Last Saturday afternoon, my husband and I went to hear Billy Collins, former poet laureate of the United States, in a nearby town. He gave a reading as part of the Chelsea District Library’s fourteenth Midwest Literary Walk. It was wonderful. We showed up early, and a few folks even earlier. Eventually, I believe,… Continue reading Poetry and Mud
Tasty World
On a recent foray to Sur La Table, I picked up a Bundt pan that makes six bunny “cakelets.” The bunnies are quite detailed and differ slightly, one from the next. We were concerned about whether the delicate details, such as the ears, would come out of the pan intact. They did, though. When… Continue reading Tasty World
Progress
‘Just came in from a walk. All by myself. That’s right, as of this week, I am confident enough again to go out on my own. Hurray! It feels like progress. My destination was the pond, where I sat on one of the benches and saw pretty much the same cast of characters as… Continue reading Progress
Double Play
Outpatient physical therapy started this afternoon. Jessica, my new physical therapist, professed amazement at how well I’m doing so soon after the accident. I was chuffed. Then she handed me off to her helper, who had me do exercises, after which I was less chuffed. Then the helper asked me to fill out a survey,… Continue reading Double Play
Recovering
Our wonderful neighbors have been taking our dog for his long morning walk since my accident. This is a huge investment of their time, as the little squirt isn’t happy unless he’s been out for an hour or so. He doesn’t understand that they’re doing this as a favor and that they both have jobs. … Continue reading Recovering
Four-Wheel Drive
Prakash, the physical therapist who comes to the house, has graduated me to a four-wheel walker and sometimes just a cane. This is wonderful. Not only does it represent progress in the abstract, but the four-wheel walker glides along the sidewalk, whereas the two-wheel one did not. Prakash still wants someone with me when I… Continue reading Four-Wheel Drive
Saint Patrick’s Day
Last Saturday, we got together with the four friends with whom we have periodic wine-and-cheese gatherings. Heretofore, Anne and Todd have hosted these gatherings. They’re great at it. We all know what to do when Anne and Todd put the word out about a wine and cheese. We think of what great things to bring… Continue reading Saint Patrick’s Day
Another Surprise
My last post dealt with winter surprises, and there have been some delightful ones. An eagle. A great horned owl. I experienced a less delightful one last Thursday, when I was out with the dog and miles from home. It was a pretty day, sidewalks were clear, and Rascal and I weren’t yet at our… Continue reading Another Surprise
Winter Surprises
There are aspects of winter that Michiganders can count on. Snow. Cold. Ice. Grey days. Days so bright and beautiful they fill you with awe. These are givens. There are also surprises. Early this winter, for example, as the dog and I set out on a morning walk, we noticed two Vs of birds… Continue reading Winter Surprises
Thaw-Freeze, Spring, and Sunshine
It has been exceedingly slippery around here lately. We seem to have the freeze-thaw cycle backwards. We finally had the January thaw this month, but then we had freeze. And snow. So, the first layer on the sidewalks is ice–bumpy, hard to walk on, and slick. Walking on it, because dog, requires concentration and… Continue reading Thaw-Freeze, Spring, and Sunshine