Paddling at the lake in 2008. Casey and Mary came for a fall visit at the lake and snuck a shot of me kayaking. I kayaked last weekend which was the first of the season. The sun was not so hot and there was a fresh breeze which felt wonderful. We had a great time. The water is so high !!!! I can go all around the Island now and it is clear and clean.Dadio made pizza on the Egg grill and we had a bon fire. The new couch and cushions on the metal porch furniture looks fabulous. It is very cozy.
The garden is growing with little sprouts popping up all over the place. Flowers are in bloom and I keep finding little surprises I forgot I planted last year. The tomatoes will be ready for the ground in a week or so. Today is cool and windy so I am inside resting up after a big day in physical therapy yesterday. I did water therapy for about an hour and some land exercises for 15 minutes or so. Then I did some yard-garden work and shopping for the weekend. It was a busy day for this little gal. I was feeling it too. I spent those two months(Feb-April) in bed and in the hospital, or here at home, so no wonder it will take a while to recondition. The older hip is shaky at best so as soon as I feel it can not go on any longer I will "get er done". They have me scheduled for September for another replacement in the right hip. If it makes it till then it will be great. I will try to hold off till November if possible. I feel stronger every day !!!! aside from a few blips my health is great.
Michigan is such a beautiful place to live with all the water and green. The huge oaks and majestic maples which line the streets intermixed with pink magnolias and dog woods. I know every state feels they are lovely, but I am seriously in love with where we live. Every day is another nature experience and I actually found the two ladies slippers and white trilliums I transplanted from our woods. They are lovely and mixed in with the may apples. Spectacular.
I also want to share something about my grandfather Lawson Saul (who I also call Dad) as most of you know, is doing great after surgery. He is recovering and feeling his oats from what I hear. I am grateful that he made it through his surgery and is healthy. On a sad note my other Popa Gross, Dad's dad, is in the hospital after a year or so of being very ill and old. He is being moved to a rehab facility and then we will try to find him a place more permanent as he is fading fast and my grandmother can not take care of him anymore. She has been burning the candle at both ends this past year and has her own health issues at 86. I wish I could be more present but there is nothing to be done. I also know of several other parents of friends and family who are aged and going through this transition of end stages of life. I know what it is like to face your destiny and death and it is not fun. It is inevitable that we all die and a matter of life yet it is one topic we do not discuss openly due to it's inevitability and the morbidness of it. I prefer to have it all out on the table for discussion. It is important we come to terms with out life and our after life. This gives those left behind a sense of peace which lasts forever in their hearts. "Comfort".
Mothers day is tomorrow and I have many mothers alive and passed. I always laugh when I think of how many I have. Grandmothers, mother in law, big sister, three step moms, a few maternal friends and my sweet mom Pam who passed away in 1975. I send cards to those who are still with us and make phone calls and even manage to get flowers or little gifts some years, but more than that I try to remind them all how special they are and how important their role in mothering was-is to me. So for all of you out there who had a mothering hand in my up jerking I thank and praise you. Good to remember all the moms in the world for the most important job ever. I wish I had that experience at times but it is not meant to be. I do have two step sons, with whom I wish I had more contact. They know they are loved and always welcome in our world.
