Trying to Accidentally Commit Suicide

This is the scene of the accident. This morning Brian decided he would ask me to help him cut down a dead tree in our back yard. He had already cut down some smaller ones yesterday. So I am thinking, "I can do this". My part was to hold on to the rope and pull when the tree started to come down. The other part was to move to the left, right, or back when the tree began to fall. I cannot describe what happened, or what my thinking was at the time. I just know I heard Brian say, "Ok, it's coming down. GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!!"

I was standing there watching it come; but for some reason, I did not move. I was either thinking that I was standing far enough out so that the branches would miss me, or I was totally mesmerized by the falling tree. In any case, I did get hit by some of the side branches.

Brian began to come at me immediately and was sort of shouting, " I told you to move. Why did you just stand there? You could have been killed! I'm not kidding!" I thought he was going to take me by the shoulders and shake me for a minute. I deserved every rebuke that I received. I still do not know what happened.

Here is the result.





It could have been so much worse. I did get a tiny scratch on my face and neck. This is the real damage--a nasty scratch on my leg and foot. The top part of my foot is a bit sore and bruised.

Brian said that I would not be a good candidate for a logging job---I would be the first casualty. HA! He is not kidding.

No more tree cutting for me. I will stick with gardening, house work, and sitting at a computer.

Childhood Memories of Spring

Since I have been longing for spring and warm weather, I recently started thinking about some of my favorite childhood memories of spring. Instead of talking about all of them in one post, I have decided to write about just one each time.

One of the things that I really loved about spring was getting to go barefoot. My feet had been confined in shoes and socks all winter, and now it was time to put the shoes away and let my feet breathe and enjoy the cool green grass. Irrigation used to involve cutting ditches for the water and then using tubes to siphon the water into rows to water the crops. There was a ditch that ran close to the house. I would go out and sit on the bank and put my feet into the cold water. There would usually be some new clover coming up, and I loved the way it looked and smelled. There just seemed to be some sort of freedom in not wearing shoes. I knew that when I got to go barefoot, school was nearly over for the year and the entire summer was ahead.

Container Gardening In May

Here is the scene of the crime referred to in my last blog. This is where we were starting our "container" garden on Saturday. It was on this very deck that something stabbed me right in the back. I am still convinced that "voo-doo" may have been involved. Update is that I am doing much better.





Believe it or not, the next picture is taken on the same day....later in the afternoon. As you can see in the previous picture, it looks to be a nice day. It must have been a mirage.


Since the weather is less than predictable. We decided to do a "container" garden for a few weeks. Notice the "containers". : ) Not what you were expecting?


Hopefully in about 3 weeks we can graduate to a regular garden. It will take at least that long to get the ground ready. Weeds need to be eradicated, garden pests (like nasty little black ants that eat all the seeds) need to be exterminated, soil tilled, watered, and fertilized. Then comes the row making and finally getting the plants transplanted. I even planted some squash seeds in a container. Last year not one squash seed came up. Ants got them. We are also hoping to get a back yard started this summer and to re-build our horrible looking deck. Summer fun, here we come!

TRASHING THE BACK

This is a perfect picture of how I felt yesterday morning. We were re-potting plants. After we had finished I got ready to pick up a pot that was maybe 3 lbs---at the most. Just as I bent to get the pot I had a searing, electrifying, knife-stabbing pain. This is one of the worse pains I have ever experienced. Not to say that I have not done this before, but by far, this took top honors in the torture category.

I fell to my knees, grabbed my back, and began to immediately groan and moan. Brian had to literally pick me up. I seriously thought I was paralyzed. I could not move my legs or get them under me to stand. Finally after an agonizing few minutes, I was able to start moving my feet and legs and slowly go to the house. Finally got up the stairs and on the floor to try to stretch and move some.

Yesterday was not a fun day, but I am feeling a tad bit better today....... I think. I did not go to church since I have to move around pretty often to get in different positions to get some pain relief.

The worst thing about the whole situation is that my back gets trashed over the most piddly experiences. I am never trying to hulk a load of 100 lbs. It is always the piece of clothing on the floor, a piece of paper, a pillow, etc. What do I do? I have not a clue because believe me, I would be very aware of the incorrect motion I am making that causes such pain and avoid it.

Maybe I can post a picture soon of our "container" garden. I may even post a scene of yesterday's crime of back trashing.

Hoping I can go to work tomorrow, but I'm not counting on anything.

CONTEMPLATING

Lately I have been contemplating about doing something different ---
work -wise. A few years ago, I looked into medical transcription. At that time it seemed quite costly, and I was not sure if I wanted to invest the money it would take to get training and equipment. Would medical transcription really be a job that was in demand?

The other day a lady at work told me that if she could type as fast as I could that she would be doing medical transcription.

Once again I am faced with questions:
1) What would it cost to get training and equipment?
2) Is this a job that will fade out with new technologies?
3) How does one get clients (doctors, hospitals, etc) who need reports transcribed?
4) What is the pay for such work?
5) Do I really want to do all that much typing?
6) Would I enjoy the work?
7)Would I miss going to the office, in terms of the social aspect?

The pro side is:
1) I could work from home.
2) I am fairly sure I could choose my hours to work and the days I would want to work.
3) I could have more flexibility to go places and do things that I cannot do now.
4) I could possibly take my work with me if we should need to go see family.
5) There would possibly be time for more volunteer work, home projects, visiting, gardening, or other activities.

Maybe I am dreaming. Anyway, I think it is time to start the search again. If any of you have any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions, they would be welcome.

WEST TEXAS IN COLORADO

The past few days have very windy. It brings back memories of my growing up days in West Texas. The only difference is that we do not have the sand storms-----most of the time.





The chairs and trash can had blown off our deck, and all was scattered.







There was one nice surprise in the back yard. The grape hyacinths had bloomed. I think this is the first spring I have seen them. Last spring I had accidentally dug them all up try to get all the jungle of weeds under control. There are some tulips as well. I can't wait for them to bloom.

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend with Brad and Cindy was great.

Cindy taught me how to make homemade pasta. If you need a way to strengthen your hands, then this is the very thing you need. The recipe is simple, but there is a LOT of kneading involved. We made plain egg noodles and basil pesto noodles and served a marinara sauce over them. Cindy and I also dyed eggs. I have not done that in years. It was a lot of fun.

Brian helped by doing his usual fix-it/repair jobs. He worked on the garbage disposal, garage door, and the door in the garage that goes to the back yard. He is a great dishwasher and dishwasher unloader.

Shopping, going to Fudruckers for Cindy's b.d. dinner, drinking beverages from Sonic, (beware when Brad brings home the drinks----he believes in LARGE) watching tv, playing with Waffles, going to church on Sunday morning at 6:30 a.m. were some of the things we did. Cindy went to David's Bridal to try on her dress for Jenna and Ethan's wedding. What a hoot! Maybe Cindy will post the picture of her with the imitation baby (pillow) under the dress. Very lumpy baby to say the least.

Brad put his culinary skills to work on Sunday. The Easter meal was delicious!!! We had a lucious ham, au gratin potatoes, cream cheese corn, rosemary carrots, bread, and deviled eggs. YUM! We all left the table very satisfied. Brad makes cooking look so fun and easy. I was privileged to be asked to help. Fun, fun. I learned a lot too.

Thank you Halls for a most enjoyable weekend!