Subtitle: One of the reasons I should attend church.

Actually, there are lots of reasons. This is one of them.

Two weeks ago I attended Morton Memorial. Linda was a huge help lugging extra tanks and getting me settled. Being midst people I enjoy so much was the resuscitation I needed. I felt connected. I deeply inhaled the love. It was good.

That morning in the pew I made an important discovery. At complete rest, I discovered I can dial the regulator as low as 2LO2 and maintain 98% saturation. This was quite a discovery of conservation.

You may wonder why I hadn't discovered this sooner at home.

It's kinda confusing to explain, but if I adjust my concentrators to a low setting I can't be mobile. I also want to sleep with the higher settings because my lungs are already processing only about 10-12% of my O2 intake. I'll stop right here - it's all too confusing to explain. Especially since IPF is completely different from COPD or emphysema etc.

I recently discovered that most oxygen providers won't deliver oxygen to patients requiring more than 10 liters - it's simply because IPF is so misunderstood.


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People are often too generous with kind remarks regarding my courage. Pfffft. But I actually do have a story about courage. The real deal in courage. Yet, it's only ordinary courage. Something you all would do.

Several nights ago I was home alone. Actually, Brian was upstairs, but Linda was away for the night. So, if I'd panicked, I knew I could call Brian and he'd be down in a flash.

Violent storms visit the Cumberland Plateau this time of year. It's a weekly occurrence. The other night at 2:30am I lost power. The concentrators' screams were loud. I calmly sat on the edge of my bed. I reached for my flashlight that could illuminate Yankee Stadium. I couldn't turn off the screaming concentrators in the other room because without supplemental oxygen, I can't move. I can't. It's like I've landed on Mars.

I was able to take a few steps to the E-tank by my bed, and with a turn of a wrench, I was on oxygen again. I rolled the tank to my office and shut down the screaming concentrators.

I eased into a chair with the intention of waiting out the outage. I experimented with the oxygen flow and quickly determined I could function well on only 2LO2 if I sat perfectly still.

After two hours, I decided I was tired. So, I cranked up the O2 and walked to my bed. I cranked the O2 back down to 2LO2, checked my saturation with my oximeter, set my alarm for 2 hours, and fell fast asleep. When the alarm woke me, I checked my saturation and the level of oxygen still remaining in the tank. I was still set for another 2 hours sleep. Two hours later, I switched to a fresh tank.

I was without power for 8 hours. I used only 2-3 tanks of O2. I have to admit that I even surprised myself with my calm handling of a potentially disastrous situation. I had indeed been very brave, but it was only common courage that we all have as a resource.

If I hadn't gone to church, I wouldn't have discovered the give and take with the oxygen regulator.

Good heavens, this is boring stuff.


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I've yanked my novel off the screen one more time for one more draft. It's become a Bucket List item. I never intend to peddle it. I just want to do one more draft.



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I've spent time planning the Rehearsal Dinner I'm co-hosting for David & Olivia. These days I plan ahead as much as possible.



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I haven't felt well the past two days. This happens every so often and then I bounce back. I use 16LO2 now.



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OMG. This post has just gotten more boring.


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I don't like bullies.


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To end on a lighter note, here are new works in my collection. Last weekend Linda and I hosted an installation party. Friends came to my home for wine & cheese - and were handed hammers and nails. No one enters my home anymore without being put to work. *laughing*




Chicago Landscape






Sheep by Dolique






Nude by Dolique






Rochester Folk Art Guild (Middlesex NY)





Cat Guardian by Holly Hinkle





Father Earth Day by Holly Hinkle







Whistling Rain by Holly Hinkle





Heavenward by Hughart







Horse Sense by Hughart






Louisiana Life by Lynn Ashby