It seems appropriate for 2025.
It is MS Awareness Week and, in honor of the week, I thought people should know that federal cuts to funding to NIH and universities for research (including indirect expenses, which I'm happy to discuss with anyone who has questions about those) will have serious impact on important MS research. You're welcome to let your Congressional reps know how problematic that is.
My CDC job was eliminated with many others on 2/14. (That's some love.) I have been on my bike on the nice warm days we've had between snow storms and chilly gross days. But mostly I've been working full days to find work (I'm doing consulting under my new LLC - need a tobacco policy thing done??), doing chores, and being diligent with my PT exercises. I have a great network and am optimistic. It was a very shocking event, though, even though I suspected it was coming eventually.
I have a new PT person who is great, and *that* is great because the steroid pain shot I got in my hip in Feb lasted just a couple of weeks and things do not feel good, even when I ride my bike, which is a newerish development I'm addressing. This is supposed to be a year of big biking! I am optimistic about this, too.
My fundraising is off to a good start, and I'm so grateful for support there, too, and am optimistic about meeting my goal! (https://events.nationalmssociety.org/participant/GoMaggieGo)
To be honest, though, there is so much that I'm not optimistic about, concerning current events. I worry. About people I love and people I don't know. And I am very sad. And I am mad. So sad and mad. Biking will help manage those feelings to some extent, and walking the dog helps too. I hope all my friends are taking time to care for themselves. 💜
Here is Haley, mad as SHE gets, about the fact that she couldn't swim. It was 50 degrees and there was still ice on other parts of the creek and our lakes still have ice on them. So, be patient, doggy! I'm not sure why this is showing up sideways on my screen all of a sudden.
Here's a cute little kid that Haley and I saw on a walk. He shouted out "on your left" as he was passing, in his little kid voice. I heard his dad say that he just took the training wheels off.
And this is from my first ride of the season. I haven't been riding far or fast, but I've been relishing each moment. Even today, being able to ride to get groceries.
💜
