Hi my Lovelies:

Since returning from Thailand, the weeks have taken me through a convalescent period that I caused to be more difficult by my own impatience to begin my new life. That horrid UTI is finally gone, the PICC has been removed from my arm, and I had my final check up with the women’s Urologist today. She seemed very pleased with the way my health is improving. Indeed, I do feel much better. I had seen an Endocrinologist yesterday and she told me to start using Estrogen patches rather than the pills; saying that, “your liver and kidneys will appreciate it.

I’ve gotten established with a little Lutheran Church and there are some very nice people there. This time there was no messing about, hoping for the best, I went straight to the pastor. She seems overjoyed to have me and says she will honor my wish to never talk about the “T” stuff. As some have told me I would do, I am well on my way to just disappearing into the fabric of society.

I read a lot, mostly Science Fiction and T fiction, generally enjoying what I read. Today while waiting a very long time for the Doctor, I looked for something to read. Let’s see there was a Veterans war remembrance book, a Field and Stream, a Hot Rod Magazine and all the other guy magazines any old guy could want.

No where was there a Vogue, Home and Garden, or even a Working Mother? Rather than pick up those grubby men’s books, I sat and watched people for a while and then stared at the wall. Getting desperate, I began prowling the clinic, and looking for anything, even a drivers manual to read.

Astonishingly, I found a Harlequin Romance by Betty Neels called, “Only by chance.” On first glance, I did not pick it up, thinking that I was far too intelligent and sophisticated to read something like that. I turned away from it looking for something else to read, even the business page of the newspaper. Not surprisingly, there was nothing at all there but this romance novel.

I stood there unable to make a decision for a minute and then making up my mind, I looked around to see if anyone was watching me. No, it appeared as if I was alone or at least ignored. Quickly, I snatched the book up, hid it under my arm and scurried guiltily back to my seat.

The wait today was unusually long, over two hours, so I dubiously began to read the book while trying to look like I was not reading it.

I am half way through the book, now and it has proven to be a very pleasant surprise to me. The story is very nice and at times I wiggle all over when a particularly nice passage is encountered, but I am also very mindful of the style of the author. It is very pleasant and relaxing.

Hmmm, maybe my stories should have some of the traits of a Harlequin Romance.

Gwenellen