We've had a sudden change in the weather; fall has arrived! It's cold!
The cool temperature and cold breeze chased us inside tonight, even though the sun was shining under a blue sky. Time to change the clothes I wear to go outside and I might even get out my gloves.
But we did sit in the cafeteria and go through the information on beds, mattresses, lifts and ramps that Mrs. F.G,. has gathered. We're now ready to finalize things with the vendor in Owen Sound and start getting things installed.
Although we've received good advice, you're still left sorting things out and arranging installation yourself. And we still don't have a final price.
It's been a good day. I'm still feeling good after Patsy and Bill dropped in to visit yesterday.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Rainy Day Visitors
We had rain on and off all day here today, but it tapered off after 3, so I picked up a coffee and headed out. Stayed under the picnic shelter until I finished my coffee.
Coming outside after all the rain, the gardens had that bright green sparkly glow that lights up the world when you get sunshine after a rainfall. The wet leaves were sparkling, the sparrows were splashing in the puddles and mist was rising off the roof I was under. Nice temperaturesx and a gentle breeze, it couldn't be better.
I headed further to the butterfly gardens and poked around there a bit. Sent a couple of messages using voice activation on my iphone - like magic! I'll definitely be doing more of that.
Then who do you think came walking down the path but Patsy and Bill! Incase you don't recognize the names, Patsy writes an interesting daily blog at 'Patsy is Chillin'. Sorry I can't link you directly, but check it tomorrow and you just might find a picture of me. We sat in the garden and talked for most of an hour. They're in town to get some minor repairs on their RV.
Patsy and Bill are snowbirds, heading to the southwest for 6 months every winter. Then they bring their big fifth wheel back here for the summer. They park it on a rural property about 45 minutes south of here. Patsy has a garden, and brought me a fresh tomato which tasted delicious. We visited them there (with George and Suzie) last year.
I did get a good picture of the happy couple, but of course you'll have to wait for that. Thanks so much Bill and Patsy for taking the time to find me.
Coming outside after all the rain, the gardens had that bright green sparkly glow that lights up the world when you get sunshine after a rainfall. The wet leaves were sparkling, the sparrows were splashing in the puddles and mist was rising off the roof I was under. Nice temperaturesx and a gentle breeze, it couldn't be better.
I headed further to the butterfly gardens and poked around there a bit. Sent a couple of messages using voice activation on my iphone - like magic! I'll definitely be doing more of that.
Then who do you think came walking down the path but Patsy and Bill! Incase you don't recognize the names, Patsy writes an interesting daily blog at 'Patsy is Chillin'. Sorry I can't link you directly, but check it tomorrow and you just might find a picture of me. We sat in the garden and talked for most of an hour. They're in town to get some minor repairs on their RV.
Patsy and Bill are snowbirds, heading to the southwest for 6 months every winter. Then they bring their big fifth wheel back here for the summer. They park it on a rural property about 45 minutes south of here. Patsy has a garden, and brought me a fresh tomato which tasted delicious. We visited them there (with George and Suzie) last year.
I did get a good picture of the happy couple, but of course you'll have to wait for that. Thanks so much Bill and Patsy for taking the time to find me.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Tree of Heaven
Woody wins the prize for suggesting that my mystery tree is a Tree of Heaven. All the descriptions I can read online seem to fit. It's native to China but has been planted elsewhere. First I've seen though. See his comment in last night's blog.
Long day here, but we're down to a final list of changes needed at home. The vendor came today and spent two hours measuring and discussing options with Mrs.F.G. She's exhausted. I think having to make all these decisions is one of the more stressful things we need to do. After awhile your brain just goes fuzzy.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
More Birds and a Mystery Tree
I can report twonew birds this week, one of them a Hummingbird my son saw on the Yarrow flowers this afternoon while we were sitting outside visiting (but I missed).
The other is a Red-tailed Hawk that has been screeching in the sky - one of the easy bird calls to recognize. Then it flew quite low right over our heads.
The mystery tree is a puzzle to me, even though I did write a little tree guide. The leaves look for all the world like Sumac leaves, but it's a tree 40 or 50 feet tall. The trunk has smooth bark, and the seeds are somewhat like maple keys.
Can anyone help?
It's been a beautiful day here, more people outside than I've ever seen.
The other is a Red-tailed Hawk that has been screeching in the sky - one of the easy bird calls to recognize. Then it flew quite low right over our heads.
The mystery tree is a puzzle to me, even though I did write a little tree guide. The leaves look for all the world like Sumac leaves, but it's a tree 40 or 50 feet tall. The trunk has smooth bark, and the seeds are somewhat like maple keys.
Can anyone help?
It's been a beautiful day here, more people outside than I've ever seen.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
A Walk in the Gardens
Sat. morning is time Mrs.F.G. and I can spend together with no therapy sessions scheduled. Today was a beautiful day here, so we headed downstairs on the elevator (I'm getting better at handling elevators).
We stopped in the coffee shop/cafeteria and picked up two coffees and two donuts. Maneuvered through the exit doors to the patio outside - sunny and warm. Then sat in the picnic shelter while we finished our coffees, surrounded by a foraging flock of House Sparrows. A good chance to just chat.
Presently we headed out to the further reaches of the garden, through a tunnel of bright yellow Cup Plants. The small fountain is always enjoyable. There's something special about the sound of running water.
Back to the main path we went and stopped by the raised beds to check for butterflies. No luck today. Then we realized what time it was and hurried back in. My lunch was getting cold. Shortly after Mrs. F.G. left for home. I just heard from her, 4.5 hours later.
The other day when she was here we went in search of the art studios for veterans. Amazing - three big studios for pottery, fabric and wood-working, all cluttered with projects, equipment and finished work. What great facilities!
We stopped in the coffee shop/cafeteria and picked up two coffees and two donuts. Maneuvered through the exit doors to the patio outside - sunny and warm. Then sat in the picnic shelter while we finished our coffees, surrounded by a foraging flock of House Sparrows. A good chance to just chat.
Presently we headed out to the further reaches of the garden, through a tunnel of bright yellow Cup Plants. The small fountain is always enjoyable. There's something special about the sound of running water.
Back to the main path we went and stopped by the raised beds to check for butterflies. No luck today. Then we realized what time it was and hurried back in. My lunch was getting cold. Shortly after Mrs. F.G. left for home. I just heard from her, 4.5 hours later.
The other day when she was here we went in search of the art studios for veterans. Amazing - three big studios for pottery, fabric and wood-working, all cluttered with projects, equipment and finished work. What great facilities!
Friday, August 17, 2018
Finding the Joy
Thank you all so much for your encouraging comments day after day. More than you know your words do pull me along the road to recovery.
After yesterday's post about the moments of feeling discouraged, I thought I should turn to the positive side. One thing that really helps me is thinking of what brings me joy, so here are a few of them.
Childhood memories - I remember playing at the beach, big dinners at my grandparents, going to church with my own parents, and much more, all from before I was five.
Legacy - a friend who dropped by the other day reminded me that I have left a big legacy in the work I did promoting land trusts and conservation in Ontario. It's comforting to feel you've left something positive behind you after 35 years of work.
Family - of course my family is my biggest strength. I can't begin to describe the love I feel from and for my closest family - my son, my daughter, my sister, my cousin and above all my wife. At this stage in life, supporting them is my own goal.
Travel Memories - closely related to my family are the trips we've taken over the years, first the cross-country camping trips when our children were young, and later a number of trips my wife and I have taken. My northern canoe adventures were a highlight.
Friends and Relatives - beyond my close family there are dozens and dozens of others who have supported me. I know I sometimes take them for granted, but the many cards and the hand written messages in them I've received tell me that they all really care.
Nature - whether it's the gardens here or the tiny backyard at home, the waters of Georgian Bay or the forests of northern Ontario, being outdoors with all that greenery and fresh air has always inspired and comforted me.
This Blog - writing this blog is another source of joy, having such a tangible thing to do every day keeps me going, as do your comments.
So in spite of the hardship and frustrations, there are positive things for me to think about and remember or look forward to.
After yesterday's post about the moments of feeling discouraged, I thought I should turn to the positive side. One thing that really helps me is thinking of what brings me joy, so here are a few of them.
Childhood memories - I remember playing at the beach, big dinners at my grandparents, going to church with my own parents, and much more, all from before I was five.
Legacy - a friend who dropped by the other day reminded me that I have left a big legacy in the work I did promoting land trusts and conservation in Ontario. It's comforting to feel you've left something positive behind you after 35 years of work.
Family - of course my family is my biggest strength. I can't begin to describe the love I feel from and for my closest family - my son, my daughter, my sister, my cousin and above all my wife. At this stage in life, supporting them is my own goal.
Travel Memories - closely related to my family are the trips we've taken over the years, first the cross-country camping trips when our children were young, and later a number of trips my wife and I have taken. My northern canoe adventures were a highlight.
Friends and Relatives - beyond my close family there are dozens and dozens of others who have supported me. I know I sometimes take them for granted, but the many cards and the hand written messages in them I've received tell me that they all really care.
Nature - whether it's the gardens here or the tiny backyard at home, the waters of Georgian Bay or the forests of northern Ontario, being outdoors with all that greenery and fresh air has always inspired and comforted me.
This Blog - writing this blog is another source of joy, having such a tangible thing to do every day keeps me going, as do your comments.
So in spite of the hardship and frustrations, there are positive things for me to think about and remember or look forward to.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Rehab Challenges
Many of you have commented on my positive attitude to my situationn, but I'm not sure I'm giving you a very balanced picture of my rehab. There are in fact all kinds of challenges and frustrations too.
At the heart of it, I'm not in control. I can't get up when I want or go to bed when I want. I can't easily move around or reposition myself. It's all the hospital schedule. I've had so many different nurses I've lost track, and they all have different ways of doing things. I don't always remember what I'm supposed to remind them of. Then they leave and I'm stuck.
As we get nearer the 'going home' date, they are focussing on a few skills I need, and making me do as much as I can myself. To be honest, it's hard and tiring when you're sitting in a wheelchair. Some of the things they're pushing me to do in physio seem impossible, and it's physically exhausting. I can't do it and then I feel like a failure.
These stubby fingers don't help either. I'm typing this blog entirely with the baby finger on one hand.
We now have to follow-up on all the equipment at home as I mentioned yesterday, and that's all going to fall on my wife's shoulderss. It's a lot to arrange. I'm getting tired just thinking about it. So things are often very difficult, but we're making the best of it and trying to focus on the possitives - I am still alive after all!
At the heart of it, I'm not in control. I can't get up when I want or go to bed when I want. I can't easily move around or reposition myself. It's all the hospital schedule. I've had so many different nurses I've lost track, and they all have different ways of doing things. I don't always remember what I'm supposed to remind them of. Then they leave and I'm stuck.
As we get nearer the 'going home' date, they are focussing on a few skills I need, and making me do as much as I can myself. To be honest, it's hard and tiring when you're sitting in a wheelchair. Some of the things they're pushing me to do in physio seem impossible, and it's physically exhausting. I can't do it and then I feel like a failure.
These stubby fingers don't help either. I'm typing this blog entirely with the baby finger on one hand.
We now have to follow-up on all the equipment at home as I mentioned yesterday, and that's all going to fall on my wife's shoulderss. It's a lot to arrange. I'm getting tired just thinking about it. So things are often very difficult, but we're making the best of it and trying to focus on the possitives - I am still alive after all!
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