From Here to Timbuktu

I’m traveling from home, here in Valhalla, to MGH (may as well be Timbuktu) this morning.

As I mentioned the other day, this morning I’ll be having a CT scan (versus an MRI—YEA!) to see what’s up with the giant tumor on my bean’s front right hand side. I’m not happy about this but it’s gotta be done.

Mega-bummedness will descend if I need more surgery before I’ve had a chance to recover from this last go ‘round. 

Here’s one thing I’ve noticed, Big-Sad affects my physical functioning. i.e. I’ve been trying so hard to be strong in order to deal with possible results and directives of this morning’s test. I’ve totally quashed my emotions—headed them off at the pass even. That shit’s gonna find a way to come out though. You know, one way or another. In this case, I’ve been ridiculously weak—so damn weak that I had to cancel yesterday’s PT.

The Big-Sad was also fueled by the book I’ve been reading. It’s, in part, about a bunch of people in a senior living community—most in their 80s. Some are fine. Mentally sharp as tacks. Physically? Not as strong or swift as they once were but not bad. Other residents are missing more than a few vital steps. I hate that I’m 20+ years younger than the healthiest characters and in such crap shape. Of  fucking course. 

So, I had a good cry last night and find, this morning, I’m stronger, more limber and a bit more agile (AKA not such a stiff klutz). Is this how shit works for you or is it just yurs truly?

Back to Timbuktu though—it’s a real fucking place and Ten’s been there! OK, he's been to the one in Texas not Mali.

From 650 to 1600, nearly five million enslaved people from sub-Saharan Africa were transported through Timbuktu and other desert trading centers for destinations along the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.

Timbuktu also served as an intellectual center and an important synapse in the transmission of Islam into West Africa. The city housed famous libraries whose archivists collected and preserved Islamic texts that attracted students and scholars from throughout the region.
(source)

Slave trade, huh? I wonder how many of my friends ancestors hailed from or at least passed through Timbuktu.

I don’t really have a yen to visit there, ‘cept for the bragging rights. HEY, I’ve been to Timbuktu and back.

 Meanwhile, here's a lovely cat, watching out for birdies. Yur welcome.