Unusual Motivation

Most of us need an inner cattle prod from time to time, and I'm certainly no exception.

I love my job and work a lot of hours at it. I have a large family, and I love spending time for them.
Which leaves not huge amounts of time for working on my own version of War and Peace.

Here's my "inner cattle prod," summed up in a word you've probably never heard: pheochromocytoma. 

This pesky thing nearly took me out back in 2002. Fortunately, I prevailed, and it did not. Mayo Clinic even sent me a surprise photo of the post-surgical enemy before it was chopped to bits, and I got the satisfaction of shaking my fist at it and exclaiming, "You lost, sucker!"

However, it can bite back. Meaning, it can return.

If it bites back, it bites harder because that generally means malignancy. The only way to keep pace with it is yearly screenings for life, and, trust me, I am compliant. And the screenings have always been normal.

Until this past spring, when the values came back slightly abnormal.

It was a sobering, sobering moment. 

But not a horrible moment. My endocrinologist decided to redo the test in six months as opposed to 12, unless I had symptoms (which I have not). And I decided to delay panic until I had a solid reason for it.

However, knowing circumstances could be get interesting this fall, I decided to use vacation time this year to churn out the rest of Before the Blood, just in case, well, you know. In case life got busier dealing with "it."

And scheduled my annual physical to match that schedule. 

I am happy to report this second screening was completely normal. However, I am officially prediabetic again (I was out of those woods for two years). 

My yearly appointment with my endocrinologist is the day before Halloween (how appropriate). I have a list for her because I'm ferociously attacking the prediabtes.

But unlike many of the characters in my BryonySeries, I'll be hanging around on the life side of the grave for awhile. Or so it appears.

And the prequel is written and in editing. YAY!

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Feb. 12 through Feb. 17

YAY! A free day! (ish) Finally!

I do have one story I couldn't get done yesterday before I had to leave for WriteOnJoliet and a a few Pets of the Week to finish either today or tomorrow (probably tomorrow). And, of course, I work part of Sundays.

But still...

Before the Blood, here I come! (as soon as I'm done with social media).

And on that note...

First, the non-bylined work: the health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars. Three of them can be found at the link below. http://www.theherald-news.com/lifestyle/ Gotta Do It, runs each Sunday and often stays on the home page throughout the week.

Feature briefs for Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (Arts and Entertainment), and Sunday (People) are also edited (texted and photos) by the lady of this blog, but only the stories have bylines.

Another option: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61. And of course, I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries.

Just an FYI: On free days, holidays, and Sundays I'm not on call, I only post the blog to my "real" Twitter account, as my company insists we do take time off. I'm less reasonable, so unless I'm on a real vacation, I still post to the BryonySeries accounts.

FYI: videos have not been attaching to my Herald-News stories, although they do run for a time on the home page. You may also find them under the "videos" tab.

If you'd like to watch a video, and it's not showing up for you, message me, and I'll manually attach it. No worries for this week, though, although I will have videos for Sunday.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. 

Churches in Joliet and Minooka partner to offer red carpet event for people with special needs (VIDEO EXTRA)

Local special needs individuals enjoy prom-like event at Crossroads Christian Church

On Friday night, 180 volunteers played fairy godmother to transform Joliet’s Crossroads Christian Church into a Cinderella-at-the-ball experience for 95 special needs individuals.

The event is Night to Shine, a complimentary prom-like, red carpet experience for people ages 14 and older with special needs. Crossroads Christian Church, where Night to Shine was held, partnered with The Village Christian Church in Minooka to bring this international event to the Joliet area.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/10/churches-in-joliet-and-minooka-partner-to-offer-red-carpet-event-for-people-with-special-needs/ae8zcch/

Chance meeting early in life leads to happily ever after later in life for two couples with Joliet-area ties

Unusual first meetings lead to marriage for two happy newlywed couples

Both couples met in their youth, and both couples believe God brought them together. Was their love written in the heavens? Read on and decide for yourself.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/07/chance-meeting-early-in-life-leads-to-happily-ever-after-later-in-life-for-two-couples-with-joliet-area-ties/ance5jk/

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet court reporter used shorthand, typed transcripts and raised a family while working

Marie Walsh tackled life with passion

An old-fashioned court reporter who learned shorthand while a student at the former St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy), Marie worked at the old courthouse and was the legal secretary for Will County Circuit Judge Angelo F. Pistilli, said Marie’s daughter, Kathleen Walsh of Wilmington.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/07/an-extraordinary-life-joliet-court-reporter-used-shorthand-typed-transcripts-and-raised-a-family-while-working/akgwgtw/

Pets of the Week: Feb. 13

Click on the caption of each photo to find out about that pet, including where he or she can be adopted.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/05/pets-of-the-week-feb-13/ao6hhj0/

Joliet area adults staving off prediabetes with new program through YMCA
YMCA offering second yearlong program for adults at risk for prediabetes

The program’s goal is to reduce body weight by 7 percent and increase exercise to 150 minutes a week. This is accomplished through participating in 16 weekly sessions, plus additional monthly sessions, in a classroom-based setting, the website stated.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/12/joliet-area-adults-staving-off-prediabetes-with-new-program-through-ymca/auhn85m/


Mystery Diner: Hamburgerseria recovering the tradition of gourmet burgers in Joliet

Yes, I was at a gourmet hamburger joint and I was going to order a hot dog. And not just any hot dog, but one that was deep fried, wrapped with bacon and doused with sour cream and avocado. I held the avocado and forged ahead.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/10/mystery-diner-hamburgerseria-recovering-the-tradition-of-gourmet-burgers-in-joliet/a7sqg2e/

Joliet faith-based crisis hotline addressing the challenge of remaining open (VIDEO EXTRA)
The Upper Room Crisis Hotline ministers to emotional and spiritual needs

Ultimately what The Upper Room seeks to do is “walk with people in their pain,” Lentz said. That goal is for anyone, Lentz said, whether that person is Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, or an agnostic or atheist.

“Anyone who calls is cared for on that telephone call,” Catharine Lentz, executive director, said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/14/joliet-faith-based-crisis-hotline-addressing-the-challenge-of-remaining-open/avm1hdq/