Hanging In

I was pretty overwrought this morning. I'm getting better now. The computer is a real bright spot on a Turkey Day because then I feel some connection to the greater outside world. Our newspaper is another bright spot, ditto. I haven't been on the computer all day; that's not what I mean. It just gives me some hope that there is life after Turkey Day.

I did do short parts of 3 different exercise dvd's so that gave me a needed boost. I still have to do aerobics - maybe I'll try a Leslie Sansone dvd.

I still need to do a complete foot workout routine. It will be interesting to see what exercises the Albuquerque physical therapist gives me for my feet and compare them with what Jemez Physical Therapy has given me. Exercise and education is included as well as orthotics in my Albuquerque visit. JPT hasn't given me very many exercises and I really wonder about the value of further strengthening my toe flexors by picking objects up with them. My toes are already very strong.

It's very eerie in The Last Season where Judi Morgenson has a dream two nights in a row that she can see underwater in a lake a man wearing a backpack . Why did Randy Morgenson have to die? I didn't even know the man and I'm very upset at his death.

I haven't yet gotten to the part that attempts to explain his death but it gives me pause, as a hiker, to acknowledge that there are life and death decisions out there in the wild and when you either accidentally or through ignorance or foolishness make the wrong one, the consequences for those who love and care for you are far-reaching.

Losing Randy Morgenson, who was so knowledgable about the outdoors and all the things that can go wrong, seems like a wasteful, unecessary death. Maybe, though, his being upset about the divorce papers his wife gave him, somehow distracted him from the ever-present vigilance that's necessary when you are traveling in a steep, snowy drainage in the Sierras.

So far, it's just overcast and raining here. Spouse is in his usual position on the couch, TV on, snoring away. I'm fairly content to be inside right now. If it's snowing this evening, it's possible that I could go out to walk in it.

Grandson's Dad and soon-to-be step-mom took grandson to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. They may drop him off here later today and that will add some verve and excitement to life for both of us.

I will be very happy at the end of the day to know that daughter and son-in-law had a very safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving up in the Jemez Mountains!

Holidays -Bah Humbug

I've never liked holidays too much anyway. I spend the whole day wondering what will come in the mail and then reminding myself that the mail won't come today. To me, a holiday is like a mini-death - everything's closed, most importantly, the local library. It's like Dorothy says about the north caldera rim viewpoints - it gives people comfort just knowing the possibility is there even if they never drive that far to actually see the views. I like the idea of the hustle and bustle of ordinary life going on even if all I do that day is go out to the library and then take a walk on a forest road.

Where is all this coming from? Spouse decided this morning he didn't want to go up to the Jemez for Thanksgiving. He has good reasons - lots of GI side effects from the medicine including diarrhea, loss of appetite and a metallic taste in his mouth. Plus, he's worried that his inflamed appendix will become a medical emergency.

Then, to top off everything, I had been planning to go with my daughter to the YMCA's free Thanksgiving morning aerobic workout but at the last minute this morning, it was requested by "upper management" that son-in-law and daughter drive all the way to Albuquerque to pick up son-in-law's grandma. This plus a big winter storm coming in (no sunshine has to be affecting my mood as well) impelled me to loan them my Suburu in hopes that they would be safer. When I say impelled, actually, it made me very happy to loan them my car because I feel they'll be safer if they encounter snow-covered, icy roads. Besides that, they both looked very good in my car!

I'll probably take a walk, do an exercise dvd, exercise my feet and read. I'm reading The Last Season by Eric Blehm. It's about a backcountry ranger that goes missing and the search for him. I know it doesn't end well. It's a heartbreaking story. It really makes me love and respect all those who devote their lives to the outdoors.

This weekend, if spouse remains stable, I'll drive to Albuquerque by myself on Saturday and Sunday. This will be to get orthotics. We had planned to stay in Albuquerque overnight but we're cancelling that now too. I, however, am very motivated to finally get orthotics. Thanksfully (the first show of thankfulness in this Thanksgiving blog), the appointments are in the afternoon so I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn!