how easy it is to eat an entire head of cauliflower when it's roasted. Not unlike spinach, as it cooks it becomes a mere shadow of itself, size-wise, at least.
And here's a story that just amazes me and warms my heart.
Last night, Lis called me to tell me about something that had happened at the gig they'd just done in St. Augustine. A woman was there who recognized them from my blog! She approached Lis and said, "Do you know Mary Moon?" (All too well, would have been the correct answer.) According to Lis, she's been reading here for many years, is from Ohio, I think, and never commented so I had no idea who she was but that was so gratifying. Lon and Lis are so sweet to want to let me know about this. I am so used to being asked, "OH! Do you know Lon and Lis?" that having the opposite happen is crazy. Lis even sent a picture of her and this lady which I would post but I don't have permission from B. in Ohio. But I would like to say- thank you, B. for letting Lis know that you knew her from me. I am thrilled and humbled. And aren't you glad you got to see them and meet them? Aren't they wonderful?
I have retrieved the prescription for pain medication (not an opioid although who cares?) from the freezer that I had left over from April when I had my last kidney stone, and trust me- if any serious pain begins to happen, I will take it. Not fucking around with this. But I am hoping against hope that I will just sleep beautifully and wake up in the morning feeling fine and ready to try and take better pictures of butterflies among the flowers.
Love...Ms. Moon
I’ve been thinking about this all day. Can’t they just cut it out of you like a tonsil or a pesky gall bladder? I know it’s a stupid question and I know how invasive non invasive surgery is but still goddamn goddamn Mary. Love you.
ReplyDeleteWoods that was I Rebecca Miss Anynomyous
ReplyDeleteThat word looks like I wrote it drunk tho I did not
DeleteI knew it was you ❤️ and I also know you weren't drunk.
DeleteThey can't just cut it out and I guess that's because there's too much going on down there? I hope at this point that it somehow painlessly makes its way to the urethra where they can laser it rather than having to blast it with sound waves or whatever it is they do. But as you know- whatever it takes! Do it! Love you so.
good heavens....enough with that kidney stone already! Lordy.....I hope it doesn't move and pain you further....but if it does- it *is* reassuring to know that family is there during Mr Moon's absence to tend to you. I keep you in my thoughts tonight and wish you a good and painfree sleep!
ReplyDeleteSusan M
I am so grateful to have my family nearby. I do not know what I would do without them. Rachel even offered to spend the night. I am so lucky.
DeletePoor Mary. I'm so thankful I don't get kidney stones anymore, or at least I haven't had any in probably 25 years.
ReplyDeleteThey can't cut them out of your kidneys because kidneys are far to delicate and complicated, with teeny, tiny blood vessels that would be damaged in the process. Have it zapped I guess.
Hope the pain doesn't get too bad and if it does, call for help.
Exactly. Kidneys are such complex and amazing organs. I am just so grateful that there ARE options for getting rid of stones.
DeleteIf the pain even starts to get bad, I'm calling for help. Trust me.
Well, this is rotten. That fear is very real, and I'm glad you have nice family to help if necessary. Hoping for a quiet night for you.
ReplyDeleteI slept so hard last night. Such a relief.
DeleteMary, I hope you get through this dam episode easily.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Joanne. Thank you.
DeleteLong time reader, first time commenter…this is Becky, from Ohio. I have been reading your blog since either right before or right after Gibson was born. Don’t ask me how I found your blog because after all this time I cannot recall exactly. (Either through 37 Paddington, or Shadows & Light.) It is through several serendipitous events yesterday that I was able to see and hear your friends perform. That’s a whole different story though. I thought that Lon looked familiar, but didn’t know why. I was sitting behind Lis. When she stood up to take the stage, I realized who they were. My aunt is traveling with me, and I was trying to explain to her why I was sitting there completely stunned at my good fortune. When I approached Lis, I meant to say, “I only know of you because of Mary Moon.” However, I was so gobsmacked at how the entire day unfolded that it is entirely possible that I asked if she knew you. 😂 The band was fantastic, and her voice!!! ❤️
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoy reading the words that you string together to paint the pictures of your life in Lloyd. I love the way your family loves. You often make me laugh out loud. Sometimes you make me cry. Either way, you always make me notice and appreciate the simple things about life. Thank you for sharing your life with the world wide web. Feel better soon!
BECKY FROM OHIO!!!! That is how I will always think of you. Hello, hello! I am so thrilled that you got to see Lon and Lis through some crazy serendipitous synchronicity. And actually, that may be exactly what Lis told me you said. I am truly glad that you got to see them play. Were they with Gabe and Eric? Such fine musicians and I do not lie when I say that Lis sings like an angel, do I?
DeleteThank you for reading here all these years and thank you for taking the time to comment and tell me about your adventure in St. Augustine. I really appreciate that. You've truly made my day.
37paddington: Ah, Mary, that dang kidney stone. Well, you’re clocking it carefully so you’ll be the boss of it this time. How I hope whatever unfolds is straightforward with minimal pain. Wishing hard for that for you. And how exciting about Becky from Ohio knowing Lon and Lis, because if you! I’d know them anywhere too. And I see Becky commented for the first time. Always a thrill to meet new readers. And she’s been reading here for a while! You have no idea dear Mary how your words hear ground and sustain us. You are so loved.
ReplyDeleteOkay. So if I go througuh another one of those horrible bouts of pain I am going to remember that I am the boss of that stone! And it will laugh and laugh.
DeleteNo, truly. I needed to hear that.
Isn't that a beautiful story about Becky from Ohio? And of course, she is somehow connected to both of us. I just love that. And I love you.
Typos! Oh well.
ReplyDeleteI never even see them.
DeleteHey, you finally got a comment from Becky! It is a small world sometimes. I hope you have a peaceful night and this stone passes quickly.
ReplyDeleteI love that she got to see Lon and Lis and meet Lis. They were thrilled too!
DeleteI hope the stone puts on a burst of speed and expels itself toot sweet. With minimal pain. I love the butterflies :)
ReplyDeleteHow nice to "meet" a new friend like that.
Unfortunately, kidney stones do not have any speed but excruciatingly slow. Ugh.
DeleteAren't the butterflies pretty?
And yes, I am so glad to meet Becky from Ohio.
Dammit, Mary- I really thought that was over and done with- kidney stones , I mean. sorry you are feeling ouchie and ptsd-ish, the pain is excruciating , I know this from others. Sorry i sent you a sappy podcast, you probably were in no mood for that.
ReplyDeleteIf there was a magic grampa in the sky who granted wishes when he was in good humor , I would be asking him for one now, for you and your poor tender kidney. Love-
Woman- I loved that podcast. It filled my heart with goodness and I thank you for sending it my way. You knew I would love it and I did.
DeleteOh, wouldn't a magic grandpa in the sky be lovely? Especially if he were in a good humor most of the time.
Oh lordy, I'm so sorry that this is starting up again. Sending hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteNot as sorry as I am but I sure do appreciate your sweetness.
DeleteSorry to hear that you are dealing with stones again. I hope it gets sorted quickly.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Frances. Thank you.
DeleteOh FUCK THIS indeed. Mary, I hope it passes peacefully and without pain.
ReplyDeleteI know. Fuck all kidney stones to fucking hell from whence they came.
DeleteI hope last night went easy for you. That is an amazing thing, that someone you know ran into someone who knows you, at least figuratively speaking. I hope B from Ohio leaves a comment!
ReplyDeleteLast night was fine and good. And Becky from Ohio DID leave a comment. It's up there!
DeleteOh, that's a drag. I'm sorry the kidney stone is rearing its ugly, stony head again. (Do kidney stones have heads?) Hopefully the twinge will remain just that, but I don't blame you for getting it blasted. If you return to the doctor they can probably tell whether or not it's moving with a scan.
ReplyDeleteThat's SO COOL about B from Ohio! I often forget that there are people out there reading who aren't commenting. (Probably more in your case than mine. :) )
I think kidney stones just have razor sharp claws. And yeah, I feel sure they'd do a scan to see if it's moved.
DeleteIsn't it nice to hear from someone who has been reading you for a long time that you never even imagined? And how Becky from Ohio has even met Lon and Lis in real life! It's so cool. I agree.
I have never been able to comment on your blog, Steve....nor Mr Puddings...... but I *visit* you daily for the past 4-5 years! Susan M
DeleteHope the kidney stone doesn't give you a lot of trouble. Sounds like you are ready for anything... Take care!
ReplyDeleteI guess it's sort of like trying to prepare for a hurricane. You do what you can, hope for the best, and pull up your big girl panties and deal with what comes.
DeleteI once recognized an internet writer (I like that better than blogger) who was eager for me not to out her to her companions.
ReplyDeleteReally? That's crazy! I'd like to hear more about that story. And I like that- "internet writer."
Deletehow are you feeling today?????? please don't try to tough it out!!!!- we had to go to the ER as part of our last camping trip bc somebody not me but their name rhymes with bony thought tums and pepto would cure an ulcer that had him throwing up blood...... xxalainaxx
ReplyDeleteOh gosh. Honey, I will NEVER try to tough out a kidney stone. No fucking way. I just could not.
DeleteAnd that news about, uh, Rhymes With Bony is horrible. Oh yeah. If only pepto and tums could cure a bleeding ulcer. That had to scare you to death and I bet it hurt like hell. Is he okay?
I’m so glad to read that you had a good nights sleep!! Xo Rigmor
ReplyDelete