Sunday night

Well, I think it's safe to say that I have begun to feel better.  My bishop friend called early about divine liturgy but I told him it would be better today if I don't come because I don't want any of my friends to catch what I've got.  He said he'd call tonight and perhaps tomorrow we will go to the Lavra (monastery/spiritual center).  I walked the few steps downhill to the supermarket to pick up a few things and huffed and puffed like an old man getting back to my apartment.  A bit later I walked to Glossary for lunch and it felt like really hard going because I was so short-winded.  But I took my time and step by step climbed the hill till I got there and gratefully sat at my usual table.  Since my blood sugar was way up yesterday, I have been very careful.  I declined the cookie that usually comes with cappuccino and drank a couple of bottles of water also.  After my cabbage salad, I decided I wouldn't have anything else but another coffee.  Knowing I have to be careful, Jenia didn't bring sugar with the coffee and instead of a cookie, he brought me an apple.  He cracks me up.  It was a really good apple.  I'm not sure what variety, but it was yellow and very nice.

I decided to walk down to a bigger market to get Tide so I can do some laundry.  Markets here sell wine and hard liquor - no, I didn't buy any.  As I was walking home, I took a shortcut through a park and found a wonderful peony bush, the likes of which I had never seen.  Here's the flower:

At first, I thought it was a hibiscus but it's too early for that.  It was a real struggle to make it home but I didn't have a lot of choice, did I?    I sat for about 45 minutes and then left uphill again for a 4pm meeting with the head of the Pride committee.  It was a good conversation, after which I came home, covered in sweat and took a shower.  Almost as soon as I got home, the thunder rolled in and the temperature dropped.  I've spent a pleasant evening reading and catching up on email.  I am really happy to be here and have the motivation to push my body.  It's the only way I'll regain the ability to walk uphill and climb the stairs on the Metro.  So, in spite of the difficulty, it feels good.