Brown-Eyed Susans remind me of my Opa
So on Friday, a few hours after I got home from the hospital, I went for a 20-minute walk. It was my first real, unescorted, unassisted walk in a very long time. My legs, although a little uncomfortable, did not become sorer with every step. This was unusual.
My artist neighbour painted his gate!
This one – summer into fall – is one of my favourites. I love the way fall looks and feels, with its rich palettes and clean earthy smells. I love the way fall changes me, the way my own colours change, the textures and layers, the foods I crave, the way I spend my time. No more leisurely lightness and cotton and peaches and ice cream and keeping cool. Suddenly it’s all about sweaters and apples and spices and getting warm and cozy and cooking and knitting and burrowing down and starting new projects.
Somebody's been hanging art in the forest!
I know now that the operation has been at least partially successful. Time will reveal more. But yesterday’s walk was the longest and most pain-free walk I’ve taken in many months.
Since I don’t drive, walking has always been my primary mode of transportation and key to my independence. It was also my only form of exercise and a rich source of meditation and inspiration. I can’t even begin to describe how it feels to be getting all that back.
I’ve always said, if you want to make someone happy, take away everything they have and then give some of it back.
More forest art!
Couldya send Duncan over to do a quick mop up please.
Hallelujah!
Whoo hoo sounds fantastic so when do you take back the rental wheels?
This is *such* good news!
I am so pleased for you. Wonderful news.
Yay for surgery! I’m so happy to hear you are up and about.
That’s terrific. Wonderful photos. I love walking.
He may not have specifically mentioned it, but I’m sure he meant that you should eat smarties, drink red wine, go yarn shopping AND walk
Super news and we’re having the weather for it. It’s nice when the doctor tells you to do what you like doing.
I totally did a yippee-skippy dance when I read that you went for a walk! I’m so excited for you!
I am so glad you are walking – while my back was as near as bad as yours (no surgery for me, just a shot of morphine and a good rest), I can just imagine how you feel being able to walk. For me.. it was that first pain free trip up the stairs to the bathroom! I never realized how much pain I was in until it was gone.
Autumn is my favourite season too. It’s been beautiful here.
I totally feel your pain-free joy of walking. And walking in autumn in especially exhilarating. And walking, in autumn, when you had doubts that you might never really be able to do it again must be glorious. I think this calls for a new pair of shoes.
Don’t get her started on shoe shopping…she’ll end up with a third pair of hiking shoes like the ones she already has.
Just keep on hikin’, girl!
In beauty I walk
With beauty before me I walk
With beauty behind me I walk
With beauty above me I walk
With beauty around me I walk
It has become beauty again
It has become beauty again
It has become beauty again
It has become beauty again
This is a part of a Navaho blessing, that I learned in a walking meditation in Eurythmy class.
Lots of love!
mudmama.
So so so good to hear!! Keep walking; keep healing. We’re with you all the way!
Glad you’re on the mend.
Do you know what’s with the art? I’ve seen it and have often wondered about it.
I am very happy to hear you are doing so well… There are a lot of people out there/here like me who have never met you but are following your blog and are in your corner cheering you on. Be well Zoom.
Wow! That’s great you’re already walking, and enjoying it again! Glad to hear it?
Although it’s nice on the one hand, I’ve never understood the need to hang things up in the forest. The woods are beatiful enough on their own and don’t need extra ornamentation, do they? Not that I mind the odd wood sculpture cut by a lumberjack who felt the need to express himself more creatively, but why have pictures when the main focus should be on nature? I guess it’s just not my thing.
Fabulous. Glad to hear such heartening news.
uncle scrooge? art ‘in’ nature: the last tree will be used to make a paper-mache ‘bonsai’, or maybe a book about reforesting easter planet – then we’ll All be happy to get a little back – your doc told you to take a hike? that first comment (“mop-up”) really is #1, the ‘alias’ is apt
Very happy to hear about your ambulatory successes!
Keep up the good work.
I saw the hanging art the other day too! I went by on the bus and did a double-take. I like the idea of weird art stuff in nature. Have you seen the “shoe trees” in the Haliburton/Minden/Kinmount area? I grew up with one of those nearby.
And I’m so glad you can recover doing things you love!
The best news Zoom… Your walks were always important to you..The fall colors are coming too Girl..
Duncan is a very caring cat EH!!!