Cool autumn Saturday morning

I was scrounging around in the freezer and found a nice, meaty bone from last Easter's ham.  So I soaked some beans overnight and they're cooking this morning.  I figured this was a good weekend for such a meal:  It's cool and crisp (the high today is supposed to only be 61 degrees), and if my daughter's family shows up for a meal, I'm prepared.  My son's family arrives next Thursday; he's never been a big fan of beans, so my timing is good, I believe... the beans should be long gone before he gets here, as well as the after-effects!  I'm hoping for decent weather next weekend:  Our little town's fair will be going on, and it'll be the first time my son's been here for that since he was 17.   

The thirteen-year-old twins next door are home-schooled; they get up early to do their lessons so they can come and spend the day with Cliff in his shop or in the field.  Their mom counts their time over here as a credit when she turns in their home-school paperwork.  They're great company for Cliff.  They supply their own lunch, but they like to come in the house and eat with Cliff.  This takes some getting used to on my part, while I'm off work.  They chatter constantly.  But Cliff enjoys them so much that I'm learning to put up with the invasion.  They do have great senses of humor, and Travis is quite a mimic; he does an imitation of my grandson, Arick, that cracks me up.  Here they are, working on a flat-bed trailor for their garden tractor:

Cliff lets them work on their projects without interference, unless he sees them being unsafe, or getting into trouble with something.  He advises, but if they don't heed the advice (as long as they're not being unsafe) he lets them make their own mistakes.  He calls them "my boys", or "my little buddies".  When these guys discover girls, Cliff's going to miss them. 

Back on the point

Cliff's been trying to walk at least three days a week, trying to get in shape.  He and I used to walk three to four miles a day together, and it was a good bonding time.  We've walked off and on for exercise since 1980.  But with my knee pain, there's no way I can accompany him now.  Of course, I'm usually at work anyhow, but I'm sidelined at present.  I hate to see him head off down the road alone.  Yesterday I found the remedy for this problem.  I quickly tossed the saddle on Blue and caught up with Cliff.  I'd ride ahead and then ride back... let Blue graze a bit... visit with Cliff, etc.  And on our return, I pulled in behind Cliff with Blue's head just behind his left shoulder, and we followed him all the way.  I love that horse (and my husband too, of course).

Yesterday evening I went back to "the point".  I don't know why we call that area of our pasture by that name, but it's where I take my quilt and my dog and just soak in the peace-and-quiet.  You can look down over the river bottom from there and see where I often ride Blue.

If you can make out the green strip in the middle of the golden field of ready-to-harvest corn, that's the levee along which I ride so often.  The hills in the distance are on the other side of the Missouri River.

I took books, as usual.  And I remembered to take Mandy's Frisbee.  She's doing pretty well carrying it back to me; I'm working on getting her to drop it when she reaches me, though.  She'd rather have a tug-of-war... it's much more fun for her. 

After all her exploring the edges of the woods and chasing the Frisbee, she was pooped.  Next time I go, I'll remember to take a drink for her.  Doesn't she look thirsty?

 

 

Weekend Assignment

Weekend Assignment #27: There are 12 months in the year. Which is your favorite? Give us one good reason why.

"And what is so rare as a day in June?  Then, if ever, come perfect days."  James Russell Lowell

June means school's out, vacations may be taken, calves are following their mothers out in the field.  The corn and soybeans are up and well started.  The trees are still a deep green.  Home gardens are in their prime, before the weeds take over.  June, the month of June bugs and fireflies:  My favorite!

Extra Credit: Which month comes in second?

July!!!  My birthday is in July, and Independence Day, which is a great holiday.  My son comes to visit from Georgia, and we have quite a family reunion.  Now that I think of it, it's a tossup as to which is my favorite... June or July.

my visit with the orthopedist

The specialist gave me my options.  Here they are:

1.  a special brace to help take weight off my knee joint and keep me from twisting it.

2.  Arthroscopy - Arthroscopy of the knee, according to AAOS, was first performed in the late 1960s. If you have persistent pain or swelling of your knee, your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend this procedure to relieve the problems. Arthroscopy allows the surgeon the opportunity to diagnose and treat knee disorders, according to AAOS. Using a pencil-sized device, called an arthroscope, small incisions are made into the knee. The scope transmits an image of your knee, which is projected onto a television screen. This clear view of the inside of the knee allows surgeons to find out what's causing your problem. Surgical instruments can also be inserted into other small incisions to remove or repair the damaged tissue. Almost all arthroscopic knee surgery, according to AAOS, is done on an outpatient basis.

3.  Total knee replacement

Seeing my confusion, she said if it were her, she'd try option #2.  She said the main risk with it is that it might not help.  I said, "Would I be able to work afterward without hurting myself?"  "You would need a special brace to protect your knee," she answered.  Turns out it's the same special brace as option #1.  So, although I can't see it helping me at all, I got fitted for one, knowing that I can use it if I go ahead with option #2.  I'll get it next Monday, probably (Total cost, $1,250, but insurance pays 90%).  I'm very negative on this... I do not expect it to work.  But at least I'll have it when I move on to my next option!  My sister-in-law had the arthroscopy, and it helped her for perhaps three months.  Then she got total knee replacement.  If it would get me by until July 17, 2005, I'd be fully vested on the 401K at my job, and that would be a good thing.

So, that's what's up with my knee.  I think I'll saddle up and go check the fire damage down at the cornfield, and forget my problems!

A big adventure with Blue

Because my knee has kept me from doing much lately, I've tried to take some long rides for exercise.  The painful part is bending my left knee enough to get my foot in the stirrup; after that, everything's fine.  Blue and I headed down to my favorite riding place, the Missouri River bottom.  I gazed at all the crops ready for harvest and looked across the river.  Then, riding along the levee, I noticed smoke in the distance... a lot of it!  Somehow, a cornfield had caught on fire, so I got in on the excitement.

Actually, a little more excitement than I would have asked for.  Blue handled all the smoke and fuss just fine when we rode by the fire.  Then we headed up the road that takes us out of the river bottom up the hill toward home.  Here's what it looks like... banks straight up on both sides of the road (this picture was taken several weeks ago):

We no sooner got to this part of the road than here came a fire truck/water wagon about 70 miles an hour, rattling and banging its way toward us, and us with noplace to go, really.  My previous horse would have sprouted wings and flown out of there if he'd had to, but Blue handled it well.  I patted his neck and told him what a good boy he was, and then I heard sirens coming toward us!  Now, this horse handles rough situations well, but I know better than to tempt fate.  So I dismounted and led him as far up the bank as I could while the firetruck approached.  The driver stopped the siren while they passed, and I was grateful.  There was another one right on his heels, and he, too, turned off the siren when he saw me standing there keeping my faithful steed back from the road.  All's well that ends well, and I was able to get back on Blue and ride on home.

I remember reading Uncle Wiggly stories to my grandson Arick when he was small; that old rabbit was always looking for an adventure, and usually biting off more than he could chew.  Today, I felt like Uncle Wiggly.

Leona (Lee)

 

  If I COULD HEAR LEONA SING AGAIN

Donna Wood, August 8, 1995  

‘Way back in my younger days a bunch of us would sing and play,
We’d gather once a week in someone’s home.
With one banjo and five guitars, we all thought we were singing stars:
We took turns working on our golden tones.
Those were times I can’t forget.  My boyfriend played guitar like Chet,
And I would harmonize with all my friends.
We laughed and sang and had a ball; but one sweet voice outshone them all…
Oh, if I could hear Leona sing again.       

Lordy, how that girl could sing; her voice would make the rafters   ring,
     And I was blessed to have her for a friend.
     I was just a foolish kid.  I prayed to sing the way she did,
     Oh, if I could hear Leona sing again!  

She’d sing, “I done sold the farm”, and I’d have given my left arm
If I could just have sung it half as well.
Another song I still think of:  Together, we’d sing “Bye Bye Love”
And let that country music weave its spell.
The years that passed are twenty-nine; they tell me you can’t turn back time,
But how I’d love to open that old door.
I’d shut my mouth and let her sing; I’ll bet she’d still make rafters ring
If I could hear Leona sing once more.       

I wondered why she didn’t go down to the Grand Ole Opry show,  
     Cause she was just as good as all of them.
     I pray that I don’t leave this world till I’ve once more heard that gifted girl…
     How I’d love to hear Leona sing again!

Rest in peace, Lee.  You weren't even 55.  I only wish we could have sung together one more time.  

   

These pictures were taken 10 years ago, the only time I saw Leona after 1967, I believe.  I had written the above song about her and sent the tape to her mom and dad; when she was here visiting from Illinois shortly after that, we briefly got together.    This is a person that I really never spent a lot of time with... we just shared a lot of jam sessions, back when I was single... but I feel there's a huge hole in my life now that she's gone.  Isn't that strange?  She was always an outrageously funny person, living on the edge.  I can't believe she's gone.  Dear Lord, it makes me so sad.

off work

First, I'll share something very special to me, given to me by my mom's sister, my Aunt Ruby when she knew she was dying of cancer.  My mom and I went to visit her in north Missouri, and she kept saying, "I wish I had something to give you."  Then she went into her bedroom and came out with a Walmart bag all wrapped around something.  "These were MY grandmother's ice cream dishes," she said proudly. 

You will notice the one on the lower right is a different pattern.  Anyhow, these were from my mother's grandmother, which means they are from the 1800's sometime.

An update on my gimpy knee situation:  I saw my doctor today, and he set up an appointment with an orthopedist for Wednesday.  He told me several things that might be done, although of course he doesn't know what the specialist will do.  We went by the hospital and picked up my MRI films to take along.  I'm off work this week  for sure, and will take next week as it comes. 

Everything else around here is going fine.  I gave Mandy a bath so she'd smell better, and now she's laying in the corner passing gas!  Geesh, if it isn't one stink, it's another.  I guess she just couldn't stand smelling good.