Counting Down

Speechless Pause

Day by day we’re getting a little closer to Christmas and the end of another year. I just did a quicky browse through my posts for the year thinking I might re-post a few favourite pictures as a Top 10, or Top 5. Out of slightly more than 40 posts for the year I found only a few pictures I would put out there again. Is it because so few of them have people in them, I wonder? Less emotional connection perhaps. In any case I’ll try to pull a few together here and maybe post a couple that didn’t make it to the pages here. Lemme see:

Autumn Colours

Our four-legged Godsend, Milo.

Sunset Reflection

…a warm, bright place to work full of warm, bright people.

Mountain, Sun, Cloud

… a reminder of travels and the massive grandeur of nature.

I (heart) Tree

 I DO have a sentimental side…. see!

Caitlyn Isabel

A joyful addition to the family…. a wee, big blessing.

Visual Impact

Ridge banked by cedar

Our two-legged Godsend, Owen. Lynda’s nightly phone buddy has helped her keep her sanity.

pox upon hand

There I think that should be about 10. I’m actually surprised there are that many that still stand up for me. I’m adding one more (if I can find it) of the prettiest young lady I know.

Madison

 .. and the one fave lady in my life – unfortunate about the hand / arm placement but it was to see her having such a good time.

Auntie Lynda; 4 nieces

 I’ll likely be back again before Christmas but just in case that doesn’t happen I’d like to extend my best wishes for a very happy Christmas season to everyone.

Wood, Trees, Leaves

Progress against the tide

It’s been a busy week here so far between work and working around the house before going to work. We had our yards cleaned up a couple of weeks ago as the willow and birch shed their leaves early. This past weekend though we had a long gusty rain storm that blew our neighbour’s maple leaves into our yard, completely carpeting it. How many leaves does a 70 foot maple tree have? About a kazillion.

FoxyFace

This one? Well, when you’re sorta daydreamy from a long period of raking you start to notice the small details around you. To most people I suppose this is just a board on a fence.

Line, Shape, Tone Jumble

Last night around dinner time the wind started blowing from the north and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees in 2 hours. Today it looks like we’ll get up to maybe 6 deg C and it’s still gusty as anything. Apparently there is supposed to be a big dump of snow today further north (which is fine; it can stay up there). We have a few threatening looking clouds whizzing by ourselves.

for Kel

This is getting to be an annual thing but…. as I raked there were continuous V’s of Canada geese going over. Probably around a thousand a minute spread across the sky, every which way you looked…. and Lord, they are noisy as they flew with all their honking. If they fly low enough you can hear the swishing of the air through their feathers, too. Our dog Milo just sits and stares with a very worried and puzzled look on his face. Speaking of…. here’s my boy now. 

 

Autumn Colours

 

Alas Poor June

thou hast vanished before my eyes. Where goest thou?

‘If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.’ If I had a wish to cash in it would be for a laptop with a wireless connection – so I wouldn’t be tied to this basement room when I want to use the computer. Ah well, I’ve resigned myself to the fact I will never be wealthy. C’est la vie. *reminder to self – check lottery ticket*

So, what’s new? Not a lot… had a week off last week and it was spent mostly, quietly around the house. See, our (remaining) dog Milo went and blew out the same tendon that he (and Freedom) had done before, except this time it was the hind right leg. So, another expensive surgery and long slow recovery. He did it a month ago and his operation was just over 3 weeks ago. Glad to day he is coming along really exceptionally well…. and that Lynda had the dough this time to cover costs. Hanging with the dog at his beck and call – that’s what I’ve been doing.

Last Wednesday was the 1st anniversary of the death of Lynda’s #2 son Craig so we had a house full of family, friends and some of Craig’s former coworkers. Thanks to those of you who remembered and sent mesages of support. Gracias! I think this will be an important psychological milestone to have observed as all ‘the firsts’ have now passed. I’m sure you know what I mean.

We didn’t do any holiday-type stuff last week but I did have a couple of nice drives up to Lynda’s hometown to meet her brother. He’s the one doing the kitchen and living room reno (which is almost complete; still a couple of details to cover off). Instead of travelling on the quick, most direct highway I decided to roam the back roads and dawdle a bit. Here’s a shot I took while driving down into a very wide but deep valley.

Green grasses and trees, wide blue skies, big puffy clouds and open road. Simple yet beautiful.

But along with clouds sometimes comes rain…. and if you’re fortunate the sun comes back out and you see one of these:

 

Oh, and the lean on that microwave tower is just lens distortion, really.

As you can see I’ve been looking up – at the skies, the clouds, the heavens, and life. Things are looking up all over.

Reflections

Industrial-ites

Okay, so I got carried away when I said I’d be around here more frequently…. I lied, but with the best of intentions. Seems all I’ve done lately is work which, after all that time off, is a good thing. Trouble is I never know where I’ll wind up working, or when.

Lemme see – I’ve worked in a hospital, at a railroad siding, a retail store, had a few weeks at an office building which houses the project mgmt / engineering / design drafting facilities for a nuclear power plant (that was interesting), the last few nights at an EMS station. Mostly a mixture of afternoon shifts and nights with a day shift or two thrown at me to keep things spicy and off-balance. Am I coming or going? Who knows; not I for sure.

Mirrored Horizon

Lynda and I are mostly like ships passing in the night catching the occasional meal together or a couple of hours planted in front of the TV before one of us is off running again. Things have been busy. We had Milo back to the clinic in Toronto where he had his surgery for his final check-up and we’re told we’ve done an excellent job with him. There has been good bone growth around the plates and where the bone was cut. We can finally breathe a bit easier but have to introduce full activity levels incrementally.

Since I last wrote here I have finished Eric Clapton’s autobiography which managed to diminish my image of him…. a writer he ain’t. (but gutsy to have a stab at it and lay it all out there) I’ll continue to admire him for what it is he does best – write and play great music. Following that I read a really humourous book called “The Hypochondriac’s Guide To Life. And Death.” The author had me blowing pop out my nose with some of his lines. Shouldn’t drink and read at the same time, I guess – dangerous and messy.

April Near Over

Looking Down a Glass Barrell

 

 In a way I feel that apologies ought to be made for not being around for so long but in following my old Ma’s advice I felt it better that, ‘If you haven’t anything good to say, best not to say anything at all.’ To say that I’ve been struggling would be an understatement – with moods, with self-image re being unemployed, with a variety of stresses. We’ve largely been living a ‘Murphy’s Law’ existence for the last 6 months…. as soon as one crisis is under control there is another flash fire springing up thats need to be attended to. Bloody hell it has been exhausting emotionally, mentally and physically. I simply haven’t felt I had any words to share here that weren’t primarily bitching and moaning, so why bother?? 

Some good news though. I spent a couple of days in a classroom there a couple of weeks ago doing a training and orientation for a new job. That led to my having worked 4 shifts this past week so Woot-woot!! and Shazam, I’m working again, finally!! Not the sort of work I’m interested in but it is an income. C’est la vie. I continue with my job search regardless. 

More good news – I was thinking the other day that it must be about a year now since I experienced any of my ‘auras’ re my seizure disorder. That is by far the longest between sessions since my initial diagnosis back in’98. I’ve always aimed for 100% compliance in taking my meds so I can’t really put it down to that but I’m glad to have racked up this record. 

Lynda is good, Milo is coming along slowly and the rest of the pets are fine. I hear from cousin BJ usually once or twice a week and she always has positive and interesting news and views to share. Thanks Cuz – love ya. 

See you all in May and I’ll try to visit the regular blogs soon. 

Spring Tulips

Progressing Nicely….

Thanks for the check-ins gang…..

Milo is coming along pretty well and we’re confident we made the right choice regarding which sort of surgery he should have. This first week we’ve kept him as still as possible – one of us has been at his side at all times, virtually. He gets carried outside to attend to business and schlepped back in again. Meals served; water slung…. he’s quite enjoying being waited upon.

He will continue to be on pain and anti-inflammatory meds for another few days. We allow him brief walks under very tightly controlled conditions within the house. I do a few physio sessions with him each day and then lay cold packs on the leg afterward.

Just starting yesterday I’ve begun putting him in his crate for brief periods of time. He feels secure in there and the danger of him licking the wound open is passing. Aahh, back at the computer a wee bit. I’ve seen umpteen movies during the last week and have done some reading. Finished ‘Late Nights on Air’ – very good; and might re-read the first 100 or so pages as I started the book in fits and starts months ago. Now I’m into the ‘Story of Edgar Sawtelle’ – a novel.

I’ve missed getting out to a few meetings including two that I was supposed to chair but managed to attend my home group meeting last night. Lynda is holding up well, generally, but is stressed to the max with all that is going wrong. There is other stuff happening besides the dog…… life continues unabated.

Me…. cabin fever in a nutshell although this forced inactivity is a respite from the stress of job hunting when there are no jobs. I’m trying to focus on the positives. I’ve begun watching a TV evangelist by the name of Joyce Meyers and find her messages very positive – I like the way she ties everyday life to scripture. She’s on each morning.

Maybe I’ll have a chance to catch up on friends blogs in the days to come; I will try.

Liberty comforting Milo

Murphy’s Law…

…..states that anything that can go wrong…. will. That pretty much sums up our lives these days. Our younger dog Milo injured himself last weekend; we got him to the vet Monday; then referred to the surgeon today; he goes in Monday morning for his operation. Exactly the same thing that happened to Freedom last May; a torn cruciate tendon in the back left knee. We’re opting for the TPLO route – plates and screws – as he is just 2 years old.

Anyway, with the way the house is set up I won’t have ready access to the computer. (One of us has to be with him pretty much all the time.) I’ll put up a post here and there when I get a chance but basically I’m on hiatus.

Milo (front) - Freedom (rear)

Catch you all on the flip side.

Peek-A-Boo

I’m coming up for air…. a little re-emergence today. Thought I’d do a bit of catching up here and maybe roam around the blogs a bit.

I see colour again

 Things have been looking pretty dark and dim for these last few weeks but I’m feeling a bit of a turn-around. It’s been a ‘good days – bad days’ scenario; trying to appreciate those spare good moments and so much as possible ignore or downplay the bad. A few points:

– although I’m still suffering with some chest congestion and coughing it seems my virus / chest infection is largely gone. I’m going to try another smoking quit and see if that doesn’t make the difference.

– Mother Mary has one major test behind her but will have to wait a couple of weeks for the next one and probably more waiting for the results. Lynda whipped up to spend the day with her on Sunday. The fear is that she has bone cancer and she is waiting on a biopsy. She has had a catscan.

– I attended that Town Hall meeting last Thursday night which was very interesting and had a wide range of presenters from various area agencies and institutions. I delivered my resume into the hands of the Director of Services of the local detox and mental health and addictions facility…. had a good 15 minute chat. I also met our regional Chief of Police and one of his officers who runs a youth engagement program. 

-Yesterday I got out of the house for a few hours to do some running around. (Lynda’s brother was here to look after the dogs.) I squeezed in an hour long visit with my Mom and got caught up on a bunch of family news. On my way to the door she pressed a cheque into my hand and told me it ought to keep the wolves from the door for a while. Wow, what would I do without you, Ma? My expenses are covered for about a month and that relieves a lot of uncertainty because I don’t know when my benefits will kick in.

crystals everywhere

99% of Lynda’s money goes toward keeping this house going and groceries in the cupboards. One evening she spied these sets of crystals on The Shopping Channel and couldn’t resisit ordering them. We used to have a short curtain across this window but now there are a dozen crystals draped across it which catch the morning sun. Well worth the money, I’d say. (and of course, one of these produced the spectrum of colour in the picture above.)

our big girl - Freedom

It has been six months since Freedom’s original surgery on her knee; 4 months since the second one. One of us is still with her 24/7 because she is still at risk of tearing it up with any quick, vigorous movement. Most days she moves pretty well but when she strains it, she feels it and starts gimping around not wanting to bear weight on that leg. I think she feels changes in the weather, too. I know I used to in the years following breaking my ankle. 

Would one of my posts be complete without a shot of the clouds?? I thought not! Here ’tis:

last evening at sunset

When I get a chance to read I’m into a new (posthumous) compilation of Kurt Vonnegut short stories. For music – I’ve borrowed a half dozen CD’s from the library which include a couple of Diana Krall’s recent releases. I’m in a piano sort of mood.

Thanks all for continuing to check in – that’s what life looks like these days.

 

Me & Milo; Milo and I

I'm doing my best to ignore you

The other day Milo had just comfortably settled himself into the corner of the couch when I leaned over and whispered in his ear that he needed to ‘get down’. His response? ‘Yo! Talk to the paw, bro!’ He got down – when he was good and ready.

azazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazaza

Last of the season's roses

Some areas around here have had their first frost so I’m not holding my breath to see if the last few buds actually bloom or not. Fingers crossed and here’s hoping but….

Next week it’ll be time to trim all the plants back to stubble height, turn the earth and mix in some loam and peat/fertilizer mix. This year I think we’ll get a bale of hay or two to spread over the flower beds. Autumn wind down time.

Down TO The Wire

Okay, so… mea culpa. It’s getting near the end of my shift and I had this post in mind to write but I was distracted; by work of all things. Well, for a while at last. Then on to roaming the blogs and catching everyone’s recent posts. Best laid plans and all…

Alien visitor – There I was in the shower yesterday and I happen to look out the window. Yoiks….!! Looking back at me is a Praying Mantis and he’s really watching, too. I move my hand this way – and his little triangular head swivels this way, too. Wave it over here – back it comes again. A little creepy, hmm? I named him Tom but it could just as well have been Bob. I don’t think the pictures I took turned out very well, what with the steamy window and all, but I’ll post one if it’s any good. There was no sign of him today. I sure hope that big-assed spider hunkered over in the corner didn’t get him.

Had the dogs in the yard and I spy a Wooly Caterpillar lumbering through the grass. I wave Milo off cuz that dog’ll eat anything that moves and I’m pretty sure caterpillars wouldn’t agree with his not-so-delicate system. The weather prognosticators claim they can predict what winter will be like based on the caterpillars coat. If this one is to be believed (or copied) we’re going to need nice long, thick, warm coats ourselves to get through this one. Ditto with the pictures; as above.

Yes, the dogs. I had Freedom back to the vet last week for another check up with the surgeon. No real concern – just getting his opinion. Both he and the vet are seeing signs of progress; Lynda and I somewhat less so. We’re continuing to be very cautious and one of us is with her 24/ 7. Freedom’s recovery is so incremental, so slow that the improvements aren’t terribly apparent to us. We need some outside perspective periodically. Milo is getting ripped off; not getting the attention and exercize he needs. He’s as smart as a whip and a bundle of repressed energy. Quite the personality.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Meant to mention that I caught a documentary (/interview) about (/with) W.P. Kinsella, writer of ‘Shoeless Joe’ which became the film ‘Field of Dreams’. You know – ‘If you build it, they will come.’  The documentary was a nice piece of work that covered his entire life and career. I was especially glad they visited on an earlier section of his writing that I loved which involved a series of books about life on a native reservation in Western Canada. He created a colourful cast of characters including Frank Fencepost and Mad Etta, the medicine woman. Kinsella’s writing ended when he suffered a head injury and was in a coma, bed-ridden for 3 months. A long convalescence. Since then he has editted (with the help of his wife) his previous output for collections but written very little.