Another humbling experience • Mari succumbs to a cane

                                  Isn't it enough to tick like a clock 24/7? 
        I thought that after the insertion of my aerospace prosthetic heart valve eleven years ago, my body might be able to avoid the knife, and quite happily tick along year after year with the minor accompanying annoyances I have come to cherish:  noise in the night -- "Who wound the clock before bedtime?" -- The baggage of blood thinners -- pricking various fingertips in an effort to produce a drop of blood big enough to satisfy the thirst of my little machine so it will measure coagulation time -- dog's tags that I can never take off, and the constant fear that in dire circumstances I might bleed to death or have a stroke.
         Sorry, about that unruly sentence. It's pretty annoying, too. Back to my first question?
        "No" is the answer. It is not enough. Apparently, there is more to come, or as my husband says: "But wait, there's more." He's British, and they can get away with anything.

         So, on July 25, 2011, like it or not, I will be under the knife yet again and the proud recipient of a complete new left hip, composed of titanium and ceramic. Lucky I don't fly anymore. Well, I'd still like to go to Paris and the south of France, but for now I must be satisfied to study French, count my dog's laps around  (not in) the swimming pool, "un, deux, trois..." and struggle through Le Monde on my iPad. My travel is in the universe of my imagination, and therefore unlimited. Yesterday, I actually Googled Hippo transport for a new book project. Stay tuned...
         Enough for now. More will be revealed. Wait -- one last thing. When I posted this cartoon on Facebook last night, I received at least ten responses. So kind. Everyone thought that I was being
brave. Yes, I am an optimist in the name of love, but on this occasion,  I admit that I am terrified and that humor is my warrior, my armor against the inevitability of impending death  -- date unknown. Have a nice day.
         "Oops, now where did I leave my cane? Hmmm, and I can't even call myself to find it."