It's October - exactly ten months from diagnosis.  In retrospect, this year was a blur. In real time, it flowed like molasses in winter. 

Adrienne's blog post highlights the pink ribbons that are everywhere this month to raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise support for research to beat it.  I'll take this opportunity to again thank all of you for your support - whether it was a contribution to cancer research or moral support in all forms for Linda and others.  Awesome stuff - we'll never forget it.  It means so much to us.

Linda's last check-up with her oncologist was quick and easy.  No trouble found.  She has been going to the Y twice a week for the Livestrong program, and does some yoga (which, as I understand it, involves lying down on a mat for 15 minutes and thinking about exercising).  She has been walking, weather permitting, about 3 miles a day for months now (I think by now she must be just west of Kansas City!).

We have been enjoying making up for lost time from the first half of 2012.  Highlights for September and October include:

• Linda's high school friends Nancy and Mary here for a great weekend
• A weekend getaway in Fredericksburg touring a Civil War battlefield
• Painted our living room, family room, kitchen, bathroom, and dining room
• A walking food tour in downtown Richmond
• A visit with Jess and TJ in DC for my birthday
• A bluegrass concert
• A jazz/funk/Indian concert
• First Friday in Richmond
• Faculty reception at the University
• A weekend getaway at Peaks of Otter in the western part of VA (see picture below)
• A newly-formed dinner club

Still to come this year:

• A visit with family on Long Island
• Friends from CT going with us to Charleston, SC
• Friends from Seattle staying with us for a week
• My parents coming up for Thanksgiving week
• A few more events at the University
• Broadway in Richmond's performance of The Grinch
• Jessica's graduation from the University of Maryland (Masters in Public Health)

Good times!

I had a private laugh as I took this picture this weekend at Peaks of Otter.  In this month of Breast Cancer Awareness, and in honor of these ten months of endurance of my courageous wife, I've captioned this picture Mountain Cleavage.  I wish I had a pink ribbon big enough to wrap around these two peaks.