My mom heard from her doctor today and was told that she does not need radiation.  She does have to have some type of scan tomorrow, then she doesn't need to see him again for 4 months.

I swear, the news changes daily...depending on which doctor or nurse she happens to talk to.  But, at least for now the news is good...

Today's photo:  Rama llama ding dong!

Today's photo:  OK...enough of that hairless Chinese Crested stuff.  It ran its course. 

So, for a welcome change of pace, here is a hairless cat sitting like a human.  :)

I thought that I would share one of my favorite recipes today: "Fritelle Di Zucchini And Ricotta" that I first learned about from chef Mario Batali.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mari … index.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/5lg3zk

If you like fried zucchini, you will love these!  I have been making them for years and they are always a hit.  I usually substitute lemon juice for the lemon zest, onions for the scallions, and garlic powder for the fresh garlic...plus I always double the recipe (at least) because they are tasty heated up the next day.  I read a review that said that the zest of two lemons was overkill...but I never add that much.  I cook by smell (I know...weird) and just add lemon juice or zest until the batter smells right to me.  Same with the garlic and onion.

They are great with a little salt and/or lemon juice.  I am making them for my folks tonight to celebrate my mom's last chemo treatment (they are her favorite thing that I cook!) 

I used to serve them as an appetizer, but everyone would fill up on them...so now I usually serve them with some tortellini or spaghetti.  An ex-girlfriend who is a vegetarian used to have me make them large and she would make burgers out of them.

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A Chinese Crested made the news today!  Unfortunately, it's a sad story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081111/ap_ … y_dog_dies

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Today's photo:  The final photo entry for "Chinese Crested Week."  I think that I saw one of these puppies dancing in the final Star Wars movie! 

Today's photo:  Don't ask me why, but this Chinese Crested reminds me of Carol Channing!

Put in some time on the treadmill this morning and afternoon in one or two mile bursts.  I'm starting to feel strong again after taking it easy for so long.   Still not planning on attempting any new records though!

Today's photo:  Oh my...Chinese Crested dogs don't seem to age very well.  DISCLAIMER: I am NOT responsible for any nightmares any of my comrades have after viewing this photo!! 

I have learned in my studies that this very breed often wins "ugliest dog" competitions.  Poor little guy...

Didn't feel like walking today so I really had to push myself to do it.  I ended up listening to an old Deep Purple CD on headphones that really made the time fly by.

Today's photo:  This is the same Chinese Crested as yesterday (note the tongue), but all dressed up for a sunset dinner cruise.

My pedometer is back up and running!

I must give an EXCELLENT review to the online site that I bought the batteries from.  Radio Shack wanted $4.99 for ONE battery.  The employees at Walmart couldn't find any.  The first online site that I found them on wanted $9.99 for shipping!  Then I found:

http://infinitelights.com/

a 10 pack of batteries for my pedometer was $7.80.  A lot of batteries, but their shelf life lasts until 2017...so my pedometer will be happy until then.  I browsed around and bought several other watch and cat toy batteries, then discovered that any order over $12 included free shipping!  Long story short...I spent $13.20 and received 20 batteries.  The place was professional and kept me updated on the order.  I'm a happy camper!  And no, I do not own stock in the company.  :)

Today's photo:  "Stimpy, you fool!!!"  OK, maybe I shouldn't make such off the wall references...  And maybe I should get over this Chinese Crested kick that I'm on.

Today's photo:  Another Chinese Crested.  Maybe you can see where I came up with the Clydesdale reference.

Took my vistors to Columbia State Park, up to see some sequoias, to a few local lakes, and to a delicious BBQ dinner in the town of Sonora.  I probably walked 6 or 7 miles, but am just counting a few miles that I did on the treadmill.  Once my pedometer is up and running again, I'll start counting everything!

Watched a South Korean movie from 2004 called "Bin-jip" ("3-Iron") tonight, mostly while on the treadmill.  Excellent movie!!  Here is the plot summary from imdb.com:

"A young drifter enters strangers' houses - and lives - while owners are away. He spends a night or a day squatting in, repaying their unwitting hospitality by doing laundry or small repairs. His life changes when he runs into a beautiful woman in an affluent mansion who is ready to escape her unhappy, abusive marriage."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423866/

Today's photo:  I saw something yesterday that I had never seen before (in person at least!)  Someone was walking what looked like what you would get if you mixed a chihuahua with a Clydesdale horse, retained the size of the chihuahua, then grew a full punk mohawk, and shaved most of the rest of its body.  Turns out to be a Chinese Crested and it was a very unusual, friendly, and oddly nervous dog!  I can't stop thinking about it.

By the way, I didn't have a camera, so this is a similar one that I found online.

Very busy day today...took some guests from out of town all around the area but I only managed to fit in 2 miles on the treadmill, so that's all that I will count.  Awaiting the new battery for my pedometer.  :)

Watched the Disney movie "Fun and Fancy Free" earlier tonight.  Has anyone else noticed that Jiminy Cricket looks nothing like a cricket??

Today's photo:  Can anyone guess where this was taken?  :)

One thing that I used to notice when I walked TOO much in a day, trying to set new records, I would pay for it the day after...not just with a sore body but with what I would describe as a "fluish" feeling.  I looked into it today just to make sure that I wasn't dreaming it up, and found these:

"If you exercise too much though, your body's immune cells will leave the blood stream and go into the muscles to work on repairing them. Muscles are built by first damaging them with tiny micro tears as they're used. These tears are then repaired, and they become stronger each time the cycle is repeated. Exercising too hard can create many more tears and damage than normal, and this causes your body's immune cells to have to go into the muscles to help repair them. This leaves the body weaker than normal for about 8-12 hours after an intense workout.

Exercising for long periods of time can cause the same problem. When the body exercises for too long at once, there is evidence which shows it reduces massive amounts of a hormone called Cortisol. This hormone is also released during severe periods of stress too, and this hormone lowers the body's immune levels."

http://mind-mart.com/holistic-health/im … d-exercise

"Too Much Exercise May Decrease Immunity

However, there is also evidence that too much intense exercise can reduce immunity. This research is showing that more than 90 minutes of high-intensity endurance exercise can make athletes susceptible to illness for up to 72 hours after the exercise session. This is important information for those who compete in longer events such as marathons or triathlons.

Intense exercise seems to cause a temporary decrease in immune system function. Research has found that during intense physical exertion, the body produces certain hormones that temporarily lower immunity."

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/inju … munity.htm

"Factors that impair the immune system include nutrient deficiencies, contaminated air, water and food, unhealthful lifestyles and too much exposure to harmful microbes.  Other factors that weaken the immune system are negative attitudes and emotions and the presence of toxic metals, toxic chemicals and biological toxins in the body.  Others are sluggish metabolism, lack of rest and sleep, excessive stress or too much exercise.  As these causative factors are removed or corrected, the immune system improves."

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/immune.htm

Honestly, that's something that I never even considered.  Lack of rest?  Check.  Excessive stress?  Check.  Too much exercise??  At times I do push myself.  Maybe I should do a few sessions of a few miles every day instead of one marathon session.  :(

Today's photo:
My sincere apologies to any comrades who live in Florida.  I just thought this was funny.

I'm estimating my steps at 2,000 a mile until I buy a new battery for my pedometer.  I'm a tall guy so that's about how it works out.

I'm baaaaack! 

I couldn't stay away.  I missed this place.  Thanks to my comrades for the messages while I was away.  They are very appreciated.

Last month was a tough one for me.  I've been trying so hard all year to be strong for my mom (all while suffering from depression myself) and I think that it finally all caught up with me.  My dad is still no help with her...in fact he's even worse than he was.  Of course, that got me angry and added to everything.  On Halloween I realized once again that he will never change and it's HIS problem, not mine.  So I am feeling better again for the time being.  :)

As for my mom, she has two more weekly chemo treatments, then a few weeks after that she needs a scan to see if she will be needing radiation.  The past few weeks have been difficult for her...she is not as sick as she was in the past, but she is just very fatigued, and sore all over.  She's hanging in there though, and I'm doing my best to help her out.

I'm going to start walking again tomorrow, even though the battery on my pedometer died while I wasn't using it!  I also plan on starting the 15 week "Attacking Anxiety & Depression" program once again.  I have made it half way through several times now, but always become frustrated with the chapter that deals with "letting go of anger" and "forgiving and forgetting!"  Oh well, I think that I am ready to let go now.

Thanks again to all who sent me messages while I was away.  This place rocks!  I'm glad to be back.

Today's photo:  Fall colors in Yosemite

Comrades...I've decided to take some time away from the computer (and walking) for a little while.  I need some time to get my affairs in order, make some huge decisions and spend some more time with my mom until her chemo treatments are over right around Thanksgiving.

No worries.  As the Governator once said, "I'll be back!"

Today's photo:  Another sign on the road to Twisted Oak Winery.

Today's photo:  My favorite local winery (Twisted Oak) definitely has a sense of humor.  And GREAT wine!!  This photo was taken on the way through their vineyards to their tasting room/gift shop.

Stangely enough, one of their most most popular wines is called *%#&@! (but as far as red wines go, I prefer their 2005 Murgatroyd...  :)