Preventing Sunburn

Wearing my “Beako.”

My friend Sue epitomized sunscreen.
She guarded against any unseen—
Rays that might turn,
Her skin to sunburn.
Title for Sue is “The Prudent Queen.”

Is sunburn a “thing” for you?

I’ve been paying attention to my
Nose.

Did I tell you that my nose was site for
MOHS procedure, a small surgery.
Removing some skin cancer cells.

All well for removal and healing.
Now doing required care—
And, protecting my nose from sunshine.

You saw the picture of me wearing my
“Beako” to provide total nose shade.
Looks really dorky…and is really smart.

(Actually, my mother crafted her own nose protector:
Two squares of toilet paper draped over her nose,
Held down by her sunglasses.)

A day warm enough for Bob to sit out in sun on our balcony.

Reminds me of my bicycling friend, Sue,
Who rode the 1999 Cross Country trip with
Me and 25 others.

Sue was meticulous about
Daily protecting her
Fair-complexion skin,
As we pedaled the 3,000 miles.

Sue always wore long-sleeved bike shirt.
Leg coverings cut from heavy-weight white pantyhose
Tucked under edges of her bike shorts.
Ears and entire face coated with zinc oxide,
A very thick, heavy, white stuff … like toothpaste.

One hot and wilting sunny afternoon,
Biking across AZ,
Passing near a Reservation.
Sue and I stopped for ice cream.

Stepped into air-conditioned ice cream shop,
Crowded with people from the area.
Mostly First Nation folks.

A little boy about four-years-old,
Darting around the room,
Past elders, other kids, adults,
Grabbing at coat-tails,
Mischievously giggling.

He came to us,
Saw Sue and went
Wide-eyed and screeching
To his mother.

“Mama, Mama—
I saw a real white man—
Only it was a white lady.”

He had seen Sue.
Indeed she fit that description.
“White Lady.”

Sixty days of crossing the Southern States.
No sunburn for Sue.

Remember possible consequences
Of extended sun-time.

Be kind to yourself.

Hugs.
Lin

P.S. Sue was fearless in her protective coverings during rides.
But unwilling to be photographed at those times.
No pics of my friend “No-Sun-Sue.”

Egg dying class. Help from teacher

Fun! I like dying Easter eggs.