Harry Potter

We got to see the movie today! Yay us! My list (trying not to share any spoilers):

• Tom Felton, a.k.a. Draco Malfoy did a very good job displaying complex emotions, foreshadowing the final movies.
• Even more kudos for Alan Rickman - absolute genius as Snape!
• Loved the special effects, particularly how the Death Eaters are shown flying about - very cool.
• Would have liked to seen more from the end of the book, particularly the big fight scene, but I understand the time restraints.
• Also would have liked to see the bits between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic. Those were such good bits in the book!
• Helena Bonham Carter is brilliant.
• Mike loves Evanna Lynch and her portrayal of Luna Lovegood, and I think she's adequate, but I still think she plays it a little too "solid" for me. Love the glasses, though!
  
• Dublin Village theater is nowhere near as nice as other theaters in town, and the seats were VERY uncomfortable.
  
• I know it's horribly expensive and frivolous, but I want to see this movie again in IMAX.
• I always find it interesting to see how they smoosh the book into a movie. Bits missing, some bits put in to explain otherwise gaping holes in the plot . . . I think this one is cohesive, but I'd love to hear from someone who hasn't read the book several times.
  

Friendships

I've been thinking about philosophizing about friendships and stuff, but frankly, I'm pooped out. Working full time again, going to PT a few times a week, and still dealing with sinus issues (could I be allergic to my new branch?) has taken its toll. So, instead of some deep treatise, you get a few pics and captions.
I was able to take some pics of my staff at Linden before leaving there.
(Here's Jon)
They were . . . tolerant. LOL

William making his "sweet" face.





DJ and Keith - DJ doesn't actually work there, but she might as well!




Carol!








Erica!






Mike!







Tanya!








Vera!






Carmen, one of my best buddies from the Linden Community. She gave me so much good advice over the years I was there!





These next pics are from the wedding shower my mom, sister and I had for our new sister, Suzie. Don't we all look like we're having fun?
That's because we were! Suzie is a wonderful woman, and I'm very happy for both her and my brother. The wedding is coming up on July 25, so check back for more pics next week!



Lovely flowers in an old hand-painted china watering can. Is my mother amazing, or what?







Also last weekend, I got to see some old friends! I met Josie and Mackenzie about . . . hmm . . . 25 years ago? Kenz was about 5, and Josie and Kenz's dad were 2 of the youth counselors at the church where I was working. We hit it off instantly, and , although we've gone quite a while without really keeping in touch, I feel that she is still a dear friend. An added treat - Mackenzie has turned into a fabulous woman, and I honestly feel like we are instant friends again, just like I was with her mom at that age! Weird fact - she is now older than I was when I met her. LOL



I just want to say that I feel wonderfully blessed to have so many friends. Thank you all for the birthday wishes, and thanks for hanging in there with me through all the recovery crap!

Patriotic Poetry Friday

I won't comment on my health other than to say I feel crummy. Dratted sinuses.

In honor of Independence Day, I offer up a link to the poem "The Battle of Lexington" by Sidney Lanier. I like that it doesn't sugar-coat the bloodiness too much . . . but it is still romantic in an historical way.

Here's my favorite stanza:

Good men in fustian, stand ye still;
The men in red come o'er the hill.
Lay down your arms, damned Rebels! cry
The men in red full haughtily.
But never a grounding gun is heard;
The men in fustian stand unstirred;
Dead calm, save maybe a wise bluebird
Puts in his little heavenly word.

I can just imagine, men poised for battle and that calm before the chaos where you can hear a bird chirp.

Happy Fourth of July!

Back to Life

Well, I totally missed Poetry Friday again, but I just came across this great site, and I figure I need to share it. My friend, Megan sent the link to me for The Favorite Poem Project, and I finally took time this morning to look. It's really cool! Little embedded vids allow regular folks to talk about their favorite poems, how they've influenced their lives, and then the poem is there, in text and read by the person.

I found the vid about this poem to be particularly touching, and quite apropos for where I am right now in my physical recovery.

A Psalm of Life

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO THE PSALMIST
I Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem.

II Life is real—life is earnest—

And the grave is not its goal:
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

III Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destin'd end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow

Find us farther than to-day.

IV Art is long, and time is fleeting,

And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave.

V In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!

VI
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!

Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act—act in the glorious Present!

Heart within, and God o'er head!

VII
Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time.

VIII
Footprints, that, perhaps another,

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwreck'd brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.

IX
Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

I feel like I've been slumbering a bit (although obviously not long enough this morning, because I was up at 4:30!), but, you know, in my life, because things have to be put on hold while one recovers from injury or illness. But I am glad to be back in the active world again, working and living and making my own footprints in the sand.

My sinuses are still dripping (more like the fateful call of The Raven by Poe, actually - drip, drip, drip, drip), but I'm back at work and doing well. The surgeon said Friday that he's thinking I might never need to have the knee replaced - isn't that cool? It's all healing so well! What a lovely bit of news, eh? Each time it seems more real! I have one more week of part-time work, and physical therapy is scheduled . . . and then he said to continue physical therapy as long as worker's comp will let me. I'm going to need to call my case worker Monday and see what the deal is on that!

Simon leaves for Scout Camp today (Mike will drive him out there), and we'll go retrieve him Saturday. He only has a few badges he's working on this time (in the past he's worked on 6 in a week), but one of them is Lifeguarding, which could eventually yield him some income - gasp!

Happy Father's Day

Well, it's Father's Day, and I want to pay tribute to some fabulous men I know.

My husband is a wonderful father. He has spent a lot of time and effort building a strong relationship with our son, and I think it has paid off in a great, self-secure young man. I love how they talk with one another (even when it's about stuff that is so boring to me that my eyes roll back into my head), and I really love how they can both tease each other, and take the teasing.

I have to admit that there have been times when I've been a little jealous about their "boy club" (I will probably never think fart jokes are funny), but I've always known that the friendship they have would be important in helping Simon become a strong man. I am very thankful for my husband's fathering gifts. I love you, Mike.


My grandfather, whom I called Pop-pop, was a light in my life. He's been gone for many years now (20?), but I still think of him all the time. I remember singing with him, listening to him play the organ, and knowing that he loved to hear us sing for him. I remember his courage in facing the pain he had every day. He and Grandma gave us all a great model for how to love your family. I will always love you, Pop-pop, and I look forward to being with you in Heaven someday.

Now, for my dear dad. I made a list for my mom, and I'm going to make a list for Dad, too. Here are some of the many things I have learned from my dad:

• always welcome new people with a smile, a handshake, and if they're entering your house, ask them what they'd like to drink
  
• it is good to be able to laugh at yourself, and also to be able to make others laugh
• telling jokes is an art, learn it and use it
• the joy of playing games is in the play, not the outcome
• sing out, Louise!
• early mornings and sunrises are worth it
• take time to watch sunsets, too
• if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all . . . except for those few times when you're "simply acknowledging someone's differences" LOL
• if you look like Santa, milk it (he carries candy canes in his pockets all season, I think)
• family time is really important
  
• never miss the opportunity to tell people you love that you love them
• hugs rock
• it's ok to cry, even when you're happy (maybe I learned this from Pop-pop?)
  
• a good back scratch is always appreciated
• cold hands on a warm back can be really nice . . . I actually used to love it when I was a kid and Dad's car heater wasn't working, and he'd come home from work and put his FREEZING cold hands on my warm back

I love you, Dad.

I want to say a few words of appreciation in honor of my father-in-law, too. Jim has always made me feel welcome, a part of the family since the first time I visited. He's like a second father to me, and I love him dearly. I love his sense of humor, and I love the way he gets us all sharing around the kitchen table (tell us about the very best breakfast you've ever had . . .).
I love you, Jim.

Gov Strickland proposes 50% cut to Public Library funding

I don't post many things out of a political nature, but this one could not be missed. Gov. Strickland is proposing a huge cut to Ohio's public library funding.

I am not simply asking because this is my own field, but because I see, everyday, the growing importance of public libraries in our communities. As funding is cut for parks, Rec. Centers, public pools and after school programs, those children come to the library for recreation and homework help. As people lose their jobs they come to the library for help searching for jobs, creating resumes and "free" entertainment from our books and DVDs. Public libraries across the country are being called to do more with less money, but this kind of a cut would cause many of Ohio's libraries (long known for being the best in the nation) to lay off staff, cut hours or perhaps even close their doors.

If this is an issue that concerns you, please write to your state representatives and to the Governor's office. If you need the addresses, you can ask your local Librarian for them, or click here.

Thank you for your consideration of this issue.

Fit as a Fiddle and Ready for . . . Work?

Well, it's been a long recovery, but it's time to get back to work and see how I do! I go back to work tomorrow, part time, and I'm thinking I can do it! I'll be working 4 hours a day, 5 days this week. The twist to this? I'm going to a new location! Yup - I'm starting back at a new (to me) branch! I'll write more on all of that another time . . . tonight I'm feeling like I need to do more of an update on my recovery.

Recovery Update:

• I can walk with nearly no limp - when I am using my cane and have my knee brace on.
• I can walk without either the brace or the cane . . . or without both . . . but I tend to limp more, and it tends to make my right ankle hurt.
• I'm still going to physical therapy 3x/week. It's great, it helps tremendously, and I have about 3 more weeks left.
• I can go up and down stairs. I do much better with a railing or two, but can manage going up just fine with just a cane, and do fine with a cane and a friend's shoulder going down. I do sometimes go down one curb step w/just my cane, but it really feels like a free-fall, still.
• I will see my surgeon again in 2 weeks.
• At this point we're still all thinking that it's going to be a long time before I need to get my knee replaced - YAY!

Stuff I've Learned:

• How to use a wheelchair, a walker, and a cane. Ironically, I've used crutches before, but for some reason I was unsucessful with them this time.
• Putting a knee brace on over clothing is a pain in the patootie, but it's better than having all that hardware under your pant leg.
• Always carry your cell phone. This is how I called for help when I fell, and how I've been able to stay in touch with everyone during my confinement in the recliner.
• My 2 cats CAN both fit in my lap.
• It is not a bad thing to have a small, galley kitchen. Sure makes cooking easier when you can hardly walk!
• I am greatly blessed to have an abundance of friends! People have brought food, come for visits, built things for us, loaned me DVDs, played online games with me, called me, taxied me around in their cars, sent cards and done countless other kindnesses. I could never thank all of you (all of them) sufficiently. I am so blessed.
• I have a marvelous husband. Mike continues to work hard around the house to keep things running. (for instance, today I think he did a mountain and a half of laundry)
  

So, I come to the end of this medical leave feeling full. I'm full up with the love of my friends and family, and I am, frankly, tired of sitting around and finding things to fill my time. I am ready in my mind to go back to work, to take on new challenges of a new location, and I am ready to push my creaky body into service once again.

A favorite Poem

It's poetry Friday again, and even though I don't always participate, it occured to me to today to share one of my favorite poems with you:

There Once Was a Puffin

Oh, there once was a Puffin
Just the shape of a muffin,
And he lived on an island
In the bright blue sea!

He ate little fishes,
That were most delicious,
And he had them for supper
And he had them for tea.

But this poor little Puffin,
He couldn't play nothin',
For he hadn't anybody
To play with at all.

So he sat on his island,
And he cried for awhile, and
He felt very lonely,
And he felt very small.

Then along came the fishes,
And they said, "If you wishes,
You can have us for playmates,
Instead of for tea!"

So they now play together,
In all sorts of weather,
And the Puffin eats pancakes,
Like you and like me.

by Florence Page Jaques

This has been published with delightful illustrations by Shari Halpern

Bragging on my kid!

I feel like I brag about my kid a lot, but this week brought several more opportunities for proud tears to come to my eyes. (Yea, I'm a cryer) 8th grade is over for him now, and they had an award ceremony Thursday morning. Si received 2 awards, one for Outstanding Artist, and one for Most Original Topic of the Science Expo. He's pictured here with two of his close friends, Storm and Mark. The pic is a little dark, but if you click on it to expand it, you'll see it better.

This weekend is the Columbus Arts Festival, and our young artist is quite involved! As a Young Docent for the James Thurber House, he is performing a Reader's Theater version of "The Night the Ghost Got In" in two performances at the Poetry Stage.




He did a fine job this morning, and I look forward to seeing him read different parts tomorrow! Here he is, listening to the other young docents tell versions of explanations and other stories of mysterious happenings at the Thurber House.






Thanks to a great Art Teacher at AIMS (Arts IMPACT Middle School), Si has 2 pieces on display in the Student Exhibits. One is a print he made using linoleum blocks that he carved. As you can see, it's a lovely, detailed print of a leopard. Luckily he made 4 more prints, because his teacher wants to keep this one at the school forever.



The other is his self-portrait, and, as our friend Bu-ying said, I bet he'll have people stopping him on the street saying "Hey, you're that kid in the picture!" Larger than life!







Remembering Mandy:
I again find myself needing to write a few words in memoriam. A dear lady, Amanda Maxwell, passed away last week. Her memorial service was this Thursday night. She was a strong woman of God, a woman who lived her life seeking God's will and purpose, and raising a large family of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren who follow God as well. She has left a powerful, far-reaching legacy in her offspring, many of whom are great servants, loving people with great talents generously shared.

When I first met Mandy it was in the Sunday School rooms at our church. She and I taught together for a while, and I remember her nurturing, her compassion, and her love for both the children and me. I learned a lot about love from watching her. I've also have the honor of being friends with several of her children and some of her grandchildren. Again, her love shines through them, and her strong drive to "do what is right" is evident in all of them. I've always loved being around Mandy and her family. My heart and prayers are with them in this time of mourning, but I also celebrate with them, knowing that Mandy is now at home in the presence of our Lord. Her memorial service on Thursday was one of the most glorious, celebratory services I've ever been to. It was an honor to sing along with the old hymns, knowing that Mandy is singing with a glorious new voice beside her Savior.

Rest well, Mandy, enjoying your painlessness. Someday we'll meet again and have lots of time to share more stories and songs.

I Like to Move it Move it

Well, my friends, I guess you can tell by my blog that I've been getting out more! I am driving, and in preparation for going back to work in a few weeks, I've been trying to get out of the house every day.

I've been going to Physical Therapy (pool 2 times a week, land once a week), doing some shopping (did you know that not every store has a wheelchair available?) and going to The Merc (you knew I'd get to that, right?).

I've also started going to all my yearly Dr. appointments (gyno, cardio, optomo) so that I do them before going back to work. Blah to my Tuesday Dr. who has me coming back in 9 weeks! No fair!

So, let's see, what can I tell you about my progress? I'm walking with a cane now (Go Canes! As my friend Maria would say) I am going w/o my knee brace in the house, and sometimes at the pool. I can do steps with railings really well, and I can go up steps w/just the cane, but going down is still a little scary, given my history with my left knee sometimes going out. (Do I sound like an old lady to anyone else?)

I'm also trying to cut back a little on my computer time, knit more, and do more reading. Today, though, I am also going to investigate the LibraryThing widget, as it seems to be putting someone else's books on my blog. Grrrr. (update: can't figure out what is wrong with LT - anyone else having trouble?)

Oh yea, and the rose picture is one I took yesterday with my cell phone. These heirloom roses bloom so beautifully, but only for about 2 days. They deteriorate quickly!

Springy, Med Update, goodbye to a friend

I have a medical update, but figure it'll look much nicer with these pretty flowers from our gardens. :-)

I went to the surgeon this morning. He is VERY pleased with my progress. Miraculously, the soft tissues in my knee are healing way beyond what he expected.



He has said before that I'd have to have a knee replacement soon, but now, with the healing of the exterior ligaments going so well, and the way things have tightened up (in a good way), he's thinking that it will probably be years before I'll need to deal with the lack of interior ligaments. Yay!

I'm going to go back to him the last week of June for another check-up. I do, however, already have a time-line for returning to work!

I'll be going back to work part time on June 15. I'll work part-time for 3 weeks or so, and if things go well I'll be able to be full-time.

Upon leaving the Dr. office, I called and reported to Mom, MIL, and my boss. Now we can make plans for my return to work, and putting everything at the L back to rights again. Yay again!

Physical Therapy is, obviously, going very well. I've started Aqua Therapy and I LOVE it! I go to the pool 2x/week, and to the land gym 1x/wk now. I'm able to walk really well with the walker, and yesterday I started working with a cane! I'm going to pick up a cane from the pharmacy this weekend - maybe even tonight. It'll be so nice to have a hand free while walking! Imagine, being able to carry a cup of coffee into the family room!

This great success at therapy is why things are healing so well, I'm certain. It's also why I'm glad I don't have to hurry back to work too quickly. I have enough sessions approved to last me through June, and I am glad I will be able to really work hard at therapy and increase my healing without the distraction and stress of working full-time. As the Dr. was saying "whatever you're doing, keep it up."

I must send props out to all my friends who've been giving me rides to PT. It has been so nice to have that companionship, as well as knowing that I can really tire myself out with PT and not worry about getting home safely. I started driving for some other things this week, and Monday is going to be last taxied trip to PT. Next Wed. I'll be driving myself! Go me!

If I find that it is too hard, I'll send another plea for help . . . but I am feeling confident that I'll be able to handle driving, walking in and out of the center, AND doing PT in the middle. We'll find out!

Goodbye to Jerry Thomas:
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the passing of a dear online friend, Jerry, who lived in Hawaii. I know him from our activity on the Wordcraft discussion board. I've been active on the board for about 5 years or so, and he was a member when I found the board. He helped make me feel very welcome when I arrived, and we've had many great conversations over the years about words, language, jokes, his life, my life, etc. He was funny, witty, well-educated (especially in foreign languages and ESL), and very enjoyable to know. He loved poetry and quoted it often, he started a college scholarship program in his old hometown in Iowa(?) and he was a strong advocate for legalizing marijuana. He was a real "piece of work" in all the best senses of the phrase. We will miss him on the board, but I feel that the world is a more joyous place because he was in it for a while. Aloha, Jerry.

Pimp my walker!

Yea, I'm that bored. I pimped my walker a little - with hand-knitted doodads, of course!

First I used some extra yarn to put a little color on one of the front bars.




Then I used some other extra yarn to make hand grip covers. I think it's felting as I use it. I do have some good callouses on my palms, now, but it still helps pad things.






Then I decided I needed a pocket for my phone. I made this with leftover fingering yarn. I should also be able to keep using this after I'm done with the walker, which is nice. I think 2 small buttons on the front part will allow me to close the flap, then I can use the cord to hang it around my neck of attach it to a belt or something.



Then I crocheted a holder for my water bottle. I'm going to make more of these in cotton. This one was just from the closest yarn at hand.

I can tie this to my walker, but it is actually easier to just grab the little ring and carry it separately.

A friend of mine thinks I can make bucks by making these things and selling them to Retirement Home gift shops. I doubt I'll have time for such things once I'm back to work, but it's something to keep in mind for the future. Also, if you are ever laid up and have to use a walker, let me know and I'll help you pimp it out!

This last pic is just to show you Rosie, playing with her plastic fork. It's one of her favorite toys. She tosses it around, plays, jumps after it, etc. A few weeks ago, she set it down at my feet. I tossed it a few feet away, and she went and fetched it! She deposited it at my feet again 3 more times! What a good little kitty!

Things my mother has taught me

After reading this blog, I decided that trying to list stuff Mom has taught me is a pretty good idea for Mother's Day. Happy Mom's Day, MOM!!!!

• Always be friendly and kind to people (even the icky boys at school).
• Always wear clean underwear.
• Don't chew with your mouth open. (some of these are, of course, from Mom and Dad)
• It is possible to go to school, work full time and have 3 kids (but who the heck would want to do that?)
• Volunteer when you can (but hide sometimes so you don't have to risk not saying "no" when you're asked)
• Don't be afraid to say what you think.
• Send thank-you notes (I didn't learn this one so well, sorry)
• Sometimes staying up late to talk around the kitchen table really will solve all your problems.
• Appreciate nature all around you, and take pictures!
• It's always a good time to try a new craft!
• If you wrap your own presents early enough in December, you'll be surprised on Christmas morning, even if you bought them for yourself. :)
• Maintain a good sense of humor - you'll stay married longer. (Love you, Dad!)
  
• Be generous with your stuff (including money).
  
• Never stop playing, even if you lose all the time.
• Dinner doesn't have to be fancy food to serve it on the fancy china.
• Use the good silver/china/tablecloths - it's worth it now.
• Being smart is cool, and sexy.

So much of who I am is because of my parents. I love them both dearly, and I'm very blessed to have them both around. I wish we weren't 3 hours away from one another! I'll have to start a list to have ready for Father's Day now, huh?

I'm also very blessed to have 2 great in-laws! Again, sorry that they're 3 hours away (in the opposite direction from my parents), but it's still great to have them around.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom and Jennie!

Walk Walk

Don't have much to say, but a friend sent this link to me via twitter, and I have to admit it makes me smile - I think it's my new theme song. Some of the lyrics are hard to hear, so I also listened to the Destiny's Child version, which is very clear, but not quite as snappy, IMHO. And besides, I think pigs are getting a bad rap at the moment - this is great positive publicity for the little darlings.

Many beautiful things

I've not posted in a while, and I figure I have a lot of good things for which I can be thankful, so I'll share some with you.

1. My fancy new knee brace makes a good support for my laptop.
2. I'm walking more each day, including going w/o the wheelchair in my house.
3. Getting behind the wheel of my car (did I mention it matches the color of my new knee brace?) and driving for the first time tonight.
4. Although the weatherman predicted a rainy weekend, it's been sunny and thoroughly beautiful both days.
5. My son, of whom I"m so very proud, mowed the lawn today.
6. The smell of garlic wafting in the windows as Si mowed the garlic that has sprouted in the yard (overflow from the garden).
7. Lilies of the valley are blooming! They, also, are taking over the lawn in teh back. I'd be happy to have an entire yard of flowers, to be honest.
8. Sitting in the park this morning with a couple of good friends (and Mike and Si) and playing a few songs (me on mando, Bu-ying on her Chinese flutes)
9. The sound of Bu-ying's gourd flute wafting "Amazing Grace" through the woods.
10. So many kind friends willing to take me to PT.
11. My brother is engaged to a really nice woman! Yay love!
    

Brace Yourself!

DH took me to the ortho yesterday to pick up my new knee brace. It's metalic purple, and boy, it is a chunk of hardware, or what? It is heavier than i thought it would be, and it sticks out a bit more than I'd prefer, but it has a lot of supporting to do, so I can't judge it too harshly.




Two big black pads go on either side of my knee, and the brace is strapped to my thigh and my calf. The brace will support my knee and keep me from hyperextending or going side-to-side, but it also bends like a normal knee. Isn't it a nice purple color? It's slightly lighter in shade than my car, and darker than my glasses, but I like it. I wouldn't want it to be too "out there" since I have to wear it all the time for . . .well. . . until further notice.


I can change the pads at the knee, and it is fully washable! Wild, huh? Rosie was suspicious of it, no doubt because it smells like medicine . . . or sumpin. LOL

Physical Therapy is going well, but it feels like it's slow progress to me. I have started trying to go as long as possible each day w/o resorting to the wheelchair. Today is day 3 trying! I'll get there, eventually. Tomorrow I get to start my water therapy! yay!

Up Next: decorating the walker!

Baby Heffalump!

I finally have some pics of the baby elephant at the Columbus Zoo that we saw a week ago! Mom and Dad were with us, but then they went South to visit the Smokey Mountains for a week, and weren't able to send me the pics before today.

He doesn't have a name yet. They've run a contest, and over 9000 entries were submitted! One fact I remember is that he is gaining around 4 pounds a day, and when we saw him he weight 360+ pounds. Amazing!

These lovely pics were taken by my mom, of course. (Happy now, Suzie? I imagine you already saw the pictures at Mom's house, though)


Here is his official video, from the first time he was brought into public view. Isn't he adorable?

Oops - poetry Friday a day late

And I'm only giving you a link, can you believe it?

No Strings Attached by Julie Lario

Gregory has been doing a new, fantastic poet each day of National Poetry Month, and I've enjoyed the whole series, but this one just made me happy to read. Hope you find some lovely happy verse this weekend!

Busy Weekend!

After my Dr. appointment Friday, we went to the zoo with my parents, as I mentioned before. Here are a few of my favorite shots from what DH (the professional) took. I'm glad he got the Markhor because I couldn't see him well from my chair, even when I tried standing a bit.








I didn't bother to go up the boardwalk to the Lion enclosure, either. Boy, is my hubby good, or what?!?!?






These next shots are from yesterday. DH, Si and I went to Highbanks Metropark for a short visit to the nature center there. It is always fun to sit at the window and watch to see who shows up at the feeders. I loved the pics DH got of them all, but these are my 2 faves. There were about 4 little Red-bellied woodpeckers going back and forth between the feeders and the trees.

This Blue Jay had a nice little snack, too!








After a little while, I went out to the deck for some nature time with knitting. :-)

Good News!

My Dr. appointment went very well this morning. The bone is healed sufficiently to allow me to put weight on the leg again, but the knee is still rather wobbly, so I have to have an immobilizer or a brace to stand and walk. I have an immobilizer already, but they also fitted me today for a custom brace that will be delivered in a week or two. I even got to pick my color! Guess what I chose!

My folks stopped in town yesterday and today to visit, so we all went out to lunch after my appointment, and then went to the zoo! We got there just in time to see the Baby Elephant (still unnamed). He is so cute! I was hoping we'd also see baby cheetahs, but I don't think they're in a public display, although we didnt' ask about them, so we might have just missed them. Truth be told, we lost energy quickly. Apparently it's much more challenging to navigate the zoo while pushing someone (me) in a wheel chair. We did get a good parking spot, though! It was great fun, but we're all totally wiped out now.

Non-traditional Easter

Whenever I'm asked "what is your favorite holiday?" I will almost (unless I'm feeling lazy) always say "I like Christmas for the family traditions, and Easter for the meaning." For me, my entire belief system is based on the fact (I believe) that Jesus Christ went to his own death on the cross so that his death could pay for my (and anyone else's) sins. This belief is what my entire life/world view/choice pattern/parenting system/marriage/mindset is based on. If you know me well, you'll know this about me, and if you don't know me well, I hope that, at least in part, you can see some glimpse of this in what you know of me. Ideally, you can see some quality of mercy, grace, joy, faith and/or contentment in me that hints at this belief.

At any rate, I like Easter.

Our Easter this year was not "traditional" in relation to what we did as kids.

When I was growing up, Easter involved getting VERY dressed up in new, Springy, fancy clothes, often including white gloves and white patent-leather shoes for the girls, and a new suit and tie for our brother and dad. If I had my scanner set up, I'd be able to share many pictures of the three of us kids in our Easter Finery, because, of course, there were always pictures taken. Easter involved waking up and dashing around the house, peering into every nook and cranny (what the heck is a cranny?) to find the 3 dozen or more eggs we'd colored earlier in the week (until Mom got paranoid about salmonella and stopped hiding eggs out of the fridge overnight), culminating in all three of us kids finding huge baskets filled with candy and peeps (out of the package and stale, of course).

Then we'd all go to church, sing amazingly beautiful hymns, and then later in the day have dinner with my grandparents (either their house or ours, depending on factors that were never discussed with us kids. Sometimes we'd spend the holiday with my Aunt and Uncle who lived near Cleveland (again, either their house or ours). We have a huge, fancy meal with the good china and silver, lots of food, and often have Gorant's Candy for dessert.

Another great tradition for me as a child was being able to take out our special Easter Toys and play with them. We had a great collection of wind-up bunnies, a plastic chicken that laid little plastic eggs (I think? Or maybe it laid jelly beans or something?), and of course, the wooden bunnies with carts, all on wheels, that Uncle Bob had made for each of us (he made one for Simon, too). Those carts were really sweet, and the bunnies' rear wheels were offset a bit so that it seemed like the bunny was leaping instead of just rolling. My second favorite toy was the mechanical bunny that was eating a carrot (remember that, Linda?), and the mechanical noises even kind of sounded like machinated eating (chomm-chomm-chomm). Funny!

Mike and I have always tried to make Easter special for Simon. We have often gone to church, and have often gone visiting to one or the other set of grandparents, or at least had some kind of "family" meal (either our actual relatives, or friends in town) at our house.

I realized very quickly with Simon, though, that filling a big basket with candies of all kinds was a huge waste for him. He only eats plain dark chocolate, and sometimes he'll enjoy really sour stuff like sour chewy things or that super sour spray they make now. Also, with braces, he's not allowed to have all the sour chewies he used to love. Either we'd end up throwing most of the other stuff away, or I'd eat it (like I need that!). So we started getting more creative with his basket fillings. Often, we'd get him fresh new art supplies, because it's that time of year when the new stuff he got for school is looking worn and broken, and all of the paper from Christmas is used up. But, it's challenging to put huge pads (or reams) of paper into an Easter basket.

Simon and I did end up coloring some eggs, although we didn't use one of the old Paas kits we used to always get. I found this great idea to use old silk ties, and it worked great! You have to be certain they're actually silk (most of the ties DH was willing to let us destroy must have been rayon or something).

I agree with my mom that it's not wise to leave eggs (even hard boiled) out over night (especially since we've gotten the cats). So we started making scavenger hunts for Simon, putting the clues in plastic eggs that lead him all over the house, garage and sometimes the yard. This also allows us to get him a larger Easter present, generally something we know he'll get a lot of use out during the Spring and Summer. This is how he got his bike and his scooter (different years, of course). It's been a blast, writing the clues, hiding them around, and then, in the wee hours of the morning, watching him run around deciphering them all! When he was small, the clues were simple and obvious "look under Dad's pillow" or "go look around the computer desk", but this year I had lots of fun writing little couplets. The other change this year is that Mike couldn't find the collection of plastic eggs, so we just had clues on paper and no eggs. Si didn't seem to mind.

Here's how it all played out (this pic of me and Sam wasn't taken Friday, but might as well have been - he loves sleeping on my lap):
Saturday night, around 9:30,
I whispered to DH "hey, we need to do the Easter Bunny thing".
DH : "it's so late, do we really have to make a production of it?"
Me: "It's Easter! He needs to get his scavenger hunt! Could you please look for the plastic eggs? I think they're in the basement with the wrapping supplies."
DH a few minutes later, after much sighing and rolling of eyes "I couldn't find the (*&^ plastic eggs."
Si "What's with all the whispering?"
Me "Si, tomorrow is Easter! You're going to have to go to bed soon so that the Easter Bunny can come!"
Si was in the next room, so I didn't SEE the eye-rolling, but I swear on my bag of chocolates, I heard him roll them!
Me to DH "Well, honey, I guess we're just going to have to return what we've bought. Simon is too old for an Easter Scavenger Hunt. He'd rather stay up late than go through all that."
DH "Yea, we'll just run back to Target and return what we've gotten."

Slight "whooshing" as Simon quickly left the computer to go take his bath.

I wrote out about a dozen clues, maybe 15, and DH placed them all, some with scotch tape. The last one led him out "to a car", and, as predicted, Si chose the wrong car first - mwahahahaha!

He got: 2 bags of Dove Dark Chocolates in a basket, with a shredded magazine for "grass", and a Wii, complete with an extra controller and 2 games (Call of Duty and Star Wars Force).

We spent the day taking turns between Wii and regular TV watching. The three of us had rare roast beef and homemade Mac and Cheese for dinner, and then tried out Lego Indiana Jones, borrowed from Si's friend around the corner.

There were no new clothes, no visitors, no pomp or ceremony or candy no one likes. I miss having family here, but Mom and Dad are visiting later in the week for a few days, and we just spent Friday with my sister, so we're sorta covered.

This morning, what got me thinking all contemplative and nostalgic like this was my Dove Candy (dessert after a breakfast of deviled eggs) wrapper that says, on the inside: Life may change us but we start and end with family. Of course, I'm also hoping Mom and Dad bring some Gorant's for us when they come Thursday. :-)

But, you know, family is the center: The creamy, melt-away center of our delicious chocolate Easter Eggs of life.

Excellent vocal group!

My MIL sent this to me today, and I just have to share!




I'm trying to find information about this group, but haven't been able to find anything online yet other than this vid and a link to the agency that is apparently their agent? Help?

IMHO this group would be much more entertaining if they weren't in all white with those whimple-like things.

Poetry Friday!

I posted a haiku on twitter to celebrate Poetry Friday:

Nice visit with friend
Sisters came to see me, too
Blessed with Fellowship


It's been a great day!

3 beautiful things

1. A Canada Goose stands tall, guarding the entrance to the parking area at my rehab center - so regal, and so big!
2. Sunshine lighting up the shrubs outside my back door.
3. A dear mentor and friend takes me to my PT appointment, and, on the way home asks "are there any errands you need to run while we're out?" So thoughtful.

What a blessing it is to have so many folks willing to haul me over to PT. Truly a blessing.

Physical Therapy, part 2

For a while, I had it really easy. The Therapist came to my house. It was cool, and because I couldn't do much, I didn't have to do much. LOL

Well, I've entered into the next phase. I'm going to a facility, and I'm starting to really do more. This is because my bone is nearly healed. It's still fragile, but it's strong enough to withstand more movement and stuff.

I still don't have permission to drive, though, esp since I need a wheelchair to get around, but I've put out the word and there is a whole wonderful bunch of folks who've offered to help me with rides. This group of "angels" is really a blessing, and to be honest, I will be forever grateful to them all. Sometimes, the timing works out so that I and my friend can do something fun after therapy - tonight I got to go to Starbucks (thanks KB!) and do some KIP! (knitting in public)

So - tonight, I rode a recumbent stationery bike for about 8 minutes - moving my feet VERY slowly just to increase my range of motion. Then my therapist put together a group of 5 new exercises for me to do at home, and we went through each one so that I could learn and practice them under her supervision.

It feels SO good to be out and moving a little! Does it hurt? Yes, it does hurt to push myself, bend my knee, try new exercises . . . but it is a good hurt because I know it's making me stronger and it's going to bring me back to the point where I can walk and drive again. Worth it!

Simon Says:

Simon often tries to answer all my questions in just one syllable. He has his own "teen" language of grunts (he's 14 1/2). Here is what I've discerned as it's meaning, so far:

• hu ahh (with a pitch upswing at the end) = yea, I'll give you a slightly affirmative sound, but I'll conveniently "forget" to do what you're asking and hope you do the same - commonly used when we tell him to do things like wash his face, brush his teeth, clean his room
  
• meh = it was ok but I wish you'd let me zone out and watch tv, this is closely related to the more verbose "yea, yea, whatever", which some kids use
  
• schna = not bad, thanks for asking, but please don't ask me to do anything right now
• uh (gutteral grunt, really) = seriously, you're trying to engage me in conversation? Maybe if I just grunt you'll go away?
• general groan = please, please, please leave me alone and don't discuss this sensitive/annoying/difficult topic/chore/problem with me . . . ever
• lyrical grown with hand over face, mostly covering his eyes = omg, my parents are so weird
  

Sometimes, however, he engages in rational discussion. This morning, while we were starting to watch Over the Hedge (again), he said that one of his friends doesn't like Pixar and other of these great animated movies much because they have a really sad part in them. Si said "but that is what makes them so good! They have that sad part, but then they resolve it and that's what makes them good. That way they don't have to resort to an entire movie of sophomoric humor."

It's cool, when you get a glimpse of the adult your child is becoming.

Poetry Friday!

Today, with the lovely Spring rains and the beautiful sunshine we've had, as well as the daffodils and crocus' blooming in my garden, I'm in such a thankful mood. Although I'm not using the original language in which it was written, and it has lost it's rhyme and meter, I will share a Psalm today, for Poetry Friday:

Psalm 116, verses 1-7
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!"

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
the Lord protects teh simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.


Happy Poetry Friday, in this beautiful National Poetry Month!