The Mountain Thymes

Cliff is doing so much better this morning. Pain is under control, blisters are drying up, and he's back to acting like himself. He went to his emergency medical class last night not expecting to stay for the whole four hours, but felt well enough and stayed for the entire class. Having disabling pain humbles you and gives you empathy for those who live with chronic pain. Drugs are a wonderful thing! "If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through." Chinese Proverb

Cliff had quite a restless painful night last night. Slept in his recliner all night, woke long enough to take meds at 6:30 AM, eat a bowl of cereal, and go back to sleep for awhile. Why is this called shingles? Shingles belong on roofs. We can think of some other names we'd like to call this.

I told Cliff Thursday night that his blisters looked like shingles. The doctor told him this afternoon that he has shingles. So he's started his regimen of Rx's to get this under control. He's been in pain and hasn't slept. Hopefully, he'll be feeling some relief soon. Will update.

Temperature hit 66 yesterday!!! Such an uplifting feeling. Max and I spent much of the afternoon outside on the porch. I started some parsley and basil in little starter pots and a new batch of cat grass. We had a light breakfast at our little diner about mid-morning, Cliff hit the books again to continue with his medical course. He'll be thrilled when this is over in the 3rd week of March because it consumes his every waking minute. It's so wonderful not to be dark at 5 PM anymore. I've started grilling outside again now that it's light until 6:30 and I can see what I'm cooking. We had grilled garlic-ginger chicken, cheesy orzo, and a salad . On another note.......Cliff is going to try to get in to see our family doc today to have his chest, back and shoulder looked at. Remember, this is the guy that has a 93% average in his medical course. His neck and shoulders have been tight from studying and positioning himself badly. Last Thursday when he felt a k...

It's been an extremely cold, dank winter. It was inviting at first and I found lots of things to do. I tried making bread, baked muffins, casseroles, lots of different soups, made our Christmas gifts, read, organized pictures and my Mother's letters, and tackled projects I never had time to do. But now I've had it and I need spring. This morning was uplifting when at 6:30 the eastern sky was alive with color. It was still cold.....20 degrees....but I took my coffee out on the porch and welcomed the morning. Yesterday hit 45 and today is suppose to be 50's, Sunday should be 60!!! We're getting there. I found plans online for my raised vegetable gardens and have been researching which crops can be planted early.

OOOPS! Late Happy Birthday to my younger sister! I thought of you yesterday but it was 7:30 AM and you probably hadn't had your coffee yet. Then our day got busy. You know how retired people get so busy going to the supermarket, grabbing a cup of senior coffee, and getting the mail that we forget to do some of the important things. Happy Birthday.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR --Jim, Lauria, Hayden, Sofia, Grant, and Olivia The bad luck that had accumulated throughout the year (there was plenty of that)has been swept out of their house and there will be no cleaning during the beginning of the new year so as to keep the good luck in their home. Sounds good to me. Lose the broom and the vacuum. May good luck surround you as you begin the new year.