Husband Update, A to Z Challenge, And A Walk With The Dogs

With my husband so ill and me so tired, I have decided to not participate in the A to Z Challenge this year. It was a difficult decision since I enjoy it so much. But I can't keep up with my current blogger friends. Friends who have been so kind and supportive during this difficult time. So now is not the time to post every day, read new blogs, and get more followers. Just wanted to let you know, in case someone from there stops by.  

Can you see Puppy Faith? She's 11 months now and will not grow to be the very big dog she believes herself to be. 

It has been such a long time since I took the camera with me on our morning walks. Sometimes though, it may be good to force oneself into a creative mood. Camera or not, I walk the dogs every morning. It keeps me balanced and as happy as possible.  

Hilary wrote me an email from England, saying she suspects I am having a torrid time. And that word, torrid, says it all. Last Wednesday, the 25th, the doctors noticed a change in my husband's demeanor and did two CT scans, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. After the last one, they determined something was going on in his abdomen and decided on surgery. I had just walked in the door, after spending the day with my husband, when the phone rang. Once again, for the 5th time since March 7, I gave consent to yet another surgery.

Serious things were going on, a leakage from an intestine, if I understood correctly. The doctor told me later he was concerned that my husband would not make it. Surgery went on until 2:30 in the morning. Serious infection once again. The doctor also said they would know if the mesh they installed would work in a week. Husband survived, his new liver doing so, so, worries there as well, and my torrid week went on. Long story short, yesterday, a week later, while I was there, another surgeon appears and says they have decided to operate again. Too much infection, we have to go in and try to clean it up. And replace the plastic mesh with one of a natural material, like from a pig. So I sign more forms to give consent. When I called this morning, the nurse said that his vital signs are good. Wait and see.

Wait and see is not a talent of mine. But when you have no choice, you will do it, and therein lies some personal growth. So all is not bad, even in an impossibly bad situation. Oh, and then, Sophiedoodle, I met a labradoodle therapy dog in the hallway. Just your size, but a lighter brown. I asked if I could pet him. Then I did, he was so sweet, and he helped me a lot. I thought about you and how I miss you and my blogger friends, furry and not.

I have always admired wildflowers here in the desert mountains. How they can grow among the sand and rocks. I came upon this one, all alone, very tiny, but still so cheerful looking. And I smiled. 

Spring is bringing many new arrivals to the canyon. Two baby calves were born to our neighbor's cows. They are so feisty and adorable. The house finches are back and settled in their old homes. I wish they would build some new adobes, as their old ones are full of guano from at least three previous years. I see they used some of Samson's fur to decorate the top of one of their nests. It looks really cute, actually. Ground squirrels are back and gophers are driving Samson to distraction. Scrub jays are here and I also saw a pair of doves this morning. 

Weeds are growing like crazy and I'm trying to keep up, using the electric lawn mower. It's going pretty well. I may take a neighbor up on his offer to bring his tractor over and just rake it all up, later this spring. I am so glad to have met really good neighbors here in the canyon. Another neighbor of mine, a Native American woman, a little bit younger than I, said the other day, after I told her about my husband: "If  you ever get scared or need some help over there, call me. I've got a gun!" I will never forget that offer. 

See how big my tongue got? Do you think I could be a poster dog for that rock band, Kiss?

Me:  Samson, I am so blessed to have a therapy dog of my very own, here at home. 

Samson: Who's that mommy?

Me: It's  you, of course. Do you know what's between your ears?

Samson: No, mommy, what?

Me: My favorite place to kiss you.

Samson: OK, mommy, you can kiss me there any time you want. Maybe I can get one of those chicken cookies? 

Me: I will get you some, because you are the bestest dog. Ever!

Samson: Thank you mommy, I try. 

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HAPPY EASTER!