Days Like These
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Posted:Mar 2, 2022 6:46 pm
Last Updated:Mar 28, 2022 10:07 am 5172 Views
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One of my grandfather's favorite sayings was, "You will never be given trials that are greater than your strengths".
I was given a choice today. I could take some steroids mixed with pain medications and limp along being basically handicapped, or under go a painful and exhausting surgery and recovery process, possibly regaining more use of my left arm or possibly gaining nothing.
Being pigheaded I chose months of pain and exhaustion for a smidgeon of hope and gain. In the end, if I do not win, I will lost nothing but time and I will know, I at least tried.
I am happy I chose still my house, I am a mile from everything...or less. Roughly a mile though from the fun stuff. I can do this and keep good spirits, because I goals. Recovery is always going be first and foremost, but secondary...this is the first time I had so much training available for two of my most heartfelt charity runs. In the past I had chose one or the other of my favorite charity runs, because they are but a week apart. I can run, but I need recovery in between, but this year. I all the training time in the world, plus I walk everywhere because I can't drive.
By fall, I should be able run both events  . is always a bright side.
When life hands you lemons, screw the lemonade, make limoncello and throw a party!
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Prayers for Rachel
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Posted:Feb 26, 2022 4:27 am
Last Updated:Feb 26, 2022 4:05 pm 5286 Views
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Hey I was scrolling trough a members blog and saw a photo that reminded me of this piece. Prayers going out to Rachel, I hope recovering goes well.
One of my father's friends and a member of hid congregation has been going through the end stages of cancer. this week I hand made a card for her husbands birthday, she was unsure if she could last long enough to share it with him. I also shared with them a very special song that is not even released yet called, A Last Goodbye. Written during the care of a cancer patient by the nurse.
I wish great healing for your friend.
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P is for Peaches and Ponies and Paddling
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Posted:Feb 25, 2022 6:36 am
Last Updated:Feb 25, 2022 1:44 pm 5449 Views
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Photo Friday P
Precious things.
Peaches, This picture is of one of the three peach trees along my drive at Ridge Street. I met more neighbors through those trees than I think I have met people in my life. The trees were on sale, far past a good time to plant for just $5 each. I took the chance and wow did it pay. My neighbors knew all were welcome to partake. I hope the new owner of the home feels the same and shares. Other things my neighbors were free to glean were pears, apples, grapes, blackberries, and rhubarb.
Ponies, I cannot tell you how many times a little curly top strawberry blonde would ride this bouncy pony to the point of sleep, fall off and lay sleeping in the grass. If past lives are a thing, I may have worked for the Pony Express in one of mine.
Paddling, My and I have Kayaks, we love exploring little lakes and here you can find them all over. This is a little lake we use for another P word, Practice. We do rolls and flips, and practice uprighting ourselves. Hopefully that offers Protection from accidents.
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It Is The Way Life Works
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Posted:Feb 24, 2022 8:45 am
Last Updated:Feb 25, 2022 9:01 am 5578 Views
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Single acts of kindness are like seeds, they grow to blossom into beautiful gardens.
I remember a psych class in college where our instructor challenged us. We were to commit an act of kindness that was not rewarded. Then write an essay about it.
My act of kindness was carrying groceries for an older woman that lived in a friends apartment complex. It lessened her burden that day. As we walked around the back of the building she talked after a few trips we were no longer strangers, but aquaintences.
Wild apple trees were blooming and they smelled gorgeous. Trilliums to could be seen on the edge of the woods behind the buildings, which reminded me of home. The task complete, we said our good byes, never to see each other again. I walked back along the path to the parking lot. I took deep breaths as if I could inhale the fragrance of those flowers forever. My eyes delighted as I watched sun drops dance across the leaves to the rhythm of soft breezes. The warmth of the sun against my skin. the coolness of gentle winds. I got to my car and headed home with such pleasant thoughts racing in my mind.
Later that night, everything fresh in my mind, I wrote my essay. instead of writing about an act of kindness being unrewarded, I wrote it was impossible not to be rewarded. Rewards come in so many ways. My reward was the woods, the flowers, an exchange of conversation, the chance to make life a little easier for someone. What difference can that make? It was a few moments on a pleasant afternoon in my college days, I am fifty four now. I just realized while typing this, you really can inhale the fragrance of blossoms and keep them for a lifetime.
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Built Yooper Tough
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Posted:Feb 21, 2022 8:39 am
Last Updated:Feb 21, 2022 6:46 pm 5620 Views
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I am not a "Yooper". I know some of you never expected to hear those words, not from me. I have lived in the U.P. longer than anyplace on this earth, but that really doesn't count. A "Yooper" must be born in the U.P. Sometimes I think even if you are born here if you leave for too long your status goes under review. The people that feel that way are the old timers and they come by it naturally.
There is a war between residents of Upper Michigan and people from lower Michigan, "Trolls", because they live under the bridge. For some odd reason, Trolls think that our economy entirely depends on their tourist dime, no one has any other job here but to kiss troll booty to get that dime. Most of their precious dimes are spent at state parks or state facilities, the money from which goes to the state government who tends to treat the UP much like the proverbial red-headed step . So...the dispersement of any funds back to us is certainly not in proportion to the work people here put into them being obtained.
How do "Yoopers" earn money if not from the generosity of "Trolls" ? Jobs, industry, colleges, you'd be amazed. I am a nurse and an artist in the world market. Who are some of our residents? Famous writers, actors, musicians, politicians, magnificent artists in every trade, all of them enjoying life, because you can here.
This is a small "local" sample of a global attitude that is toxic. People who know little more than where the ice cream parlor is, trying to make decisions for a community, because of things they heard at a bar, spewed by a drunk who has never been there. We live it here, daily. It causes hostilities. It creates bad blood.
No one knows a country better than its own people. They have to deal with self serving government officials like we all do. It takes time....stupid amounts of it.
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O is for Octopus
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Posted:Feb 18, 2022 7:13 am
Last Updated:Feb 19, 2022 4:56 am 5525 Views
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This is Oscar he was painted a few years back by my dear friend (extra ) David Munroe, Scottish Impressionist.
I cannot give you the back story as eloquently as David did, but I will give it a sporting try.
Octopi are amazing creatures. Look them up, watch videos you will grow to love them as much as puppies. As amazing as they are, octopi spend their entire lives hidden, camouflaged, hiding from danger, from those creatures who would hurt them. In this painting our dear Oscar finds a mirror and holding it up, is able to see himself for the first time in his life, bumps, barnacles, and all for the beautiful creature he truly is.
I think we all need a bit of the self realization that Oscar comes to in the painting. barnacles and all, we are each unique and beautiful creatures.
Look up more of David's art, It is truly gorgeous. Most of all, take a good long look in the mirror...you are gorgeous!
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MRI's and Time
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Posted:Feb 16, 2022 9:51 am
Last Updated:Feb 17, 2022 11:18 am 5342 Views
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February 15, I finally had the MRI on the left shoulder. They gave lots of information. It was good to have answers. there certainly was considerable damage done. so now we truly have an example of how knowledge is power. surgery is being scheduled, and after that more physical therapy but this time much better results will be attainable.
what bothers me is , how many times in situations like mine are people told there is no damage, when there certainly is.
I had the means to pay for a needed test that was denied based on recommendations by a major hospital. Many couldn't do that. I will eventually be reimbursed, many would not know that they can do that either.
What do we learn? don't take anything for a fact in the medical world, if you need an answer sometimes, you have to go back and find the right question. When I read the over 400 page report from the hospital, I noticed they did not do an MRI. The significance being, it is also the only test that would enable them to assess the damages they said did not exist.
Next to have the right done. I may not be able to get everything back, but I will get close.
If you can not be your own advocate, find someone to advocate for you. Always.
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Happy Valentine's Day
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Posted:Feb 14, 2022 5:36 am
Last Updated:Feb 15, 2022 3:51 am 4513 Views
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Whatever you may get up to today and whomever you get up to it with, take a moment to know you are loved and appreciated!
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I found them!
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Posted:Feb 11, 2022 6:43 pm
Last Updated:Feb 15, 2022 6:26 pm 4410 Views
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The bride and groom and the Bride and mom, please be kind I was just out of the hospital from the fall...I looked like crud. of the joked of the wedding was, I was the pirate that came freshly kiel hauled. It was a perfect day though.
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