Sammie Gets His Camping Badge

Our dog Sammie has finally gotten used to Tree Ring.  

Normally he is hyper vigilant and stays alert the entire time we're there.

But he's starting to relax. 

While he still can't wait to get back into the truck to go home, he appears to actually enjoy being there.

While the shovel made a handy leash holder, we found we could let Sammie off the leash without him wandering off.  This is really remarkable, and something we could never do in the City.

I suspect that in the country he looks to us to protect him.  In the City, he knows that protection is his job.

The gophers seem to have relaxed too.  They think there is buried treasure somewhere on Tree Ring and have told all their friends.  The hills are sometimes taller than Sammie.

We only saw one other animal on our trip.  A gopher tortoise that wasn't very happy to see us.  So far I've counted 5 gopher tortoise holes on Tree Ring.

What a Difference 6 Months Makes

We went to Tree Ring this past weekend.  That's two times in two weeks! Yipee!

The photo below compares the winter version of the picture in the blog header.


 

What a considerable difference, huh?

This picture is from a bridge up the road from Tree Ring.

For some reason, when you click on the picture you just see the winter version.  

It's Been A While

Eight weeks ago I was doing this:

Yesterday I was doing this:

We haven't been to Tree Ring since mid-November.  It was so nice to be back.  Looks like the TRC gopher was very busy since we were gone.   He seems to be looking for something - like we have buried treasure in the clearing somewhere.

I've been back to work part time since week 4 and full time starting last week.  Because of the pre-existing STD clause, I won't be able to get the left knee done until June.  I am on 5 hydrocodone per day and really it is for the left knee, not the right.  I'll have to wean down, though, since that is still a high dose.  I can't wait until I don't have to take any of this stuff anymore.

TRC was wonderful as usual.  We didn't see any wildlife except for a flock of about 8 turkey hens on the neighbor's property.  We awoke to a VERY loud male gobble though.  That was the coolest.  He gobbled about 4 times over about 1/2 hour as I walked to the dry pond.

On this trip I found a new talent - fly whisperer.

He let me pet him like 10 times.  Country flies sure are strange.

I also found that I should watch those flying fire embers just a little bit.

We are hoping to go to TRC every other weekend now, if possible.  The weather this winter has been spectacular. It was 75/55 this weekend.

Drugs Sure Make Time Fly

It is three weeks ago today that my knee was replaced, but it seems like last week. I think this is partly due to sleeping so much while on percocet. I lowered the dose from 2 to 1 1/2 tabs every 4 hours, and seem to tolerate it ok.

Tomorrow is my first meeting with the new PT guy.

Starting Wednesday, Retro Man is going to drive me to and from work. Thankfully I have a job where I sit down most of the time, so I'll try to get in 5 hours 3 days this week, and 5 hours 4 days next week.

Nothing like no pay to spur you into action.

Went on another walk along the water today.

First Real Shower In 17 Days

Our full bathrooms are on the second story, so even though I was cleared to take a shower a few days ago, I was reluctant to go up those stairs.  Today the shower actually called my name, and so I went.

O M G

It's impossible to believe that something so basic could give me so much pleasure. Simply amazing.

The stairs weren't bad at all. I had already figured out compensatory moves in the last few years to get up and down those stairs. 

I called the out-patient rehab facility - actually called the Sports Therapy Center. It makes me laugh to think a cryp such as I will be doing anything remotely related to sports.  Their first opening with the recommended guy won't be until Tuesday.

Every day is better than the day before and

I shouldn't have waited so long.......