Dragonfly’s Pathtalk

So, we’ve been in our home, Dun Dealgan/Dogwood Hill, for about one and a half years. In that time, we’ve been slowly upgrading, fixing and planning to convert it from it’s purchased state into the home of our dreams. The first things we did, in the spring of ‘07, were: buy it, have the nasty chain link fence and rotting shed demolished, paint the den, master bedroom, one of the other bedrooms, and the living room, and have a privacy fence erected.

In 2008, we have (up to now): Removed dead and obstructing trees in the backyard, expanded and re-paved the driveway, added a concrete patio below the deck, had the sagging stairs fortified, had the master bathroom re-done almost completely, had the gutters cleaned, and changed two of the light fixtures. This last week, the wallpaper has been removed, the drywall has been repaired, and today, the kitchen was painted. It looks great!

Next, I’ll be changing out the hardware on the cabinets, and touching up the paint on them. From here, the next big project will be the new tile in the secondary bathroom and having a new, water-saving toilet put in. For our landscaping and hardscaping projects (including the driveway), we’ve gone with Down to Earth Landscaping. 90% of the interior work is being done by a very busy and funny Southern gentleman when he’s not at his full-time job.

I really need to sit down and start putting the photos up in our gallery. The changes look amazing! It’s like flipping our own house… but not to sell - just for ourselves. It’s become quite a hobby!

Happy September to everyone! I’ve got at least two pals with birthdays coming up, a wedding anniversary and a wonderful vacation coming my way. It could end up being the wonderful that August couldn’t manage. But first… another story of why I’m a medical oddity.

So, I have an unusual style of cranium, have photo-optic nerve reflexes, PVC, and other weird medical things. I have a new one for my list. I went back to the sinus specialists today to get the results of my food allergy tests, as well as the CT scan they did of my sinuses. Well, it looks like I have no known food allergies, but they’re still checking in on the peppermint thing. That was great news.

The CT scan revealed something very interesting: I have no frontal sinuses. I am among the 4-5% of the world’s population that wasn’t born with them, and didn’t develop them. As rare and weird as that is, it’s actually a good thing, in some ways. This means that I don’t have to worry about them getting infected. My sinus infections are completely limited to my main sinus cavities. There were some issues they found with the scan (unrelated to the oddity), and would like me to consider surgery. Hrm.

One thing is for certain. Just like my oversensitivity to dairy means avoidance at all costs, the doctor’s indication means avoiding smoke and incense at all costs. Even surgery can’t fix this reaction. There’s nothing I can do about it, end of story. So, I’m even supposed to avoid being around heavy smokers. The smell alone seems to enrage my system. I’m disappointed, but not even close to being surprised.

I’m off now for my second appointment for the day.

On the radio show last night, I was asked the question, “What next?” Most people who have been at all in the loop with me know that I just finished a full year of deeper exploration into Christian faith, traditions and monasticism. After this amazing adventure and experience, it has really helped me gain a better understanding of conventional faith and community.

It was really good for me. It brought to my mind the spiritual wisdom of my late mentor Deb, and her all-encompassing idea of Divinity. This last year has helped me to walk away from the grief I’ve felt over her passing, and define what I believe healthy relationships with the Creator can entail. I would like to say that I was delighted over all of the revelations I’ve had about where I’m going next. But there’s a lot of bittersweet, there.

Something that I learned, that I pray I will never forget, is how important spiritual growth and curiosity are. It has been put to me quite plain - a faith that tells me that they have all the answers for me, and suggests that I can quit asking questions, is the absolute wrong way for me to go. And now I’m getting my walking stick in hand, pack on my shoulders, and I’m hitting the metaphorical road.

I agreed to release all spiritual obligations, and many personal obligations, for one year of my life. These last couple of months have been about tending loose ends and prying my control-grip fingers off of things. Now, I’m almost ready. I can only think of one or two things I have left to complete, and they’re things I’ll be finishing while starting this next leg of the journey. By the end of Autumn, it should all be done.

I’m going to gracefully slide a bit under the radar for a year. Maybe more, depending on how it all pans out. This doesn’t mean that I won’t be around for my pals - heck, I may have more time than ever for them - and I’ll still be writing online, of course. But I’ve located a couple of potential new sources of wisdom and inspiration, and I hope to find myself in a much more solid place, emotionally and spiritually, after a year absorbing what I can.

Thanks to everyone who has been supportive and generous with your time and patience. And thanks again to everyone who called into the show last night. Now, I’ve got a sanctuary room to clean up, and a storm to watch rolling in…

Though yesterday had some rather aggravating points, we’re finally at the end of the week, and I am absolutely ready for it! Tonight/tomorrow morning will be my last on-site Nightsound Show, and then I won’t be driving out alone to Carrboro every Friday night (and driving back right when all the bars close). I’ll still be calling into the show, posting it, etc.

This weekend could be really good. I get to start out with the show tonight, and then I think I need to really give the house a big autumn cleaning. I’ll break out my fall decorations, etc. And it looks like, by the end of my 4-day weekend, I’ll be painting our kitchen. It’s kind of exciting. The wallpaper is already down, and the sheet rock will be getting minor repair in a few places on Saturday/Sunday.

Also, at the end of my four-day, on Tuesday, I’ll have all of the results of my non-instant allergy testing. Aside from a very mild sensitivity to dust mites, I don’t have any airborne allergies to the molds, grasses, pollens, trees, pet hairs, etc. They’re doing a full panel of food tests. I went home a little more chipper. I am very eager to find out if I have any food allergies. All the same, the smoke thing is looking more and more like a lifelong nuisance I’m stuck with.

I’ve also taken some time in the last few days to update my web page. Simple Devotion looks pretty darned good. I can’t take credit, as I bought the overall layout template and changed it to my heart’s desire. But I’m happy with the end result. Now, I need to get ready for work, and take on the next 8-9 hours!

This coming Friday night/Saturday morning will be my last on-site, live, co-hosting Nightsound Show. But I’m not leaving the show - I’m just taking a more remote position! I’ll still be calling in, contributing, posting, doing the website and offering my now infamous ‘Let’s Be Honest’ questions.

I’ve been doing the show for over a year, and it has really been an honor for me. I could never replace the original co-host, who is incredibly brilliant. But through most of 2008, I’ve had an awesome time meeting people, reflecting and in general having a blast. Now, I’m just going to be a ‘reporting’ contributor as opposed to being present live at the station.

The show is going in a good direction, with some new, high-energy blood. I am so grateful for the experience and the chance to hang out with so many awesome people.