Debating what is selfish in my situation — About three weeks ago I collapsed; turns out I had a brain tumor. They did surgery, removed the tumor and now I’m recovering. The tumor was a stage IV brain cancer. It has metastasized. Since mobility is an issue, a friend is looking after my German Shepherd Snowy. I miss…

Some strategies I’ve tried — How can you tell if someone is self-centered? Here are some clues: If you tell her you lost 20 pounds, she brags about losing 5. She does not congratulate you. You show up to your weekly meetup with your foot in a cast. Other members of the group ask you…

It’s both happy and also tragic — The photograph above shows what used to be the Viceroy’s House and is now the Rashtrapati Bhavan or President’s House. It’s a huge and beautiful building located in New Delhi and is the gorgeous location for most of the movie, Viceroy’s House. The movie was based on the book Freedom…

Happy birthday India! You’ve come a long way! On August 15th, 1947, India declared its freedom after almost two centuries of British rule. Its Independence movement began during World War I and was led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. A bit of family history — my mother’s father was one of…

At least the ones I’ve known — One of my best friends grew up as a Muslim. He and I have been friends since 1989. He is agnostic these days. He drinks alcohol, eats non-halal meat, always has at least one dog, and does not attend a mosque or fast for Ramadan. He does avoid pork, however…

Now I May Do Chemo After All — I was diagnosed with metastatic brain, lung, and liver cancer in April of 2021. I wasn’t expected to live as long as I have. I have tried to avoid chemo. I have done surgery (to remove a lemon sized lump from my brain) and radiation (for my lung and brain.)…

How are kitties such excellent nurses? — I was diagnosed with metastatic brain, lung and liver cancer in April of 2021. My cat, Opal, has always been affectionate. But even before I was diagnosed, she had started to become more so. She would seek me out, lie near me, and often put her head on my thigh…

It really does help sometimes — I’ve been having a rough time lately. My medical bills have been overwhelming and I got a negative report from my oncologist. My liver cancer has grown. The type of treatment I want — my insurance won’t cover. My oncologist gave me other options but — they have really bad…

I never used to do this — When I was in college, I dated older guys. Then again, I was younger than most other freshmen, so that was pretty much my only optoin. However, this was the prevailing trend for most of my life. That changed after my divorce. I was 49 when I got the divorce…