It’s been awhile…

June 21, 202514 Comments

This past year (April to April) has found me away from the keyboard and for the most part bummed about it. So much has happened, mostly good, but some really incapacitating and frustrating.

In April of 2024 I went to see a “Deer” friend and I really wanted to share all the fun I had with her on her ranch. But when I got back home I had hand surgery scheduled for my right hand to fix some arthritis issues in my thumb and to release the trigger finger of the same hand. The thumb issue went well! The trigger finger got stiff, would not straighten out, and left me unable to type unless using two fingers and the Columbus Method.

A second surgery was finally scheduled to release and remove the scar tissue. This left me with a cut that most looked like Zorro had been there! The cut was a big Z that started a vertical path in my mid palm, went up to the fold and across, then zigged back and up, ending just at the fold of my middle finger where it meets the palm. This total process took a whole year to complete and heal from.

GREAT, I thought! I’m finally able to type with some stiffness, but basically able to hit the right keys with that still somewhat stiff middle finger…

Meanwhile, we have been working almost non stop this spring to finally get our garden planned, cleaned, fenced, gates installed, and my seedlings into the ground…

AND THEN I TRIPPED AND FELL IN THE GARDEN.

The resulting fall had me on the ground and screaming in agony. And, yes, I did say something of the sort:

**@$#%&%%$##()(&^$#@#!!!**

You didn’t want to be there. I couldn’t even get up, but thankfully Bob was right there to help me. I had sprained my left ankle, landed on and bruised both knees, and fractured my right wrist. Bob tried to lift me, but everything hurt so much that I couldn’t assist in my own lifting.

He finally put my walking staff into one of the square steel channels that makes the corner frame supports for our compost bin. I grabbed the staff with my good left hand, and he sat on the ground and literally pushed my backside up into the air while I pulled. It took several tries but eventually I was up and onto my feet.

That was about six weeks ago. All the muscles and tendons are still stiff and sore through my whole hand, as well as into and past the wrist. But, good news, I am allowed to garden so long as I wear my splint while working!

I’m back, and I will be telling you of my trip to see my “Deer” friend soon!

PS: If you find any typos or misspellings, well, that hand is getting better day by day…

What Happened While I was Away

June 27, 2020June 27, 202033 Comments

Where have I been?

I have been here!

This is my first attempt at a Youtube video that is my own. Comments? Want future videos? Let me know.

camouflage

May 23, 2018May 23, 201811 Comments

Can you see me?

No?

How about now?

This Eastern Garter snake is non venomous and a pest predator. I enjoyed seeing it hanging out behind my new herb bed. I have (had?) a resident vole that moved in and stayed for the past three months. Although, I haven’t seen the Garter snake or the vole for a couple of weeks… 🙂

Learn more about Eastern Garter snakes: CLICK HERE

All wounds heal given time

May 9, 2018May 9, 201810 Comments

Remember this?

No? OK, you can read about it HERE

This is solid oak and we couldn’t even give it away for firewood!

Sad.

Well, after 10 years, and four tries to get a lawn going, we finally paid someone to get the job done! The result?

We have a lawn!

The Log pile is gone! We had to pay the gardener to haul it away.

This is going to be a load of work this summer.

We’ll need to eradicate the grubs,

To chase out the moles,

To stop the little dog

from digging big holes!

And Evermore we will have to mow, mow, mow. I think I like Tootlepedal’s lawn better. It is a perfectly mowed postage stamp of short, green, turf, and all surrounded by hedges and gardens. LOOK HERE about half way down the page. He and his wife are always doing something to make it gorgeous and bird worthy.

Why did we do this again? Oh yeah, because the dogs need a lawn so I don’t have a new layer of mud, leaves and dirt on my floors every day.

Now here is a funny thing; growing the lawn successfully has brought on a desire to garden again. I have begun in this corner and will expand it bit by bit.

You see that gazing globe? I have had it for maybe 20 years and never put it out when we moved here. I should have because I really like to look at it, but I was afraid that the wind would blow it over, or a tree branch would smash it. What a waste it has been to own a lovely thing and then leave it wrapped up in the well house for safe keeping. I have taken measures to try to keep it wind worthy. I placed a bit of rebar through the center of the pedestal and pounded it deeply into the ground. The portion that stuck up through the center of the glass ball is well padded and helps to keep everything safe and steady. Now it puts a smile on my face every time I see it.