Three Beautiful Things 07-08-2025: "You're Just Chill", My Reward, Couscous Stir Fry

1. For some reason, one that I can't explain, but that is a huge relief, having needles inserted into my skin and veins doesn't bother me at all.

I couldn't begin to say how many times I've had blood drawn in the last ten years. Since 2015, every month I was active on the transplant list, I had blood drawn at least once a month and, since the transplant, I've never gone more than two weeks before it was time for another blood draw. 

Right now, I'm on a weekly schedule. 

I bring this up because twice in the last three weeks, the person poking me had trouble getting the vein they chose to cooperate. 

The first time was when I got my first steroid infusion.

The second time was today. 

Today the guy at Kootenai made two unsuccessful stabs, one in each arm, and then he did the right thing.

He found the woman who drew my blood a week ago. She remembered exactly where she'd poked me last week, repeated that poke, and PRESTO! my blood flowed generously out into the vials. 

I've had this same experience in Eugene, Springfield, Greenbelt, Kellogg, Spokane, and now Coeur d' Alene. 

Each time the first (or second or third) attempt didn't work, I was unruffled, patient, trusting, and calm -- and, as I believed would happen, each time things worked out fine.

The woman who succeeded today apologized for my trouble when she was done. 

I responded, "It's no problem."

I liked it when she then said, "You're just chill, aren't you?"

"I guess so."

2. I had one more deposit to provide for the lab.

I succeeded. 

Ah! 

Then I purchased my modest reward.

I strolled just outside Lab Services to Big Blue Coffee. 

I hadn't eaten for nearly thirteen hours and I didn't drink any black coffee before I hit the road this morning. 

So I was primed to snack on a chocolate croissant and sip a 16 oz latte.

They made me very happy.

3. Back home, inspired by today's successful phlebotomist, I chilled. 

My most ambitious accomplishments were reading some more Lonesome Dove and fixing another terrific stir fry in the wok, this time combining shrimp, broccoli, onion, yellow pepper, green beans, and couscous. 

I filled a bowl and topped my creation with a combination of Hoison sauce and Soy sauce. 

It worked.