breakthrough

I can read again!

When I'm under a lot of stress, my concentration suffers. The more stress, the less concentration. In the extreme, dealing with a crisis, a fog envelops my brain. I can deal with the issues at hand, but nothing else. I don't know if this is a common phenomenon? Does this happen to any of you?

Sometime over the summer, I lost the ability to read books. I mean, I could read words, but I couldn't concentrate on anything long enough to understand it, let alone enjoy it. Blog posts and short magazine articles were the most I could manage.

Last night, graced with the lovely prospect of a free Sunday evening, I sat down with a small pile of back issues of the New York Times Book Review, and read them. Read them all.

This signals an adjustment to real life. Of course, a full transition to our new lives will happen gradually over a long period of time, but being able to concentrate again means the end of that initial disorienting transition. And none too soon, as I expect to get work this week.

So I've just added a new errand to my list: a Mississauga library card!

Speaking of real life, it's funny that we arrived in the Great White North while there's no CBC and no hockey. Now the hockey pre-season has started, so that's one down. Can't wait for the CBC!

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This morning we're taking Buster to a local vet for a follow-up blood test. For those following the Buster saga, our specialist in New York has been managing his medications with me by phone. We found a local vet's office that has been very accommodating about prescription refills, food, blood tests and such. We'll see the doctors for the first time today, and if they seem fine, we'll use them as our general neighborhood vet. They're just five minutes down Lakeshore from us.

Finding a specialist who'll pick up Buster's treatment hasn't been as easy. I've made a lot of frustrating phone calls to a lot of not-nice people. In fact, the only nasty people I've encountered so far in Canada have been at specialty veterinarian's offices. Each office is less helpful than the next. How strange.

In any case, I've dropped the search for a while. I do have some good leads, thanks to Marnie, and for now the doc in New York and this local office should meet our needs.

After the vet visit, we're meeting blogfriend James and his partner Lori for a sushi lunch. I have been suffering from sushi withdrawal here in Mississauga and James says he has the cure. We're going to see The Beaches neighborhood I've heard so much about.

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The weather continues to be gorgeous, now with a hint of autumn crispness. Yesterday we took the dogs on a long walk through the quiet, upscale, lakeside neighborhood that borders our street. There are some beautiful old homes, and many oversized new ones, many with beautiful lawns and plantings. Funny, here we are renting our little house in the midst of all this wealth. It certainly makes for a beautiful neighborhood.