Long Absence!

Not much has happened in my life since I last posted. You will recall that I somehow pinched a nerve in my back. I have spent the time since just trying to be good to myself, trying to find comfortable positions, and not overdoing things. Obviously, I haven't been able to do much, but I have endeavored to keep on moving. (What are the alternatives??) Today...finally...I am experiencing a pretty good day. The best since this all happened over a week ago.

The interesting thing about sciatica is that the injury originates in the back, but it is the leg that is affected the most. My left leg has been extremely weak. I've had to make some adaptations to normal movement, but it has worked.

I did get out of town for a few days. The change of scenery did me good. Now I am gearing up for my grandchildren to be here this next weekend...then will start preparing for our next trip to California. I do best if I plan way ahead of time so I don't forget things. We will be out of here in just over three weeks. The time just flies!!

ALL of my flowers and planters are blooming right now. I can't remember the last time the little corner garden in my back yard has looked so beautiful! Of course, we have had plenty of rain to keep things green. I guess that's a benefit??

On a sadder note, my friend Ryan's father has been in the hospital for at least a week now with congestive heart failure which brought about pneumonia. He needs heart valve replacement surgery, but he is 89 years old and doctors at one hospital didn't want to do the operation. It appears that they have found another doctor at another hospital that is willing to do it. It's one of those darned-if-you-do/darned-if-you-don't situations. Keep the faith, Ryan. Friends are thinking of you!

Another sad note: my sister and brother-in-law's neighbor was hospitalized last week with pneumonia from H1N1. Her blood oxygen level was, like, 86%...so she was put on a respirator and put in a drug-induced coma. The prognosis for Mary was not good, and since she had signed a "Do Not Resuscitate" order, they shut down the respirator and she passed on. Mary was in her 80s, alone with her little dog, Tiny, since her husband passed away a few years ago. Mary had no driver's license...and no children...so she has lived all alone in her big house, looking out her windows on the world. Shari and Roger looked out for her some...and she always seemed to know what was going on in the neighborhood! Mary often came out to say hello to me when I was there, visiting. She and her beloved Ray are reunited now. So sad that she had to go that way. Maybe it is merciful. My sympathies go to my sister and her husband for losing a friend and neighbor.

We have had some mega-heat and humidity so far this summer, and it isn't even officially summer yet! You will note that I'm not complaining! I'm not crazy about the heat, but I hate the winter so much that I'm doing a happy dance these days!