"Holy shit, Hansel, haven't you been smoking peyote for six straight days, and couldn't some of this maybe be in your head?"

Here's how I know that hallucinogenic drugs are not for me.

Yesterday, I dragged my ass up and out for a walk, even though I was really not feeling like it. I was really stiff and sore, and just in a general funk. I took some meds and thought taking a walk might, at the very least, make the painkillers work a little faster. So, off I went. I turned a corner in my neighborhood and a few houses down saw two robins hopping across a driveway, in perfect unison. (I was thinking they were maybe doing some sort of mating ritual...it was a warm, sunny day yesterday, and y'know, spring fever...) Well, I walked closer, keeping my eyes focused on these two birds, only to realize that, yep, it was actually ONE f-ing BIRD, not two! It was at that point that I calculated the shortest route back to the house and high-tailed it on home...it was also at that point that I figured out why driving is illegal when under the influence of narcotics. Good lesson, I'd say! And, I'm interpreting this little trip (!) as a sign that I can taper my meds even further.

In a few short hours, the fourth corner of my high school Euchre game will be arriving: Anthea! Thea is another BFF, on par with Katie and Molly. She lives in San Francisco and has been participating in Team Dana from afar this whole time...I can't wait to see her. While it would've been wonderful to have her around for my surgery, I'm thrilled that she's coming now, when I'm a little more mobile, in less pain, and can be a little more fun. Plus, having her here will take some pressure off of Jan and Doug-- they can let Thea do the Danasitting for a few days. Lastly, Thea is a big fan of ethnic food, while Jan and Doug tend not to be. So, this weekend, I can take a break from chicken breast and baby greens, and set my mouth on fire a few times. I've been trying to follow a diet of anti-inflammatory foods, to promote healing and general health-- however, if lamb saag and/or masaman curry run counter to this diet, it'll totally be worth it, the advice of Dr. Andrew Weil and his anti-inflammatory food pyramid be damned.