Nine bright shiners

OK - on to a different theme other than Genesis. However, who knows the source and the reference? Today is the ninth day. Did anyone notice I skipped eight? At some point I will have to figure yet another numbering scheme, or just abandon anything related to numbers. Today was follow-up. My life for the next month is to be lived in 10-minute increments, consistently increasing the amount of time I can talk. I have to wear a stop watch and time myself so I do not exceed the amount of time I am allowed to speak. Today I begin at one minute out of ten. Over the week-end I can increase it to two minutes, then three etc. until I get to five. Once I get to five minutes of allowed talking, then I can go back to work, which will be on August 24th. I must do speech exercises if I am home alone and not talking at the times I am allowed to talk. Next appointment with the doc is September 15th. Bad news - I may NOT sing before that date. On September 15th, provided I've done my recovery well, the doctor will release me to sing, and that should come back rather quickly. However, I was sternly warned that if I do NOT do a good job on this recovery, I will be hoarse for the rest of my life! Don't you think I am going to be strict and conservative!?!?! MOI? Old age is just more wonderful than anyone will ever let on!!!