Greetings, Friends!!

I did not see the eclipse this past Monday. It was cloudy up here in the Metro area. Our good friends live in Toledo and not only sat out on their front lawn to watch, but sent videos of before and during. So cool.

My cousin lives in Pennsylvania where they had 95% occlusion. Her photos are beautiful. Well, in all fairness, she is a talented photographer and has been planning for this day for weeks.

So I have seen the images of the eclipse.

But no, I didn’t see the eclipse as it was happening because I was in the recovery area after knee surgery. Let’s just say that poking our heads outside to view the phenomenon wasn’t tops on our list.

I am glad to say that I felt like I was top of the list of the medical staff there. The nurses who took care of me were outstanding. Bethany, you saw me through two days of wonderful and laugh filled care. You and Chia set me up for success that first day. And then you returned the next day and saw me off efficiently and knowledgeably. Shannon and Becky, you two tackled the night shift and were always there with warm care and answers. Christine, you handled pre-op with grace and humor, Darla/Darcy her given floor name) you walked with me and kept me smiling. And Ryan, you solved nighttime alarm mysteries like the pro you are. Thank you all for taking such good care of me. I was in great hands.

And now I’m home and happily watching the birds voraciously empty the bird feeders outside the window. Cardinals, nuthatches, juncos, woodpeckers, robins and goldfinches who are beginning to yellow up.

Not quite sure that’s a proper term, but you get my drift.

One of the post surgery exercises involves a spirometer. You breathe into it, slowly and steadily until the green disc thing reaches the top of the cylinder. Its purpose is to keep your lungs clear and pnemonia free after surgery. I get a kick out of it because to me the green thingy looks like an old cartoony set of dentures riding up and down. Just like the kind kept in a glass on the bedside table. It makes me laugh inside.

Slow and steady seems to be more and more of a mantra these days. Well, it worked for the tortoise when he beat the hare. It can work for me, too!

I did try something entirely new, though, and would try it again. I sold something on FB Marketplace. Encouraged by my quilting friends, I tried it and successfully sold a dressmaker’s form that was just taking up space in my sewing room. Tired of all the stuff around the house, they are getting rid of stuff one item each day. Doesn’t that sound like a good idea? Not all of it goes on Marketplace, of course, but we all have some sellable items that could. And the rest can be donated to various places. Once I can walk better, I plan on trying my hand at selling something else on FB Marketplace.

And, yes, I am still working on the dust in the sewing room(see previous blog post) I am reorganizing at the same time, so it’s slow and steady once again.

SEE? New mantra.

The toilet and the sink are being installed in the new bathroom remodel tomorrow!!! I am super excited. It does seem as though my bodily functions have been at the forefront of my thoughts for way too long. And here is where slow and steady may be a problem.

Sigh.

It is what it is.

Friends and family have been taking good care of me. The hubster has been moving recliners up and down stairs finding one the right height with a lever release footrest. My cousin suggested frozen chimichangas for a quick and easy protein fix during the day. My brother gave me medical advice on a steam burn on my IV arm. I have received many supportive texts and emails. I am so appreciative.

Have a wild and wacky Wednesday evening. Hug a friend. Hug yourself. Read or listen to a good book. Do something creative that makes you smile inside.

Love,

Janet