No. No. No. Not a bunion!

My foot has been killing me for the past few weeks. I thought this was a result of me dropping a wheelbarrow full of gravel on it...let me tell you that really, really hurts. Anyway, the pain did not go away over time so I had X-rays taken, had 2 consultations with orthopaedic surgeons and...wait for it...well, today -- give me a moment to compose myself -- Dr Parker in Palms Springs looked up at me with his eyes peering over by big toe, and said, "Congratulations, you have a bunion!"

Crap! Crap! Crap. Doctor, tell me I have a torn ligament. Tell me I have tendonitis. Tell me I have a broken bone but DON'T tell me I have a bunion. Why? Well....that's for chicks! It's a woman's thing. Have you ever heard of a GUY having a bunion? You may as well have told me I have an ovarian cyst! Chri-i-i-i-i-iky!

Well it turns out that lots of guys have bunions but, well, I didn't want the first surgery of my life to be bunion surgery. But HEY!!! Here's the good part -- isn't there always a silver lining? -- Martha has had four bunion surgeries so, well, it's familiar territory and now SHE gets to look after ME during my recovery! Which will probably be sometime in the fall of this year in PEI.

These old bodies continue to break down but when all is said and done, Martha and I are still are the luckiest people alive: I came home from my doctor's appointment, I told her about the diagnosis, we had a martini in the pool, we watched a funny movie and went to bed early. Bunion, shmunion. Big deal. The sun is still shining here in California and tomorrow will be another another great day. -Merrill (comments welcome)

Photo: Actually Martha and I had already half-guessed that it was a bunion thing, after doing some Internet research and some poking of my foot. Never underestimate the importance of web-based research when it comes to your owm health issues...it's a geat resource!. Use it!

Beware the desert's terrible beauty.

Oh my freakin' lord. We took the 4-wheel-drive vehicle out to the desert today and saw lots of great animals (see Mr Chuckwalla) but we also took a wrong turn and got ourselves onto a rugged mountain trail that made Raiders of the Lost Ark look like a Sunday School picnic. Let me put it this way, if I didn't have 30 years experience driving in the snow we would probably not have made it back!

It was shit-your-pants scary but also exhilirating because, well, we survived. Let me quote Martha: "Oh my god, oh god, oh my god we're gonna die."...which prompted me to stop the vehicle and say to her: "Martha, I'm nervous too, but that isn't helping, so let's just drink some water, chill a bit, and I promise I'll get us out of here alive." Which I did.

It was, well, yes...fun. We saw two endangered desert tortoises, chuckwallas galore and a great-looking snake. Now that's a fun way to spend Sunday morning! -Merrill (comments welcome)

Photo: This chuckwalla is shedding his skin after winter hibernation. He was a bit grouchy but tolerated us and allowed us to take his picture.

Three amigos.

Thumbs up to fun. Look at these three. Let's review who they are: Martha was born in Kokomo, Indiana. Lynda and Liz were born in Prince Edward Island...and yet here they are in 2008 in the California sunshine -- having the time of their lives (best buddies, smiles all around) in our pool in the desert. Who could have guessed that their lives would have ever connected...that their paths ever would have crossed. Some would say that this is proof that God exists. I would say rather it's all about the (good) choices we make. Seeing them smile just makes me want to smile too! And if you're part of the human race, you probably feel the same. Go ahead. Smile, and feel good!! Living. Sharing. Smiling. It's all good! These gals are friends. They're having fun. -Merrill (comments welcome)

Photo: Lynda and Liz experience the wonder of a heated pool on April Fool's Day, 2008. Wintry Prince Edward Island seems far, far away.