An old-fashioned selfie in the fabulous mirror made by my friend and funny blogger/serious artist fishducky . After a week of rest, I got up this morning, put on the wide-brimmed hat Mary gave me (it ties under my chin and is great in the often strong winds we have up here) got my rake and went out to rake some more.
I have now worked outside since the end of March, raking, cutting, and hauling away. It seems never-ending, but I have made progress.
They recently put out the largest fire in our county's history, the Erskine fire to the north of us, close to 50,000 acres burned. Fueled by the strong winds we have here. And now, as you may have seen on the news, another huge fire is burning off the 14 freeway, north of Los Angeles. That's the road I would take if I had to go to the city. I'm so glad I don't have to go there any more.
I love it up here from end of October to the end of June, but this time of the year is pretty awful. When the winds come up and blow with gusts up to 50 - 60 MPH through this bone dry landscape, I don't know how not to be concerned. Joining CERT and getting that training has helped a lot and I know I will not panic now, should something happen.
The prevailing winds here come from the north-west and I have raked and raked as best I could in this corner of my property. The very large juniper is a concern since the branches are dragging on the ground. I had hoped to consult about it with my BIL/Contractor, but he's not been able to come, due now to a recent car accident. So I just cleared under and around it.
Both my friend Tom and the tractor guy did such great work, but there's still so much to rake up after them. If there is a fire, if something bad happened to my dogs, (the rest I don't care about, truly, I have given it much thought) I need to know I have done everything to clear the land to the best of my ability. And that's really all anyone can do. (I have tried to find some teenagers to help, but it seems they either don't work or get jobs at McDonalds or in one of the grocery stores in town.)
Now to change the subject:
Last week, Mary and I went to Bakersfield where I saw my diabetes team and got another good report. Then on to the orthopedic back specialist. Mary drove, we both have GPS, but didn't use it, both pretty blind as far as reading road names go, we finally made it to the doctor's office. Where I was then sent across the street for some back X-rays.
After examining me, the doctor thought it was my hip. But he ordered an MRI of my lower back and X-rays of my hip and pelvic area. I will have that done on August 2nd. The doctor's office was good about arranging to see me the same day so I don't have to drive back down the mountain to Bakersfield. I will let you know. Probably hip, I have a feeling that's it.
After I, hopefully, get this pain diagnosed, I will move on to have the cateract surgery. I have to get that done before it gets dark early since I can't drive in the dark right now. So, one step at a time.
Thanks for stopping by.
Have a great day everyone!
Sasmson and Faith
Me too.
really glad you have mary to help drive/share the drive. be safe in fire weather. you're doing all you can.
ReplyDeleteIs that a really old Cocoa Cola chest in the background of your adorable picture of those sweet dogs?? I pray you don't get those wildfires anywhere close to you. Trips to the doctor usually bring bad news. That's why I don't go! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's what it is.
DeleteI am hoping for you to get good news, and better still if it can be fixed,( for want of a better word). Cataract surgery, Hugh had one done, all over in about 30 minutes, and so much better eyesight now. Your ground does look very dry, and guess even if all your land is cleared, stuff will blow from far away. Let those doggies be safe with you.
ReplyDeleteFires can be a concern!!..your looking good!!
ReplyDeleteI am praying it is good news. Fire scares me as I lost my own home to it some years back. Hurricanes are my real fear though down here. Glad you have Mary. GPS is still a mystery to me since I do not have a smart phone. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you. I feel the same way about the summer months. When we lived in SoCal we had to deal with those winds. Thankfully, we don't have the high winds here but we have lightening strikes and dry as matches grass and trees. It scares me. Keep us posted on your report with the dr.
ReplyDeleteHi Inger - that's good to hear your update and am glad things are getting themselves sorted out - one thing at a time as you and slowly but surely you'll get there ... I'm just glad I don't live in that heat ... and too that I'm relatively safe from fire.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see Faith and Samson are still happy together and have enough energy to play ... and so good to have Mary spend time with you when an extra person/supporter may be needed ...
Good for you for so much raking and tidying - it'll make it easier to keep under control ...
What a wonderful mirror Fishducky sent you ... gorgeous reminder and so cheerful ... cheers and hugs from over here - Hilary
You look great in that hat!
ReplyDeleteI pray that the fires don't come anywhere near you. It looks like you have done all you can to stay safe. The summer months in California can be frightening. I worry about my daughter and her family who live further north from you and have experienced those fires in previous years.
The worse thing I would imagine, is handling all this on your own. I'm glad you have Mary as a friend. She sounds like a good one. The weather seems more eratic and extreme than it was years ago when I was growing up. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteBenefits of working hard, physically, are that you get stronger and you definitely sleep better.
Deletethanks for closing with the 3 dog pics, they made me smile. i just love the oh so modest Faith and the two of them looking into each others eyes... prayers for your safety and theirs. prayers for the MRI also... i did my xray/mri a few months ago and now am scheduled to see the cataract surgeron next WED. seems we are running about the same health wise.
ReplyDeleteforgot to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mail box header
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you would like it. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteGreat pictures! Wish I was in the area.
ReplyDeleteI see that Samson, being the oldest, is the dominant one and Faith goes right along. :-)
Is Mary taking you for your cataract surgery or will your BIL be well enough to take you? I hate for you that it's two trips, or will they do both eyes the same day? Sincerely wishing you the best results!
That's a whole lot of raking!
Take care now, Inger!
Faith is really the alpha dog in spirit here. Samson doesn't care because he's bigger and stronger than her, so he is calmly in charge. I think he's in charge of me too. Or at least that's what he thinks.
DeleteYou sure get a lot of work done! Try not too do too much at a time! Take care sweet friend. Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteThe dogs are certainly content and relaxed.
ReplyDeleteYour land is beautiful. It is a blessing to have such good friends. May the doctor news be good and your happiness keep growing. I can almost feel the contentment in your words.
Hi Inger,
ReplyDeleteLove the selfie of you with the wide-brimmed hat and the beautiful mirror. You look great!
It is so good that you have so much energy to worked outside and had made progress.
Love seeing your beautiful yard and the mountains and the blue sky.
I hope all will be ok with your hip and pelvic area.
Me too, I will need to do cataract surgery, but I need to found a good doctor...
Love seeing photos of adorable Samson and Faith playing so happy together!
Sending lots of hugs and much Love!
Keeping all the debris cleaned up is hard work but very important when in a fire danger area like that. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI know fire has to be a concern especially this time of year but you are doing everything you can to keep your property safe.
ReplyDeleteSo good that you have a friend to help with the driving to appointments. I had one help me and it really puts your mind at ease. Please keep us up to date on your results.
I hope your BIL wasn't hurt in the accident.
Faith and Samson seem so compatible. They are adorable.
Glad you're getting your tests done. By the way, you look beautiful in my mirror!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fran. I love your mirror.
DeleteI have to worry about fires too. I keep a travel carry cage for the ferrets on the main level of the house. If there's a fire, everybody is getting in the truck and hauling. There's only one way out of here, and it's through the forest. That's why I keep a scanner tuned to the county fire frequencies all summer long.
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun to see Samson and Faith obviously playful and enjoying each other. I know they provide such good company and it's natural for you to worry about them. Keeping your property free of brush and clearing anything that could become fuel in a fire is a lot of work, Inger. I have friends living in the foothills who have halftone amount of property you have and they're constantly at it! The fires are distressing for us all, but after the fires around Lake Isabella I was sure you had great concern. I'm glad you are doing well and able, even with your hip, to do this level of groundskeeping. You're incredible. If for any reason you find that with your hip pain there is a recommendation of a hip replacement, I do want to tell you that my husband had one of the "new" surgeries about 18 months ago and the recovery and results were simple incredible. Do let me know if that is the recommendation. I'd love to give you some reassurance in that area!! So good to see you in that lovely mirror, too. You look wonderful! ox Debra
ReplyDeleteI hope they get to the bottom of the pain :) and I love that selfie picture. The photos of Simon and Faith make me smile :)
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well at the doctors and something can be done about your pain.
ReplyDeleteLove your header with all the mailboxes!!
Love that selfie! Inger, my hubs is also going to have cataract surgery at the end of September. He was diagnosed in June with the beginning stages and they want to clear it before it becomes worse. His ability to read the eye charts had gone down quite a bit. Good luck with all the health issue. I know what it's like. . .I think my immune system is reacting to stress as I keep getting lots of minor ailmnents - skin conditions, etc. I'm glad you're acting in advance for the fire prevention. That worries me when I hear of fires in CA. We get them in our interior of BC.
ReplyDelete