Six Weeks

It has now been six weeks since my hip replacement surgery. My surgeon says the bone and metal parts look good, everything in place where it should be.

While the remains of the hematoma are mostly gone, there is still some pain in the muscles around the incision, where blood pooling stretched everything. Because of that, recovery has been delayed,

Two years ago, with my first hip, I was out walking within two weeks, and by six weeks I was doing at least a mile and an half or more. 

Two days ago we finally went over to the little neighborhood park for a "walk". The first day I did .41 of a mile, sad, but at least something. Yesterday I did .61 of a mile, but then my thigh started to hurt. I'll try to get back out again today, but will not overdo it. 

However, I was in the park! Dogs were playing in the dog park. The brush along the trail was greening up.

The native red current was in full bloom.

And over one end of the traio the cherry trees were in bloom.

By the second day the petals were starting to fall, forming the beginning of a pink carpet on the pathway. Such fleeting beauty. 

We were supposed to celebrate Irene's 18th birthday tomorrow, Sunday, but yesterday evening our 95 year old breakfast friend called to tell us she tested positive for COVID. We are in 5 day quarantine. Hopefully she will be OK, and we will not get sick. If we are well we'll celebrate with Jill and Irene on Wednesday. Since her birthday is really on Monday, the 17th, we'll just stretch out the pageant, hopefully.

But for now we are good. I have a garden blooming on my table. 

Those carnations just won't quit, and daffodils and tulips are now abundant in the grocery store.

While outside our tulips will soon be blooming.

Life has ups and downs, but we're good. 
 

Busy Week

 On Monday, besides a little housecleaning, not much because we were tired, and getting the laundry done, because, well, it was Monday, I had a Physical Therapy appointment with a new therapist and got some new exercises. I can also now get back on my recumbent stationary bike, starting at 10 minutes a session. 

On Tuesday I tried out all of my new exercises and did my time on the bike. I also had an appointment in the city to see my orthopedic surgeon for my six week check in. X-rays show my hip looks good, the hematoma has reduced considerably, and the resulting pain from it should continue to diminish. I ask Dr Chen about my unsteadiness and a few other symptoms and he agreed I should pursue a neurological assessment. 

On Wednesday I went to a high school track meet! Oh, I was so happy to finally get to see Irene perform her flying over hurdles act.!

It was a beautiful day and the cold wind was at our backs, so, bundled up and sitting in the sun, we were very comfortable. I managed to get up and down the steps to get to the rail to take photos. 

Irene had stiff competition in the 100 M hurdles and came in third but was happy with her time.  

Coach Jill checked in. She had managed to turn a volunteer job into a paid coach position because they really needed more help. She coaches the sprinters and hurdlers and she's good at it. 

Irene came in first in her 300 m hurdles.

Over the last hurdle and off to victory. She also ran the 200m sprint.

Today, Thursday, we had nothing on the calendar and could take our time with a slow start. Tom has been outside limbing up the big cedar tree over our patio. We wanted more light for our plants, a better view of the garden, and more light in the house. 

I love the results. Now he has all of the limbs to deal with.

I, on the other hand, am enjoying a live of ease, sitting at my computer typing to you. Outside my window I see that the dogwood flowers are finally beginning to "bloom", or show their white bracts. 

And I have camellias in the garden to play with. 

I hope to go for an actual walk this afternoon. Life is good enough. 

Easter Sunday

 

It was the usual suspects gathered around Jill's dining table for our Easter feast: L to R - Tom, Irene, Jill, Isaac, Jan, and Jake. And me, taking the photo. I almost forgot, and all of the yummy ham, twice baked potatoes, asparagus, cinnamon buns, and fruit salad had been consumed. Jelly beans and chocolate truffle eggs we being enjoyed by those not to full already.

We lingered and talked. Lots of science is involved in our conversations.

There were little Easter baskets full of goodies for everyone. And more talking. Big thanks to Isaac for doing the dishes. 

Isaac had arrived from his island weekend just in time for dinner so he opened his gift from the Easter Bunny. Shoes! He does love shoes.

Mr. Whiskers made his rounds of laps to sit on.

The rain never let up so we had our egg hunt indoors. We isolated down stairs while Jake hid the eggs up stairs.

It worked just fine. Tom and I teamed up and here's our stash.

Then there was a birthday to celebrate. Time to eat that berry pie, Jake's favorite. 

Despite the gloomy weather is was a lovely day of celebrating family and spring renewal. Thank you to Jill and Irene for a wonderful dinner. 

Garden or Yard

 I read recently about whether you should refer to the property around your house as a garden or a yard. The person writing was obviously a gardener, because she said if you plant anything, or tend anything, it's a garden. "Prisons have yards, people have gardens."

OK, then, I found my gardener tending our garden.

Tom was pruning and grooming in the front yard. The blue Chionodoxa along the steps are blooming along with primroses, Tete-a-Tete daffodils, and hellebore.   

I can see this little garden from inside and I love it. I can also see this clump of trillium that have just opened. 

Later I found the gardener in the back mowing the lawn. I love the bright green. 

The primroses, all overwintered and planted over the years, are spectacular this year.

 The forsythia lights up the bottom of the garden.

These photos were taken yesterday when it was partly sunny.  This  morning it was raining lightly as I came back from walking out to the street to get the newspaper. Rounding the corner of the garage, I was struck by the beauty of our early spring garden.

We have some feathered friends that like it here too. Each year we have a pair of crows that return to look for bugs in the lawn, drink from the bird bath, and nest somewhere nearby. Also the pair of Bewick's wrens have returned and are checking out which nesting accommodations to use. They are old friends too. 

As for me, my progress is slow but steady. I had my hematoma drained last Friday. My surgeon advised as the PA did the poking and palpitating. Some old blood liquids were removed. The rest will have to dissipate over time, which is happening. I look forward to the lumps being gone so I can return to my bed and sleep on that side. 

 

I got a little to rambunctious in the kitchen, walking without my stick, and caused some strained muscles in my surgical thigh, so now I am trying to behave myself and let that settle down. 

Meanwhile Jill and I have been making plans for Easter dinner and Jake's birthday celebration. I get to bake the birthday pie and contribute the pretty table decorations. Of course I will also be bringing "baskets full of Easter joy" for everyone.

Spring is lovely here, even if it is still too cold. 

Happy Easter Weekend to you all!

I Decorated

 

It's April, no foolin', but we could honestly use more showers. Tom reports that our garden is very dry, and so far this rainy day isn't rainy at all. Mother Nature April Fools? 

I have been enjoying my Spring/Easter decorations as I sit in my recliner too many hours a day, icing and elevating. I got them up early in the week as part of my "activity", moving around as directed on my rehab charts. 

I tend to put the decorations up in the same places every year, with few changes. 

The mantel

Ducks in a row on the old trunk. Tom decorated his little glass house.

The coffee table

Color coordinated :-)

My childhood Easter basket. 

Chickens in the powder room, with the first blooms from my mother's camellia. 

The kitchen table, with chicks and a bunny that belonged to my maternal grandmother. 

And some of the other things placed here and there. 

There are more, but that's enough for this post. 

On one of my walks in the garden I saw that the violets are starting to bloom. Since they are too close to the ground for me right now, I had Tom pick me a sweet little bunch.

They remind me of my mother, because her name was Violet. 

T.S. Eliot famously said April was the cruelest month, and that is often quoted as a comment on the unsettled weather and the storms it can bring. Some parts of our country, and world, are suffering. The news can be dismal and depressing. 

I am wishing you all rays of sunshine to brighten your day and lift your spirits.