Hidey-ho

Been a bit of a hermit the last few days. Not on the computer, but for a few minutes here and there. My husband has been feeling poorly and trying to hang on until Tuesday March 12th for his surgery. It's hard to watch a loved one in so much discomfort. But soon that will all be taken care of!

It was sunny and up to 35 degrees F today which made Spring seem very real and close. That Spring feeling can be almost overwhelming, but keeping feet firmly on the ground as we are sure to have more winter. Still, the giddiness of it was pleasant.

I have been re-reading my beloved book series by Diana Gabaldon. Book One is called Outlander and there are currently 7 books total in the series. They are all hefty tomes and so compelling that once I begin a book, I am engrossed for hours. An Englishwoman in 1945 accidentally steps through mysterious stones in Scotland and ends up in the 18th century.  She meets a Scottish Highlander and thus begins the most intriguing, breath-taking, romantic, thrilling saga I have ever read. The characters are brought to vivid life amidst the surroundings of battles, hardship, betrayal and a time-spanning love of mythic proportions. Wow, does that sound too purple-prosed?  The eighth and possibly final book will be coming out sometime later this year. I have been waiting for over three years since Book 7 came out. So I am re-reading the entire series to be fully refreshed in the events and characters. It is a labor of love. (most of the books are over a 1,000 pages each.)

All for now, but back very soon! Bright blessings.

March!!

"I wonder if the sap is stirring yet,
If wintry birds are dreaming of a mate,
If frozen snowdrops feel as yet the sun
And crocus fires are kindling one by one:
Sing robin, sing:
I still am sore in doubt concerning Spring."
-  Christina Rossetti 

Let's everyone give a cheer that the month of March is here! It is snowing right now, but I don't care as much now that March has arrived, and the Spring Equinox is within our grasp!!

 The last three or four mornings I have been awakened by the chatter of sparrows near the window. A most cheerful sound.  There is still winter all around us, but that bit of excitement of Spring's arrival is beginning to stir a bit. Don't listen to weather forecasts!! 

And try not to be in doubt concerning Spring! 

Robin in wintry maple tree in our yard two years ago in March

For Raethan

It's a beautiful day, no matter the weather. Today our family celebrates the birthday of our darling Raethan. Wonderful daughter. Sweet sister. Lovable niece. Amazing wife. 

Wishing we could be together, though she is always so close in our hearts.

Happy birthday!

Well..A "Funny" Thing Happened on the Way To Surgery

Get this.  My husband had been admitted to the hospital. Gone through all the preliminaries, I.V. in place, funky hospital socks on his feet, wheeled down to the O.R. Waiting, waiting. Interviewed by anesthesiologist, the nursing assistant.  Waiting some more. Then the surgeon comes in and says:

"Did you receive instructions for pre-surgery preparation?"

"No," my husband says, "what instructions?"

It turns out he should have been on clear liquids for 24 hours before surgery, plus a large prescription bottle of, how shall I put this delicately, "bowel cleanser".

This was omitted from his pre-surgical interview two weeks ago.

So.......no surgery today. And it took forever to get out of the hospital. With all the protocols, we needed to wait for someone to fetch him back up to a room where he could have I.V. removed and get dressed. All the rooms had since been filled since he left there almost three hours before. I wanted to just pull out the I.V. myself at one point.

Now we wait for the scheduler to call us with a new surgery date.

At least they gave us a ticket for free parking.

image source

Sleep

In a few hours we will be off to the hospital for my husband's surgery. He wanted me to thank everyone who has left such caring comments and thoughtful emails on his behalf.

We had a relaxed evening, with his favorite food, and homemade chocolate chip cookies, and a bit of whiskey.

Now for a good night's sleep, perhaps.

Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast.
~William Shakespeare, Macbeth

Rhubarb (for lack of any other title)

I have not been anywhere. I have not done much of anything. It's been friggin' cold. So I have not had much of anything to blog about. How's that for boring?

Just reading a lot, listening to music, cooking and baking, housework (arg!), web browsing, cat, dog and canary care.  Playing "CatchPhrase" with Nick, some de-cluttering, dreaming of spring gardening, deciding to re-do my magickal herb cupboard and looking at the laundry!!

Next Tuesday, my sweet husband goes to the hospital for major surgery. This is the one where he will be in hospital for at least 10 days, then home for a 6-8 week convalescence. He has been doing relatively well over the last few weeks, still on antibiotics, still a little discomfort. He does go to work, though some days he should come home earlier than he does. We are keeping a very positive attitude that af ter this is all done and over with, things will be so much better for him. And life can get back to more normalcy! Sure would love that.

Yes, I am still griping about the change in newspaper delivery from daily to three days a week; it's been three weeks now. Obviously I have a problem with change!!

The woodstove is burning cheerfully and filling the house with warmth. My son is rearranging furniture, so I am off to rearrange things too, and vacuum underneath. (It is amazing how many cat toys we are finding!)

Bright blessings from Robin. (still looking for the %$#! camera)

Crazy Friday, and it wasn't even the 13th!

Wow, the news today was out of this world, wasn't it? The huge meteorite crashing into Earth. An asteroid passing close by Earth. And a floating disaster in the guise of a relaxing cruise ship limps back into port. (and those poor passengers who finally get off the ship, get on a bus, and the bus breaks down).

I am happy to be landlocked and safe from ships. Of course no one is safe from flying space debris, but really, the odds are rather slim. Unless you live in Russia.

Other than the above, it was a quiet calm day all the way around here, and that is how I like it, usually. Of course we don't get a newspaper on Fridays, so who knows what was going on, lol!

Anyway, wishing you a fantabulous weekend. We are going to be trying to catch up with some chores and might even do something fun.

Take care, bright blessings!!