Couple More

 Top and bottom, kids in the Eagle Building, "because they are so pretty," and favorite was "when Sibley came out of her cage and the dogs came outside!"

Artists and Heroes

The 2nd graders from local Lone Rock Elementary and teacher Julie Bachman surprised us with these thank-you letters Saturday. There I am with Sibley, love the dress. And student with his favorite, Simon the Great Horned Owl who "kept staring at me." Love these, more on the way!

Happy Birthday Miles Dewey Davis!

 My favorite jazz aficionado/composer/musician was born this day in 1926.  Dad turned us kids onto Miles with endless reel-to-reel tapes when we were young. I named this Great Horned Owl Miles to honor the man, and with the same last name it was a natural. I remember one middle school boy jumped to his feet in a crowded gymnasium when I asked if anyone had heard that name. He stood and announced to all his classmates, "Miles Davis was my gym teacher in third grade!" Can you imagine, "do the jumping jax kids...."  

Three Weeks Today...

...since the total knee replacement surgery and can only get better as I have been really sick this whole time. I had a trip to the doctors' yesterday, and was told to pack and overnight bag and be prepared to be admitted to the hospital for a “procedure.” Dodged the bullet and sent home, thank goodness, and told to take it easy. But I feel a little better today and cancelled two programs this week, four total, and sorry schools. We will make it up to you - promise. And what the heck is on the hummingbird feeder just now? A Bullock's Oriole!

 

Music Library

A snapshot just now of Mischa helping me edit the CD's and make some sort of tidy, organized something. My 25-year-old stereo/amp/tuner died last week so I dug out the spare. And while you're at it, Kate, high-grade the thousand CD's that are filling that dresser and wall rack and boxes on the floor. Annie Garde and I are hosting Jazz Sessions on Montana Public Radio, 2-4 pm Thursday, June 1st, so selecting some gems to play. In the meantime Mischa is enjoying some OP - Oscar Peterson in memory of my Mom on this Sunday.

Spring!

I love these flowers, but not mowing now, officially. Think I overdid it yesterday....

 

Daunting Task or PT?

 I kind of like mowing the lawn, an old Husqvarna push mower and sections at a time. However, with two feet of grass and dandelions plus one "knee recovering from surgery," this will be a chore. I tried doing some test swaths yesterday, and works with half the mower width and back and forth in spots. I wonder if this will qualify at PT and I promise not to overdo it. Had to start with the Penguin in the front yard, progress reports on the way.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot Day

 

Portia

Portia the Barred Owl was just approved for our state and federal Education Permit in late April. In December this bird was retrieved from the roadside just up Three Mile, near-by here in the Bitterroot and suffering a traumatic head injury. As a young bird (by plumage) our Veterinarian Dr. Scott Bovard agreed that this owl would make a great addition to the “teaching team.” Most young raptors die that first year: tough being a predator.  Barred Owls are uncommon and have been moving into the state only in the last 40 or 50 years. So we now have a bird named for the Bard (!) of Avon, William Shakespeare and Portia from The Merchant of Venice. Very lofty, I know. 

No Mow May

Nico is hanging by a particularly nice patch of dandelions, celebrating with the emerging bees and their feast. Of course I can't mow anyway with the knee surgery, but pal Jay brought this to my intention that I was doing it on purpose to help the pollinators. Of course, as everyone says these days. Of course. I am able to amble around with the walker and my first Good Day, more to follow. It’s mobility and attitude, finally. Thanks friends, you all contributed to the latter!

Unique PT

I'll bet I wheel this thing around in the yard an hour a day, so must count as Physical Therapy.  Eventually I'll be able to push the lawn mower in a similar fashion...Those are Mischa's first molted feathers in the little cup, started the day after my surgery. One week now.

Saga of the Knee

Back in 1982 at Snowbowl Ski Area  I was a bump enthusiast and loved the moguls. One particular Sunday I was flying down an un-groomed Spartan Headwall last run and crashed, hyperextending my knee with a painful POP. My chemistry professor Dr. Tom Thomas executed the sled ride down the hill, and that is when this whole predicament began. I had torn everything and surgery back then was criss-crossing muscle facia, big long scars on either side of my knee cap. Fast forward 2020's and now femur and tibia are bone on bone, shots didn't work. I made it up to Snowbowl a handful of times but could only turn left, and on Paradise!! So time for the biggie and this will be a long haul. Complications persisting. This was a fun day with Leaf Magnuson and Kim Thomas!

The Week from Hades

The significant but "routine" total knee construction surgery last Thursday was anything but. Since then I have been installed in this bed under six blankets and knee hooked up to an ice machine - 101° fever, nausea, skin rashes, hyperventilating, brain fog and dizziness. Pain is at 9 out of 10 at times and almost headed to the Emergency Room about 3 times. No way to celebrate May the Forth Be With You, Star Wars Day. My first visit to PT here in Florence offered some hope, and hope so. Off the damned narcotics and now happy Tylenols and IB's......Right now, time for another nap.

Lone Rock-Stars

We just had Lone Rock School 2nd graders here again, every spring. Teacher Julie has a therapy dog with her all the time that looks just like this card! My favorite one and inside the kids signatures, plus the inscription “You are like an awesome explosion of awesome.”   HA!!