Sunday, June 1, 2014

HIATUS EXCUSE

Laziness is doubtless partly to blame for my longest-ever blogosphere hiatus. Plus the excitement of impending (any day now!) first-time grandfatherhood. Also work—both writing and the start of the cottage's every-room-from-the-floor-up renovations, necessitated by our pre-Christmas flood. 

Then, too, some portion of fault surely lies in the general torpidity I annually seem to go through at the onset of hot weather, which happened hereabouts when, in a couple of weeks, we went from spring's last snowfall to temps in the mid-80˚s F. 

And finally, if I'm being fully honest, some measure of this temporary silence comes from the introspection occasioned by the May 10 passage of yet another birthday, and the dispiriting summing up of my life's genuine worth. Do I really, ever, have anything to say?

All contributed to my blogging interlude…as least for the first half-dozen days. 

But my absence beyond those initial few days has been due to accidentally having taken a rather sizable (3-1/2" x 3-1/2") chunk out of my left lower leg—a flesh-bared, skin-flapping, bleeding, oozing, owie severe enough to prompt quick trips to an Urgent Care facility and an After Hours unit in the hospital across the river from the cottage.   

In case you're wondering, I can be so specific about the injury's shape because it came from the rough-sawn end of a 4" x 4" which, as any carpenter will tell, has a finished dimension of 3-1/2" x 3-1/2". Actually a rather handy size for an injury, since a 4" x 4" non-stick absorbent pad fits nicely, making for a neat bandage. I highly recommend taking this into consideration when planning your own future gashes, gouges, and lacerations.

Because healing has required me to keep my damaged leg elevated to the horizontal, I've spent every day—and night!—in the recliner. Walking/hobbling has been kept to an absolute minimum. No sitting upright with both feet on the ground or floor. I can't do the bed because the injury is on the outside of the leg, between ankle and calf; the first night, when turning over in my sleep, I scraped off the bandage and completely reopened the wound—awakening to pain and blood. Can't sleep all that well in my recliner, either. A choice of the lesser of two evils. 

I haven't been at my desk or on my computer for nearly two weeks. Moreover, I'm technically incapable of writing much beyond a dozen or so words via my iPhone. Siri, faithful helpmate though she can be, fails when it comes to extended dictation. Thus, no desktop Mac, no chance of blogging. 

Yesterday afternoon, however, I hobbled out to the front deck and spent a few wonderful hours in the chaise lounge. That's when I made the from-a-distance backlit photo (above) of a few fading irises along the edge of my driveway. And in just a few minutes I'll check my wound, which is very slowly beginning to heal, to see what amount of drainage/bleeding this first sitting-at-my-desk session has instigated.

It's really, really good to be back.

20 comments:

Out To Pasture said...

So sorry about your injury. Didn''t know those 4 by 4's could be so dangerous! Hope your Lady Love gave you lots of sympathy and ice cream. Hope you heal quickly and get back in action soon.

Penny said...

Oh Grizz, what a tale of woe, I feel for you. We had to for go our fishing trip as our 87 year old captain developed golden staph and 80 year old crew member flew off the ladder while picking figs in a high wind. Getting old has its drawbacks. Do look after your self.

KGMom said...

Scribe--OW OW OW--my immediate reaction to your described injury. Makes me shudder just to envision it. I am one of those faint of heart types who blanch at the merest sight of blood.
And also--YAY YAY YAY to your impending grandfatherhood. I recall your saying how you might have mentioned to your daughter your thoughts regarding wishing to be a grandfather. SO happy that eventuality is about to be here, and maybe even is, by the time you read this.
Here's to your quick healing, and to the safe arrival of a new grandchild in this world for grandparents to love! (And parents too, of course.)

Grizz………… said...

Out To Pasture …

Thank you. I am doing better. Though there's another week or two to go, at least, of restricted mobility, antibiotic rounds, wound-dressing, plus lots of butt-down leg-up time before I'm anywhere close to healed.

As to sympathy and ice cream…Myladylove has provided ample ice cream plus a homemade apple pie, but much of her initial sympathy has morphed into "had to go and mess yourself up again, huh?" observations. Well, yeah—you know me, The Body as Battleground.

And least I forget, you do, indeed, need to keep a sharp eye on those lurking 4"x4"s, they are sneaky and apt to savage your leg without provocation.

Grizz………… said...

Penny…

Well, bangs and bruises and sprains, plus all manner of scrapes, cuts, gashes, lacerations, and punctures have been a part of my life all my life. You can't live and do what I've done without a fair measure of slicing and dicing of your precious carcass. We scarred veterans simply claim our latest oozing wound adds more character to our countenance…at least it will if doesn't kill us.

But what I have noted these last few years is that my injuries don't heal nearly as fast. A couple of decades ago, this latest wound would have been nothing more than an itchy, diminishing scab by now; instead, it will now take me a month to reach that same recovery point.

It seems to me that, just when I seem to be on the verge of growing up—or at least reaching an improved level of maturity—my body is thinking about boarding the next bus to geezerhood. Sheesh!

Grizz………… said...

KGMom…

Though the injury wasn't immediately all that painful, when I looked down and saw the big, hanging flap of peeled-off hide, and the blood, I was mightily dismayed because I knew, more or less, what I was in for in the healing-up process, plus the fact it couldn't have happened at a worse time in terms of the things currently going on in my life. Alas, reality soon began to throb and ooze onto the floor…and a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Confound it! Which I have, to the best of my ability, with only minimal whining and grumbling.

Re. the impending granddaughter: My daughter's due date was yesterday. While I like the fact the kid has her own mind, marches to her own timetable—thus showing strong will and thoughtfulness—the fact is her parents have been married 12 years. Time to get the show on the road! To that end, my daughter goes into the hospital tonight for a check and "encouragement," and if that doesn't pan out in a day or two, they'll induce Thursday. So, one way or the other…this week for sure.

The Weaver of Grass said...

And it is good to read you again Grizz. Sorry you have been in the wars - but you sound well on the mend. As to introspection on your birthday - I am afraid we all suffer from that.

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

Yup, I'm mending—slower than I'd like, but making progress. I appreciate your comments. Alas, this isn't my first year, either, for post-birthday introspections.

Hope all is well with you and your hard-working farmer.

Gail said...

HI GIZZ - oh my, you are up against it - I feel for ya and I understand. Still, you managed a beautiful picture :-) I hope you are back up on both feet soon. It's hard to keep a good man down.
And not to try and match you - but I too have been 'up against it'. Got a horrible infection in my foot from a blister - antibiotics, soaks and as little use as possible, elevate and on and on. Just awful. I am better but still very sensitive and I can't wear a show on that foot yet. And the impact of the infection seems to have take a toll on my overall MS symptoms leaving me quite fatigued and my bad side weakened. I am fighting to get back to my abnormal normal. Throw in still adjusting to the teeth and I am on my last good nerve.
You keep resting so you heal completely and I will do the same.
With love and hope for us all
Gail
peace.......

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Sounds like we're both in much the same boat with our leg/foot infections. Just have to tough it out and keep on keepin' on…given that all alternatives are decidedly worse. And we will, and we'll win, and sooner or later we will once again be our normal abnormal selves.

Right this very minute I have a daughter in the hospital having contractions and likely to produce a granddaughter early tomorrow morning. I'm just waiting for a text. And I fully intend to drive across town and gimp my way from parking garage to maternity ward, whatever it takes, whenever it happens.

You take care of yourself. Rest, heal, keep the faith.

Gail said...

Can't wait to hear the good news about your grand baby arriving. How exciting, such a blessing. <3
Love and prayers
Gail

George said...

Wow, Grizz! Sorry to hear about the injury and I certainly hope it heals soon. Whatever the case, it's great to have you back. You have much to say — always — and I trust that you will keep us posted on your steady recovery, as well as life on the riverbank. As for those post-birthday appraisals (Happy Birthday, by the way), I can only say that they come with the territory and seldom improve with age. Our natural course, I think, is to increasingly question whether we have made a difference. In your case, however, the answer is a resounding "yes." Just ask your Ladylove, Moon the Dog, or those of us with whom you connect through your insightful blog, RIVERDAZE. Keep those postings coming, and during the meantime, have a speedy recovery. Like your other readers, I wish you the very best as you try to get back on your feet and recover completely for the earlier flood.

The Solitary Walker said...

Oh, Grizz! I've just read this. I hope your wound heals soon. Limb injuries can take such a confoundedly long time to mend. But mend they will. You are certainly no fading iris! More a red-tailed hawk, my friend.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

And hear it you will! Today!

Grizz………… said...

George…

Please forgive me for being so slow getting your comment posted and replying. And thank you so much for your lovely, encouraging words; I really appreciate them.

The leg continues to heal, though I've had a sort of setback—or at least some issues—doubtless brought about by the necessity that two of my columns had to be written and sent, one on Monday, the other Wednesday. For a variety of reasons, the usual 2-3 hours of work time at the desk turned into 10-12 hour ordeals. No leg-elevated sessions, just sitting upright. Then there was the fact that I stayed awake from 7:00 a.m. Monday until midnight Tuesday, 41 hours! And about half that was at the hospital…again with no way to elevate the leg. The upshot was that by yesterday evening, the thing was swollen to about half again the size, and really hurting. Obviously too much too soon. So I'm going to try and take it easier today and through the weekend.

I know it sounds hokey or contrived, but when I was still a boy, somehow, and as clear as day, my overriding life goal became to make my life matter. Not to become wealthy or famous, or to just get by and have fun…but that at the end of my days, the world would somehow be made a little bit better for my passage. I've done a lot of things over the years, but I've never strayed too far from that path. At least I hope not. Yet as the years pile on, my worry and fear increases that I've failed—failed my goal, failed myself, failed life.

Alas, there are times when I look around, take stock, and believe I've done just that.

Grizz………… said...

Solitary…

As I said to George…forgive me for being so slow getting your comment and this reply posted. Thank you, as always, your words mean a lot.

I am healing, but too slow with summer here, so much work to do, and adventures to be enjoyed. I'm patient when it comes to some things, but not this silly injured leg. Which matters not in the least. So my natural inclination is to push the boundaries, see what I can get away with, and bull my way along as much as possible. And occasionally make things worse in the process, I know.

Whether that makes me a red tail hawk or doofus possum remains to be seen.

Moonmuser said...

No, you are a magnificent Canada goose ... not a doofus possum ...and certainly more like the hawk. You don't seem to have failed the people in your immediate sphere...your family. And certainly not the animal world, such as Moon. But the thing I know most about personally, and a thing I hope you don't underestimate, is the joy and beautiful images you bring your readers of your columns. Not only have they brought smiles to my own face and heart with the word pictures you draw of beauty in nature...many readers of the various newspapers I have worked at that have carried your columns have told us how much it has changed their mood and sometimes the whole day... you have affected many people's lives in a positive with your gift and that has to count for a lot with God who gave you the gifts.Trust me!
Momcat

Grizz………… said...

Momcat…

I'll accept Canada goose.

As to the rest…I hope with all my heart what you say is true. Nothing would please me more. But I have no real sense about that and, in fact, often feel I've failed everything and everyone, including Moon.

As to the writing, whatever gift I have at stringing words comes from God. All talent, large or small, stems from such a holy blessing. I try to do the very best with whatever I set out to write. And I strive, always, to reach into me and take whatever I feel about a bird or flower or the way a river purls along—my emotional reaction to a scene, subject, or situation—and pass it along to a reader so they have the same experience. I don't want to merely tell them or show them, I want to put them there, make it theirs. Some days, this sort of prose alchemy works better than others, of course. But if I do manage to pull it off and folks enjoy the magic, then I'm humbled and very grateful. But again, it isn't me, it's entirely the process of God's gift at work. I just type.

Moonmuser said...

OK, you put it best. Putting people "there" IS the magic you do.

Grizz………… said...

Momcat…

Well, I try…