Dorothy, I haven't stepped on the scale in ages. I know the Prednisone is hammering me, though I'm still tapering and am down to 2mg a day this month. My rheumatologist and I have discussed the exit strategy for September, and we hope I'll be off if it then and all of my attention to calories and calcium will finally result in no more shrinkage (height) but weight loss (30+ pounds).

I picked up some wonderful produce today at my discount grocery, and plan to can (process) both beets and carrots tomorrow. I've been freezing fresh blueberries that I'll use with the good yogurt I bought there (vanilla yogurt with frozen blueberries stirred in is like blueberry sorbet). I steamed a big batch of carrots tonight that had gotten a little old; they're okay for adding to the dog kibble for moisture and fiber, and they love cooked veggies.

I mentioned Katlaughing earlier because I was had been looking at some photos put up by her daughter and her grandson on Facebook. He's growing so big, and she was so very proud of him. We were all his "Mudcat aunties," and I'm glad to stay in touch through Facebook. He's still artistic, and still musical. And I suspect he's big enough now to look out for himself, something we worried about when he was smaller and artistically inclined. He also still has the wonderful dogs wandering through his room, a connection we regularly share - the dog photos and humor.

As with a few days ago, I have a blue heeler on the rug at my feet, under my desk. She isn't a lap dog; that's an uncomfortable maneuver when attempted, but she loves to step up to give kisses and to stay close-by. She has hairless spots at the bone ends where she sits that make me think she spent a lot of time on concrete or in an enclosure. Was a month or two in a shelter enough for that? She has the choice here of carpet, dog beds, or tile, so I assume she chooses to sleep on the small throw rug at my feet for proximity.