Barbara Hamby - 1929 - 2011

Barbara J. Hamby, Age 82, passed away in her sleep in December of 2011. She is survived by a daughter, Gail D. Anderson (Richard), a son, Kurt E. Deutscher (Catherine Rambo) and three sisters: Beatrice Conger and Frances Alley of Seattle, WA and Margaret Read of Oceanside, CA. Barbara retired from a long career as a secretary and paralegal and became a writer. She took writing classes at community…More

Medical Journal

One of my friends suggested I should journal my surgery experience, since I’m a writer. I’m mostly a poet and I’m not sure there’s anything poetic about what I’m about to go through. I’m definitely sure today is not the day to start, since this is “clean out” day. I’ve already swallowed enough liquids to be feeling slightly nauseous. A tall glass of those liquids contained an…More

Busy, Busy

I’ve been really busy preparing to spend several days in the hospital and returning home to be confined for a while. I’ve stocked up on staples, and bought some decent looking nightwear. Now I’m working on getting toiletries together to take with me. I need to get my little suitcase out of the storage room down the street. While I’m running around on these errands, I’ve been enjoying the…More

Atta Girl

In the last month I’ve received a couple of nice compliments for my poetry. On October 15th, Kurt Kristensen of Poetspeak, posted my poem “Musicale” on the Poetspeak blog at: http://poetspeakusa.blogspot.com/ Yesterday a retired writing teacher, a fellow student in my Portland Community College writing class, asked for a copy of a poem I wrote about a trip to Ireland to use as a teaching…More

An Uncharacteristic Burst of Energy

We had beautiful weather yesterday, a little cool, but very sunny. Sun usually energizes me and it overdid it Monday. I finally had to slow myself down for fear I’d be exhausted today. My primary care doctor evaluated my old body this morning to see if it’s in shape for surgery. She pronounced me fit to be cut. It was another nice day today—cold, but with a great sunset tonight and a bright…More

Reflecting on Mortality

I’m recalling a childhood game: “Heavy, heavy hangs over thy head.” In a little more than a week I’ll probably have a long, complicated surgery that poses considerable risk, considering my age and my general health. So, last night I began wondering how I should feel if this might possibly be my last week of life. There is still the possibility that my pre-operative examination will prove…More

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