"Life is just a highway and at some point we come to the end of the black top."  This was a favorite saying of my good friend, the late Roma Carter.  Every time I heard her say it, I pondered over just what it meant.  Now that I face this illness it comes home to me loud and clear. 

Life really is just a highway from birth to death.  Those of us that live in West Virginia can understand the ups and downs, the pot holes, the graveled sides and the smell of black top every summer as they make an effort to patch the pot holes that our extreme winters.  When I think of that highway I remember all the country trips we made over the years.  I remember learning to drive on these highways and I respect the laws of the highways.  I also remember hitting a pothole when I was going a little too fast and worrying myself to death if I had busted a tire. Truly life is just a highway, sometimes with several detours and sometimes we can enjoy a wonderfully smooth ride that takes us exactly where we want to go. There will be no signs that say "black top ends" but I have a feeling that this will be the smoothest ride of all.

A great big thank you to the many, many well wishers who have called, sent cards, food, flowers and who have visited with me.  I will be entering the second chapter of this illness. Now that I have had surgery I will be setting up a schedule for treatments which should start in the next couple of weeks. I face this challenge with strength and endurance and the love and support of my family and many friends.  Please keep me and all of those who face cancer in your thoughts and prayers.

This morning on television I saw a cook preparing a recipe that I had passed on to you all a couple of weeks ago.  It was the zucchini fritter.  I was so pleased to know that we were already preparing this dish.  Hope you did grate up your extra zucchini and put it in the freezer for use this winter.

This morning I went out to the garden to get some Swiss chard to prepare for lunch.  The garden is just about over but I did get some beautiful tomatoes.  The biggest of our tomatoes came from plants that Vic Gentilozzi gave to me this Spring.  

I am trying to be very conscientious about what I am eating and am trying all those dark green vegetables along with carrots and the whole gambit.  

There are so many wishes that I want to send out to everyone.  First to the Starkey, Mazza, Gowers and Scott families on their losses.  I want to send get well wishes to Nancy Davisson and Dom Talerico.

Even though my visits to downtown may be shorter than they have been in the past, I hope to see many of you at the Italian Festival.  Dave and I may visit the Pasta Cook-Off this Saturday.  It is always such a fun time.  I'm also looking forward to participating in the Festival mass.   You can learn more about the Festival and this year's schedule by going to this link:  http://www.wvihf.com

A big big thank you to all of you and please keep in touch with me.  Until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."