I'm doing my very best working hard mostly staying on track to work through my to-do list before surgery, but I haven't managed to carve out time for seasonal tasks like skirting or gardening/landscaping work – yet. (Hey, I still have three more days to try!) Even with the time crunch, I'm very glad I 'spent' the time for women's retreat last weekend. As always the location, food, and speaker were great, and the weather, my bed, and my knees were better than expected. Besides, it was a good warm-up for Rick and Brian, who will have to step up for far longer than a week-end starting next Wednesday afternoon. Photos? Why yes!
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| my bedroom (I had the bottom bunk, a double bed) |
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| the green space across from our house |
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| the park between our house and the beach access |
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| first ocean view Friday evening |
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| I made it down and up those stairs twice! |
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| my first 'heart' rock sighting! |
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| my first beach gleanings |
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| Friday night's almost-sunset (I had to go back for vespers) |
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| art befitting a place called The Dawn Treader |
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| a Sabbath morning rainbow |
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| the gals who drove me to an easy beach access on day two |
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| The Dawn Treader, best retreat location ever! |
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| a friend who took more photos than I did |
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| very low tide |
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| handsome, well-trained Theo |
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| my second 'heart' rock! |
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| last view of the Pacific |
I'm also glad I 'spent' the time to visit my dear old Dutch friend. I had gotten a text from her youngest son over the weekend and was planning to visit her Monday, but decided on the spur of the moment to stop by Sunday before driving on home from the retreat. She had deteriorated noticeably since the last time I was able to stop by; she was on oxygen and unresponsive while I was there but I touched her and told her I loved her, plus talked to her two sons who were present. Work at the two office jobs swamped me on Monday so I wasn't able to stop by again, and she died in the wee hours Tuesday. She was 95; her husband (who is in a different facility) shows every indication of making his 100th birthday on April 25. Considering the extreme conditions in Japanese prison camps they both survived during WWII, their longevity is especially remarkable. Here is the last photo I have of her, taken in January by our retired pastor and his wife (who are originally from South Africa and so could communicate with her in Afrikaans/Dutch):
l've also grabbed every opportunity I can to ride Stella before being sidelined – usually short rides in the arena at the end of busy days, but yesterday and today we took advantage of the beautiful weather to ride around the hill. I was hoping to see my favorite wildflower, the wild iris, but it is too early. There were other flowers, though, including quite a few of a sunny yellow flower I've never seen before.
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| Lesser Celandine, according to my handy iPhone identifier |
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| Green Alkanet |
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| fawn lily |
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| Oregon grape |
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| a volunteer cherry in the woods |
Tomorrow morning rain returns, so that was likely the last of my rides until some time in May. This will likely also be my last post until sometime after surgery. See you on the other side!
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| this evening's clouds-from-horseback |
10 comments:
You got this! I will be holding you and your surgeon in the light. So glad you were able to attend the retreat - I confess I took one look at those steps to the beach and said a bad word . . . stairs are the worst for me - but I love being by the shore and would for sure have taken advantage of the ride to the easier beach access :-) The retreat space looked beautiful. Such a great way to spend some restorative time before your surgery in a few days. Glad you were able to visit your friend. I'm sure she knew you were there. :-)
I so appreciate your positive words and encouragement, A; my guys aren't very good at that. The stairs weren't easy, but less painful than walking downhill or on uneven ground which I do every day around here (the barn is downhill from our house). But I could tell when navigating those stairs that I've lost strength and endurance from dealing with my knees.
Michelle - I totally hear that. I've managed to keep my upper body in a sort of holding pattern, but I know that my lower body - and even my core - has lost SO much strength since I ripped the second knee. And yes - walking downhill is not ideal. Stairs for me are still one at a time - like a toddler - and the right leg, which is the one that has to go first both up and down is always really tired after flights of steps. I know you are going to rock this surgery. I just know it and I will be looking forward to your posts post-op :-)
I don't believe I've ever commented on your blog before. But I adore your pictures--you've got a great eye for photos. I'll be praying for a successful surgery!
I'll do my best to channel your 'can-do' spirit, A!
Thanks so much for your compliment, comment, and prayers Melanie – all mean a lot!
I’m a follower of your blog since B was a wee tyke, don’t think I’ve ever commented. I salute your courage in getting both knees done together, will be praying for a stellar recovery! Janice
I love hearing from long-time readers who are commenting for the first time, Janice! And thanks for the 'salute;' it helps counter the people who have said, "ARE YOU CRAZY?!?" 😉
Michelle, all your photos are so lovely!! I was so happy to see each one of them, especially the ocean ones. Those stairs down to the beach look extremely daunting, even for people with strong legs and knees. I am already praying for very successful and stress-free surgeries for you, with no complications at all. Trinity is holding you close during surgery and afterwards as well. Sending much aloha.
A heart rock?? Is that thing?? I picked up a rock out of my daughter’s driveway that was in the shape of a heart. I’d never seen that before. Oh, and I so love the picture of Stella’s ears. When you said you went for a ride - I thought - I better see those ears!!!!
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