The new day, tomorrow

Off I go to the doctor who will scalp me in the morning. It may be a small scalping, but I shall dream of it this night.

Funny how your mind works things out in the dreams of the night. I have had a white fly infestation on the squash and the cucumbers, and the whole garden seemed at risk. White flies do a lot of damage. I think we have them under control with Perm-up and dish soap.

The dream that lasted most of the night, I was picking large tomato worms off the tomatoes and putting them in the chicken's pen where the chickens were cackling over each and every one in such admiration as they snatched each one. They had great expectations. What smiles chickens can accomplish when they are truely happy!

Tomorrow is a new day.

Love,
Betty

I think that's what Scarlette O'Hara said as her closing line in Gone With the Wind, "Tomorrow is a new day."

Hope all goes well at the doctor, Betty. I give thanks for you and each new day.

Betty,

I am thinking kind thoughts of you.

Love ya,

Alice

Good thoughts from me as well, Betty. I am sure all will go well for you.

By now it should be over, Betty. Based on experience, I'll bet it was bad at all. At least I hope so. Wear that hat.

The scalping is over. I have been a numbskull the most of this day. I am beginning to feel my head again. It is a blessing that I do not have a mirror in this house to see the back of my head. I will have to take my David's word for it that it looks just fine. Would he lie to me??

On the way home I began to wonder if comb overs really do look that ridiculous. Funny how we would rather stand naked on Main street than be bald. I wonder why. I am glad it is not permanent and my hair will live to be permanented again. hahahah.

Thank you all for your good thoughts and wishes.
Love,
Betty

Glad it is over.

Keeo it absolutely clean
Do not pick or scratch at it.
Do not comb hair over it.
Wear a loose scarf at first
Change your pillow case everyday

Dear Alice,
Me, too. I will follow your instructions except for the scarf. I have to meet a landscaper tomorrow about planting a bunch of ponds. I will wear a clean hat, pink. I am afraid to touch it. It is covered in a gob of gooey ointment and I am glad it is in the back of my head so I do not have to look at it.
The doctor said to put a clean towel over my pillow every night and not to be surprised at leakage. That was way too cheerful for me.

Love,
Betty

Don't worry, Betty, it won't be your brains leaking out. I told you it wouldn't be an unpleasant experience.

I was bald for several months after chemotherapy treatment. I learned there are worse things in life than having no hair, but I sure did miss it sometimes.

It's a great excuse to buy a new hat, though!!!

Dear Merri,
You are right, of course. I am sorry you had to buy hats. I think back to a child of 12 who had leukemia. She was bald but she smiled so much one never saw it. She had nice hats, too.

My little complaints mean nothing but an little inconvient time. I thought about Alice who had the 'brain job' and Carol with the time it took for anyone to know she was in trouble. You are another that I look up to. what strength people have that they stand in the face of terrible things. It makes me proud to be human, for a change.

Love,
Betty

Betty,

I'm glad it is over also.

I am very proud of myself for growing hair where it wasn't supposed to grow. I got super shampoo, conditioner and foam stuff that made my hair stiff and lusterless.

Now I have great hair, but it is gray and shocks me every time I look in the mirror.

Have a good day, Betty. I always think animals have an easier time, because they never know when they might be going to the vet for whatever procedure they might need.

The apprehension after that appointment is set is almost always worse than the procedure.

Love, Carol

For you, Betty:

Dear Shelagh,
Thank you for the lovely flowers. I love white flowers. They are so connected to the green virginity of all flowers. Pure nature. White flowers are hard to find because everyone goes for the flamboyant reds and yellows and purples.

What quiet and peace is in white flowers!
Love,
Betty

One of my favorites is called the peace lily I think, a great white, curved bloom out of broad, deep green leaves. It feels spiritual to me.

Another favorite white flower is the Ghost Orchid, the inspiration for my novel, Ghost Orchid, due for late summer release. It dances in the wind like a ballerina or like a ghost, either feminine or downright scarey.

Many tales about the Ghost Orchid are tied to the soul, and they are often placed on coffins and graves. It's not, however, morbid. It is to glorify the soul for its purity.

Hope all is well with you, Betty. I often think about the festival for which we "almost" shared a table. I think it would have been a hoot. You and your Wooffer and me with tales of the Orient.

Dear DK,
See here the beautiful Ghost Orchid. You are one of few who have seen this flower in person.

The peace lily adorns my home as well as my back woods. I love them. When one looks so forlorn and longing, I plant it in the back woods and buy another for the house. They wave to me with their white gloves from out there by the coral flowers and smile those golden teeth. hahah.

Love,
Betty

Thank you for the beautiful picture! It usually blooms at Corkscrew Swamp near my birthday - soon. I wait like a child at Christmas.

I see the peace lillies just as you now, waving with their white gloves. How special!

Betty, even if they shaved your head, you would be beautiful. All the way from the inside out. I can't top the lovely flowers from Shelagh, so I will just say take care and know we are glad you are back in one piece and none the worse for wear.

These are Calla lilies in the ninfarium at Aberglasney House, Camarthenshire, Wales.

Dear Shelagh,
Calla lilies are so clean and lovely. They remind me of pitcher plants. Pitcher plants are a small, green rendition that is a carniverous plant that attracts insects by it's sticky nectar down into the hairs of it's bowl and then liquifies the carcass for absorbing. Life really is one little miracle after another.

Thank you for the flowers.

I am always humbled by flowers.

Love,
Betty

Zada,
I love you with my heart.
Love,
Betty