It’s quiet around here lately, at least when speaking of alopecia. I’ve adapted to the hair loss and a shaved head. The occasional reaction from the stragglers upon seeing my new form for the first time has become passé and little more than a brief annoyance at best. Shaving was one of the smarter things I have done as the day to day hair issues become out of sight, out of mind.

I have learned much during this journey of a only few months… to be accepting of others…and of myself. It’s alright if I’m not perfect in another’s eyes as there are many who accept me for who I am. I haven’t the room in my life for those who place more value on accoutrements than character. I suppose I should have expected as much living in such a materialistic society. That said, I was truly surprised by a few that I never thought to be so shallow. Better to learn that now than regret later.

Fine, white hairs occasionally appear on the bald spots, only to disappear as mysteriously as they spouted. This seems par for the course based upon what I’ve read. New spots have started but remain small. Strangely enough, my eyebrows appear to have filled in somewhat. Perhaps wishful thinking, perhaps adjusting to the look. No matter. As a friend likes to say…”it is what it is”. So true.

The plateau finally gave way this weekend as the scale registered the first weight loss in over six weeks. Finally! My self esteem had been in the dumper between the hair loss and the weight gain from the prednisone. I’ve accepted the hair loss but refuse to allow the weight gain. The intense hours in the gym and diet are beginning to pay off. 23 lbs down, 11 to go.

Aside from that, life is busy as summer rolls on. The numerous rains have spawned a bumper crop of blackberries. The berries are large, bigger than a man’s thumb with sweetness to match their size. Several pints were consumed straight from the vine while more than a dozen pounds somehow managed to reach freezer camp; a temporary stop over until the cooler winds of the fall arrive this canning season. The canes still strain under the weight of the maturing fruit despite the numerous berries removed thus far. The next picking may well fill the kitchen with the smell of blackberry – lemon corn muffins or fresh baked cobbler. So much for the diet…