It takes time. It is not to be rushed. But time is valuable. Time is fleeting. Most of the time we don’t have enough. Not me. Time is something I have. Time to heal. Time to write. Time to learn French. Time to cook. I love to cook. Tonight I will cook fries. Perfect french fries. Not frozen. Not ready made. Perfect fries require time, patience, potatoes and oil. Not coconut oil. Just to be clear, we use that for faces around here. No this is real oil. For real fries. Real good French fries are cooked not once, but twice. That is what makes them perfect. I don’t have enough to invite you all over. Perhaps another time.
Today started with friends. Jason, Bob and Pam. They brought lunch. They also brought laughter and fellowship from FOX. Lunch and laughter, a gift from great friends. It continued with Stuart and Hugo. You might remember Stuart. He brought chicken wings a few weeks back. Today he brought Hugo. A big British fella who tells very funny jokes about Willie Nelson. The day ends with my family and perfect French fries. A damn fine day. Other than the obvious. My face continues to heal. The cracking-peeling-bleeding phase is not fun. It hurts. It hurts to wash my face. It hurts to put oil on my face. It is not pretty. My friends don’t seem to notice. That is because they are my friends. That and let’s face it; I have never been pretty. I occasionally look in a mirror. I see my messed up face. But in time it will heal. Time and friends. I am thankful I have plenty of both.
Take some of your time, reach out to a friend. I spoke with my dear friend last night. Tom lives in Hong Kong but it was like we were back in Rio Terrace. Old fellas reliving old times. There is no substitute for history and time when it comes to friends…
Day 29. Thanks for stopping by.
God bless,
-Ian
Ian Leonard... 
Why is it bleeding now?
It just looks miserable!
Was the Jason, Jason Matheson. He is a great guy, too.
Hope time will pass quickly for you.
😸💕
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Soo glad to hear of all your friends stopping in to say hey! Doesn’t surprise me a bit you have so many!!! You should try sweet potato fries. They taste delicious if you bake them. Soo glad the chemo is over and in a few days the cracking will stop and the sub layers will come to the top. ❤️
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Thank you again for letting us come on your journey. Your a very special person. You are strong. God bless you Ian. 😊
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You said you have never been pretty. You said your friends didn’t seems to notice your cracked and bleeding face. That’s because you are BEAUTIFUL!!! Beautiful on the inside. Where it counts. We all see it. What is going on now is temporary. You will soon be back to that funny wisecracking uglypants wearing guy we all love. And we do all love you!!!
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Agreed here! Could not have said it better than Maureen Guido. Will be looking forward to seeing you on TV but you know, that blog? I would sure keep reading! Prayers and great wishes for fast healing.
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Stay strong….
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Almost done with this. Hand in there!
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Meant hang in there. Auto correct isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.
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Oh my goodness would love the recipe how to make your fries, we do it almost same way except cooking them twice?
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Once for 5 minutes with 300 degree oil…pull them out, crank the oil to 400 degrees and put em back in for another 5 minutes or until light golden brown. The double fry makes em crispy
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Your journey gives hope to others. Prayers and stay positive.
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Your face looks like you have survived the holocaust! Sincerely I don’t mean to be cruel but…hang in there!
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Good things take time. Perfect fries, can taste them. Perfect banana bread. Made today and gifted to someone to brighten their day. It’s what we all do. Make something perfect and share. Our best to you as you heal!
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WOW -You’ve done it now!! I will be expecting those delicious fries the next time I stop by after my 3 hour flight to check our your healing progress and make sure the cocoon is turning into the beautiful butterfly, as we know you will! Missed my coffee with you this morning but caught your message at cocktail hour and, Ian, it is a message and not just a blog! You’ve been amazing during your journey and I am soooo proud of you!
Love to all!
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Thank you Ginny! Lots of love waiting here for you!
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Prayers to you…..
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You are such an inspiration to many. Journaling your feelings and treatment and sharing with us is very meaningful for everyone. Love your positive perspective and your love of family and friends. Keep smiling and looking ahead with positive thoughts. God bless!
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Thanks for sharing your most important journey. You are an inspiration to the rest of us and make us see that there is always, always someone out there that is suffering way more than whatever we are personally experiencing at the moment. Take care and heal quickly. You got this Ian.
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You are still beautiful Ian, inside and out! You sharing your story with all of us is the most unselfish act ever! You are forever loved by so many, and I am one of them.
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Ouch! One day at a time my friend!😬
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Ian, don’t sell yourself short, you are a looker. You always will be. Please hurry and get back on the air. Miss seeing you. Maybe you should have a segment on the Buzz of your great cooking ability. I would love to watch that. Tell Jasper Hi from me and my Sara Jane.
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Didn’t know that you were going through this. My prayers are with you for a speedy and complete recovery. You are the reason I turn on the TV every evening at 9:30.
Get well my friend.
Dick
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