Father's Day

Father's Day was ineventful. We strolled through the flea market in Rowley. By noon it was so hot, the vendors were packing up and heading out.

Lucky for us, we don't have room for the smallest item.

We didn't make it to church being as I can't stop coughing. I will be glad when this sinus infection is over.

On a good health note, I was discharged from the wound clinic last Monday. Amen to that. I will miss the visiting nurses from Beverly and Partners. I certainly got great medical care. They came almost every day for ten weeks.

The boats are almost all in the water here in Newburyport. Whale watches and cruises are leaving daily for outings. Maybe we will get to go this summer.

Tomorrow we are driving to Rhode Island to visit family. It should be a nice day and not so humid.

We continue to walk a lot and it's so wonderful not to have pain. We visit Dr. Banco on Friday.

I'm working on a quilt for Kelley. It's coming along pretty good. It's been thirteen years since I made a quilt and thirteen has always been my lucky number.

Fraser Automotive - Salisbury, MA

I feel better than I have felt in years.

We are enjoying our walks along the boardwalk and I love seeing the boats in the water after a long winter.

It's wonderful to be able to walk completely without pain. I am anxious to start physical therapy at the Anna Jaques Hospital. Maybe in the next week or so I will get the OK. My wound is almost healed and that's what we're waiting for.

Everyone said it couldn't be done!! So to all you "nay sayers" - it can only be done by Nan.

I was determined to get rid of our two old rust bucket cars so I put ads on Craigslist and on Ebay.

We met up with two Nigerian brothers from Boston in the parking lot of CVS and exchanged cash and title for the Izuzu. I told my son Chris, I wouldn't know a fake 100 dollar bill if it bit me in the ass.

I was more than a little nervous about it but we got the cash and went immediately to the bank and deposited it.

Then we were left to figure out how to get rid of a 22 year old car. The Olds was in great shape and will probably go another 50,000 miles, but that's a chance I wasn't willing to take.

We found a wonderful store in Salisbury, MA called Fraser Automotive. What wonderful people. They agreed to take the Olds in trade and gave us a great price on a brand new car.

However, the brand new car is actually 14 years old. It's a 1996 Buick with 25,000 miles on it. It was always in a garage and looks like it was just driven out of the showroom. This car is gorgeous and should "do us out".

May on the River Merrimack

My apologies for almost missing May.

The positive events in my life are: I can walk without pain and am up to over a mile a day. The pain I was experiencing at night is now pretty much gone. I am not taking medication of any kind. Horrah!

On a "not so good note", the bottom part of my incision has not quite healed yet. There was a pocket in there and it has to heal from the inside out. I go to the wound clinic every Monday and the visiting nurses still come every day to dress the wound. Marv is pretty good at it too.

I have had only lost about three more pounds the last time I went to the Lahey, but I am holding. It's easy to slip and I really need to be more conscious of protein, protein, protein. It's very necessary for healing.

The walks with the dogs along the Merrimack have been wonderful. We watched as the boats went into the water one by one after a long winter. What a pretty sight!

Roger is having his usual Memorial Day get together and we are planning on going as a lot of our old friends will be there. We should never miss an opportunity at our age as you just never know.

I went on a quilting marathon last Friday night and am planning to finish a quilt that Kelley started thirteen years ago. Bless her heart! I am reorganizing my bedroom to make room for my little Singer Featherweight.

My inspiration was a series of books I've been reading by Jennifer Chiaverini. The theme of the series is quilting, but a lot of history about the underground railroad and how quilts were hung on the clotheslines with secret codes on the quilts.

My goal is to finish at least three quilts for Kelley, Jon and Chris. Kelley says, "Be sure and sign them."

Jon had a great birthday party on the 15th. It was wonderful to see my grandkids, Tyler and Julianna and all the family.

The Thompsons who rented our house just love it there. I'll bet they love it even more since the 90 degree weather over the last two days. (Central Air).

I miss our home in Andover, but not the loneliness of being so isolated and having to drive so far to everything.

We are so fortunate to live in such beautiful surroundings. We love Market Square and just sitting and listening to the local musicians giving their mini concerts. Sunday there was a guy playing a harp - Wow!

We took a trip to Ipswitch as I had never been there. What a view from "Little Neck" and "Great Neck". The water is green, like I remember Hawaii on my honeymoon 45 years ago.

Massachuetts has many rural and beautiful areas that are well worth visiting. I am anxious to go to Glocester which is next on my list.

We have made many new friends by going to the church suppers in the area. The volunteering for the Firehouse continues to bring on a network of friends and our next assignment is for the Back Bay Bell Ringers.

More good news is, "Yes, you can live on social security!"

April Showers Bring May Flowers

The rain has stopped so today we'll continue my mile walk assignment. Yesterday I was chilled to the bone so it was a lazy day.

Recovery from back surgery is a long, slow process. Every day is a day behind me. I am looking forward to walking all over town without pain. So far so good.

I'm reading a series of books about quilting - fiction. It is inspiring me to get out my rotary cutter and get to work. That was always the plan when I retired. I need a refresher course, so am checking that out.

I have material to make three large quilts. I promised Kelley the first one. Will keep you posted.

The Midnight Ride

It's 4:00 AM and I'm getting used to being up a good part of the night.

The news is on and in one hour, I'll make a pot of coffee and start the day.

I'm lucky to be able to walk without pain for most of the day. It's evening when the pain hits me. I knew this would be a long recovery and every day is a day behind me.

I dislike taking pain medication, but I couldn't get through this recovery without it.

The visiting nurse is coming today. I'll be calling the doctor to give him an update.

We are enjoying going to the church suppers and it's helped me a lot as I'm not up for cooking. Marv does the laundry and washes the dishes.

We take the dogs on a long river walk every day and I find that I don't have to stop on the benches and rest like I used to.

Gator and Snoopie have been very faithful and concerned and don't leave my side.

The tulips are in bloom and the boats are starting to go into the water along the Merrimack.

We usually go out every day even if it's just to the post office.

Almost time to make the coffee.

Tulips and Forsythia

It's been a long haul since April 1st. I will be three weeks post op this coming Thursday. Have an appointment on Tuesday to see Dr. Banco.

I have been sleeping sparodically for six days in the recliner. For some reason I have leg pain at night. It must have something to do with lying down. I am going to increase my walking in the hopes that it will speed up my recovery.

Marv has been so good looking after me, cooking meals, laundry and cleaning the house.

Back surgery is not for the faint of heart. it's something you have to "get through". I am looking forward to walking without pain four months from now.

The kids came to visit last weekend. It was so good to see them. It's hard to be away from family, especially when I am in such a vulnerable state.

Thank you dear friends - for all the wonderful cards. It sure brightens my day.

Spring Thaw

The nor'easter washed a huge amount of garbage up on the beach down at the "Plum". Some of the cottages are sitting precariously on the edge of the dunes. We sold our rakes at our garage sale, otherwise we'd be tempted to start clean-up.

We had some nice sunny days here in Newburyport. We enjoyed going down to the square and just "hanging out".

I am having the Cadillac of back surgeries on April 1st. April Fool's! The recovery will be long, but the prospect of living without pain makes it very appealing. I have the best back doctor in Boston, so I am confident that all will go well.

I am very happy that my son and daughter-in-law will have health insurance. It would be a safe bet that the protesters of the health care bill already have health insurance.

We are having our cars inspected this morning. They seem to be in pretty good shape so we will hope for the best.

The goal postop after six weeks is to be walking three to five miles a day. Hot dog! That's something I haven't been able to do for years. I will be able to walk all the way to the Plum.

This is a week for company, a sure sign of a beautiful season ahead. Feel free to stop by anytime.

Happy Spring!