dawn chorus

Yes, I know the world is in bad shape, I could go on. Yesterday in the queue at the supermarket, I stood behind two teenage girls who debated whether they will or will not go on the upcoming climate ralley or maybe instead to the anti nazi one and like the old fool I am, I barged in and said, go to both, Very politely, they turned and smiled and said, yeah, but, and then, ok why not. And I smiled back and they pulled out their cell phones and asked for a selfie.

I’ve been in several meetings and conversations these past few weeks about what we will say if we can’t say “climate” anymore. We’ll say “extreme weather.” We’ll say “heat wave.” “Flood.” “Wildfire.” “Drought.” “Coastal erosion.” We’ll say “clean air.” “Clean water.” And we’ll say “cancer,” “asthma,” “birth defects.” We’ll say “cheap, reliable, locally produced energy.” We’ll say “healthy farmland,” “good soil,” “regeneration.” “Animals.” “Plants.” “Life.” “Help.”

And if they ban those words, we’ll come up with more. I loved this earth before I knew the word “earth,” and I will love it the rest of my life.

Anya Kamenetz

And today I spent the best and the longest part of the day with doctors. I set out very early cycling through the lush forest, it was just gorgeous. And for the next eight hours, I was examined by hands and eyes and machines and body fluids were sampled and many questions were raised and yes, answered. And now I will have to stop thinking of the worst outcome which includes but not necessarily will result in necrotising and death. Whereas the best outcome could be regaining my ability to process food - to an extent beyond the current scenario. The diagnostic term is cholecystitis due to gallbladder torsion and one of the surgeons expressed his delight with this relatively rare challenge. I got a handy list of symptoms that necessitate an immediate trip to the ER and otherwise have been told to sit tight and wait for the phone call. After a couple more tests and stuff to properly determine possible causes and risks, the GB will go.

It helps to know more of the why and how and seriously, I already feel so much better. The funniest bit was when I mentioned that I haven't had any coffee for the past four weeks and every person in the room went, oh no, poor you.

Cycling home through the forest was again lovely and a balm to the soul. I pity all of the people who haven't got access to an early morning forest cycle path. So, click here for a link to an amazing soundmap of the world's dawn choruses.