Nuclear Tests, Finding Spring, and Looking for Cover Art for Field Guide to the End of the World
- At February 24, 2016
- By Jeannine Gailey
- In Blog
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Not THAT kind of nuclear test. I’m going in for a nuclear test – called a SPECT test – this Friday to get more info about what’s going on with the liver. This test might eliminate the need for a liver biopsy, because it allows them to rule in or out a certain kind of benign growth – but it might not. I’m hoping it does! Because I’ve had allergic reactions to CTscan contrast and MRI contrast, they’re pre-medicating me before putting in the tracer – a radioactive element with a short half-life called technetium. So wish me no allergic reactions and a good result!
I’ve been a little down, still, and a little anxious, so went looking for some signs of spring – outside the little jonquils springing up in my back yard. I saw a red-headed woodpecker about three feet overhead as I went out of my house (hopefully a good luck sign) and after driving fifteen minutes towards Lake Washington, started to see flowers – magnolias about to go, quince bushes blooming, rhodies and redbud and other trees. It was a bright blue February day yesterday, almost up to 60. Even if it’s supposed to start raining again tomorrow, a lovely reminder that spring is close.
- Plum blossom
- Rhododendrons and plum trees
I’ve been having anxiety dreams about Friday’s test (among other things,) but I’ve been distracted – in a positive way – by trying to find a good candidate for cover art for my upcoming book with Moon City Press, Field Guide to the End of the World. I’ve been prowling art sites and the internet for things that might work well for the book – collages, apocalyptic landscapes, vintage Field Guide graphics. This book has been tougher than the others to find exactly the right art for. I’m also trying to place the last few unpublished poems from the book and get blurbs. Getting back to doing a little bit of normal life stuff, which has helped my state of mind a bit.
Had to contend with some bad family news this week, and of course the kind of regular bad news that scrolls across your phone – the Dow’s plunges, political news, the um, record terrible-for-buyers real estate market in Seattle – but trying to stay upbeat. That’s the thing about spring – especially out here as the daylight is now extending, finally, up to 5:30 PM as opposed to 4 PM – it’s easy to feel the sun and see the water and mountains stretching out, and remember so many of the good things about my life.
Jan Priddy
Spring flowers, the rare red-headed woodpecker (I have only ever seen pileated), and spring pressing forward. Thank you for the daily details that remind us all.