Draggin' butt today . . oh well . . .

I think the humid weather is getting to me; feeling torpid and dull. But . . . I did win a game of cribbage this morning. My cousine from Moosup came for a short time and we got in one game; that's about my max concentration! It was a close game but I managed to pull out the win. We were having lousy hands. She had two hands where she came up empty. The best hand the entire game was my sixteen; that was it. We didn't make any more dates but if I want to play she told me to call even if it's last minute and she'll try to come over. I'm not in the mood for too much driving yet.

P&D's Pop brought me to the eye doctor's yesterday because my eyes have been messed up lately. Well I guess major surgery can make cataracts get bad fast! My right eye will have to have the cataract removed but I'll wait until I see Dr. Foley in mid August to find out when that will be feasible. It may take six months, qui sait? I didn't get new glasses because that would be a waste. I'll just hold off until I can get it taken care of.

Not much going on today. Think I'll try a bit of very slow exercising and maybe try to get a photo of the flowering tree my cousin gave me years ago and the deer have finally left alone!

Pretty neat . . .

Well, this has been pretty fantastique. I actually went downstairs this morning. Doesn't seem like much but I consider it a great accomplishment. The Doctors said I shouldn't walk on hills but I can do stairs as long as I don't pull myself up using the bannister. I've already been upstairs for shits  and giggles and so today I tackled the basement. I had a couple of cards to mail out so I had the perfect excuse to use the basement door and not walk down the hill. You know what? The basement really looks good. P&D's Pop has a nice bright workshop/hangar down there. I'm afraid he'll still have to do the washes as most of them weigh over ten pounds and I would be fearful of going down or up those narrow cement stairs with any kind of package what so ever. But it feels good to know I can get all over the house, slowly, but I can do it.

We went shopping at Big Y this morning and although I am pooped it went pretty well. I just find what we need and P&D's Pop puts it in the carriage, pushes the cart to the checkout and then it all goes in the trunk and he also has to take it in the house. Once it's in the house I can unpack it myself and put it away; so I am a little useful!

Younger brother and his wife dropped off some home made chicken soup and fresh blueberries yesterday, late afternoon. They stayed for a nice visit before going on their way to Bald Hill to celebrate 44 years of wedded bliss. Now, that is very cool. Think I'll take a rest in an hour or so. Feeling pretty damned good.

17 days . . . Incroyable . . .

Unbelievable that as of yesterday I had gone 17 days without the comforting motion of my garage swing but yesterday I conquered my trepidation and luxuriated, basked in its comfort. It was a superior moment. I also managed to get photos of our flowers and the day before I actually caught a Bluebird taking a bath in the stagnant water inside the Tamarak stump. What a great day

Made two Doctors smile this week when I told them I believe I will be 62 years old by the time I finish getting over this wild and wooly surgery. They were both very happy as am I. P&D's Pop told Dr. Foley that he would now be married to a younger woman and Dr. Foley said, "There's nothing wrong with that!" What a witty bunch. But I'm happy we're doing so well.

I decided to try my wings today and drove to the Credit Union to get the tax payment then went to the Town Hall to pay the taxes. I did fine but found out it was too much. Now I know that the mind is willing but the body is most certainly not ready. Both doctors said it takes 10 to 12 weeks to get back to normal so I've got to remember that I was discharged from the hospital two weeks ago and they count the days from discharge.

Danny's Depot Diner is now open in Central Village. They haven't even advertised yet and they're doing fine.We had breakfast there yesterday and it was very good. P&D's Pop brought them some rhubarb from the garden today; I was too pooped to tag along. I think I learned a good lesson this morning. I've got plenty of time to strengthen up and I must take it all.

Wow, Fourth of July present . . .

I am so impressed and happy. Puppies and Dante's Pop has completed the installation of the garage door opener/closer. I will keep one control in the car and one in the house just to keep it simple and easy. I'm not driving yet and at this point in time I'm not interested in driving nor do I have permission from the doctor. Besides still not being near to snuff I'm not sure the pills are conducive to being on the road nor is my physical comfort. Definitely need some time. But I am getting better every day and I believe I actually slept for two hours in a row last night and got up at 6:45am - progress noted.

Had a very good and happy visit with middle child and grandson yesterday. They brought me a black and white milkshake which tasted salubrious.Kiddo also did a few odd jobs for me and ate raspberries right from the bushes. Can't believe he'll be 11 years old in about a month. It seems that he will be losing quite a few kids from his class at Sacred Heart for a number of reasons. Looks like he'll be down to about 15 kids. I know he'll miss his best friend whose Mom was a para-professional at Sacred Heart and found out after school closed for the summer that she was being put on very limited hours for next year. She can't make ends meet that way so her two boys will go to Cutler Middle School. A couple of the kids are leaving for the Saint Bernard Middle School. Mais c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas? I told him the kids would still be his friends and with fewer students in sixth grade they should be able to get a lot more interesting studies in depth. Here's hoping I'm right. I despise the way this foolish, ego-maniac bishop runs the Catholic schools in our diocese. What a useless man we have at the helm. I wish they would give us a nice new Polish bishop direct from Poland. They're pretty savvy yet old fashioned about kids' upbringing, at least from my observations which are admittedly limited. Middle child looks and sounds wonderful. The new old job seems really interesting and she'll be doing some traveling - starting out with a four day trip to Louisiana! Perhaps she and big brother will get a chance to get together. That would be exciting.

P&D's Pop is trying to get some flying in before the rain. He had a bad crash a couple of days ago and can't save the plane but the engine is okay so I think there will be some  building in the basement hangar this Winter!

Pain . . .

If you imagine a human shape drawn out on graph paper in proper proportions and then imagine the mid section from the navel to the neck burning, not flames but a metal burn and on this section of the graph the technician has added all possible interstices and you may get a feel for the pain at every point, especially noticeable when a body is in a prone position. On rising, walking, standing and sitting the pain is greatly reduced and almost forgettable especially if there are beautiful birds to be seen out jet setting between the feeders and trees. You know and appreciate that you are still a precious human being that the Lord has favored, why? who knows but He has, and that's perfect for moi.

Without P&D's Pop I could never be on the recovery road as I am. I don't even feel sorry for myself just grateful that the nurses and doctors in my life have been so astute in helping me grow up. It's a wild journey and though arduous, torturous and painful it's a Wow ride. Life is full of changes, love and good people. I am thankful. I am thankful for P&D's Pop and the three children we share and all they have brought into our lives. Je vous remercie, mon doux Seigneur.

No longer a garage door opener . . .

It's so odd to know that soon, when I get permission to drive again, I will have an automatic garage door opener. P&D's Pop ordered one from Amazon and did some preliminary work getting ready for the installation. I suggested he put one in for his door too but he is declining to do so which doesn't surprise me, naturellement. I don't think I would be able to open one of those doors for a very long time. Not sure when I'll get permission to drive but it will be helpful not to have to wait for P&D's Pop to do all of the work. The visiting nurse will come this afternoon to check out how I'm doing. I think she will be well pleased. Oneco friend dropped by yesterday with a basket of African Violets. So thoughtful and appreciated. P&D's Pop has already gone shopping at Big Y this morning. He's getting good at this stuff! We've been watching Fraiser in the evenings - laughing is good for what ails you.

Mentholated pain . .

Well I'm beginning to feel a bit more like my old self every day.  Underwent a pretty important medical procedure almost two weeks ago. It was a life altering affair. I believe that when I am pretty much recovered and on to a three day a week regimen of exercise I shall feels as if I am no longer 72 years old but 62. I already feel pretty enthusiastic, tired, hurting but doing fine. The doctors and their teams are so incredibly perfect in their jobs. I can't fathom where some super intelligent, hard working people can accomplish so much in the medical field. You really do have to thank the Lord of heaven and earth for creating human beings with such magnificent capabilities.