A 'Guardian' No More

This is an accurate representation of the way Victoria was feeling yesterday.
Sick, sick, sick!
She claims that her hours of languishing in our backyard
had a major curative effect.

Which was very timely.

Since, TODAY Vic graduated from high school!!!

And my legal guardianship is officially over.

But my place as 'Godmother' will remain
FOREVER.

Thanks, my dear Vic,
for two fabulous years with nary a quarrel between us.
You've certainly added a healthy dose of SUNSHINE
into my little world.

Today's My Anniversary!

A year ago TODAY, I was face-down on an operating table in downtown Manhattan.

Dr. Ohenaba Boachie-Adjei, the world's foremost scoliosis surgeon, was standing over me, reconstructing my spine, top to bottom.

Nineteen hours later,

I awoke.

TWO inches taller,

and a whole lot straighter.

Even if I did become

rather unusual on the inside.

I don't remember much about the following eleven days in the hospital, but I do remember the reassurance of having my children by my side.

(The shot below was taken with Kelty in my very own hospital room which was absolutely ENORMOUS!)



I also remember my compulsive desire to

walk, walk, walk

the orthopedic floor until my surgeon said

"Stop walking so much.
Your body needs to rest."

Here I am, walking alongside my very favorite nurse, Maxine.

* * *

Recently I returned to New York City for my first-year appointment with Dr. Boachie.

Shuttered a bit as I walked up to the Hospital for Special Surgery, pictured in this sunset photo - foreground, left.


My surgeon's staff greeted me as the Woman-with-the-Blog. (Not this blog, but one about my recovery - The Only Way Is Up.)

Dr. Boachie gave me the once-over and a thumbs-up with a warning to slow down since I'm not fully out of recovery until the end of my second year. Hmmmm.

What an AMAZING journey I've taken
during the last 365 days
since my favoritist surgeon from Ghana, Africa
tore me apart and put back together!

I've been given a second chance at life.

That's a gift beyond measure

and I don't take it lightly.

P.S.
preserverockcanyon.com

made the front page of the Daily Herald
after we held a big letter-writing, survey-taking event
in the canyon on Saturday.

(Moment of fame. Too bad it's a crummy side shot.)

POINT IS . . .

Now that I've STRAIGHTENED UP,
I fully intend to really USE this life of mine
for a few good causes.

Part Two - Ohio Tripping

The kids, grandkids and I did some peachy "day-tripping" while we home-based at the cabin in Hocking Hills. I think our entire family was surprised to discover that the Midwest is NOT just cornfields! For example, the Old Man's Cave Park consists of windy trails alongside a cascading river and some unique rock formations.

There were places to crawl . . .

and to SPLASH . . .

and to SCAMPER . . .

and to generally UNWIND.

* * *

There was also the fieldtrip to Logan Lake
where we rented a big ole pontoon boat.

Here's a shot of the crowd at the BACK of the boat.

At one point, we spotted a dock with a beach
- twas idyllic for picnicking and taking a dip in the water.

Except we weren't exactly brilliant at boat docking.

By now, the five grandbabies are more than ready to disembark.
So Duane, my Fix-it son-in-law, took matters into his hands
and heaved the boat with it's eleven passengers over to the dock.


The little girls took great pleasure at making sand creations on the beach . . .

. . . while my grandson did THIS sort of activity.

Eventually, Kelty got them all into the water.
That gal kept the fun times rolling for the preschool crowd!

STEERING the boat
was definitely a highlight of our day at Logan Lake.


* * *

Back at the cabin,
there was more than enough to do.

Games to play.

Meals worth relishing.


Chances to be Kissin' Kousins

A hot tub for relaxing.

Oh. And a business to start.

That's right. Arian and Duane were mastermind-ing
a business that will back-up blogs.
Of course, we ALL had to throw in some ideas
and hang around the computer to watch these geniuses
in the entrepreneurial 'flow'.

* * *

While hiking near the cabin, we discovered THE PERFECT fire pit.

On our first visit, we just IMAGINED the blazing flames.

The next day, we went for the REAL THING!

Toasting marshmallows over a fire
puts children
into a rare meditative state.

Our reunion calendaring was fortuitous,
because we were able to celebrate my son's 30th birthday.

We partied with a HATS OFF to Arian Night.

Here we are with the HATS
created to honor the event.

* * *

Probably the best thing about this trip -
NO CELL PHONE RECEPTION.


That meant, we could kick back
and be our own goofy selves!

Ohio with The Fam

THIS is the Black Ridge Cabin in Hocking Hills, Ohio
where my kids, grandkids, and I
spent 6 amazing days together.

Family activities were sprinkled during our time together.
Kelty got us all to create FLAGS
representing our family unity and diversity.
Every flag was undeniably UNIQUE!

* * *

There were lots of SPONTANEOUS activities too,
like the Cup Game illustrated below . . .

First, the set-up by my granddaughters.
(Notice the LOOK of the observing child- a true clown.)


Then, a selected child, in this case my grandson Kenneth,
gets to be the Human Bowling Ball.

My son-in-law Cody would LAUNCH the child
causing them to slide at terrifically high speed
across the wooden floor . . .

. . . until they crashed into the tower of cups!
OH WHAT GLEE!

* * *

My youngest grandbabies.
Audrey and Aspen
were thrilled to get acquainted on this trip.
Good-natured little campers!

Kenneth and Avery played
and fought
and played together.
That's what TWO YEAR OLDS are all about!


Not far from the cabin was
the Rope Swing Above All Rope Swings.

The rope was so freakin' long that you could swing
way, way out there
and when you looked down,
the drop-off was dizzying.
It was better than ANY ride at Disneyland!

ABOVE: a field trip to Old Man's Cave.

Truly, we packed in SO MUCH FUN
that I'm going to have to provide you with a PART 2.

COMING SOON.

Preserving Rock Canyon

No matter the season or the weather,there is renewal and inspiration in Rock Canyon. However, this sanctuary is being threatened by a proposal to remove the rock for landscaping materials. According to plans, the front "gates" of this canyon would be irreplacable destroyed and access for hikers, bikers, etc. would be compromised by safety issues. The "Yosemite" of our community would be lost.

I have created a website to provide current information regarding this situation. It's not the world's most gorgeous website in cyberland, but it's my FIRST and it will provide you with the steps you can take to help us save Rock Canyon from being destroyed.

Go HERE . And, take a moment to do something to preserve a priceless resource to our community.

No Doubt No Drought

This morning I opened the blinds to my bedroom windows and
THIS is the scene that greeted me.

"NO! NO! NO!" I shouted,
but that didn't change the uncomely weather.

NOT ONE BIT.

I let the dog out the front door and it was still there.

Notice my truck with a 'loaded' hood.

And it was there, out the back window too.

No possibility of hopping up THESE stairs in my side yard.

But I DO have to say,

my tulips looked rather splendid with their white backdrop.

And the fruit blossoms looked like they'd possibly survive.

So I gathered my courage,
threw on my snow boots,
and hiked the canyon.
What else could I do on a day like today?!

I'm hoping MAY will bring an END to this ridiculous nonsense.