From Pain To Gain

Ziggy

Something wonderful has happened. The crippling pain in my hands, and subsequently my wrists, seems to be subsiding. But let me back up a bit. Last  April 22nd, I dutifully visited the Orthopedic doctor to address this problem. He listened to the ailments. Then after many more questions, and hmmm’s and uh huh’s, Doc diagnosed the pain as “Lesion of left ulnar nerve with trigger finger”. Fancy words, huh? This resulted in two very freakin' painful cortisone shots in the palm of said left hand though! Which resulted in me whimpering quietly out of the office with both wrists encased in large black braces, trying to act like an adult and therefore keep what’s left of my dignity intact. Also, on the advice of a former blogging colleague who is a retired Nurse, I’ve also began taking an over-the-counter vitamin called Turmeric (i.e. Saffron pills). Well, it’s taken several weeks of rest but I think there’s a breakthrough. I’m actually typing this missive without having to stop and hold the left wrist in agony. And that includes using this goofy laptop with the broken “s” key that slows me down to a crawl. Who knew so many words have an “s” in them?! Oy.

Hey, look, there's a cute elf weeding

in the garden so I don't have to!

Thanks to seasonal rains, the vegetable garden and the flower areas are prospering. So far we’ve already enjoyed many meals of Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Bell Peppers and Red Potatoes. The Tomatoes are a disappointment, but, I can live with it. Oh, and we now have a herb garden consisting of Basil, Cilantro, Dill, and Rosemary. I didn't realize that fresh herbs truly are a tasty accompaniment to a meal. We’re not financially rich but, doggone it, we sure eat good.

Image From Insurance Journal

(Doesn't this little guy look like our Sam III?)

There’s a lot of birthdays in our small circle of friends and family in May. Today is my 60th. Our plans this year are to stay home and have a cookout. Hubby plans to grill juicy Rib Eyes from the local IGA topped with cooked buttered mushrooms. We will also dine on baked Idaho potatoes (gotta smother them in butter and sour cream, don’t ya know) and eat more of those scrumptious fresh squash. He’s also baking a homemade apple pie. *picture me dreamy eyed and drooling* Oh yeah … that’s one of my favorite sweets! I’ll share the loot gifts next post.

Speaking of dogs, the Boys, the Jack Russell Terriorists Jack and Sam III, are both healthy. They’re still actively ‘protecting’ the property from those nefarious bushy tailed intruders. I feel so safe now. *giggle* That first year I thought I'd got run away from home trying to discipline those two cuties but now they've finally turned into two really fine dogs.

For Wrent

Hubby has started making Blue Bird houses. He’s given some away to fellow Sunday School attendees. The nest boxes have become so popular, he’s having a hard time keeping up with requests. I think he’s on a one man quest to reestablish this lovely bird back into our area. Works for me. (As long as he doesn't start tilting at windmills, I won't worry.) They’re one of my favorite local winged creatures, alongside the Carolina Wren (their song sounds so sweet to me). We have several nesting on the property every year. I see God in nature, don’t you?

Preparing for the 200 mile ride to

Valdosta and back.

Now that my wrists have improved, I’m even back to riding more often. The F.A.I.T.H. Riders sponsored a local ride over to the Smoke ‘N Pig again. Their BBQ is worth the trip folks. Afterwards, I was so physically drained, that the whole next day all I wanted to do was rest, but, gosh, it felt good to be back in the saddle.

God is indeed good to honor me with so much answered prayer. He answers ALL prayers, of course, but being able to ride and type again is especially sweet. Anyway, even if the pain returns making surgery necessary, I know He loves me and cares. All He wants in return is our FAITH. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

I’m truly blessed all around. It is indeed good to be back on-line! Whole hearted thank yous for the prayers, kind words, and patiently waiting for my return. May the LORD bless and keep you too.

Mount up! LET'S RIDE!

Wordless Wednesday: Flying Squirrel

Wordless Wednesday: Motorcycles And Vidalia Onions

Scooter Poopin' In Southeast Georgia

Yesterday, we took off zigzagging around Southeastern Georgia. If one could ignore the bone chilling wind, the day was picturesque. The sun was incredibly bright making the sky like unto an enormous blue diamond. It was charming. Like a prelude to Heaven. How could we resist!? Our first stop was the metropolis of Valdosta. We lunched at Smok'n Pig on Valdosta Road.

I just had to snap a pic of the pink pig BBQ grill. Hubby burst my bubble, though, when he said that the first time he cooked on it, the paint would chip. Oh well ...

Sated with good 'ol southern BBQ, we traveled further west to the little community of Dixie (how original, right?!) in neighboring Brooks County.

Winter Road, Dixie, Georgia

The above picture is downtown Dixie, a sleepy little burg, never destined for greatness. I never knew this county had such easy to ride, meandering, shady, scenic roads! Now I want to move there and ride every day.

Emanuel AME Church

County Road 78, Dixie

I snapped a photo of this black church only because it has the most unusual architecture for the area. It must have been built on a shoestring and perhaps with more than one chef in the kitchen.

What is the round room for? I wonder. The front had one style, the windows don't fit the design of the front, and the back is ... well, unusual. At any rate, it was interesting.

One nice thing about old age is it doesn't take much to amuse me anymore. *lol*

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your day is blessed.

Wordless Wednesday

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The Day After

These creaking bones are moving slow today. I blame the damp weather but it could be just plain laziness. The rain started last night at the party, then temperatures began to drop and now it's gloomy. Today has been as quiet as the tomb. Somehow after coming down off the sugar debauchery of last night, Hubby and I have managed to stay busy most of the day.

It just dawned on me I hadn't shared the pics from last night. I do apologize for the sorry picture quality. I'm still trying to get accustomed to the smartphone camera. Apparently, there's a trick to getting good photos from this thing. Wish now I had taken the Olympus.

Our long time friend and host, Daniel, cooking the roast beast.

He's a master with the smoker.

My plate of smoked pork, pork & beans, cole slaw, beef steak tomato.

There was much, much more and I made certain to sample it all.

My husband's homemade Banana Pudding was a big hit!

Hubby enjoying his meal with me next to Kawasaki Mule.

Now, you know I'd be near the machinery.

This is just a small view of the building Daniel built for

his parents last year. He's quite the master craftsman!

I added a star on the little girl's face. Since she is a minor,

I don't have the parents permission to put her face in

cyberspace. Just want to protect all the little ones.

We're being 'good' tonight, having a strictly vegetable supper (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it). *lol*

Thank you for stopping by. Hope your day was blessed.

A Day In A Country Life

There hasn't been much going on in our neck of the woods worthy of note. However, today we had a friend drop by and help remove a 30 foot Red Cedar that was too close to the carport.

Notching the tree in preparation of a fall.

Thar she blows!

Now the fun begins ... disposing of all the limbs and debris.

And a pleasant surprise. An early Christmas gift from Santa.

I know, OMGoodness! It's a 'bling'! The necklace is made from Sterling Silver. The stones blue Tiger Eye. I nearly suffered whiplash during the last visit to the Tractor Supply Store and my husband noticed. He's such a sweetie. Now if I can just find a way the earrings wear it under my helmet ... (ouch) *lol*

My Day

We've had a lot of this ...

Which made a lot of these ...

It's possible that at least one of these mushrooms are in the Armillaria mellea family but don't hold me to it. *grin*

Even though I do appreciate the rain, after three days of it, I think it's time for a little sunshine and cooler temp's. It's been too warm even for Southeast Georgia.

My medical appointment to discuss the hormone issues is tomorrow afternoon. I'll be sure to let you know what the Physician Assistant thinks about my ideas on this subject. Hopefully she is well versed in this field and together we can come up with a clear plan to get my health in ship shape order. I'm anxious to get back in the saddle again.

A Walk Around The Property Making Plans

An evening walk around our property yesterday revealed this in the distance.

One of the first trees to 'change' for Fall in SE Georgia is the Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera). On the left is our pet cemetery of past furry friends. Notice the forest of leaves on the ground? Time for moi' to get busy with the mulch mower.

The Tallow, up close and personal. They are lovely this time of year. Too bad they're considered invasive in this neck of the woods. This one is not a threat for getting out of hand as it's on the driest part of the property. Nothing seems to want to propagate in this soil.

It should be a quiet week. Only three items that must be taken care of. 

First and foremost is one of my dearest friends is having cataract eye surgery this afternoon. She is scheduled for the first of two lens replacements that I had years ago. I will rejoice with her when she can throw away those coke bottle bottom glasses forever. Please pray for her that all will go well. Thank you so much.

Second is it's time for a monthly B-12 shot. At the same time, I must corral the real Doctor (not the P.A. that usually administers medical care) and start discussing alternative hormone replacement therapy. Seems that after 23 years of Premarin, I may be on the wrong medication. Some adverse symptoms have arisen. I can thank my wonderful husband for acquiring the answer to this problem. When it comes to discussing medicine, I am definitely Medically Challenged. Accounting is my forte. He read a recent article in Motorcycle Classics (yeah, motorcycles ... to the rescue as always ...) that addressed these symptoms and said, "Honey, I know what's wrong!" So, now I have a starting point with which to fix the ailments.

Third is preparations are underway for the Halloween party on Friday evening. I am so juiced. Hubby still has not revealed what he has planned for his costume. Guess we'll have to learn that together, won't we Dear Readers. *grin*

And that's my life this week. What's on your agenda?

Baptist Village Event

Today, Hubby, I and several other motorcyclists from local Christian biker clubs, donned riding gear and sloshed our way in the pouring Autumn rain to Baptist Village in Waycross, Georgia. The event was a miniature Bike Show for the elderly that reside there. They lined up inside a pavilion while we rode by to the hail of cheers and applause. Afterwards, the residents that could brave the rain, came out and looked at the various wheels represented there.

This was a rare moment of sunshine. I am chatting with a new "biker" Brenda. She did really well for being on a cruiser.

That's my set of wheels on the left in a sea of Hardly-Goes-At-Alls. *grin*

I had so much fun adding a little sunshine to someone else's day. I hope we can do this more often.

And, just in passing, my husband snapped the above photo on Wednesday. One of our farm neighbors decorated their field for Halloween with a Minion from the cartoon "Despicable Me". Isn't that adorable? Now I want one. Guess it's time to get out the scarecrow's, pumpkins, and Fall wreath's. We're having homemade chicken chili sprinkled with cheese for lunch, then homemade pizza for supper. I love this time of year!

Hope your day is blessed too.

Mid-August Musing

The day started out cool and clear for mid-August Southeast Georgia. After the blessing of seasonal rains, it rendered the once terrifying one mile of sandy lane ride able. 

The road beckoned. 

Mindful of the approaching heat, I hurriedly donned summer riding gear. The sleeping motor roared to life, then I eased the purring “Vee” down the grassy driveway.

“I wonder what the peasants are doing today?”, I jest to myself. For I truly feel like Royalty sometimes, one of the fortunate few who love where they live and can still do what is enjoyable. I will try to always treasure that privilege as the daylight lasts so that when God calls me to the Big Garage in the sky, I can say again “Thank you”. Not only for the eternal salvation He so graciously offers to all mankind, but thank you for allowing me to be happy while still inhabiting this earthly cage.

God truly is good.

Wordless Wednesday

Antlion (Glenurus gratus)

Wordless Wednesday: Rural Georgia

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Same 'Ol

Not much going on around My Thoughts Exactly this week. Just hangin' out, hangin' on, and hangin' around. Same 'ol, same 'ol.

The Zinnia's and Giant Sunflowers outside my office window are looking particularly delectable today.

I don't know why I thought of this Holy Scripture. I guess it's that God's Word always offers good advice. Wish I was better at not worrying. Sometimes I think if there was nothing to worry about, I'd make something up in case I forgot something. *grin* I know I'm a "work in progress".

Hope everyone is having a worry free day.