Escape is in sight

Tomorrow is a much anticipated day!  For nearly a month I have worn a lovely green cast on my lower left leg.  Tomorrow, I have an appointment to have it removed.  I know fiberglass is lighter than the old plaster casts, but trust me it is cumbersome when trying to adjust position in bed at night and arising from a chair...or a bench or a booth.  At times I must make more than one attempt to stand up.  It's as though I must rock and bounce to make my functional leg gain balance and lift my abundant carcass up!  Crutches are a pain to perch around a table or booth in a restaurant in a place where they do not create a hazard for others attempting to pass.  Zelda Green has been handy at home when I must haul things around the house, but getting her in and out of the car is not a skill we have mastered.  A friend suffered a crash with a similar device and added another six weeks to her recovery after breaking her OTHER foot in the mishap.  With that in mind, I am overly cautious when driving her around the house.

Crutches are not without hazard.  I have stubbed my toes (extended out beyond the front of the cast) on door facings, stomped them with my crutch and hit them on table supports when trying to sit.  When all my fractures are healed, I may require intervention for my toes.  It would appear I am sorely in need of a pedicure, but I fear my black and blue toes will not tolerate any poking and rubbing! A good soaking may be my only indulgence once the green accessory is removed!  Ah, come on tomorrow!

Optimism

I feel as though I'm moving in slow motion this morning.  My head feels a little foggy and the beginning of a headache greeted me as I awoke.  I slogged around and finally took an anti-inflammatory medication to stave off the headache symptoms.  A review of my finger and toe nails forced me to face the reality that it's probably time to renew my grooming. The sky is cloudy outside...OK, that must be the source of my malaise!  I know we still crave rain in Texas, but rain seldom makes me smile.  I love sunshine and warmth...lots of warmth.

Packing a month's worth of clothing, toiletries and other necessities should be my agenda for today.  I can prepare to travel quickly though and I want to enjoy my home time today...now where IS that sun?  I think I'll go get a manicure and pedicure and maybe the sun will be out by the time I'm done!

Warming

Hill Country is absolutely beautiful this summer.  Today was very hot, but I love the feel of warmth on my face in the early morning and the heat later in the day.  As frustrating as my timing became, I still reveled in the summer heat.  My plan to go smack some golf balls at the driving range was derailed when Ol' Abner awoke and reminded me of morning errands we needed to run.  My thoughts had included them for a bit later, but off we went.  A stop at his favorite breakfast taco spot derailed my resolution to eat a light diet today.  As temperatures climbed, we traveled to the big warehouse store in my favorite shopping triangle, made our purchases and headed down the freeway toward home.  Seemed a waste to me that all my shops were bypassed.  Ol' Abner exited and turned back a few exits up the road and I thought maybe my shops weren't to be neglected, but alas, he was going back to the sporting goods store where he always needs something. Plants needed water when we returned home and again, I enjoyed the warm breeze my husband references as a "blast furnace"!  I finished a few housekeeping tasks, folded some laundry and considered an afternoon nap (as in lazy hazy days of summer)  The dog lay in the afternoon sun outside...she gets it.  Ol' Abner took a nap.  We left the house again to meet friends for an evening meal.  Hardtime Man will be the same age as Ol' Abner tomorrow.  We celebrated tonight at our favorite Italian Restaurant.  As we drove across the Ranch Road leading to our rendezvous, I noticed the beauty of the drive through the hills.  The sun, low in the sky, cast shadows and highlights on the landscape.  I wish everyone could view this as I do.  It's the place in the world that makes me love the heat!

Showtime

My neighbor had passes for a movie and free beverage.  When she offered to share, I chipped in for lunch and drove.  She usually prefers to leave her pampered vehicle in the garage and mine lives outside anyway.  I'm glad she's back from a two month long visit to another state.  This has been our first outing since she returned and I told her how much I had missed her presence across the street.  I think we may need to resume our daily exercise reminder affiliation in order to avoid stress in our lives.  Yes, that would be a good idea.  Yesterday was refreshing.

After a stroll through the mall on a window shopping trek, we cruised up the road to a sandwich place and shared a light lunch.  At the mega plus grocery store next door with a little time to kill, we wandered through the store and tasted samples of food and wine.  At the Movie and Eatery theater we picked up our complimentary drink (an Icee) at the concession counter and proceeded to settle into our seats in an empty theater just as the previews began.  Sitting in the center of the room we brazenly propped our feet on the rail in front and chattered during the previews and ads.  We loved the hilarious movie, laughing out loud and making snide comments at some of the antics. In fact, we had the place to ourselves, quite a change from my opening day trip with daughter and her family last week.  We were six people filling half a row in a full theater watching Ironman3 action.  Neighbor and I were solitary viewers watching The Big Wedding.  As we left, we stopped to ask if we could return next week for another "private showing" of the new release.

For today, I may need to return to the world of responsible behavior (at least for a day)  The pantry and fridge  must be restocked after my hiatus from cooking.  A grocery trip for more than tasting and strolling must happen now, but perhaps a call to my friend for a little work out would make the day go more smoothly.

It's a Clear Day...I think

I have to wonder if my mind is regressing or progressing.  Things that bothered me terribly at one time no longer have much impact.  There was a time when derogatory comments from others would bring on serious introspection.  No more do I even give it a second thought. In fact, I'm not sure what comment brought that thought to the surface.  Clearly, it did not have the desired effect.

My housekeeping style has never been overly immaculate.  In earlier years, I panicked at the arrival of an unexpected visitor if my house was in flux.  My theory today, a welcome guest doesn't arrive to inspect my house, but to see the people within.  If that's not the case, that guest probably isn't  welcome regardless of the tidiness of the homeplace.  I clear the piles of projects in progress and stacks of unattended mail before a planned event, but frequent visitors don't even seem notice their presence.  Have I regressed into clutter?

My multi-tasking ability has stymied many.  I may appear to be procrastinating to some because I do not focus on a project until action is necessary.  Planning, making lists, discussing, accumulating data and repeating the process two or three times holds little satisfaction for me.  Long ago I discovered plans frequently change several times within the scope of dream to commitment to completion.  Seems like a waste of time that could be better spent with more urgent activity.  Colleagues have been known to bring in an army of helpers when I failed to display tangible evidence of commitment to the dream.  It took several years before I learned to tactfully explain that matters were well under control.  Even Ol' Abner has learned not to mention it, but move out of my way when the time comes for action.  I guess that could be called progress.

Today I am much more cognizant of how I feel about circumstances than what I think others may perceive.  I know what I like and what I want. No one can make it happen better than me!

Chance?

I suppose it's time to go to "page 2" of the Mayan calendar.  One could wonder if that second page is hidden in the depths of a lost cave, perhaps along with the third and subsequent pages.  I've laughed and often been horrified at the serious speculative planning for the "end of the world".  My favorite comparison was a side by side photo of the calendar and an Oreo cookie.  Some clever soul determined that the Oreo stamping instructed us to Be Happy, Don't Worry...or You have nothing to fear.  My family has always suffered a fondness for this simple cookie. It's been a difficult month and focusing on the ridiculous has provided a bridge over the hectic painful days.

Dysfunction as a normal state is not pleasant.  Awful events in the news, plans at home seeming to run awry daily, items ordered and lost in transit, treasures stored so well as never to be found and a general feeling of unrest have dampened my joy.  Christmas decorations are displayed and outdoor lights are hung around the eaves of the house.  It looks festive, but under it all lies chaos.

Yesterday I strolled into a coffee shop in the neighborhood and was greeted warmly by the proprietor.  She whipped up my order with a smile and a bit of lively conversation.  I left with my warm latte and scone feeling much lighter.  The remainder of the day progressed smoothly and all my planned errands were completed easily.

This morning the urge to repeat the treat to my tastebuds was strong.  The barista greeted me with a smile and asked if I'd like my same order repeated.  She called each customer coming in by name and offered to whip up their usual morning beverage.  As she chattered away and produced wonderful aromas I talked with other customers.  It's a happening place and my sense of comfort seemed to be shared by those awaiting their order.

Next stop was the post office where I was told my long lost package was on the carriers delivery today.  Oh glory be!  A call from Ol' Abner confirmed the delivery of the package as I pulled out of the parking lot.  The package had been damaged and rewrapped.  My heart sank.  Back home, I looked at the shambles of the wrapping.  Strangely, none of the contents evidenced a trace of damage.  Relieved, no...thrilled at this twist, I headed for the mall to finish my last bit of shopping.  A full parking lot with cars circling frantically for an empty berth would normally be reason enough to turn around and go home.  I drove the first row of cars slowly almost passing a car backing out.  My car was just far enough to need to reverse if I wanted the parking spot.  Another car was a distance behind that I could have forced the issue, but for some reason I felt like being polite. I smiled as she waved after I moved forward allowing her to park.  A lady with a load of shopping bags met me at the end of the lane and motioned to me.  She told me she was about to leave and if I would circle around she would wait to get in her car until I could return.  My benefactor had provided me with a spot at the end of the row directly in front of the store entrance.  Every crowded store had an open cashier just as I approached with my purchases.  Two items on my list were the last on the shelf when I arrived to collect them.

I may stop in for another latte tomorrow!

Seasons

Autumn! Ahhh! Yes I love the cooler breezy days of autumn.  In the Texas hill country, falling leaves aren't much of a problem since the oaks here are mostly of the Live Oak variety and shed lightly year round.  I miss the spectacular views afforded by Ozark forests as they change to the fiery colors of fall.  Sitting on my screened porch watching the treetops or enjoying the morning sun from the treehouse with my first cup of coffee made this such a special season.  I wonder if Mountain Girl is over her cold and enjoying those beautiful moments as much as I did.  From my new windows, the outdoors look much like a summer morning.  The sun is bright and golfers and joggers are still wearing shorts as they make their way down my street.  A closer look reveals no apparent sweat.  It must be cooler outside.  A walk doesn't mean getting out at dawn to avoid heatstroke. Oh yes! Autumn is here.

Who stoppped the rain...oh wait, might have been me!

It would seem I've spent the last couple of years complaining about the volume of raindrops falling on this mountain.  My friends in Texas chastised me from time to time as they wished for just a bit of water on their parched landscape.  My griping has come back to haunt me.  We are experiencing a drought in the Ozarks unlike any since the dust bowl years.  The little pond around the corner with constant level of water has dried up completely.  The lake level is below pool and the anticipated spring rains were almost non-existent.  All my neighbors are complaining about the heat and dying plants.  Our morning walks have been earlier to avoid the heat.

The lesson learned here...be careful where you place your wishes, they just might come  true.  Now I hear myself wishing for rain!

Chirp, Chirp, Chill

Bluebirds and woodpeckers were everywhere yesterday as I walked through the wooded area or our little town.  Sightings of these early harbingers of spring made me smile.  Hopeful that warmer days couldn't be far away, I indulged in several hours outdoors.   Plants in the yard have been trimmed and watered.  Dead sprouts have been cut back or shredded.  My mood was sunny all day long.

Not so today.  Weather forecast listed cooler temperatures, but not this!  It's almost noon and the fog hasn't yet lifted.  At 33 degrees, weather app says it feels like 27.  I agree!  I thought maybe a walk would make me feel better, but opening the front door to the "outdoor refrigerator" was all the chill my aging bones would endure.

Hope those little bluebirds are faring better than this humble birdwatcher.  I guess I'll just stay inside and knit today.  Warm socks may be needed soon.

Westward Ho

It was time to take Pappy home to his little lake in West Texas. Sometimes we just drive him home and other times we continue on with a short visit after he is comfortably deposited in his own space. I have suffered from a hankerin' to visit Santa Fe for several years and finally stomped my foot and demanded that Ol' Abner come along with me. It took him several weeks to warm to the idea...until I was able to find a favorite outlaw there. A former family member, removed by divorce but kept close in our hearts, turned up with a website when searching on a social network. I promptly fired off an e-mail hoping to hear back from her before we left home. It was less than a day until her reply appeared.

Some connections never end and my Mammy loved this one. The outlaw, formerly cuz-in-law, brought such joy to my mother during her time in our family. When the divorce was final, our attachment didn't end. Over ten years have passed since she accompanied us to the "Little Cabrito" canyon in New Mexico to scatter my mother's ashes. We corresponded by e-mail a time or two afterward and I lost track when a Christmas card I sent was returned and we moved, acquiring a new e-mail address.

Her reply to my missive included an invitation to not only see them while we were in Santa Fe but to stay at their home. We accepted and arrived to open arms that immediately were familiar. So many changes in the last ten years had little impact on the connection to this vibrant exciting woman. Now we are the grandmothers and our children live in many different cities. Our husbands have all gray hairs on their heads. We choose to mask our gray a bit. A late night visit after the fellows adjourned to their beds, brought laughter and a tear or two. She lost her mother just months ago and the knowledge that my mother was available to welcome her into heaven gave great comfort. Her father suffers from Alzheimers and she was saddened to hear that Pappy is no longer mentally sharp. The more things change...the more they stay the same. That tune floats in my mind with a certain satisfaction that things that matter really never change.

On our way to Santa Fe, we hopscotched up North a bit to have a meal with my sis and her husband, on to spend a night and visit with an uncle and aunt. The following morning we continued on to stop for a call on another uncle and aunt before following the highway south into Santa Fe. As we traveled home, a stop in the city where I grew up, allowed us to spend a night with good friends since college days. I think I'll write about that tomorrow. Right now I just want to indulge in the delightful memories of our time in Santa Fe and thoughts of my mother. Amazing...gone from home over a week and not one night in a hotel, my mother would be proud!

Water

Officially, I am a year older having celebrated a birthday last week. That's the least of the story. On the day prior to my planned celebration, Ol' Abner mentioned that he was having difficulty seeing from his left eye. He mentioned this as we were hauling a plastic draped load of furniture on an open trailer from another city in a deluge. He was a little sketchy with the details in one of those "how-can-you-be-so-dense" responses when I questioned the depth of his condition. He has a cataract and recently diagnosed AMD. Since he could still see the little spot in the center of the eye chart posted on the fridge, he vehemently ruled out the possibility that the trouble was anything more than progression of the cataract. The water pouring from the sky caused all other discussion to be postponed. The following day was blessed with rain predictions never fulfilled. We drove over to a nearby city, enjoyed a walk along the water, shopped a bit, then indulged in a delightful dinner. During our leisurely drive home he alluded to flashing and big "floaters" appearing regularly in the field of vision on his left...OH..OH..OH! Relating some of the danger signs listed when researching his condition and the admonition from the medical pros to call immediately if any of that list should occur, I urged him to call for an appointment in the optical lab. He admitted to not wanting to dampen the enjoyment of my birthday celebration and since he had a scheduled foot appointment for today, he had planned to call for a consult in the optical clinic. HMMMMM. Arriving home after regular clinic hours he promised to call Friday morning. I reminded him again, and again and he finally gave up procrastination and called around noon. Response from the optical clinic was "COME RIGHT NOW!". We jumped in the car and drove through sprinkling rain and ever increasing holiday traffic. It's just over a three hour drive via winding mountain roads to the medical center responsible for his care. The diagnosis: Detached Retina (specifically two holes with liquid leaking around them) resulting with vision in the eye in imminent danger. This was not the dreaded Age-related Macular Degeneration changing from "Dry" to "Wet", but equally as threatening. The staff sprang into action, photographing his inner eye, poking it hither and yon, letting him look at charts he couldn't read and then scrambling him into a ready and waiting OR for lazer "tacking". Spring forward to today. His scheduled appointment was conveniently piggy backed with the follow-up from the Friday. He was right about that at least. We left home in sprinkly rain drops and damp roads. On the first hill exiting our town, an oncoming pick-up truck came around the corner in a sideways skid and very nearly helped us over the other side of the mountain. Rain intermittently poured or drizzled all three hours of travel and two more near misses by hydroplaning, sliding and skidding vehicles had us totally on edge. Torrents of water drenching the car made me feel like I needed a towel inside. I really don't like to travel in rain, so it could be said I was in a never ending nightmare. Tonight we are safely home, dry, and thankful for a good progress report on Ol' Abner's eye. Now if all this water will just soak on in and go on into the lake. It could be worse. Tornados are tracing around friends and family in Texas. Enough water everywhere!

Dog Talk

Our Dog is always spelled with a capital D. She is a member of the family and joyful companion. Returning from a ten day trip thru several cities, we were greeted happily by our favorite four legged creature. As she exited the kennel where she slept for over a week, her enthusiasm on seeing us did not prevent her from touching noses with her newfound friends in neighboring kennels. She always turns to the kennel keepers and offers a big sloppy kiss as she leaves. This Dog knows and appreciates the loving care she receives while staying with them. She always gets the spa treatment (bath and her nails) on the day before we are coming home, and she recognizes that marker. We are told she becomes overly vigilant after that time, so care is taken to be sure we are enroute before beginning that level of care. They are aware Belle is truly a people lover and craves human companionship. She is also very social with her canine counterparts. She participates in all the doggie group activities, earning the tag of "social director", but often comes into the grooming area to keep the owners, groomers, and their children company. They tell us she has a calming influence on some of the rowdier critters...hmm. That surprised us. Her enthusiasm when first meeting someone new often scares the recipient and I was concerned that she might jump on the young toddler there. Nope, she is ever congnizant of the little one and usually places herself between the child and the half door when a stranger approaches. They tell me she never barks from the salon area...strange, in that anyone approaching our house or even walking by generates a loud bark alarm from her.

Multiple budding plant species certainly stirred my allergies as we traveled. By the time we arrived at home, I was sniffling, sneezing, hacking and coughing. Miserable would be a bit of an understatement. After collecting Belle, we came home and I just collapsed with a pile of tissues, decongestants and expectorants. She took Ol' Abner on his late afternoon walk, then settled in beside my chair. With each round of snorting and coughing, she would rise up and put her head on the arm of my chair, with no verbal disturbance, her eyes said it all. If you have never looked into the eyes of a concerned Laborador Retriever, the nurturing effect of same will be lost. I was constantly reassured that it would get better and she would be here for the duration.

Monday Ol' Abner had to make a trip to the capital city for a dental appointment. I usually accompany him on those treks and Belle stays to "watch the house". She gladly accepts her "cookie" as we leave and and offers an enthusiastic welcome as we return. Sometimes we are away as much as nine or ten hours, and she has never had an accident or destroyed anything in the house in our absence. After all, it's HER house too. Since I was in no condition to be exposed to the outside world, he gave a treat and told her to "watch the house and take care of Mom". She did just that. All day long, she either lay in his chair, on the sofa where she could look out the window, or by my chair. Not one word out of her until Ol' Abner called to let me know he was headed for home. She barked at a walking neighbor during that call. Every day she expects to walk in the morning and in the afternoon, makes several treks outside to inspect her yard, and campaigns loudly for a ride in the morning and afternoon. This is her routine. I fully expected to have an argument with her about such. Not one time did she demand I come out of my cozy place to attend to her. While aware of my presence, she made no requests. When she saw Ol' Abner driving up, she welcomed him loudly and ran downstairs to greet him. It was a little after "walk time" and she expected him to deliver. They walked, she loudly demanded her ride, then asked for dinner right at her usual time. Amazingly intuitive, she seems to know when to ask and when to refrain. I was grateful for her company all day, but amazed at her ability to put aside her needs to just be with me.

Whrrrrr......

Who would have thought the sound of a shop vac would bring such joy? After many dreary days with gray skies, bitter cold winds and temperatures in the teens and twenties, I was thrilled to hear Ol' Abner out on the screened deck clearing the winter dust from the boards. We opened the sliding door from the dining room and allowed the fresh air to dare us to hope that spring might be coming. I refuse to allow any other speculation to surface.