Month: February 2023

This is going to be a short post as our activity level has been curtailed. Not much noteworthy happened this past week. However, a few items are documented below.

The biggest event of the week was weather-related. The “big storm” that passed through the Midwest by-and-large passed us by. We did receive around 4 inches of snow and a light coating of freezing rain. This combo resulted in a “crusty” new layer of white that Pam had to shovel from the sidewalks. The upcoming forecast has temps getting back onto the low 30 degree range so most of what we received will melt in the next few days.

Before the storm we drove over to the Walmart in Decorah to stock up on supplies and pick up a few groceries. We try to not stay for prolonged periods in the store; we have a list of items to get and don’t dally longer than necessary.

As a treat, we stopped at the Culver’s restaurant for lunch on the way home. We don’t leave the house much these days and it was good to be out and about. Pam did the driving and it was a treat for me just to sit back and look at the passing scenery.

One victim of the storm was our daughter, Felicity. She had been visiting friends in Portland, Oregon and her flight back to Tulsa, Oklahoma (routing through Denver) was delayed a couple of times. This proved not to be a problem as she just stayed with her friends a bit longer than originally planned.

Son Toby has an offer on his South Bend home and has started refereeing ball games in Las Vegas. Apparently softball and baseball games are a nearly year-round activity in that part of the country. While this will not be his main income, it will give him some funds while looking for a full-time job.

Nati the cat seems to be doing OK. While she is not very active in her cat condo, she is eating and eliminating just fine. Nati will butt her head into Pam’s hand when Pam feeds her and Nati tries to purr, but the sound comes out a bit strange and gravelly. There may be some damage to the vocal cords, or it may be that the damage to Nati’s neck is inhibiting her sound reproduction. Pam has been able to rub some bag balm on the bare spots on Nati’s neck and chin in an effort to help keep those areas a bit more pliable.

I continue to have minor improvements in the use of my right hand. The stitches in the incisions – there are two incisions – appear to have absorbed OK. However, if I make a careless move I can feel it! I quit taking any Tylenol or Ibuprofen last week as the pain level has subsided to a dull ache, not bad enough to keep me awake at night but still there.

We continue to enjoy the antics of animals both inside and outside the house. Birds, who had not frequented the feeder during mild temps, returned with the snow. The red Cardinals and Blue Jays sure make a splash of color when they are around. The corn cob and suet feeders attract other birds, such as red-headed woodpeckers, and squirrels.

The cats and dogs offer up entertainment as well. The cats run and play with each other, except for KitKat who could care less, and the dogs mostly sleep and ignore the cats. Here is a photo of Bru in her ‘road kill’ sleeping position.

All the cats enjoy sitting in the morning sun in the library, including KitKat.

And that, my friends, is about it. We have begun gearing up for tax season by downloading state and federal forms and putting the various tax statements together. (Tax prep is always a PITA.)

Photo Archive

I did not take the following photos of this steam-powered rotary snowplow on the Toltec and Cumbres RailRoad, but wish I had. Familiar with this line from our time in Colorado, we had driven to the top of Cumbres Pass to see the train running in the summer on one of our trips. These are screen shots of footage taken in February, 2020, and the rotary is being pushed by other steam engines. The sight may never be repeated.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Penny

Notes from the infirmary:

Himself’s shoulder incision is healing nicely. Removal of the tape stitches revealed no red skin or any nasty infection.

Bru dug a mole (or something) out of the side of her face and had to be encouraged to “leave it.” Now it’s clotted/scabbed over and hopefully she will “leave it” that way.

Nati continues to heal. The raw redness of her facial surgery is starting to subside. Additionally, Nati rolled over so I could check out her spay area. All good. She [unexpectedly] allows me to touch her while giving her care, pretty much without hissing or scratching.

Happy Trails.

Little went on this last week that is worth noting in this blog. In some ways, life has been suspended. You know this when the week’s greatest excitement and activity involves receiving a Chewy box, a trip to the vet, and going to the library.

Pam will have more to say about Natalie the cat (formerly Nat until the vet visit) and the trials and tribulations of that poor animal. After extensive work Natalie is in the house in the “cat condo,” a multi-level enclosure, until she is well into her recovery.

I am recovering a little use of my right hand. I can now carry very light objects (maxed out with a banana) and type a bit, but I cannot move my arm left to right or up to my mouth, so am still eating using my left hand. The one exercise I am allowed to do is called the “dangle” and is done 3 times a day. Pam helps remove the sling and, while I sit, I let the arm drop straight down between my knees for 1 minute. It feels good to get the arm straight and allow free blood flow through the elbow.

We have had a stretch of mild weather which has allowed me to get outside for a bit of fresh air a few times. I have one coat that I can zip up over the arm; other coats are draped over the shoulders like a cape. I appreciate getting some fresh air and the ability to do minor tasks such as adjusting the catch on the gate so it opens and closes easier.

And that is about it. As I said in the intro, there is not much else is going on. I have read a few books and watched some YouTube videos. In a few weeks I will have a follow-up appointment at the Mayo Clinic to see how the shoulder is doing, and at that time I should be cleared to begin physical therapy. Other activities will pick up once I am cleared to do more than dangle my arm 3 times a day.

Photo Archive

Here are a few more photos of old mine sites in the Colorado Rockies near Telluride.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Penny

Poor “Nat the Cat” is actually Natalie. She survived surgery at the vet on Monday, which involved removal of a substantial portion of her rotting left facial area from her nostril to her cheekbone. (I also authorized a spay, assuming Nati would make it through the facial surgery.) Nati nows looks like the Phantom of the Opera – sans mask. Her face is disturbing to look at (so no photo); one hopes for improvement over time as fur and skin recover to some extent. Per usual in rescue, no good deed goes unpunished — I wait and watch and keep her indoors in a pen, while I see if I made the right call in choosing life. Nati’s a tough little nut.

Happy Trails.

This week I will cover several items, including a visit from son Toby and his girlfriend, Sarah. I have a short video of Elmo in packing paper, photos of deer in the neighborhood, and an update on my turntable. Life with an arm in a sling is developing into a routine with a few adaptations. Take a look!

The highlight of the week was a visit from son Toby and his girlfriend, Sarah. Toby listed his home in South Bend, Indiana, and has moved to Las Vegas. This was the last trip, moving the few items he had left at his home, and he wanted to drive through the Colorado Rockies on the way home to show Sarah the mountains.

We enjoyed meeting Sarah and wish Toby luck in finding a new job and selling his South Bend home.

We had noticed deer tracks around our yard, and the other day I was able to get a photo of deer in the neighborhood. This one was across the road from us, eating corn the neighbors had put out.

Our local library has moved into a new location, and we decided it was time for a field trip to get our library cards. (It was also a chance for me to get out of the house.) Not very large or sophisticated, the library is clean and neat and offers a little of everything. I found a few books by my favorite author, Clive Cussler, and Pam found a book as well.

The book check-out brought a trip down memory lane as the library cards are simple and books are still stamped with the due date on a little pocket inside the cover.

Pam had received a box that included some packing paper. Elmo and the kittens had to check it out. I had hoped for more action, but the cats seems satisfied just to sniff and examine this unusual material.

I am going to take a moment and talk a little about the turntable I am using in my LP to digital project. The Bang & Olufsen Beogram TX is one of a number of linear (or tangential) tracking turntables produced by various manufacturers during the ’80s and early ’90’s. Linear tracking keeps the needle at a right angle to the record grooves, mimicking the way the record was pressed. There is no “skating” to the center of the record.

The TX was B&O’s “consumer” level turntable, and B&O produced ‘audiophile’ tables as well, most notably the 8000 series. I am very pleased to have the TX which was given to me by our good friend from DeBeque, Cindy Farris. Cindy reads the blog from time to time and I just wanted to say “thank you” and let her know the table is still running and in use.

Life with arm in a sling is developing into a routine. A few small accommodations have helped, things one may not normally consider. For example, I have to take a few meds twice a day. Previously I would put these in my left hand and raise my water bottle with my right. No can do now, so I snagged a couple of those little pill cups frequently used in clinics.

I put the pills in the cup and use my left hand to take the pills then raise my water bottle. Additionally, I have found that a small slit at the top of a banana makes it much easier to peel. One does what one can to make one-handed life easier.

The upcoming week has few planned activities. Pam will continue to work in the guest room and I will continue with my LP to digital project, but right now life is slow without self-imposed deadlines.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Penny

I opened the door to the back (south) porch yesterday and found an injured cat looking up at me. I had my eye on this little black youngster [when looking at the outdoor feeder] earlier in the day – something seemed off. Appears to be the end result of a cat fight with facial injuries. I scooped the animal into a cat carrier.

It was Friday afternoon and (predictably) zero helpful response from the vet. Time to go to the basement and pull up one of the metal pens, haul it out to the catio. Set up bedding/food/catbox. Mix up amoxicillin (from powder on hand) and squirt some into the cat’s mouth. Transfer cat into pen. Wait and watch. All weekend.

There is a responsibility assumed when putting out food for neighborhood cats; I accept that. And, generally, rescue is perceived to be a good thing. But, as a rescuer, it sucks. Anxiety, sadness, expense predominate. My experience in Iowa is that vets don’t seem to “get” rescue, an added layer. Time will tell if “Nat the cat” makes it through the weekend to a vet appointment next week.

On a positive note, it was lovely to meet Sarah and talk to Toby face-to-face about his relocation plans. The detour to NE Iowa did lengthen their return drive west, making the overnight visit doubly appreciated.

Happy trails, Toby and Sarah.

It has been just over a week since my rotator cuff surgery. I am doing OK and driving Pam a little nuts. Adapting to doing tasks one-handed has been frustrating. Sleeping is an issue as I am normally a side sleeper and that will not work when your arm is in a sling. (Excuse me, “mobility restraint.”) Most of this post will focus on my Mayo experience and the few mementos I picked up and brought home.

Over all, the Mayo experience went well and I was well taken care of. My biggest complaint is that I had to call in after 8:15 PM on Wednesday night to get a check-in time for the Thursday surgery. Turns out I had to report at 6:30 AM. Pam and I left the house at about 4: 45 AM to meet this deadline, an ungodly hour for a couple of retirees.

Other than that, the process went smoothly. This type of surgery is routine for the Mayo Clinic who has three full-time surgeons who do nothing other than shoulder work, including replacement of the entire joint.

I found out why I was kept overnight. Mayo doctors use a pain blocker, a specific injection, administered after I was knocked out by the anesthesia. The injection was administered in my neck just above the shoulder. It takes around 18 hours for it to wear off and the Clinic does not want to send anyone home until then.

To find the best place for the pain blocker to go in, a tech crew used what looked like a modified ultrasound to locate the nerve cluster in my neck. The same crew marked my shoulder with the doctor’s initials just to make sure the correct shoulder was identified. At almost every step the staff asked me to verify my name and date of birth, either to confirm they had the right patient or to confirm I was cognizant of my surroundings and coherent.

So, I checked in and was prepped. Pam stayed through this part of the process, but left for head home once I was rolled down to pre-op where I went under and received the pain blocker.

The surgery took about an hour and Pam was kept in the loop through e-mails and a call from the doc once the procedure was completed. Pam appreciated this communication and the chance to speak directly to the surgeon. At this point she had more information than I did since I was still sedated.

I was moved into my recovery room and “woke up” around 1:00 PM, early afternoon. With the pain blocker still in effect I did not feel too bad. A therapist came in later with my sling and a second (shower) sling and fitted them both. I was hooked up to an oxygen monitor and still had a port open on my left hand for injections of other pain controls as needed.

Still groggy, I dozed and spoke to the staff as needed. Later in the day I was asked if I wanted to order dinner. Expecting some generic hospital food, I was surprised to see a very complete Food Service menu. Many restaurants don’t have anywhere near the choices the Mayo offered. I had turkey with Herb Jus topping, mashed potatoes with chicken gravy, hot tea, steamed carrots, and Italian Ice (cherry) for desert. Below are a couple of photos of the menu.

Click on the menu above and have it open in an enlarged view. The offerings are quite extensive!

The pain blockers had worn off by Friday morning and I was on Tylenol and another drug, name not recalled, for pain control. I ordered a breakfast of pancakes, apple juice, and a blueberry muffin, all of which tasted great.

After that the therapist came in and we discussed the exercise (I am to do only 1) and other restrictions on using the arm. I was up and out of bed to demonstrate I could walk under my own power and use the bathroom. Dressed again in my regular clothes, and with my overnight bag packed, I had a check-out interview through an in-room virtual nurse and was pronounced OK to be moved (by wheelchair) to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription oxicondon. A nurse arrived to wheel me downstairs to the pharmacy and then to an area near the entry doors that served as a pick-up spot.

Meanwhile, Pam and Becky were enroute through a nasty snowstorm with wind that created white-out conditions and drifts across the roads. Very poor driving conditions! I read a paperback I had brought along until they arrived. The trip home was not as bad, thankfully.

Now I am trying to get used to doing tasks with my left hand or one-handed, not an easy thing to do. The overall pain level has decreased and I have not had to use the oxicondon prescription. I alternated Tylenol with 600mg Ibuprofen tablets instead. Now I am just taking Tylenol with the Ibuprofen as a backup if needed.

I will have in-house therapy for the next 5 weeks then will begin physical therapy at the Howard County Regional Health Services in Cresco, visiting them 3 times a week.

The biggest problem for me has been the lack of physical activity. I can no longer do chores such as shoveling snow, grocery shopping, filling the bird feeder, taking a daily walk, and even driving (the RAV-4 is a stick shift) and this has left me a bit at a loss. It is even hard to read when you can’t hold the book in both hands to turn pages. Sleeping has been affected as I don’t feel tired at the end of the day and, with one sleeping position, I don’t fall asleep easily. Still, these are relatively minor problems and I feel that I am doing well.

Today I received a “thank you” card from the Mayo Clinic team that looked over me after the surgery. I’ll add it to the “sipper cup” I brought home as mementos of this event.

I completed digitizing a few more albums. My new record cleaner system just arrived so I will have to give it a go and see if it does a better job than the pad I have been using.

I managed to get this 1:01 video of Stirling grooming himself. There is no audio in the clip as I did not want to interrupt Stirling during his grooming routine.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Penny

Himself surprises me in his pain tolerance and the things he actually can do for himself with one hand. This pleases me, as I am not now and have never been a candidate for Home Health Aide.

Kitten update: Vienna and Stirling are pretty much young adults. Shredding and chewing needs frequent discouragement – nothing new there, based on our many past cats. The two are very loving and talkative with me, maintaining a bit more distance with Himself.

One of Vienna’s and Stirling’s favorite toys is pictured below — Mr. Spring. Simple, inexpensive, effective. Right up there with Ms. Cardboard Box.

Happy Trails.