Middleton Market

What a beautiful day. It's been breezy up here on the mountain, but the sun has been shining on and off all day.

I started the morning with a ramble through the fields with Cole. Rob, Ian and Dave were off to the Annapolis River early this morning to start leg one of the annual Amigos Fishing Weekend. Dave caught his first shad and I guess this means the formula used to determine who takes home the trophy will need to be tweaked as it only accounts for pickerel and bass.

When they returned from the river, Cole and I gave Dave the nickle tour of the property before they loaded the boat to head to the lakes.

I spent the afternoon visiting an old friend and learning from a master gardener. I still have to take it easy, so I watched as Debbie G. filled a bed with snap dragons. I toured their new barn to get ideas of what to do with our barn and left with an armful of fresh rhubarb and a promise for some plants this fall so I can grow my own for future years.

One the way home I stopped at the used bookstore in Middleton and picked up a copy of "The Good Life" a book which is considered the forerunner of books for people seeking self-sufficient living. I think all of the books Rob and I have purchased over the last year reference this book.

My final stop of the day was the Middleton Farm Market. I picked up two loaves of bread, a birthday gift for Trudy and two tomato plants from Annapolis Seed.

I think I'll make a rhubarb jam and try that with the bread.

Overall, a busy day and I'm feeling good. I need to behave myself for the rest of the weekend -- no heavy lifting, no stretching. Hopefully the nicer weather will hold and Cole and I can spend some time outdoors.

Surgery Done

Well, the touch ups are done. We had a long day at the hospital. We were there at 7 for the pre-op routine, my surgery was at 10 and I believe it was about 5 when we finally left the building.

The surgery went fine. My surgeon seemed very please when he came to see me. Everything went smoothly. I have a follow-up with him on Monday to remove the dressings.

I was a little queasy following surgery, which seems to be par for the course, but the pain levels are easily manageable without drugs. I'm supposed to take it easy for the next couple of days, not lift anything heavy, not lift my arms above my head. I guess that means trying to get the rest of the garden is probably out.

Overall, all is well and I'm recuperating with the chicks at the farm. If the sun comes out I may go sit outside for a little while.

Final Surgery

On Tuesday I have my final surgery.

Unlike the others, this one will be short and sweet. Day surgery only, I should be in and out of surgery within a couple of hours and home in the country again before the end of the day.

The country is where the action is happening. Two weeks ago we purchased three-day-old chicks from a guy in Wilmot. Rob picked up eight Rhode Island Reds, six Barred Plymouth Rocks, a silver-laced and a gold-laced Wyandotte. We originally were going to purchase a dozen Chanteclers, a heritage breed developed right here in Canada, but it didn't work out. The lady wasn't at her home when we arrived, nor had she provided directions to her barn (where she was).

The chicks will grow into our layers and so far they have provided lots of entertainment. We have nick-named the flock the "Tick Disposal Unit." The wood ticks are quiet prevalent right now. Every time we walk through the fields we come back with at least one on us. Cole usually has several on him as well. Two more adventurous chicks will come right up to the edge of the cage to peck a tick from the tip of a finger.

Holding a worm out for them starts a foot race from one end of the dog crate to the other as they engage in a game of keep away, until the worm is gobbled.

We'll pick up two dozen meat birds from the Co-op in mid-June. At which point we'll put the first flock out to pasture. Then their fun and games will have prepared them for foraging for wild food.

No News is Good News

I've had people complain that I'm not posting, that I haven't updated my blog recently. The main reason is simple, no news is good news.

This week I learned the last surgery in the rebuilding process is schedule for May 24. A couple of hours on the table and home the same day. The surgeon puts on the finishing touches, does a little fine-tuning and removes the ports. After that I'm done -- until the 10-year tune-up.

In other news we're selling the city house.

We list it this week. We've decided, even though its a long way from my work, we want to be in the country full time. We'll figure out a way to make it work. If I go back to the whole analogy of The Hero's Journey, this final move is part of the elixer, the essence of that with which the hero returns. The journey has shown me this is how I want to live me life, closer to nature, more self-sufficient and in-tune with myself and my surroundings.

We started our garden in the country last weekend, planting cold-hardy crops of spinach, shallots, lettuce and swiss chard. We're anxious to see what pokes up through the established flower beds and I'm waiting expectantly for the apple trees and lilac bushes to bloom.

If you check back you may find this blog is about a different journey. One where we explore the land, and learn its secrets. One where we share with you the thrill of seeing a hawk sitting at the edge of the field or the deep satisfaction of hearing the first frogs of spring.

One truth we've learned since we began this journey: you never know what's around the next bend, or over the horizon, so you best make the most of it and enjoy each moment.

Blessings to you all.

Looking Ahead

It has been about a month since my last post. All of my drains are removed, I've completed a round of antibiotics for an infection and I'm getting ready to head back to work in a couple of weeks.
I have an appointment on January 31 and I believe at that time my surgeon is planning on adding some volume to the implants.
Meanwhile I'm working on regaining my range of motion and building up my stamina. For the most part I've been doing my recovery at the farm and I've been making it a habit to get out and walk around the fields at least once most days. The recent snows have made the task more challenging and I prefer to walk with Rob so he can break the path for me. This week I got out my cross-country skis and I've been doing laps around the front field (very slow laps).
Other than that I've been doing a lot of reading about gardening and have already ordered a couple of seed catalogs.

Another Journey

Well, as they say, there's no place like home. I'm awfully glad Debbie got me those "ruby" slippers and put them in my Joy Box at the beginning of this journey (so many months ago). They work like a charm. A couple of clicks of the heels and doctors let me go home.
I had surgery on Tuesday, as Rob said it was a long day for him, and a longer night for me. I remember asking the nurse around 4 a.m. if that was really the time. I had a Demerol pump, which I didn't think I used that much, but I was really dopey a lot of Wednesday. I remember my doctors coming in... I don't really remember our conversation. However, having said that, I was up and walking the hallway by the afternoon. Marion and Kelly came to visit, bringing with them a hot turkey dinner (much better than hospital food). I had a needle in my right wrist which made it difficult to use that hand. I was trying to do a crossword puzzle and it turns out I don't print well with my left hand, a deficiency my two left-handed friends couldn't understand. I guess I'll have to practice more.
I was freed from the hospital on Thursday and Rob brought me home. I'm taking Tylenol and Advil for pain, plus antibiotics to avoid infection. I'm pretty much taking it easy. I have six drains to manage so I made a little hand-sewn bag to hold them in which ties around my waist. When I left the hospital they were pinned to my clothes, which wasn't very comfortable.
I have a follow-up appointment Monday and hopefully at least two drains will come out then, but it may take up to three weeks for them all to come out.
As for the new "girls" everyone who's looked at them says they look beautiful. I have to admit its a little hard to tell right now, but I'm sure they're right. I know my green blouse I wore home finally looked right.
Typing is a little uncomfortable, so I'll keep this short. I'll update again on Monday following my appointment.

Another surgery done.

Hey Sue nation. Rob here.

Well, it was a long day all around, but the surgery went very well and she's awake, back in her own private room (an unexpected bonus, as we were expecting a ward bed), and looking forward to resting up and getting back home again. They took her in shortly after 7am, and finished up around 2:30. She spent another three hours in recovery before I got to see her, but she was in a lot better shape and spirits than the last time I saw them wheel her up from recovery!

She has six drains in, and at least some of them will likely be with her for several weeks. She'll be in hospital anywhere from two to four nights, and I expect the release date will be determined by drains, as was the case last time. They made her put on thigh-high compression stockings beforehand, and she'll have to leave them on until she's up and around and the risk of clotting is past. She'll be on blood thinners as well for a few days.

I'll let Sue tell you the rest when she's back home. All is well!