Last evening after the huge dump of wet snow, while we were getting supper together, our neighbor Randy was already at the end of our driveway. Watching the process of him and his huge snowblower, was like watching the snow cone machines at the county fair. When I looked, Randy’s wife was coming over and Jan moved snow away from the doorways where Randy couldn’t get close. It was very much appreciated as at that time I was feeling very much like a vulnerable adult.
Over the weekend my back decided to buck. In thinking about it, it was last year about this same time that my back had to act up, as if to say “Pay attention to me.” Up to this instance, I have had a great winter of being able to take in stride whatever was needed whether outside or inside. Today it was my promise to myself to take it easy. No going downstairs, no lifting and taking turns with the ice pack and the heating pad on the lower back. Arthritis has a sneaky way making itself known and not by one specific act or injury. I do recall that last Saturday when I came back from Mankato I felt a bit stiff. Over the course of that day it settled into the lower back like a sock full of wet sand that was strapped onto me. Laying low for a day or two will do wonders for me and it gives me a chance to watch traffic, read a bit and watch snow melt. Knowing that Dennis’ months of having small strokes is over, surgery went well, his recovery is on tract, perhaps I had ignored the messages that my back had been giving me. It totally has my attention now.
We did have company today. Grandson Ryan stopped in with a skid loader and took a swipe of snow away from Dennis’ garage door that faces Stauffer Avenue. A bit later Ryan came back and had great granddaughter Adison with him. A very tall 10 year old that enjoyed some Chocolate Chip cookies with Great Grandpa as Ryan took care of moving the old television set out of Dennis’ patio porch and securing the cable for television that had dislodged with all the ice that weighted it down yesterday. Dennis is totally ready to have a television to watch by Thursday evening.
For Dennis and me it is a wonderful feeling that we have family and friends who are just several blocks away from us that willingly lend a hand. Family that is farther down the highway than just a jaunt do not need to worry as to our safety in times of freak thunder snow. I know I speak for Dennis as well as for me, it is hard to realize that we do need a bit of help from time to time.