Life at No.22, Monthly Updates, Musings, The Changing Seasons

What’s been happening? Summer 2022

Suzanne

It’s been a while, and I have missed consistently reading various blogs and tapping away on the computer keys about what’s going on with us. So, I guess this means I am back.

Summertime has been a quiet event for us. We did welcome a few visitors, relaxed with reading, and I ventured to the beach for walks, swims, and the pure enjoyment of feeling the sand between my toes, and on other days rescued a drip or two of melted ice cream from descending on my lap. What can I say? It’s been a hot, dry summer, and like life, this summer has been a mixed bag of all sorts.

The quietness in our life is mainly due to the Squire’s ongoing health challenges, which haven’t improved as expected, especially his T Cells [immune system]. What does this mean? We are waiting to hear the results of what his T Cells are “doing” within his blood system. If the specialist is correct, the Squire will need a top-up of T-Cells from his donor. That will require a mini transplant procedure. Each week, eight vials of blood are taken to test various “things”. Currently, the medical team are reducing his drugs, mainly the cyclosporine [immunosuppressant] and will deal with the ongoing issues, if any do occur. The last time his medical team reduced his medications, a stint in hospital with ten blood transfusions occurred. Fingers crossed that episode isn’t repeated.

As with most people, we continuously took each day as it arrived and enjoyed the small successes with less focus on what we couldn’t do during summer. For myself, there has also been the constant and lifesaving enjoyment of cycling with a friend and walking. Plus, it kept me reasonably sane, I think?. For the Squire, exercise was slowly reintroduced during February with strolls around various local areas, usually with me in tow. It also signified something new for me as I now call myself a senior woman who is into shooting hoops [S.W.I.S.H]. This type of basketball is not just a New Zealand “thing”, as there are clubs worldwide. It’s fascinating, and I’m so pleased to have found this local team who have gone out of their way to make me feel part of a very supportive group.

A place where I am just known as Suzanne.

The sounds spilling from our local sports arena suggests an ordinary basketball game: shoes squeaking against a slick court, hollow thumps of a ball, and friendly banter.

But inside this hall is a rare component.

Not a group of youngsters it’s a group of still young at heart older women, even a couple in their 80s, are hustling to pass, steal and shoot. They dribble the ball and weave skillfully through other players as they sprint toward the basket. I am not one of those skilled players, though my ambition to improve each week is high on my list of priorities. For now, those sharpshooters have me running around in circles trying to keep up. The team are my inspiration.

We, in various ways, have thwarted the slow creep of aging and loneliness during parts of this pandemic by supporting each other. The leader basketballer makes an effort to let us know how other members are going and why someone isn’t there. Phone calls or messages are shared when a ball isn’t. Injuries and medical reasons don’t stop members from being a part of the team as they contribute by ticking off who’s here to play, fees noted, and being the official sideline referee.

By nine-thirty, after a short natter, as we scurry around the court, warming up our limbs and that hard basketball, the game starts. We become players, friendly though with a serious competitive streak, the ball passes quickly. Most are trying to intercept and block those shots from the opposition. The ball is grabbed tightly, arms lifted, and heaved towards the basket within minutes.

Swoosh.

Other moments via snapshots

Taking a stroll on New Year’s Day – it’s a tradition.
Fine dining in a newspaper with a different view of the harbour
Out cycling and taking time to smell the sea air and enjoy a natter
One of those gorgeous visitors – enjoying being out and about and feeling ‘normal’ for a short time. Normal is so underrated.
Near the Tauranga hospital, is The Historic Village, whose old buildings house a wide range of artists and artwork. The cafe on-site [The Whipped Baker] is popular for cycling groups to stop and revive themselves.

After deciding to do this post I realised the lack of moments captured with my camera so perhaps autumn will be the season to inspire me. Here’s to us all enjoying and capturing more of our own unique backyards and further afield.

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

38 thoughts on “What’s been happening? Summer 2022”

  1. You don’t need to worry about capturing moments to entertain your followers and readers who might just pop by and catch your posts. This post was so uplifting it gave me a real buzz so really, you are doing more than fine and I hope you continue to find pleasure and something gainful in your walking,cycling and games. I take my hat off to you.

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    1. Thanks, Maris, pleased that you enjoyed the post as your comment uplifted me. I do have many bloggers who have been connecting with me for years, plus family/friends in real life. For that reason, I love capturing moments and sharing; sometimes, a photo can express more than just words.

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    1. Thanks, Janis, for thinking of me and it is good to be back blogging. Just a matter of organising my time and getting on with it. Yes, I’m loving the challenge of learning to play basketball.

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  5. Suze, good to hear from you and that you and the Squire have been plodding along enjoying icecream and an unusually sunny Kiwi summer between the tiresome medical appointments. Admittedly, your plodding is a great deal speedier than my efforts. I love that word “natter”. It conjures up coffee, tea, camaraderie and a lot of laughs. Welcome back.

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  6. So good to have an update, Suzanne! I’m full of admiration for how you’ve coped with this. Stepping away from the blog is probably a good thing when you’re stressed and feeling negative, but I love your determination to live your life while still giving the Squire total commitment and support. You need it for your sanity and sense of self. Hoping the tests can find a way forward, but meanwhile I love that shot of New Years Day. You knew I would, didn’t you? Stay strong, hon!

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    1. Thanks very much, Jo, I am pretty sure a slight craziness and quirkiness on my part helps me to cope more 😉 Yes, Jo, you would love the beaches here. Though the Portugal coastline is beautiful.

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  7. A new hobby, my goodness. Basketball practice sounds fun, if exhausting.

    It’s good to hear that Les is able to get out and about a bit now. That must make things a lot more enjoyable for both of you. I hope his T-cells are starting to behave themselves and settle down.

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    1. Hiya April, yes a new hobby and a rewarding social aspect which is just as important as the sport. Les is doing well with his walking, I am proud of him as it’s not easy for him.

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  9. Good to see you back, Suzanne, with a lovely post and photos. So glad you’ve both been able to enjoy the summer. The squire was very brave to feed the gulls, hope they’re not as aggressive as the ones over here!

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  11. Good to see you back. I continue to admire your positivity and resilience 🤗 It sound like you’ve identified the small things that give you pleasure and are making the most of them!

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  14. Hi Suz, it’s lovely to have you back and what fun you are having with SWISH – it sounds like a great way to be out doing something with a caring team of people around you. I get the ‘being known only as Suzanne’ feeling – good for you! Hope the Squire gets along OK with the tests and we send our best to you both. I really enjoyed reading your post!

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    1. Hiya Deb, apologies for the late response. Good to be back though I am wondering how I managed to be a regular blogger. I think I’m no longer organised as I once was as life tends to be a bit less predictable at the moment. Hope you are both well. Take care.

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    1. Hi Nilla, apologies for the late response. Still waiting for the test results. I need the activities to keep me sane, I think it is working 😉 Hope the job and renovations are going to plan.

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  18. Pingback: The Changing Seasons, March 2022 – Touring My Backyard

  19. Welcome back Suzanne! I was just checking in on your blog and was thrilled to find this post (I have included it in our The Changing Seasons line-up for March).

    I have followed Squire’s journey through you posts and have been thinking of you both. Sending you both lots of positive energy and best wishes!

    Am imagining you on the basketball court – I am so chuffed and thrilled to hear of your exploits! and your selfie with you jersey – fabulous!

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