Happening

Danny asked me to post one of the tree photos from our walk last weekend. He might have meant the tree chewed by beaver. More likely, the black willow standing way out in the river, completely surrounded by floodwater, but I haven't got around to uploading that one. Anyway, here is the beaver work, and a reflection of Old Man Willow, because reflections are my thing.

If anyone around here (or even far away) is interested in attending the Rainbow Chorus's concert on May 24 at 8 p.m., I would be immensely honoured, as we will premier my arrangement of Rufus Wainwright's "Pretty Things". This is the second time I've composed a choral work, but the first one was only performed in 1999 when I had few friends to invite. Tickets for the concert will go on sale next Saturday. We are only licensed to arrange and perform it, so a recording will not be available.

I have been writing first thing every morning in a completely private journal. Also, once or twice a week, I've been stopping at home after work just long enough to pick up my laptop, and going out somewhere to work on Pilgrim's Cross.

There is so much going on right now I can hardly begin to describe (I guess that's what happens when I don't post for several weeks). Work is very, very slow. I've only worked about nine days this month, and it's not enough to pay the bills. I spent this entire week cleaning the shop, and next week there is practically nothing left to do for now. Fortunately, Les has been working out the details of several contracts, but we have no way of knowing when money will become available for us to start. Two weeks from now, or in August?

Talking to Dad on the phone this morning I learned that he needs some landscape work done, so tomorrow afternoon I am leaving for a week at Poplar Bluff to work there. What a relief! I'm looking forward to spending a few days outside, Dad will be happy for the company, May's rent will get paid, and maybe even my taxes.

In other news:

• I've been working on the wheat-free diet, but I doubt that wheat is the only factor. Probably corn, too. I haven't been losing weight, which suggests gluten-intolerance is not the problem, more likely IBS. I felt like crap for several weeks until Thursday. Then suddenly I felt great.
  
• I invented fantastic gluten-free cookies with almond meal as a base.
  
• The landlord offered some space behind the store where I can plant vegetables. I have tomato and herb seedlings sprouting in the window. Sylvie will cycle over and share the garden.
  
• Panic is my friend. No really, I often feel background symptoms: that tingling in my neck and shoulders like a slow adrenalin drip. I can live better with that than a lack of energy.