Going Home

Something happens to me when I hit 281S and head towards Montpelier or Marion.  As I travel down the paved or gravel road, I become a child again.

I remember the days were much simpler then.  When all I had to worry about was getting my chores done so that I could play with the kittens, ride my bike, or lay with my dog Sneaky on the side of the hill and watch the cotton candy, animal shaped clouds pass overhead. 

Or going in to Sitz's store on Wednesday nights with a quarter in my hand and coming out with a sack of penny candy that would satisfy me and my friends for most of the night.  The streets of Marion seemed so large and busy then.  The days were carefree and the nights a celebration as me and Mom listened to the music being played at the bandstand. 

Traveling the road home today opened up a floodgate and let the  memories of visiting my grandparents rush through.  Swinging in the tree swing, taking hikes with grandpa through the shelterbelt, helping grandma make squash or lye soap, eating her fabulous homemade bread.

I parked the 4Runner in what used to be the driveway to my farmstead.

I remembered. 

The streets of Marion are smaller now and not as many people occupy them.  The bandstand is gone, as is Sitz's store.  My grandparents house is gone and with it, the tree swing.  My parents farm is no more, except in my heart and memory. 

I'm not the little girl of 10 anymore, barefooted and carefree. 

But every once in a while, that little girl comes out and remembers...when I Go Home.

Danielle Bradbery and Hunter Hayes: "I Want Crazy" - The Voice Highlight

Exposure to Danger

I was  informed  that there was a serious incident at the prison yesterday morning.  Apparently two inmates decided to try and kill each other in the dayroom of 3rd floor.  A 10-33 Fight was called and all available staff responded.  One officer blew out his knee, another injured trying to break up the fight, and several other staff were exposed to contaminated blood (Hep C).

My heart goes out to those affected by this event inside the prison walls.  It's an inherent danger of working in a prison, we acknowledge that when we report to duty each and every day..  We take precautions to ensure the safety of staff and our wards (inmates), but unfortunately shit happens.   It's happened before and it'll happen again.  We only hope that there are no staff injured.  And if there are injuries, that they not be life threatening. 

There are those "hero types" that will be there in the thick of things with a disregard for their safety  so they can be there for their fellow officers.  God bless them. The are amazing!  Unfortunately not every officer is like that, which is unfortunate.  They're the ones that physically are out of shape or just there for the paycheck.  We know who they are and trust me, I avoid going to their areas when they are duty.  If there is a ship wreck, I want the hero-type to have my back. 

So tomorrow when I go to work, I'll thank the hard working officers who put their lives on the line each and every day. 

Stuff I did today

Drank almost a pot of coffee
Caught up with a dear friend on Facebook
Talked with Blaine
Went to the gym
Made a huge bowl of spaghetti salad
Made apple spice cake
Washed multiple loads of laundry
Packed my yoga bag
Gave myself a pedicure (See picture below)
Read a chapter in one of the two books in progress.
Took a short (20 minute nap)
Watched a really good movie - Baby Boy - with Tyrese Gibson
Organized my lunch for tomorrow
Had a glass of wine.  OK..two :)
Made an amazing dinner of baked fish, twice baked potatoes and steamed broccoli, cauliflower, pearl onions and carrots .

I wasn't expecting that

As you all know I've been experiencing issues with my left knee since last September.  After doctoring and going to physical therapy for IT Band Syndrome since September, I've decided to take matters in to my own hands and get a second opinion.

 

I saw Dr. Dean, an orthopedic surgeon here in Jamestown. 

 

He ordered an "arthritic knee series x-ray".  I laughed and thought he was kidding.  He wasn't. 

 

So, I humored him and had the x-ray done - even though I assured him that arthritis wasn't in my vocabulary and that I was sure that I had just "torn" something and just needed to be stitched up.  He just smiled. 

 

After X-rays, I returned to his office and waited. 

 

He came in, all calm like and took a look at the pictures.  I kid you not.  He said, "so if arthritis isn't in your vocabulary, how do you feel about the words knee replacement." 

 

I laughed thinking he was kidding.   He, again, wasn't. 

 

He turned the screen around and yep, clear as day. I have no "cushion" in the inner knee of my left knee.  Pretty much bone on bone.   He was nice.  He said, "you're still young"  (pretty sure he was trying to keep from getting hit at that point), "so we'll try to put off any knee replacement until you need it."

 

I asked, "when will I need it?"    His reply, "when you're body tells you."   Gee…thanks. 

 

So, treatment options are:

1) cortisone shots (which I had yesterday AND I took like a champ, thank you very much!),

2) injectable filler silicone-like stuff (more expensive than cortisone but last ditch option before knee replacement). 

3) knee replacement.

4) no more running, fast walking, or high impact such as jumping.

5) can do elliptical, biking, and yoga….yes, yoga!  :)

 

I'm going to go with options 1 and/or 2 and 5 for now and hold off on 3 until "my body -or my mind ­- says I need it.

 

So there you have it!  

Today

Dr. Appointment + XRay = Cortisone shot + knee replacement in the future = no running + finding new hobby = one sad girl today.

Conversationalists

I like listening or taking part in conversations.  There are several different kinds of conversations and conversationalists.  You have to listen closely to distinguish between them.  I'll do my best to give you a little run down on them.  Next time you're in a conversation, listen...and smile.

The Know It All:   This particular conversation/conversationalist is the epitome of annoying.  No matter who is talking, the "Know It All", literally ...knows it all.   Just ask them, they'll tell you.  They'll let you know is short order that they can do everything (and have) done everything from A to Z.  They'll tell you how they built their own build their own houses out of lumber they've harvested from the land with their very own hands.

The Weather Chanel:  This one always amuses me.  No matter what the conversation is at hand, there is always someone in the conversation that will turn it towards the subject of weather.  "How much rain did we get last night?" or "The wind is supposed to come up today," can be heard when the subject wasn't even close to being that of weather.

It's All About Me:  Not to be confused the Know It All. The All About Me strategically turns the conversation in their direction with the quickest of ease.  This person likes to be the center of attention and shines in the spotlight.   They do not listen nor do they care.  Their only reason for being in the conversation is find the precise moment where they can turn it in their direction and let the world know how great and wonderful they are. They either thought of it, or did it, or was the inspiration behind someone else's act.  They ARE better than the average joe.  Just ask them.  (Often associated with Type A personalities).

Judge and Jury:  This one makes me mad as hell.  No matter what the situation or the person involved in it, the "Judge and Jury" already has the person tried, crucified and buried.  They do not care of the details, they do not care of the backstory or history and they do not want to know.   Guilty - without possibility of parole. 

Gossip:  This type of person works well with the Judge and Jury.   The "Gossip" takes a tidbit of information - be it true or not - and puts it in to a conversation...most often with the Judge and Jury.  "I heard that 'so and so' lost their job because they were drinking on the job."  Well now...that's ALL that is needed for the Judge and Jury to hang the individual from the oak tree.  The Gossip and Judge/Jury feed off each other.  While the Gossip is quick to divulge half truths, they are hesitant in handing out a verdict.  They leave that for the Judge and Jury to do.  

The "Whatever You Say";   This person doesn't have an independent thought of their own.  In conversations they agree to everything that is said....positive or negative...sometimes in the same conversation.  I often need a tablet and pen when I'm in conversation with this type of person.  It's difficult to keep track of where they stand on any particular situation.  They agree with everyone.

The Complainer:  This one zaps the energy right out of me.  No matter what it is, it's never right.   A person could hand them a brick of gold, and the gold wouldn't be shiny enough.  They find fault with every thing and every one. 

The Sickie:  The day starts and ends with this person giving you a run down of their medical history.  Their throat hurts, their back hurts, their feet are on fire.  They have an arsenal of over the counter medications in their purse or desk drawer just so they can function on an hour to hour basis. 

I've been privileged to have engaged conversation with each of these individuals off and on over the last 30 years.  They never cease to amaze me.  

Now that I've given my take on them, perhaps you can tell me where I fit in?  LOL