Hello, my friends. It’s time for some reflecting on life and reading in the month of August. It was another rather intense month, but flew by amazingly quickly. I’m proud to say that I actually finished reading two books during that month! Focusing on my reading has been a challenge with everything going on in our lives right now, but I decided to return to a much loved book, Persuasion, by Jane Austen, and just enjoy whatever reading time I could find. It was such a pleasure! The book and the simple act of reading! And then I ended up the month reading a book by another favorite author, Edith Nesbitt. The Story of the Treasure Seekers was a reminder of how childhood used to be a time of intense innocence and imagination.
The end of August also brings my favorite Fall reading challenge. Although I can hardly take on a bigger challenge than life itself right now, I’m going to join the Readers Imbibing Peril XVII challenge and read as much as time allows. I have a dear friend (a high school friend!) that loves the Fall and this kind of Fall reading, but he’s still a university professor and therefore doesn’t have the time to participate. But we both love Ray Bradbury, and he is inspiring me to read more of Bradbury’s stories and novels, so I’ve decided to make that my focus of my RIP reading this year!
My Readers Imbibing Peril XVII reading list!
On the home front, August brought another major change in our journey through cancer. Byron’s chemotherapy stopped working, just that quickly after 6 successful infusions. It was not unexpected but it was disappointing nonetheless. So he is now on hospice, and August was spent getting settled into that new reality, and focusing on finding the right combination of medications that would manage his pain more efficiently so that he can have some comfortable quality of life during this stage. We are so appreciative of our new hospice team! They work incredibly hard to manage his comfort care, and we feel very supported and cared for.
On our “Walk ‘n Roll.”
When I use the word “hospice,” I find that people assume that death is imminent. That’s what I always thought, too. But now we know that although hospice is “end of life care,” there’s a period of time before the final decline that can be much longer than anticipated. That’s where we are right now, this week — in the calm of pain management and improved quality of life. Byron is still able to care for himself and work on his home projects and his reading. Because he is quite disabled due to the cancer in his hip and pelvis, he requested a wheel chair from our hospice team, and so we are able to get out for early morning walks as often as we can now. Being outside and surrounded by beauty feeds our souls! Our daughter calls these cherished walks, our “Walk ‘n Roll” time.
I hope that you had a good August, my friends, and will have a book-filled and enjoyable September.
A Fondness For Reading 
Sending loving thoughts your way,.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Andi. Your support has meant so much.❤️
LikeLike
Your life is so full right now and I know you are cherishing happenings both large and small. I am glad that you are finding time to do some reading. Spending time in others’ stories sends you back to your own refreshed. I think of you and Byron often and send you wishes for good days and fine times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marlo. Your support throughout this journey has helped me through it.❤️
LikeLike
Robin, sending wishes of love, comfort and peace to both of you during this time. Glad Byron is still able to enjoy some simple pleasures and even get outdoors. Sounds like the (2) books you read were ones that made you happy, so as always in life or reading, it’s quality not quantity. Hugs stay strong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Diane. Hugs for you, too.
LikeLike
Robin, I’m so sorry to hear that life is so challenging for you and Byron at the moment. Like Diane I’m sending love and good vibes and thinking about you. Persuasion is a wonderful book to reread, I’ll be doing that too in October. And I loved The Treasure Seekers when I was a teen, our lifestyles in the 1960s had more in common with children from the 1900s than it would with kids of today. Seems very odd to say so but it’s true. Edith Nesbit’s book, The Lark, is a delight if you need another gentle recommendation. Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cath, for your support during this difficult time.
LikeLike
My thoughts and love are with you all the time. I’m just so sorry this is happening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nan.❤️
LikeLike
Robin, I have been thinking of you and Byron and hoping that August was a kind month to you both. I’m so glad that you have gotten set up with hospice. Yes, I’ve experienced that some are not aware of how early hospice can be of great help and benefit. I’m happy that Byron has a good team and know that they will do all they can to make your current life situation bearable. My parents’ both had wonderful hospice teams and they both were on hospice for quite some time. I suspect that they will be checking on you as well and making sure that you are as OK as you can be. I love the ‘Walk and Roll’ picture! Thinking, praying, and keeping you both always in my mind. Take care, my dear friend. Hugs, big hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Big hugs to you, too, Kay. Your support has helped so much during this journey.
LikeLike
Keeping you both in my thoughts… love the “Walk and Roll”photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts, JoAnn. All these kind thoughts really helped during this journey.
LikeLike
Hello Robin, I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how Byron is doing. Thank goodness for reading and pottering! I haven’t read Persuasion yet, that’s next on my JA read through nor have I read The Treasure Seekers (what have I been doing with my life?!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for thinking of us, Jane, during this difficult journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a difficult time you are both dealing with and just so glad that you have a wonderful hospice team. I worked in long term care and we had some residents in hospice for a very long time and they were wonderful. I know the families really appreciated the extra help. I think it’s great that Byron is still able to enjoy his projects and I wish you both many more walks and rolls! Sending you a big hug and prayers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Iliana. Your kind thoughts helped us both during this journey.
LikeLike
Walk ‘n Roll! I love it! However, I am so sorry to hear that the chemo is no longer working and that you and Byron have entered a new phase in this journey. I hope he gets a good “cocktail” of pain meds that reduce the pain, but allow him to stay focused and alert so he can enjoy his time with all of you. I see you’re heading into another heat wave (did it go away??) and hope that isn’t too uncomfortable. We’re heading to Troutdale tomorrow (on our way to Montana!) where it’s supposed to hit 90. By the way, I was looking at restaurants in McMinnville and it looks like the Valley Commissary is permanently closed. What a shame. Give Byron our love and big hugs to you, my friend. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Les, I wish there had been more time for walk ‘n rolling. Your loving support has made such a difference during this journey. We’ll talk soon.❤️
LikeLike