For the last two weeks I have worn my hair up. First time in three years. I know this must sound like mundane drivel for some (ok, nearly all of you), but for me it is significant. I have always had longer hair and being stripped to nothing was quite the change to say the least. Slowly but surely, the pieces fall back into place.

So the other day I had an unusual experience. I was wearing a t-shirt, sweats, and running shoes (très glam!) when I popped into my local California style fruit ‘n nut grocer. I had placed my sunglasses in the front of my shirt while I perused the produce. The produce man strikes up a conversation with me while I attempt to pick out the freshest artichokes without getting pinched by them. While chatting, I see perhaps the world’s most perfect fennel bulb and head over to scoop it up. The conversation continues as I load up my mostly organic haul. With my attention no longer distracted by vegetables and melons, I look at the man and notice that he is clearly checking out the cleavage. This is the first time in two and a half years I remember this happening or perhaps acknowledge that it is even possible that anyone might care to look.

And finally, after three years of blogging and more than 200,000 hits, of all the people who have stopped by and left a comment or sent me an email, I have never met anyone like Suzy who emailed me last evening. She bears the distinction of being the first person completely lacking in compassion and class to contact me. For the record, I don’t blog so that people will feel sorry for me. I started this blog much like many others who have faced a life threatening illness so that I could keep others updated and share my experience with the 200,000 other women who will be diagnosed each year. If my experience seems trivial to you, then don’t read it. Seems like a much simpler solution than expending so much negative energy spewing venom via email.

Now, I am going out to enjoy the summer rain which is only the second time in my life I remember a summer rain in Southern California. Although it is humid in our normally dry heat climate, the rain seems cleansing today. The sticky heat, the muted sunshine, and warm rain drops are a change from the routine. Change can do us all good. Even if it causes us to put our hair up.