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Today’s theme is “your hobby or hobbies.” Do you have a hobby? Do you collect things? Do you work on model airplanes? Do you whittle things from wood? Do you paint, take photographs, make pottery, create homemade greeting cards? Are you a Twitter troll? Share a story, a poem, a photo, a drawing, some music, or whatever you wish to share about your hobby or hobbies.

This is my current crochet project for one of the writers who’s having a boy in about six weeks in our writing group. I’ve chosen sky blue and cobalt blue as the colors for him.  I enjoy crocheting in the evening before I go to bed. I prefer not having any electronics on so my mind can simply unwind.

I love making hats and infinity scarves, I’ve been thinking about opening an etsy store to sell my work but then I think about all the ones already out there and talk myself out of it again especially with all the people staying home. Crafting is a hot commodity.

I’ve crocheting since I was 12 years old, yup fifty two years. It’s not the first craft I learned but it’s one I’ve done the longest. My grandmother was left-handed so I learned everything left-handed then right. I wish I had continued doing both hands but I didn’t. It would have made it easier on my wrist being able to switch it up.

I take way too many photographs at least according to my kids. I have 4 external hard drives full of pictures and one that’s a quarter the way full. In addition to crocheting, and photography, I embroider, quilt, garden, cook, and from time to time even sew/make clothes from a pattern.

I collect seashells. I love going to the ocean and gather shells. All of my shells have beach where I collected them on the back. I told my grandchildren when I die they need to return the shells to the beaches as part of my memorial service. I would like them to do it together, spend time and remember all the times we went together.

When I go for walks I always grab a rock and add it to my flower garden. My flowers like having added visual stimulation.

My moon flowers are blooming right now. They smell so good. I love working with flowers, herbs, and veggies. There is nothing more soothing than having my hands in the dirt. I’ve shared my roses and lilies in other posts.

I forgot my song of the day in my letter-c post and stream of consciousness so I’m adding it to this post.I’m going with some James Brown, I Feel Good. I do feel good after the surgery. I’m a little leary about being to excited because they removed the malignant cells on Thursday. Part of me says never trust anything that feels too good. And the other part of me remembers this is the 4th time I’ve been diagnosed with cancer. I know doctors tend to be over cautious too. I’ll feel a bit more confident once the biopsies return from Thursday’s procedure.

Live in the moment and take each day for what it is. So here we are living in the moment until the next scope in three months.  Let’s get down with some James. Can’t you just feel that awesome beat ….

Today’s word is “edifice.”  Write a post using that word. It can be prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction. It can be any length. It can be just a picture or a drawing if you want. No holds barred, so to speak.

FOWC with Fandango — Edifice

One of the most popular edifice’s in NYC is the Empire State Building. It looks intimidating when I stand on the sidewalk but in the bigger picture , it’s simply one of many buildings filling our skyline. Yet most us of don’t think about it but the pyramids were actually the very first skyscapers. They may only be 481 feet high but each side covers 755 feet with only a two inch margin of error considering when they were built is amazing. I realize today’s structures are a lot bigger but they weren’t constructed in the same back breaking manner the pyramids were.  But then think about the fact the pyramid has 2 million blocks that equate to 6 million tons and it was done without all the equipment we have available now. Plus if you factor everything one pyramid equates to 16 Empire State Buildings.

I found the word edifice amusing Fandago because in my virtual continent hopping blog post we’re in Cairo today looking at the pyramids so it gave me the opportunity to share what I learned.

Now If I want to take the word edifice and use it another way. I could say the Unites State’s Capital was once considered the most impressive edifice but everything connected is now tarnished by the ignorance of this administration. I would name the responsible party  but even speaking his name is gagging to me. Our country is no longer a shining edifice to the world.  I think we need some more James ….

We’re staying at the Grand Imperial while we’re in Agra, India
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297683-d671997-Reviews-The_Grand_Imper…

30 day:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g304551-d15008778-Taj_Mahal_…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal

Everyone says this is the gem of India, what are your thoughts?

We’re dining at Tea’se Me a recoomended place to see Agra at night from the roof top restaurant.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g297683-d7789920-Reviews-Tea_se_Me…
India borders seven countries. I knew it was large, I just didn’t think about the borders until now. My second thought is there’s a lot of huge buildings that once were castles or monasteries that are now tourist traps but there’s a voice in me that asks how could anyone build such a huge monstrosity while everyone lived in poverty around you. There’s no mistaking the reality of their caste system.
“The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the southern bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (reigned from 1628 to 1658) to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. “~ Wikipeida. All I can say looking at the huge building, I felt angry. I can’t believe the arrogance of the emperor.
Looking at it from an art perspective, it has exceptional architectural aspects because the Taj Mahal incorporated and expands on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal designs. I was fascinated with the outside exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal. They are among the finest in Mughal architecture. “As the surface area changes, the decorations are refined proportionally. The decorative elements were created by applying paint, stucco, stone inlays or carvings. In line with the Islamic prohibition against the use of anthropomorphic forms, the decorative elements can be grouped into either calligraphy, abstract forms or vegetative motifs. Throughout the complex are passages from the Qur’an that comprise some of the decorative elements. Recent scholarship suggests that Amanat Khan chose the passages”~ Wikipedia

I have to admit it was worth seeing but my tummy says time to move on.

I’m quite hungry after yesterday’s procedure. Many of you were unaware that since January I’ve had issues initially with the gallbladder, that was removed but the problems continued and a second procedure was done this time by an endoscope which discovered a gall stone blockage. They put a stent in hoping to allow the bile duct to heal because it was inflamed. They removed the stent 6 weeks later but the bile duct was still inflamed. They cleared the sludge and sent it for a biopsy. This came back cancerous. I had all the tests for the pancreas because pancreatic cancer runs in my family history. No mass in the pancreas or liver just the area in the bile duct. Yesterday, they removed that section of my bile duct that was cancerous and since was going to be under anesthesia recheck my esophagus ( I had cancer there already back in 2000) and do a colonoscopy too. So yeah, yesterday was a fun day. I will be under observation for quite some time but at least it is gone from my body. At least the doctor believes he successfully removed it all.

I had more energy yesterday than I do today. It is what it is. So I’m going to focus on some good food. My fellow bloggers mentioned a few chicken dishes … I wonder if they’re spicy I have to go easy right now.

Tea’ se Me odd name but we didn’t come for the name. I chose this location because it was near to the Taj Mahal and our stragglers could catch up easily. All the food was amazing, I ordered dal, tikka massala, naan and a few other items to share with the group. I decided to have a bottle of seltzer water. I so apologize for the burping. I didn’t expect to have left over gas after all the walking we did.

BCoF.. discuss the different types of entertainment that are popular in India. Is it different than what we’re used to and why? Would this type of entertainment work in the U.S. or the U.K. or where our friend Petra lives?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_entertainment_in_India

Wow, India has 22 recognized language and some of literature written is considered to be oldest in the world. With that said I noticed interesting music so I wandered outside. On my goodness there were people gathered aound listening to what I was told a Carnatic music concert. I hope my fellow bloggers hear this. It’s so busy here I’m having trouble finding their faces. I don’t want to yell out Petra, Sandra, Carly, Neva, Blue, and Judith where are you?

I don’t see people gathering like this in many parts of the states. Though I may be wrong. We have so many ignorant people that want all foreigners sent home. The music is very soothing to me and definitely different than my usual exposure. I’m a very eclectic listener and would add this to my collection in a heartbeat. I’m sure where Petra lives they would be more open than here in the states under this leadership that has encouraged the maggots to surface from the cracks. Knowing by what he has shown thus far, he would send his henchmen if people were gathered peacefully as he has done with #blacklives matter.

A beautiful group of young women began dancing what we were told is classical Indian dance. They seem to float in the air, their body movements are mesmerizing to watch with the lovely silks swaying.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_classical_dance

The second act was examples of the Indian folk dances. Very interesting performance. They’re barefoot yet they bounced effortlessly across the floor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_folk_dances

Phew, I’m really tired even after taking three naps today. I just don’t have any energy.

Today’s theme is “your greatest fear.” Is it death? Disease? Ghosts? Someone? Something? Share a story, a poem, a photo, a drawing, some music, or whatever you wish to share about your greatest fear.

https://fivedotoh.com/category/dog-days-of-august/

Death has never frightened me. We begin dying the day we’re born.

“Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.” dictionary. com

As a teenager in an alcoholic abusive home, I tried to take my life more than once, the first time with a knife but that action was driven more by frustration than actual desire to die. I was being punished for something I hadn’t done again so I drove the knife repeatedly into my arm in a rage. The second time was done seeking death, I took a slew of mother’s prescription drugs. I came close but ended up getting my stomach pumped in the nick of time.

As an adult I tried to shoot myself because I was tired of the physical and verbal abuse I suffered in my marriage. It’s a good thing I have lousy aim, or we wouldn’t be together now. But I do have a scar to remind me how desperate one can feel.

These are the times my own hand was involved. I spent a very long time in counseling and  discovered another way to  express my frustration, anger and pain. Poetry gave me a voice.

My health issues involving cancer have frightened me but their not my greatest fear. I see them as inconveniences but they deserve no other recognition than that. I will not succumb to cancer. I’m too damn stubborn. Writing everyday has helped keep me focused.

I’ve helped my sons with their losses of their babies. Painful and heartbreaking but not fearful except for the night my eldest son tried to take his life after the death of his son. It’s not easy being a mom, helpless to ease your child’s pain let alone cope with your own pain because your grandchild is dead. Writing again gave my pain a voice.

I’ve talked with women my age and they fear living alone without their husbands. I love my husband but I don’t fear the time alone until we’re together again. I encouraged them to write before they’re in that situation.

It’s been difficult to really come up with something that meets the criteria for greatest fear because I’m okay with death it’s just a part of my generation’s journey. I do think about what if my mind vanishes because of Alzheimer’s disease but that would be no different than letting the letter c control my life. I can’t think of myself when there are greater concerns.

So, I’m going with global warming. I’m frightened , worried by how quickly the water is rising, and our environment is changing. We’re destroying our homes, our lives, our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren’s futures. I wish I knew how to stop it. It breaks my heart looking in their eyes knowing this earth is on a self destruct course we aren’t going to be able to fix.

Letter c and other medical.

Tomorrow is the blood work, Thursday is the procedures. Monday was supposed to be my nerve block for the migraines but now the appointment is moved to Wednesday. That’s probably my biggest personal gripe about covid, every appointment I’ve had since March has been rescheduled at least once, some two times. But compared to what has happened to other people, it’s not worth getting grumpy about. It is what it is. We’re all making sacrifices on a daily basis.

I chose Sunshine of My Life Earlier because of a good friend and mine and our poetry writing endeavors. I don’t know if you know the background but the group was struggling with writers block when one of the guys was looking out the window and commented it was just before dawn which led to the discussion on what he would rather be doing. Making love with his girl. From that simple conversation, the words flowed and the song rose to stardom.

My friend and I have those great conversations and some times that’s all I or he need, (s) the words come. When you have good friends, family and you’re loved and love in return than fear is simply part of life, how you face it is what truly matters.