Dear Friends,
This is Chip, from Fox Country Quilts. A few of you have been asking about me, since I pretty much disappeared from writing you emails as I did previously. This is an update, if you’re curious, on how and what I’m doing now.
As you may know, I have a non-aggressive liver/pancreas cancer, and have had it for about six years or so. There are ups and downs with it, but with the excellent treatments I’ve been getting, it stays pretty well in check. I’ll send another e-mail later to give some of the interesting details about it.
For the situation, my energy level isn’t bad . . . probably better than Dagwood Bumstead’s . . ., but I do wear out quickly trying to do something physically useful. Probably a combination of the cancer, the diabetes (from pancreas cancer), and older age (77). The upside is that nearly all the time I actually feel pretty good. Little bit of grabbing pain in my abdomen area now and then, but nothing to lodge any official complaints about. My medicines tend to make me take a two-hour most afternoons, but am still able to sleep well at night.
Never felt like an old person before. I think that part sort of sneaks up on a person. So now I tend to walk like I’m egg shells instead of my nice long strides that I was always used to. If something else doesn’t get me first, then I expect it’s the cancer that will finally take me out . . . but I’m definitely O.K. for now.
So, a streak of ambition has struck me! A hundred years ago, I received a BA degree in theology. Never did work in that field. After a number of unrelated jobs, and into my early 40s, I decided I needed a real career. Went back to college, got a BS and then a master’s in Earth sciences, followed by a PhD in geological and environmental sciences. Began teaching in 1989, so being a college professor in those subjects was my career until retirement in August, 2021. Was also the associate dean of the College of Science & Engineering at A&M-Commerce University for the last 11 years there.
That explains my vocation. My avocation (primary interest and side studies) has always been in theology. So . . . . . rather than spend my retirement years just sitting on the couch, I’m working on a second PhD, this time in theology! (Yeaaaa!) This is from the Institute of Lutheran Theology in Brookings, South Dakota which offers a fully on-line PhD program in theology. Classes are held via Microsoft Teams . . similar to Zoom . . so it’s much like being in a regular classroom. I took my first two classes this past spring semester, and am registered for a class for this summer starting in July.
Whether I’ll be able to finish the degree or not, who knows. That’s God’s business, not mine, and I’m willingly subject to it. Wish me well!
Chip
