Say What?

I met with my orthopedic doctor one week ago about the tendonitis I'm experiencing in both knees. He recommended taking some time off and allowing the condition to heal through rest. That's pretty much what I figured he would advise and the approach I'd been taking prior to meeting with him. Dr. Johnson also looked at previous X-rays of my right knee and said it's been bone-on-bone for several years and that I should give consideration to having knee replacement surgery—something I've been hesitant to do because I've worried that a knee replacement wouldn't hold up to the active lifestyle that I want to continue.  I first injured my knee in June 1975 while playing softball. I tore the meniscus when I slipped on some loose sand over hardpacked dirt when running from home plate to first base. The treatment then was to immobilize my entire leg in a full-length cast for 4 weeks. All seemed fine, but shortly after getting the cast off my leg, I managed to tear th

Tammy and I spent much of this week buying and planting flowers for our flower beds. It's nice to have the work done. Rather than simply turning over our newly planted flowers to the deer and rabbits for them to feast on, I'm using Liquid Fence as a way to deter them from decimating our plants. As much as we love the critters we share our space with, I need to set some boundaries so we can all live in harmony. It's a smelly boundary, though, when it's first applied. I had to laugh at some neighbors walking by holding their noses. The musty, putrid smell goes away once it's dried. I'll report back on our results. Stay tuned! I'm sitting on our deck this morning listening to the birds sing and using my phone's Merlin app to identify what I'm hearing . A hummingbird is flitting around behind me, maybe a little perturbed by my presence as it surveys our two feeders. The air is calm, and the sun is obscured by clouds, making for ideal deck-sitting condi

As of a few years ago, my daily routine began with about 20 minutes of prayer. It was somewhat meditative but mostly it was simply my way of touching base with God and lifting up my concerns to him: prayers for my family and friends; prayers for marginalized people and those facing hardships; prayers for the leaders of our world; prayers for peace, and prayers of thanks for the countless blessings in my life.  I seldom reach out in prayer anymore and that saddens me. It was an exercise that both grounded and centered me. I miss it. We used to be solid members at  Hosanna , leading a weekly bible study in our home and helping out on Tuesday nights at the church where they would offer a meal and a sermon to those in need within the community. Tammy and Rachel would paint the fingernails of tiny hands while I would apply stick-on tattoos to little arms and faces while their parents rummaged through the community clothes closet for items they could use.   Sunday mornings at Hosanna were t