November 2009

Stop Smoking Day Three

November 21, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

Someone told me that day three and four were the meanest days. I can understand why. At this point quitting smoking is no longer a novelty challenge. It's now just an ordinary, am-I-done-yet challenge.

Stop Smoking Day Two

November 20, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

I made it through yesterday, smoke free! Yay! Hip, Hip, Hurray!

Now I have to do it again today. :(

One good thing about doing this and doing it successfully is that I'll never have to do it again.

Today's the Day

Today's the day, Day 1
November 19, 2009
Odessa, Texas

Today is the day: my quit smoking day. Here are few strategies in my quiver:

• Keep busy. Especially my hands.
• Be aware of triggers. Like sitting here in front of the computer.
• Deep breathing. Deep, deep breathing during cravings.

Today is the day. The day I'll look back on as a huge blessing I gave myself.

Remains of the Day

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"Remains of the Day" The last two photos of a glorious day.
November 12, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

I always wish that last golden hour of the day lasted longer.

Roadside Attractions

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"Roadside Attractions"
November 12, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

Today was a warm and sunny, with the bluest sky. The dogs and I enjoyed the unexpected November gift to its utmost, spending the entire afternoon wandering from attraction to attraction.

A Better Brittany

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Brittany Hinkle, Hair Stylist, graduates March 2010
November 11, 2009
Odessa, Texas

First time I ever tried using the college cosmetology department for a haircut. I was extremely lucky, I think, because I got a young woman named Britanny. Brittany was superb both in her skills and her comb-side manner. I couldn't be more pleased with my 'do.

These young women work three 1/2 days a week, 10 hour days, all for the privilege of learning how to cut hair. Remember to tip them.

A Timely Message

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A timely message, source unknown
November 10, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

As I always do, when I took out the trash today, I pick up litter along the way. Today, I picked up this little package from the street. I read it front to back and learned some interesting information. In particular, if you enlarge the photo on the right, it gives lots of good news about your body once you quit.

A timely, even mysterious, message. I feel special. And even more encouraged as November 19th approaches.

The Wallflowers No One Noticed

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Two wallflowers no one noticed in summer: Chinaberry and Pomegranate trees
November 9, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

Ever meet someone at a high school reunion, someone beautiful and radiant, and remember they used to be rather plain? These two trees seem like that to me. Who gives much notice to an ol' chinaberry or an ordinary pomegranate tree in summer? Ah, but Fall, I see, is when they "bloom."


P.S. A smoking cessation update: Between now and my quit date (next week), I have disallowed myself smoking inside my house or vehicle. It is helping me retrain my habits before I give up the habit itself.

Pretty Purity

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Pretty Purity
October 29, 2009
West Odessa, Texas

Strangely, having the flu turned out to be something like a cleansing. Two items stand out most, one being that the whites of my eyes are now this really cool white-white.

The other item is that my taste buds are telling me many new things.

They are telling me how delicious pure ice-cold water is, how slightly nauseating coffee with non-dairy creamer and Splenda is, and how Stouffer's lasagna is much too salty. They are also telling me that smoking, oddly, does not taste good at all. I've smoked for more than thirty years. Who knew? I used to think cigarettes tasted good. It's no wonder; smoking was masking the flavor of everything, even itself. I have been tasting very little, I see.

Join me, encourage me, think of me, send me beams of bright white lights because November 19th, the day of the Great American SmokeOut, will be my official full quit date. Your words of effuse encouragement will be heartily welcomed.