We are still locked down. We go to Costco and to Smiths. We travel out with our masks and our hand sanitizers. Those we meet are friendly and have smiling eyes behind their masks. If a person depended on reading lips to understand another, they are currently out of luck. Who would have guessed? Certainly not last September. Life changes so quickly.

My garden is winding down. The squirrels are fat and happy after eating my tomatoes. The roadrunner couple I saw having sex in my back yard now have healthy teenagers who are as aggressive about eating birds as their parents. Our quail population is booming. They love quail blocks and nest along side the squirrels on a little used side of my property.

I make bread every couple of days. I have many recipes for rye bread, but rye flour is now unattainable. Not enough planted by the farmers for the current demand. I also make a lot of oatmeal bread. Lucky for me. I make my own buns for bratwurst. I also have a recipe for frosted cinnamon rolls. They are very good.

I like to cook, and my son likes to eat. We make a fine pair.

My RA is a struggle.  Since I no longer can have methotrexate, I am currently left with Medrol and diclofenac gel. Medrol has been shown to reduce joint damage. As more research is done, the scientists are finding that steroids in moderate amounts are therapeutic.  I have been on prednisone or medrol for seven years. My bone density is good. Other than the necrotic breast tissue and infection I had from taking methotrexate, I have been infection free. It took 10 months for the necrotic tissue to heal. It is a relief not to have a leaking breast.

I have learned to pace myself. It is wise to keep moving as prolonged sitting is a dangerous thing. See I am writing this update and next I will go into the kitchen and start dinner.