O Happy Days!!

The past few weeks have been very exhilarating.
Here is my partial list of reasons:

• Entered Grandpa-land

Owen Putnam Schrag

The Orlando and Verda branch of the Schrag family tree has sprouted a new branch!
In case you didn't already know — Sunday, Sept. 22 we welcomed our first grandchild into this world: Owen Putnam Schrag. He was born to Adam and Annie in Fresno, California. Barb and I are very excited and proud. We can't wait to see, feel, touch, smell him! That will happen from Oct. 4 to Oct 12 for me with Barb extending her visit until Oct. 19 as she is eager to help the young parents with baby care.

Over the years I often thought that my name combined with "grandpa" sounded contradictory or clashed. My name — Ricky — is very casual/unsophisticated/light sounding. "Grandpa" is mature sounding. But now that I have become "Grandpa Ricky" I am just fine with it!!! I realize I may not be grandpa but could end up with one of these titles or maybe something entirely new. Who knows.

He's a hairy little feller

gramps
papa
umpa
poppy
pop
opa
bompa
bumpy
grumpy
grampa
grandpa

Baby, mom and dad are doing well. Owen's other grandma, Cathy, from St. Cloud, MN, is visiting and helping now. We will tag team with her this Saturday.

• Breaking Bad (Chemo vacay)

I completed three cycles of chemo on Sept. 11. I was becoming rather weary and worn down by it. The Abraxane zapped me pretty hard and had a cumulative effect over the 12 weeks I was on it. Fatigue and a general feeling like I was in a "fog" was the main problem. Any project or chore I wanted to do seemed to take twice as long to complete! What should have taken half an hour to do took an hour - maybe two!!

I emailed Dr. Yee to ask if he thought it would be okay to take a chemo break since we are planning a trip to California and I wanted to have more energy and give my body a chance to heal. He said that would be fine. Yippee! So I have been slowly "coming out of the fog" as the effects of chemo gradually wane. It's great.

• Tumor marker descends

In related exciting news my blood tumor marker fell below 100 to 95.5! This also pleased Dr. Yee and helped in the decision to take the chemo vacation.

• Fall

The cooler, drier air is most welcome. I love it. Open up the windows. Get under the covers.

• Wonderful weekends

After spending much of the summer at home, Barb and I have recently gone on several very pleasant weekend excursions:

Labor Day weekend we enjoyed Harpers Ferry, WV

We had a wonderful day trip to worship and tour Washington National Cathedral (post card photo)
with Mary Martens and Sharon Nelson.

Spent a pleasurable Sunday afternoon and evening at The Vineyard at Grandview near  Mt. Joy
with music by Stray Birds and Vinegar Creek Constituency. Yes, wine was for sale and imbibed.
Thank you Torrie Martin and Dennis Maust for the great company

The Vineyard at Grandview is a beautiful setting.

• Trip to visit family, friends

Flying out to San Francisco Oct. 4 and meeting son Charles there flying in from Seattle, renting a car and driving to Fresno to stay for about 10 days. Anxious to meet Owen and visit new parents Adam and Annie, dog Patton, and the Janzens as well as others.

• Bumper candy corn crop

Ample rain and ideal weather conditions this year have resulted in a 2013 candy corn crop bonanza!! The grocery store shelves are bursting forth with yellow, orange and white!! It's a beautiful thing. The candy pumpkin crop looks very promising as well. I may try to bake a candy pumpkin pie. But chicken candy corn noodle soup does not sound very good.

That's it for now. Thanks for your interest in my life. I am thankful for all you great friends.