Today is my birthday.  I got a big black (festive!) boot on my left foot to mark the day.  An MRI on Wednesday confirmed that my Achilles tendon is torn (“hanging by a thread” is how the orthopedic specialist described it), and must be surgically repaired next week.    When all it takes to feel the ominous “pop” is to bend over to empty the dishwasher, it’s clear to me that aging is hazardous to one’s health.

On a positive note, the fashionable boot stabilizes my gait, and greatly minimizes the effects of ataxia.  Additionally, this year makes me eligible for Social Security.  The first check arrives next month.  Dad says it’ll be my fault if the national debt goes into an irreversible tailspin (HAR, HAR!).  Personally, all I can think about is driving a car that is not held together by duct tape (104,000+ miles on the Subaru’s speedometer have taken their toll), and SS will pay for it!

Moving right along, spring is spectacular this year.  We missed the mountain laurel blooms last year.  Now that they are at their peak, we are amazed at how many are on our property, and along the creek.  When not flowering, they are not very noticeable; at water’s edge, they twist and turn, reminding one of mangroves.  But in all of their glory, this is what the look like:

The “rhodies”, which are so plentiful up here, haven’t bloomed yet, but we have that show to look forward to.  The tiger lilies, Queen Anne’s lace, and hydrangeas, which we have in large numbers, are already adorning the yard, all about a month earlier than normal.   I took a bunch of pics on a Sunday, and didn’t realize there was a creature in this frame until I edited it!

But the really big news at the mountain home is that the fireplace, (the never-ending project) is finished!  It was truly a family effort.  I designed, Greg implemented, Dad lent his muscle, and Pattie and Clyde donated.  When you realize that we started with this:

And at Christmas, it looked like this:

We proudly unveil the jewel of the living room!

So, in closing, I will say that as soon as my foot heals, we are all getting our fishin’ licenses and our poles together, and going to catch some fresh trout for dinner.  Boo the bear is already in the spirit…

By the way his sign reads”  “ALWAYS check your fly”!:>) 

“Til next time….