Bits and Pieces

Upset Moods: change is in the air. Fall weather has arrived, with it a lessening of the heat of summer and a preview of the coming cool weather of winter. And if winter is coming, that means snow, ice and bitter cold, at least here in upper Illinois. This change affects animals as they receive the signal for winter’s approach. Humans have similar response. It is natural. But along with this change are other activities and behaviors that affect our current environment. Upset stock market vibes have spooked the markets. They usually do in early fall. Just review seasonal notes from past years. These upsets extend to political uneasiness, especially in the years of elections. Aging sets up warning flares, too, along with the gradual maturation of our young family members.

Changes often lead to mood swings and upsets. In that environment we tend to focus on the negative. It takes resolve to remain positive. It takes courage to bump against the natural flow of colleagues. Yet, we have a role to do just to restore balance and a clear mind.

Fall vs Winter: ever since moving from southern California to New England, I dread fall. The luxurious foliage of summer’s green gives way to riotous colored leaves but also, soon after, the falling of leaves and naked landscapes. Cold gray skies promise cold rain, and then snow. Living through a few winters soon taught me to respect the ravages of winter months. It did not make me like winter but fear it. It is the time of slippery roads, ice covered sidewalks, and treachery of falling limbs upon my roof. No, winter is formidable. A snowscape freshly laid is beautiful for moments until salting and plowing bring black gunk everywhere. Cars, clothes and landscapes turn a bitter face to view. Not pleasant.

I much prefer the greening months and the pompous glory of green trees and flower beds.

Health Status: 8 weeks this past Sunday marked my first fall, the wrenched back and knee, the second fall, the loading on of medications that dampened the pain but blurred the mind as well. Sleeping in bed only made the back spasms return. Even when tried several times, sleeping in bed simply was not possible. As strength and quieted muscles return, I still sleep in my recliner. Physical therapy begins in another week. They will look to strengthen back muscles and balanced leg muscles to avoid knee strains. Meantime steroid shots to the knees work with wonder.

I think I have a chance to be whole before Thanksgiving. Something to be thankful for. But when will the bed be a healthy beckon?

October 18, 2022

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Intimacy

As we mature, we become deeply involved in relationships. Some of this is basic family relations – siblings, parental – and the like. Next is friends who enter our homes and we theirs. Neighbors, classmates, mutual hobbyists and so forth. Then we develop friendships that go much deeper. We comfort one another when we are hurting physically or emotionally. We discuss the matters of life and learn much more about ourselves and each other. We can even anticipate how others will react to various situations and stimuli. Good friendships do not spread to everyone we know. No, good friendships are special, close and deeply personal. We focus attention and brainpower on these few friends. Some special relationships focus on specific topics of interest and importance. Yes, we have specialized friendships. Most common. But one day, we get to know one person very well. An emotional connection forms with deep roots. A need to know the person more fully expands in personal ways. We sense this b...
Read more

Bits & Pieces

Pie: Apple pie more specifically. With Thanksgiving just passed, many of us enjoyed a good apple pie. Sure, there was pumpkin to accompany the turkey, but in our family multiple pies are offered in the holidays. Apple is surely one. Pecan, pumpkin and others, too. But I almost always choose apple. When I was in college, I was asked what kind of pie did I eat most often. In front of my mom, I answered apple, because I was always looking for a pie as good as mom’s own. Of course my mother was pleased, but it was a true statement just the same. When I was married, Ann’s pie was darned good. Her mother’s recipe. But we fiddled with the recipe until it took on its own generational name, and boy, was it good! Today I still order apple pie for dessert because I am always looking for a great pie to challenge our family recipes. I rarely do find such a prize. Do others do the same? Do you search for a great pie of choice, continually? If you do, what’s your story? Why do you do this? ...
Read more

Remembering Tom Sherlock

Tom Sherlock died on Wednesday, April 3rd. He was 65 years old and did not survive a heart surgery. That was his unexpected end and sad enough. But there is more to his story. Tom joined Dan Schuyler and George Safford to create what became the Village Chronicles, a weekly newspaper serving Warrenville, Illinois. That paper expanded to serve Winfield and then West Chicago. The paper published for eight years and built a good reputation for itself. Tom served the paper in several ways. He was our information technology guru, provided hardware and software to support the paper's operations. He was our sole bookkeeper, accountant and financial manager. He designed our distribution process and provided office space for meetings and layout and typesetting. His efforts supported the work of 32 volunteers who wrote and reported on the communities we served.  The newspaper broke even financially most of the time, but it was a struggle. Tom managed to find money to keep the newspaper afloat...
Read more