Catching up

Monday was my day for a lesson in how to administer a shot with the Osteoporosis medicine. 

First, let me say that the very idea of giving myself a shot daily was really not my idea of any kind of fun. I used to be deathly afraid of needles, but bearing children cured me of that.

So onward I bravely went to my appointment. Just about when I got there my Tire Pressure thingy went off with a little ding. I read the pressure on the tires and was alarmed to see 9 pounds difference in my front tires. 

Compound the stress of thinking about a shot and having to park in an underground garage that reminded me of all those movies ... where either a monster comes out or guys with blazing guns blow stuff up. Ewww.

My tire looked a bit low. So I decided that after the appointment I'd drive the half mile over to the dealer and get it looked at.

The nurses asked if I was nervous and I said "Not as nervous as I am regarding the low tire pressure!" 

The needle is so tiny! It is a micro needle and the hardest part of the whole thing was using the alcohol swab to clean my tummy. 

I left the dark, scary underground garage and pulled into the dealership. The service guy was nice and explained that there would be a wait for the lift. Next he told me [an hour later after watching the Drew Barrymore show 👎 ] that I had a faulty Tire Valve. In fact all of them were faulty but not bad. 

I smiled and asked him if it was the same valves as we replaced about 6 months ago. 

That through him for a loop. But I have to give the kid credit. He was polite and took care of replacing the faulty leaky one right away. I told him my appointment for 36K miles was next Monday and we'd address all the issues with the TPM system. 

I had to stop at the grocery store to pick up some pizza and milk on the way home. 
Jeeze. Don't you know it? Someone bumped into my front right bumper and bent the heavy rubber plastic around the fog light. 

Smacking forehead...

Tuesday was so bright and full of sunshine, but cold. I had to finish cleaning up the indoor pony pen and eeeks...drive the skid steer with its bucket full and dump it!

I braved that and then decided to get the old 4 wheeler out of winter storage. I put in the battery and got the old bird started. I noted that the front tires were soft.

I got out the Air Stick Thingy and tested the tires! No pressure! I got it to the Air Filler Up Thingy ... lo and behold. I got the tires filled correctly.

There was no stopping me now! It is pictured below just before I washed it. I filled the cart up twice with sticks and branches from the yard and drove it out to my brush piles.

I looked around at finding a UTV and I decided to forget it. I could replace my Subaru Outback for the cost of one right now and everywhere I looked the used ones were very pricey and new ones were all on back order.

After we were done with the yard work, I unhooked the cart and took Charlie for a nice little ride out back and around. He loves riding the 4 Wheeler. We go slow and enjoy ourselves.

Our CrossFit gym is doing a special summer class for Mobility and Balance. I sent off a message to get information on it. I do much better with daily exercise if I am with others. I do fine hiking on my own, but social exercise is a bonus for me.

Tires and engines. I really don't like them very much. But I feel that I accomplished a lot by driving the skid steer and getting the 4 wheeler ready for spring. Next up? I suppose the rider mower? EEEEKS!

Where does it come from?

 The reason for my creativity?

I used to go with my dad to work once in a great while. He worked at a company called Leo Burnette in Chicago. When he had to go to a meeting, I'd get shuffled off to one of the artists to watch them draw. Often the artists would hand me paper and let me draw with them. 

I met one fellow who worked on the Disney Film 101 Dalmatians. He was fun and we spent a lot of time doodling.

Another time I was able to sit with a photographer who worked on the Marlboro campaign and sort through the photos with him. I was amazed at their beauty and of course fell in love with photography.

Here is a link that WTTW of Chicago did regarding Starkist Tuna. 
Perhaps this is where I got my crazy creative mind that never turns off.

How do you get a story out of a can of Tuna? My dad was always creating, taking photos and writing. It is 3 minutes long.

Thanks Dad.

And now you know why my Jack Russell was named Morris the Cat & Charlie? Charlie the Tuna.

Sorry Charlie...I always wanted to say that to a pet!

Squatch and Hobby

"Blessed are the weird people: poets, misfits, writers, mystics, painters, troubadours, for they teach us to see a world through different eyes."
~~~Jacob Nordby

Squatch was hanging out with his Gnome buddy, they were discussing spring weather when the Gnome did his usual thing. 
Fell asleep.

Squatch decided to leave Dog in charge of Gnome's Chicken and he took a walk to enjoy the morning air.

He had no idea that the woods could be so full of life! To his surprise he met....

he met...um. What was her name? She presented him with a bouquet of maple tree buds. So charming!

She told Squatch that she was a hobby photographer and she'd love to have company on her forest walks.

Squatch told Hobby that he could show her around the forest. He took her to some plants he'd been eating. 

She told him it was Garlic Mustard and he said it was yummy. She asked if she could take his photo because none of her friends would ever believe she actually met with a Squatch.

He reminded her that all photos of Squatches always turn out blurry. 

She said fine and photographed the Garlic Mustard and some bugs instead.

Hobby and Squatch did some more exploring. Squatch wanted to show her that spring was not far off and that wild flowers would be appearing all over in the woods.

Sometimes it is just enough to spend time quietly with a friend and not have to say anything. Just to enjoy the moment.

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Wicked Wicked Winds!

Ever try stapling hay down to feed equine? Gusts were said to be something like 45 mph!

Dang! 

The winds were incredible today and happened just to come the right way down through the hollow. The pines did the Hula, and the Locust trees whirled like dervishes.

I swear, it sounded as though we had a freight train running overhead.

Lil Richard is indoors as his pen had no place for him to get out of the wind. He is my only equine that doesn't mind being penned indoors. I put out a fresh pile of shavings for him to spread out.

Funny pony! He deposits his manure directly on the pile of shavings and beds down in the dry dirt. 

We noted that Fred [37 yrs old] is losing condition. Poor fella, his teeth are pretty much gone [molars and premolars]. We feed him Senior Feed pellets and he still acts as if he were just a teenager. He chases the gals around and herds them when he decides their hay pile should be HIS!

Fred and Hubby 2005
Wildcat Mtn State Park

I sure would love to ride there or Duck Egg again. 
That is if I could get a truck and trailer! 

So today after checking the fences and dodging blowing branches, I settled in for the day.

I did some research on a tow behind brush mower for the 4 wheeler. I think using the scythe might be a bit much for me this summer. I would still love a UTV but I'm still working on that. It also depends on what my Bird Bone meds may cost me for the next year or so.

After reading about all my horse friends riding adventures, I get the yank to get back out and ride. I really do miss it. Worst thing now is, I have no truck to pull a trailer. 

Oh, and I completely stink at pulling anything larger than a two horse trailer. I can't really get away for a nice trail ride. I have to settle for riding around here. 

Enough of that.

I had my afternoon tea with Mr. Charlie on my lap. The howling winds didn't seem to bother him a bit!

Tomorrow is Good Friday. Have a wonderful one.

Maybe Charlie and I can get outside tomorrow and inspect pastures and take a walk!

My Osteoblasts are fighting my Osteoclasts!

 

I thought this was interesting in a way. I had a visit with an Endocrinologist yesterday. The first line of meds for those folks with bone loss is a med called Alendrontae. I did not get along with that medication at all. I didn't suffer GI issues, but the other issues were pretty severe. 

An Endocrinologist treats conditions related to the body's hormone issues. Apparently some hormonal part of my body forgot to tell the Osteoclasts to quit with the TNT sabotage or perhaps my Osteoblasts went on vacation?

Emily, the PA, was excellent at going over everything and asking the questions she needed to. She spoke directly to me and looked me in the eye. She did not stare at the keyboard and just type. 
She then told me what she was writing as she typed it into my visit notes.

We discussed the severity of my Osteoporosis. A score of -2.6 is severe. That is in my right hip joint. You know the part that swivels the hips? But wait! 
GO Big or Go Home!

My low back has a score of -4.4 

And what does that mean? Kinda like my bone loss is equivalent to a really really old lady? 

I prefer to think of myself as having bird bones, except I can't fly.

So some medication choices were discussed. The first med I tried made me extremely sick but is generally the first line of medication choices and works well. They are in a class of bisphosphates which my system doesn't like much.

So we discussed alternatives. Two meds that actually help rebuild bone use daily injections for 18 months. After 18 months, a med that is supposed to maintain the Osteoblast Guys and prevent the Osteoclasts from blowing me up is taken for the rest of my life.

So hmm. The rebuilders are called: Foteo and Tymlos. Average cost with no coverage per month for these meds are about $2000. I don't see it in the formulary for my medications. However the doctor has someone doing some research. 

The alternate maintenance med is in the formulary.

Osteoporosis is not painful. It is arthritis that hurts along with fractures. The diagnosis really threw me for a loop. I'm supposed to be Superwoman, right?  

Exercise in the proper way, good diet, and positive outlook are all helpful ingredients that cannot be found in a pill.

Because of the severity, I have a few recommendations. No skydiving, no jumping rope, no box jumps, no running~like distance running, and no twisting with weights or heavy weights over my head.

Good recommendations. Continue daily hiking, do weight bearing exercises, fresh air. Walk the dog, enjoy everyday.

Bite-y dogs and KVR Trail Challenge

 Charlie and I at the Trail marker for Big Valley Trail head on Big Valley Road.

Courtesy of Bill L.

My hiking pal...Mr. Bill texted me with a weather report for this coming week. He asked if we could find a time on Monday for our weekly hike since the rest of the week would definitely not be good for adventures.

So I made arrangements to grocery-get at 7AM, handled hubby's virtual doctor appointment, set up his lunch and off we went.

It was a point to point hike. I parked at the Bridge 10 lot and he parked his truck on the gravel road access to Big Valley. We saw two ladies with a little dog on a leash ahead of us. From April 15th through July 15th all dogs have to be leashed otherwise there is no leash requirement. Charlie was wearing his electric collar as usual and I carried his leash.

Here's Bill inspecting some of the clean up on the trail after this winter's straight winds.

In the summer, this trail is heavily shaded by oaks, maples, and pines. We were able to see some incredible rock formations along the way. I didn't get photos of them. 

Remember the little dog? Well, the ladies let him off leash and when I saw them coming I reached down to hook up Charlie. Next thing I know there was a blur of the little wire haired terrier running right up to Charlie. They sniffed and immediately the other dog bit Charlie.

Charlie squealed bloody murder and the little shit tried to bite Charlie's butt as he scooted between my legs.

Mr. Bill pushed the little shit away with his boot while I scooped Charlie up. I didn't get bit, but the dog kept jumping on me trying to get at Charlie.

The two ladies walked up and one said as she passed us: "He likes humans but he really dislikes other dogs." She kept walking and the dog left with them.

Mr. Bill and I looked at each other: Dumbstruck.

So quick. I never saw it coming. So much for my pepper spray idea, right?

Really? Not even a 'Sorry, is your dog alright?' 

Charlie recovered quickly, obviously not very distressed and probably none the worse for wear. We humans were much more upset.

We enjoyed the amazing scenery and the rock formations that are generally hidden by leaves and underbrush. Both of us discussed climbing up to explore the rock shelters, but we had a time frame to adhere to. Bill had to be home when his grands get off the school bus and I have my own schedule to keep.

And you know it...guess who joined us?

He enjoys Squatching along just like anyone else!

Nearing the end of the trail.

We parted our ways and I set Charlie in his crate. He turned around 3 times and then fell promptly asleep.

Trail section #49 can be marked off. Onward!
Here's to no more bite-y dogs. I'll just pick him up if I spot another dog.

Most other dog owners are super polite and ask if it is okay for their dog to approach yours. I won't let one bad dog owner ruin it for us.

I got out!

The weather was nice Saturday morning, so I arranged for my neighbors to be available if hubby needed something and hurried out the door before anyone could change their minds.

I was bound and determined to find some cool birds and explore an area at KVR that led to backwater Kickapoo River ponds that take a lot more effort to get to than just walking on old 131 Trail. I wanted to see some ducks and not just the Canada Geese.

My job is 24/7, so I cherish that time when I can get off the farm and explore.

I found a mowed trail that the duck, turkey, and pheasant hunters use. It isn't marked but in the fall, the Reserve mows a path around the marshy area and near the ponds. This is a hot spot for bird hunters. I saw the trail on the Satellite map and thought it would be cool to check it out.

I was SO tickled to follow my ears to this little marshy spot and listen to the chorus of spring peepers and frogs. I sat on a log and ate my snacks.

16 seconds of Peepers!

I did some more listening and found another pond that I could get to. No Swans, no cool ducks, but a lot of Canada Geese. Overhead several Turkey Buzzards were circling.

I imagine I could never nap like this! What balance!

I found this goose laying on her nest. I am curious if the eggs will hatch. It looks like the pond level must have risen with the rainfall? Or she wasn't a very good nest builder. I didn't notice this until I got home, but the arrow points to a turtle!!!

I just did a mini happy dance.

The rest of the day was spent digging in dirt and I got an email and a text from my youngest son. I won't go into our history, but I don't hear from him very often unless he needs something. Let's leave it at that.

He wanted to come by and say hello. He had his girlfriend and her daughter who was just a year old. 

We stood on the porch and watched the sun go down while we did some much needed catching up. Oh gosh, this little girl was absolutely adorable. 

Charlie adored her too, each time she screeched or laughed he was right there. It was so fun to hold a baby and play with her!

I threatened to keep her. But her diaper needed changing and they had a long drive to get home. 

I guess I'd forgotten how fun it is to have little ones around. 

What a wonderful day. I got off the farm and had visitors.

It sure refreshed my mood so I can face next week's weather and doctor appointments.

Have a great Sunday.