prep work

OK, yes I could get a head start on the novel, but I'm very busy
reading some of my How To Write books. I read somewhere that
this category of books is one of the top sellers in our country.
Maybe after Ellen fully emerges I'll write my own How To Write
book, in less than 30 days. The center book was published in
2004, and I've held on to it since then, thinking maybe that I
would do this crazy thing one day.

I've been reading on the bus where I've spent a lot of time lately,
working on character study. Lordy, does this city have the
characters. Perhaps you've noticed? A barefoot, yelling woman
chased me down 16th Street and I almost dashed into the
SPCA for safety, but I was afraid I'd emerge with two cats,
so I hid successfully in the bus shelter. Quite the dilemma.

Great news yesterday. I dropped in at the Blood Bank center
on Bush Street and to my amazement my iron count had
mysteriously risen from the 12.5 to 14.3. Of course I donated
and ate a donut (glazed). The Leukemia walk is tomorrow
night, so that felt extra special to me.

Early morning meeting at the deYoung today. Gala museum
store dinner at Beppo's last night.

I promised you purple

The back deck posies are enjoying the light rain and the rest
of the tiny yard is in serious need of weeding. What a mess!
Maybe next week. Actually I'd like to hire a gardener to
plant things that produce actual flowers for our table, but
that takes a discussion with Husbando and we are about
all talked out after Turbo Taxing for two days straight.

Yesterday I returned to the blood bank to be turned down
yet again. I did get from 12.0 to 12.4, but they require 12.5.
I will keep on eating spinach and raisins, but it was so
disappointing after I concentrated on iron food for an
entire week. Drat.

Today is work. I've forgotten what that is like.

I will do this thing!

My iron level was 12.0 yesterday and I need 12.5 in order to
donate blood. I've had this problem before, but this time I
am determined (!) to continue with the raisins, spinach,
garbanzos, beets, etc. Being with Michael in the hospital
made me appreciate how much patients need our blood
and platelets. Especially the leukemia victims, of course.

Ginger rang in at 14.0 so I sat with her for over an hour as
she did the Apheresis Donation. It was boring, but they
provide you with TV and movies, etc. It's hard to read as
one arm is tied down. Her platelets will help two people
and of course the donor is treated like royalty. I'll
try for next Monday. Any more iron hints? The tech
told me to try Cream of Wheat, of all things.

it's the least I can do

I used to donate every six to eight weeks, then for some reason
I became anemic and got tired of being rejected at the blood
bank. But yesterday I returned to Irwin (Masonic and Turk)
and my blood was rich and flowed freely. This is not an
entirely unselfish act because the banks give a mini-physical
and when it's all over they force me to eat a chocolate donut.
It was also an excuse to have a lazy afternoon and to once
again appreciate having such good health.