REFLECTIONS

Ever since my back operation two weeks ago I'm still trying to get back into a comfortable routine.   Daily naps, ice packs for the incision site and increasing my time spent walking are recommended. I don't need to use a cane except for staircases.  I've had a few bad headaches but no fever. When I see Dr Lebl for my followup visit I'll tell him.    In the meantime: I've been meaning to add these links to my  "INTERESTING SITES" and LINKS TO EXPLORE" lists  on the lower right column. I'm eager to look more deeply into these sites myself. I found this while looking for the difference between loose tea and tea bags. About Food Practical information.    Instructables - DIY How To Make Instructions I want to try one of these courses. Home

Her site has videos, quotes and other wonderful things. It made me laugh and improved my mood. I found her blog after reading a comment she put on one of my posts. Link:  Linda's Lair Some videos:

Today my back is even better. I can now walk without my cane. Climbing stairs is less of a problem.  But for the next six weeks they want me not to lift anything heavy and to rest when I feel tired. Here is the link to a video from the hospital explaining the procedure in great detail.  Spine - Lumbar – Minimally Invasive Discectomy (Percutaneous Disc Removal) After my wife did research to find the best hospital and doctor we drove six hours from Virginia to New York City for my treatment.  It was worth the trip. Home page: Spine Care Institute at Hospital for Special Surgery - HSS

Wave splashes over the lighthouse!  Watch for it in the video. Requiem for a Dream (Full screen & turn up sound is best.) I found this video on one of my favorite blogs (Belarus): The blog link: Погляд у залюстаркоўе.

I'm now a grandfather!  My wife and I had the privilege of witnessing the baby's first week of life.  They named him Miles.                                 Mother & Child                                                     The Happy Father He's so tiny, like one pea in a pod.

I was having some fun with these very different views on life.  I'm not always sure which one I am. When I'm in a low mood and watch the news I become a pessimist. When I wake up full of energy and spend time outside in my backyard I'm an optimist. I'm not too sure about being a realist.  It depends on if I'm correct in assuming that what I believe is true is what actually is true or if I'm only fooling myself and am wrong. I hope for the best.  "Hopefulist".  It's a word just made up for myself.   I can add to the caption on the image of a sailboat for this post. "The pessimist complains about the wind; The optimist expects it to change; The realist adjusts the sails; The " hopefulist " prays that adjusting the sails will really work ."  If things don't look too good then I usually hope against hope. Idioms: "hope against hope,  to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant

Summary    ~Find environments where you meet people who share your interests and values.  ~Build trust. ~It takes time. ~It's not just online. Not so easy but worth a try.