Notes from Jan

Good to Go Slow

July 20, 2018

Got my wish yesterday when I drove to the Farmer’s Market at Stage Fort Park in Glosta, the draw bridge went up.

Used to bug me.

Little gets to me now, except a misspoken word like, “would.”

Turned off the ignition, put down the windows, breathed deeply, then enjoyed watching  boats slip through the channel between Gloucester harbor and the Annisquam river.

Good to not be in such a hurry these days.  While my knees’s picking up speed and bending better, the rest of me’s  content to savor life in the slower lane.

A few honkers broke the sounds of the sloshing wake from boat traffic, as if horns would cause the drawbridge to reconsider and surrender to their impatience. Watched  some back up and maneuver for alternative routes out of the stalled traffic,  tempted me to shout, “Hey!  Give it up.  It’s not worth all your popping blood vessels. Get back in line and enjoy the day. What’s got your knickers in a knot?”  But then, I remembered I’m on Prednisone(steroid) and didn’t want to be hauled over for roid-rage.

Well, Netters, I’m now doing full revolutions on the bike at PT, 30 backwards and 30 forwards yesterday.  Today I advanced to 40 each way.  Tuesday, day after the procedure, the PT suggested I  get on the bike and try a full revolution going backwards.  Reluctant and hopeful, I counted out LOUD  ,through gritted teeth, each over-the -top bend. When I finished a total of 25, folks in the waiting room cheered.

Good to be on the mend.

A Net-friend wrote on the blog, “The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is your attitude.”

True.

Most of us know about life’s ordeals and sometimes struggle to see the adventure. Slow helps, so do Grands.

Poco and I went for lunch at Heath’s Tea room in Rockport.  We go there sometimes to practice manners. At tea time’s end, the server stopped by to see if there was anything we needed, Poco replied,

“No , thank you. We’re good to go.”

And we were.

Some day I hope to teach her how to pick up the tab.

Good

and

Slow.

 

 

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6 Comments

  • Reply Gail MacDonald July 20, 2018 at 10:30 pm

    Oh, Janny, this so delightful! I wish Dallas Willard could read these thoughts. When asked what’s the one thing he wished everyone was clear about, he said, “Stop hurrying.” He felt very strongly our souls weren’t made for it. You make us not only want to not hurry, but enjoy being slow and breathing deeply, watching what the hurrier misses. Love these blogs! We can count on you to “right” any poor habit or attitude and make us enjoy it! May your tribe increase!

  • Reply Myrna July 20, 2018 at 11:54 pm

    Keep up the good work! Love to hear stories that include Poco or Maggie. So glad you are improving and I ‘m sure time with them helps even more!

  • Reply Barbara Chapman July 21, 2018 at 12:32 am

    JAN, I remember those days on the bike-back and forward. Back and forward and one day POP it went around and yours will too. Let your mind wander around (haha it does it automatically at this age) on beautiful things. God is good all the time. My daughter says just look for one special God thing everyday.

  • Reply Theresa July 21, 2018 at 1:19 am

    Love this, Jan! Thank you for bringing us with you on this journey. I can smell that good ocean air in this one and hear Poco’s precious voice. Praying for your PT and recovery!

  • Reply Jeri July 21, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    Perfect reflections Jan!❤️ Glad things are mending!

  • Reply Evelyn MorganI' July 22, 2018 at 12:42 am

    I feel your pain, Jan. I’ve been through knee replacement with all the therapy; had to stay in rehab facility for a month, since I needed manipulative therapy because of sciatica. It still does not function normally. I will need therapy again after 6 weeks of recovery from Spinal Cord Stimulation implant. The knee is feeling the lack of activity and getting stiffer by the day. Looking forward to the day I can function normally. They tell me this 80-year-old will see that again. By God’s grace, I trust that will happen. I would give anything to ride the bike right now. Would appreciate your prayers. Luv ya’.

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