Virginia Real : February 2018

I’ve been limping around for almost a year due to what I like to call “Raspberry Over-Enthusiasm.” Last spring, I transplanted about sixty raspberry bushes from the side of the house to a nice sunny location in the field, next to the garden. Shortly after transplanting the bushes, my right foot began to hurt. I limped around for a month or two and then limped around for another month or two, thinking that the problem would resolve itself. Well, it didn’t. So in November I began the long journey to my current location where I spend most of the day in my armchair recliner with two pillows under my heavily-bandaged foot, binge-watching episodes of “Call The Midwife”, religiously watching the clock to be sure I take the prescribed antibiotics and low-dose aspirin to prevent infection and/or blood clots.

I had the foot surgery last Thursday. The pain after surgery wasn’t nearly the howling experience that my mind had led me to believe it would be, thanks be to God. After a day of taking pain killers, I stepped down to ibuprofen and I was able to wean myself off of the ibuprofen within three days. The doctor says I will not be able to bear any weight on the foot for six to eight weeks, but due to a remarkable piece of equipment called a knee walker, I’ve been able to maneuver around the house a bit. I’ve been able to go to the bathroom without help and get in and out of bed on my own. I have also been able to fold laundry and wash dishes without much difficulty. This morning I was able to sweep the kitchen floor, while scooting around the kitchen on the knee walker. Although I had to ask Charming to use the hand-held vacuum to clean up the pile of dust and the effort did make my back hurt slightly from the awkward angle of holding the broom, being able to do these small tasks makes me feel a bit less like a lump.

Prior to the surgery, I started working on a cute little crocheted crib blanket for a new great-niece who is scheduled to make her entry into the world in March. I also started a crocheted short-sleeved cardigan for my sister who had a February birthday. I have since finished both items, which turned out nicely. In addition, I recently finished re-upholstering a footstool that my sister, Joyce, had picked up at the local dump. The split bottom was badly frayed, so I removed the splits and covered the board with batting and brown vinyl. The footstool is the ideal height for use as a cat perch so that our cats will be able to look out the living room windows at the farm.

All in all, I guess things are going really well for me. Family and friends have been really kind with phone calls and visits. Charming has kept me well-fed and entertained. I don’t think a girl can ask for more than that. I am now setting my sights on the prospect of planting my vegetable garden, working on the farm, and last, but not least…harvesting those dad-gum raspberries that caused me this pain in the first place.