Well, I can certainly understand why my father and I didn't listen to the whole opera--only the overture and the incidental music--it does go on and on and on. But, then, in my opinion, most opera does. After a while, my attention wanders.

And the whole soap opera story is more than a bit silly.

My friend Ruth and I are going to a performance of The Flying Dutchman tomorrow afternoon (pre-performance lecture) and evening (opera). So she loaned me her copy of what she considers to be the best performance ever of the work. I'm listening to it as I clean house. The music is beautiful and dramatic.

By this time on Friday morning I will have had my yearly fill of all things operatic, I suspect.
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The day dawned cool and overcast. I went for my first extended outdoor walk since being so sick. I've been walking on the treadmill, trying to get my strength back, and today I ventured outdoors.

Turning the corner, I walked into a Rottweiler and a Cocker Spaniel wandering off leash. I wonder if they've just moved in, since today is the first time I've seen them. I stopped still, and the dogs ignored me. I did a 180 and went back the way I came, so my distance was just under a mile. Little by little, I'll get back to where I was before the Dread Disease. That is my commitment.

Today? Grocery shopping, laundry, pay bills. How exciting. Or not. After yesterday's VA event (intervention by staff and me to help my husband in a situation), I'm glad for an ordinary day.

I'm grateful for the VA. I cannot imagine how I would have coped without the Veterans programs and medical support. I still have bad memories....