spring

91:365:2011


Today I am thankful for:

remembering my dad with this photo...
finding some cool clothes at a thrift store
RAIN! Even though it was only about 15 minutes worth... it was the first in months...
... and the smell of rain...
and the slight wind with the rain...
Netflix
recipes from friends
fresh brewed coffee
cheese puffs... and the orange residue it leaves on the fingertips

and the quote:
"he who knows nothing... gets the most out of everything..."
(--- don't know who said it... but it's awesome)


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

103:365 & 104:365

------------------------------ photo of a "laying on of hands" blessing for my dad....


Somehow, I missed not only making a blog post... but I didn't even manage to get a post saved to do at a later date. Ah well.... And so... this will be a combined post of what happened on Tuesday and Wednesday....

It is a funny thing. Some days I feel are so incredibly busy that I hardly have a chance to even think about it... and yet.... when I look back on the day... I wonder what I actually got done. These 2 days are a prime example of that.

Dad is home from the hospital... and it has really been kind of a blur. Getting his medications straight... and financed through the pharmacy (one of his meds cost $9300 for a 28 day supply-- and yes, you read that right). Writing down pill schedules... compiling a list of phone numbers for easy reference... cleaning off bulletin boards, desk tops and such of unnecessary stuff. Even going thru what seems to be an endless stash of pens... most of which don't work.
I have been organizing mail/ bills/ important papers... things like that. It feels impressive... but sure doesn't look it.
And in between times... doing the day to day stuff.


-------------------------------------endless papers to go thru....


And trying to install a new shower head/ wand/ thingie for use while sitting in the shower... except that the only one in town *(and of course it was expensive)... doesn't seem to even work. And I've lost the receipt. And now I can't get it back off....and it's leaking...
ergh.

Stuff like that. Plus... I am essentially not worth spit now that I hurt my back. I can hardly move.
And then throw in the girl who came to the house (while I was supposed to be laying down and resting my back for a bit)...because she had cut her arms up (intentionally) and wanted me to drive her somewhere... and all the while being generally hysterical... it has just been "a day"... so to speak.


------------------------------------all photos by Elaine A. Russell


But then the blessings....nice weather... spring flowers... the birds that come to the backyard and are so very lovely.... my daughter being so sweet, and kind, and helpful... the fact that my parents are still around... and together... and enjoying the day as much as they are able....a friend who came just to say HI and massage my back...

...It certainly puts a more balanced perspective on things... and I need to keep that uppermost in my mind.

94:365



Today I was able to spend time with family.... enjoying the holiday. I saw both of my nieces and their families, and my former brother-in-law and his wife. It was a time of good food and good fun.
Spring is definitely in full swing here. Trees are trying to bud... the grass is becoming really green in spots... plants are pushing their way through the dirt. Birds are coming around and singing joyfully.... and last night I heard the snorting of a nearby bear whilst taking a walk (yes, I remember my bear encounter last year... ).

Today was also my parent's 58th wedding anniversary. They got quite a bit of company, and dad was able to enjoy the sun on the front deck while visiting with friends. My dad has been having alot of swelling in his legs still; and for the past couple of days... he has had bouts of severe cramps in his backside and upper legs. I can only assume his electrolytes are off... and we are trying to fix that through diet and a multivitamin until we can get a follow up with a doctor. He has been using massage and heat as well... with some relief... but it continues to come with some frequency.... and usually at night.
Mom hasn't had any more additional problems since her episode in the ER... thankfully.

And so .... we are all very grateful for the healthy progress so far..... but very tired.....





These are all photos from a house here in town. The people who live there have decorated the entire yard and house with decorations... including a huge ceramic basket full of ceramic eggs (top photo in this series), lots of bunnies and flowers and such... and these massive ceramic eggs in all colors... scattered about their flower beds. Each egg was just smaller than the average shoebox. It was pretty amazing......

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

85:365


Last night around 9:30pm; it started snowing. Really snowing.
Huge, wet flakes came down ... and it was a beautiful sight.



Of course, by the time I woke up; most all of it was gone... having melted in the morning sun. It never did get much above 35 degrees today... although if you stood in the sun; it felt much warmer.



Today was a rough day... and here I am after midnight... trying to make some sense of it all.

I am failing.

I did have some wonderful moments today... gazing at the snow... the rays of sun peaking through the pine trees in the backyard.... seeing this babbling brook when I took a break and drove around a bit....


Sometimes moments are all we have... and I am thankful that some of them are supremely awesome. Today was a very rough day for my parents. Dad had a horrible night; followed by an equally bad day. Can't eat... can't rest... can't sleep... can't breathe well.... and mom is worried sick. On April 4th; they will be married 58years. Hard to imagine... and I am sure it is even more difficult for them... not only with each of them being sick.... but having to spend time away from each other is very hard for them; as they have rarely been apart these 58 years.
I just feel completely helpless and useless....


Kristin and I went for a drive this evening to Port Alleghany where one of my husband's brothers lives. It was a very good visit. And...It was an easy drive. We happened to pass this sporting goods store on way. The bear was pretty awesome... just odd... and funky and wonderful.



And then we saw this ultra fabulous vending machine out front.... yes sir --ee bob... get yer live bait right here in the vending machine! Cuz you never know when you're gonna need worms....

Mind you ... I absolutely love fishing... but even this was a little too funny to pass up :)

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

79:365


Today was somewhat relaxing.... I woke up very late... and sat out by the river for a little while. I was able to get some photos of crocus and cinquefoil flowers... sure signs that spring is well on it's way and settling in. I saw robins.... and even some bees!



And I was able to visit with my parents... my dad is quite sore and swollen today. He thinks it is from the transfer in the ambulance... too much stress and lying down ... he thinks. But... he is progressing with his walking... which is just amazing.



... as the sun came to rest in the Allegheny mountains... I took my mom home to rest for the night. Then, my daughter, my nephew, and one of my nieces and I all went to "Olga's Cafe" in town. The featured band tonight was an Irish group from Buffalo, NY. The band's name is "Cairde", and normally they have 4 members in the band, but one was absent tonight. They were quite good...but then, I love Irish music. There was a couple who came with the band; who were trained in Irish dancing, and they got up and did some jigs.... as well as help leading some audience members in a dance... which was fun.



And we enjoyed the atmosphere at Olga's... warm and welcoming... with excellent food... and (in my case)... a good glass of Riesling. We all shared "bangers and mash" (sausage and mashed potatoes), spinach dip with chips, a vegetarian goat cheese (small) pizza, and a buffalo wing panini. Everything was really, really well made and tasty.



And now I am back at my parent's house... enjoying a warm cup of tea... and about to tuck in.... with Irish jigs dancing in my head.... and a warmth in my heart....


............................................................................................All photos by Elaine A. Russell
Links:
The band.... Cairde: look here
Olga's Gallery & Cafe: look here