A Bird In The Hand

In addition to being visually challenged, I also find myself at a hand deficit. There is often a comfy and/or sleepy parrot on one of my hands.

You would think that for someone like me, Type A and maybe even A+, this would be an annoyance, a burden. But what it is is one of the great joys, great blessings of my life.

Tame the savage beast? You bet he has.

Wishful Blogging

As long as my friends and family are in good health and doing well in the rest of their lives, then I never have to think about my wish. One hope, one dream, one prayer, one must-have this season and all those to come. It is: the full restoration of my sight.

And, yes, I say it just like that. I want to be clear to the wish, hope, dream and prayer granters because I don't want to just say "sight" and find myself with a new website, for goodness' sake!

I don't remember the wishes in my past, they were mercurial and lacked gravitas. (No, I did not receive a Word of the Day calendar as a birthday gift this weekend.) Now the wish has been decided for me, so ingrained in every fiver of my being that there is no consideration given, the thought is in my mind before the cake is placed on the table.

I never tell people what my wish is, for it is said that then it won't come true, I found myself wondering this birthday if they know anyway. And I think that they do. Could I guess correctly what the people I am closest to would wish for? I think that I could. And I realize what a gift that is to know someone that intimately. I don't take that for granted, but I sure would take my wish.

Hopey Birthday For Me

Big birthday weekend for me. I only say "big" because the number is going up, faster and faster, like the Mad Tea Party ride at Disney World once you get it really spinning. And equally nausea-inducing.

A birthday dinner at a Chinese restaurant ended with the traditional fortune cookie, a providence of hope or doom wrapped in an ever-surprisingly deliciousness. To my delight, my cookie held two slips of paper. I allowed myself to believe the odds were in my favor as opposed to stacked against me. It is my birthday, after all.

The first read:

A shooting star tonight will bring you good luck tomorrow!

Very nice but I would not have seen it. Plus, it is monsoon season here in Pennsylvania so no one is seeing any stars.

The second fortune:

The current year will bring you much happiness.

2016 isn't even half over yet so I like the sound of this one. No doom, just hope. Which is exactly how I want to start my new year. 

Knee-ly Done With This, I Promise

I apologize for yet another post about my knee, but honestly, the pain is all I can think about. Like when you tie your shoes too tight. I had a friend who swore that being laced passed the point of comfortable could give you a headache. Got ya thinking, don't i?

Today I share with you why leggings are for the young. Because there is in room in them for support braces, duct tape, ropes and pulleys or any of the other paraphernalia holding us old folks together.


#firsthandknowledge

Talk About A Vicious Cycle

I have never liked working out but I do it. It's the longest hour of my day and I determined a long time ago that when they made me they forgot the endorphins. So, why is it that the only time my torn knee ligament DOESN'T hurt is when I ride the exercise bike? It's not right, I tell you! I can barely walk but strapping my feet into the pedals and cycling for an hour is no problem. And the doctor okayed it!

So now the most painful hour of the day is also the least painful. And that is more messed up than my knee.

Cuddle(90)grams

When Piper came to us almost four years ago from a bird rescue, he was aggressive and always on alert. He was most likely going to bite you if you put out your finger for him to step up. 

This picture is from yesterday.  I was reading a book using my Merlin CCTV while Piper climbed from shoulder to shoulder. Settling down on my left side, he began to play with my hair and then charged into my hair and nuzzled against my neck. He eventually backed out and repositioned himself on the outside of my hair, sidestepping over my hair until he was pressed up close against my head. He hadn't moved for awhile and I knew he was either dozing or close to it. 

I slowly reached for my phone and gingerly lifted my arm, pointing the phone in my left shoulder's direction. I took a few pictures in rapid succession and gently moved my arm and phone to where I could look at the photos. Piper, eyes closed, was sleeping. 

I finished the book after a few minutes but continued to sit there so my little feathered boy could keep resting. I thought about when we first brought him home from the rescue, and how far we have come. A mere three months after joining our family, I lost my vision. The only thing I was worried about when I was discharged from the hospital, still unable to see, was how would I be able to be a good mom to Piper and would I be able to care for him? I knew that we had a lot of work to do; he had major trust issues and after being chomped on by his strong beak so often, his dad and I had them, too. I needed to make him feel comfortable and confident that his being bounced around days were over. He was home, forever. 

The details of how we got from there to here is for another day but I promise you will hear the story of how an orange-fronted conure came into my life right before my sight went out of it. How in my darkest days, literally and figuratively, he was the reason I got out of bed. 

But today, it's about love and the full weight of that love pressed against my head . . . and my heart. All 90 grams of it. 

A Kneed For Support . . . And Pants!

Having my husband constantly telling me to put my knee brace on for my ligament tear reminds me of my sister-in-law telling my nephew to wear his retainer.

You see, it's difficult for me to pull anything on over the bulky brace, hence the reason my husband of 23 years is currently wearing the pants in this relationship.

 This hurts way more than the injury!