Busy Week Recap

Whew! I needed a weekend, how about you? Thinking back over the events of the past week, I can see why I might be feeling just a tad on the tired side. Here's the recap:

1. Working in the garden to prepare for our area's First Frost took several hours...in some pretty challenging windy conditions, always an energy zapper. Read more about those activities on our Garden Blog...click here to go there.

2. Putting on my Extension Master Gardener Volunteer hat...well, actually a name badge and a T-shirt...to prep and present a program on Winter Interest Gardening to a local garden club took a few hours, too. I have been out of the Speakers Bureau harness for a few months, so this was a treat, especially since I got to team up with an EMGV and HP friend. And, the icing on the cake was a review and recap lunch and equipment hand-off with SB chair and good friend (EMGV & otherwise!), JA.

3. Making a mad dash to Winston-Salem to attend a "lunch-and-learn" garden workshop at Old Salem (one of my all-time fave places) on Monarch Butterfly Migration only took 90 minutes out of the first part of the week...but was well-worth the effort. We have both developed an interest in gardening for butterflies in general, and in Monarchs, specifically. Being on the migration path means we should see them in abundance, but this year there was a frightening decline in our sightings in the Way Back. Did I share this (rather poor quality) photo of our first sighting, which did not occur until mid-August?

I discovered that our late sighting date matched our instructor's experience this year. She also shared many interesting facts with us, along with some alarming statistics. For example: you may know that all Monarchs migrate to winter in Mexico, but did you realize that ALL use only 2.94 acres of land? Unimaginable.

4. Arranging my daily schedule to incorporate the daily training walk with Abbie accounts for just a few hours...but has made the biggest impact in my life. While she is still over-flowing with energy, she is obviously calmer after her walks...and calmer is better! Plus, my back feels so much better when I commit to a daily walk.

5. Doing some Fall cleaning and fix-up activities takes minimal time, fitting in here-and-there...but what a satisfying feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day! Lots more on this list...but fortunately, I will have time in the weeks ahead.

Speaking of the weeks ahead...

After a false start, Mr. T has his shoulder surgery date: November 1st. The scheduler had originally told him Nov. 15, but the doctor decided at his Tuesday appointment to move it forward...thank goodness. T has had the necessary blood work done and goes Monday morning for the mandatory pre-surgery visit to the Surgery Center. Then he will head north for his final out-of-town trip for a while. He'll use Thursday to wrap up monthly reports and general clean-out-the-inbox activities...and be home to help me manage the pups on Halloween, which is always a challenge.

The current medical leave plan is to use personal days, followed by vacation days, followed by short-term disability. How long? Not sure...won't know until we know the extent of the surgery and repairs required...which won't be known until the surgeon "gets the 'scope in there."

Just another way of saying "wait and see." Oh goody. 

Let's Try This Again

I know I've said it before: I'm nothing if not persistent. Ner (the family's affectionate nickname for Nelle Rhea Stewart, my step great-grandmother) drilled it into my head:

If at first you don't succeed

 try, try again.

So, I knew we had to give Abbie's puppy training another try. I realized this as I was standing at the kitchen sink, washing the blood off my arms in preparation for spraying my newest wounds with Bactine. I also knew I'd rather be beaten with a stick. Sigh.

What? That sweet little (almost 50-pound) puppy? 

Vicious?? Say it ain't so!

Back in late July, we signed Abbie up for Puppy Training at our local PetSmart. I met with the trainer and explained how skittish she was around other people...how we couldn't even take her for a walk around the neighborhood because she tried to (a) lunge at people who just wanted to "meet & greet" or (b) run away if another dog was anywhere in the picture. And although Abbie is as smart as a whip, she is so possessive of everything (toys, food, us, the Bassets...it's all HERS...and she will use her teeth to protect what is HERS!)...and doesn't seem to be bothered by any form of correction...other than a spritz of water from a spray bottle. He was understanding and assured me that was "no problem." All dogs can be trained. Right.

Our first class night was like a bad dream. Abbie and I got there early and got a spot in the back of the class "ring," far away from the entrance. Abbie barked at every new classmate's entry and every movement toward her "spot," and then growled almost constantly for a solid hour. One of the other pet-parents (and I use the term lightly) thought he knew best, and continually encouraged his chocolate lab puppy, Jack (a really cute, high-energy 4-month old) to "touch noses with Abbie. Just let them get to know each other!" The trainer was fantastic and did his best to keep control of the situation, but I've never been so glad to escape a building in my life.

Here is the picture I sent to Mr. T when he texted me "So, how did class go tonight?"

To be fair, we did accomplish two things in that first class. The trainer helped me identify our goal for Puppy Training: "help Abbie develop socialization skills." Works for me! And, since part of the training depends on "marking good behaviors," we got Abbie started on responding to a clicker...which she took to like a duck to water. 

Now, the way you provide positive reinforcement is to give a command (like "Sit!"), and then click the clicker {click, click}, followed by a verbal reward ("Good girl!") and a treat. Sounds pretty straight forward, right?

Only...I discovered I'm not nearly as coordinated as needed to (1) hold Abbie's leash (so she didn't try to make a mad dash outta the class into the store), (2) give the command, (3) click the clicker, and (4) fish a treat out of the little Baggie hidden in my pants pocket...all at nearly the same time! Dropped the leash, dropped the clicker, and dropped the treats. Sheesh! 

Then, when practicing at home (a must, according to our trainer), I discovered that "they" are wrong: you can, in fact, "teach an old dog new tricks!" Both Duche$$ and Elmo realized early on that every time that little clicker sounded {click, click}, the new puppy got a liver treat. They wanted in on this action! Don't get me wrong...they didn't want to do the actual commands...they wanted to cut to the chase! So, whenever we attempted to practice commands with Abbie {click, click}, we had a lineup for the rewards. 

Somehow or other, I made myself go back the next week for the second class. Fortunately, it went much better. Abbie, if not exactly sociable, seemed to realize where she was and accepted the situation. She even showed off her new skills of "Down!"  and "Shake!" (she already knew "Sit!" before we started class, as our vet had told us to teach her that when she was a baby puppy). Although she would not allow the trainer to come close enough to give her a treat [growl, growl], she toned down the Cujo act considerably. Plus...and this was the kicker...Jack the Lab and his family were absent. Hooray!!!

And then came Week Three...and Loose Leash Walking. If Week One was a bad dream, this class session was a nightmare. Night. Mare. We arrived to find out that we were not to be in the classroom (where Abbie felt comfortable...and where I had a chair to help take some of the strain off my aching back); no, we were to practice leash-walking in the aisles of the store. While there were shoppers present, attempting to be nice by trying to pet the ever-anxious Abbie. OMG. Throw in the return of Jack and his family (did I mention that in addition to his attention-challenged and attention-seeking Papa, there was an oblivious Mama, a chatty Granny, and a hyperactive10-year old daughter?)...and you can see why this is the picture I sent Mr. T when we got home:

We were getting nowhere fast with improvement in leash-walking in the crowded and confusing atmosphere of the store. When I tried to practice with Abbie walking on the leash (forget "loose leash" for the moment!) at home, I struggled to maintain control of a pulling, twisting, yanking ball of energy. Things seemed to go from bad to worse.

And, as I'm the only pet parent in this household with two good shoulders and two good knees (albeit less than one good back), all the leash-walking practice fell to me. So, I made an executive decision: quitting time!

Unfortunately, it has become apparent that our holy terrier needs more focused exercise than just daily romps in the quarter-acre Way Back Garden. She almost always gets so worked up, running through the gardens, following the scents of rabbits and squirrels that she ATTACKS to work off that energy. If we attempt to practice Fetch! and Drop it! commands, she turns it into tug-of-war. And whether it's one of the Bassets or me or Mr. T (weekends only) who gets the brunt of her bites, it can get out of hand...fast. 

I usually have the protection of garden gloves and a long-sleeved shirt...but, not so yesterday morning. I was vulnerable, she was over-wrought and accurate, and I came inside bloody and shaking. Something had to change.

So, standing at the sink, putting the antiseptic on my arms, I thought: "WWTS?" If I called our trainer to ask for his assistance (as he encouraged us to do), what would he say? I imagine he would ask me if we ever mastered loose leash walking...which is the key that opens the door to letting a dog know who is really in charge.

No. We have not.

So, yesterday afternoon, I hitched up Abbie's harness, tightened the tension on her leash, and off we went. Trying again. Thankfully, our restart went well, especially since we only saw one person along the way...and no other dogs. And this morning's walk was equally uneventful.

Perfect? Nah. But success is just one try away.

A Shoe Drops

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Waiting...waiting...waiting. For another shoe to fall...this Fall. One of my least favorite activities, as we all know...happening in one of my most favorite seasons. Makes it hard to enjoy all the beauty of this special time of the year (like that sunflower, right). Alas, as this is the Year of Suspended Animation at Casa 3917, that seems to be all we have been doing. Until now.

One of the other shoes dropped on Monday, so to speak. Looks like we have some forward motion. But, first, the back story...

Mr. T. spent last work-week on his MD-DC-VA "run," ending up at the Norfolk dealership on Thursday afternoon for their annual Fish Fry...a public event that attracts the World and his maiden aunt in that area. After having to endure some less-than-perfect weather conditions and stand up for about 4 hours straight (made a little more palatable by having all the beer one could drink with all the seafood one could consume), he called his orthopedic surgeon on the drive home on Friday to get an appointment on Monday to have the accumulated fluid drained from his left knee. Friday afternoons are also the time for his "regular" physical therapy appointments, which haven't exactly been pleasant experiences either.

When Monday morning rolled around, the conversation with his doctor apparently moved from the procedure with Mr. T's knee (more painful, each time this is done) to next steps with his (right) shoulder (same doctor; both problems). Truth be told, there is ONLY one step left: surgery. And, it will be scheduled before the end of the month. Waiting (once again...) to hear back from the surgery center about the day and time.

So, what are we looking at here? Not sure exactly. What we do know is the surgery will be both arthroscopic and outpatient. What is still up-in-the-air is the extent of the repair needed...which will tell us the amount of time needed for recovery and rehabilitation. Won't know that until the actual surgery happens. Dr. says to count on 3-4 months of that type of  R & R...and from all indications, the PT is pretty ummmm..., strenuous.

And, the plan now is, when Mr. T. has attained a "successful" recovery and rehabilitation of his right shoulder, he'll be scheduled for Total Knee Replacement (TKR) of his left knee. Another 3-4 months of recovery and rehabilitation...and pretty ummmm..., strenuous physical therapy.

An eagle-eyed reader probably caught the phrase "one of the other shoes" in the opening paragraphs. Yes, to follow the analogy through, we appear to have more than the usual two feet in the fire. But, I'll play this hand close to the vest, for once, and save the rest of story for another post. Enough clichéd phrases for you? Thought so. Moving on...

So, where does that leave me? Looks like I'll need to dust off my trusty caregiver's uniform. "In sickness and in health," and all that. Although, since we wrote our own marriage vows, I don't think we actually said those exact words 37 years ago...still, we said something to that effect. The meaning was implied if not stated: you take care of me, I'll take care of you. Period.
And, while I'm not the best nurse around, I intend to cling tight to my philosophy...instilled in me from an early age by my Daddy...that I can do anything I put my mind to.

And, if I falter in that belief, there's always: Keep Calm...and Garden On!

Warming Up

Interesting title, you say? Could I be referring to the weather...or, to the Braves relief pitcher getting ready to come in for the last 4 outs? Or, possibly something else entirely?

The weather is warming up after a lovely week of daytime temps in the 70's/nighttime temps in the 50's. Thoroughly enjoyed the cooler weather while it lasted. And know it will return, sooner rather than later. But for the moment, we are stuck with the 80's...and a much more active central AC system. And having to live with a garden trying to make the transition from Warm Season to Cool Season. (Click here to check out the latest post on our garden blog, Gardening With The Giants.).

Oh, it was a joy to watch the sheer efficiency with which Kimbrell (the Braves primo closer) dispatched the Dodger hitters in the 9th tonight. Last night's NLDS Game 1 was a heart-breaker, with the Braves losing at home 6-1. Tonight the score was in our favor at 4-3. Believe me when I say, I was exhausted when the game was over.

No, the "warming up" I am referring to is how I would describe the bit of decorating I did today. Once the calendar rolled over to October, I began to feel the need to visit the orange boxes in the attic...the ones that hold the decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving. 

We are somewhat restricted in what we can comfortably bring downstairs (and then carry back up at the end of the "season")...remembering Mr. T's shoulder and knee problems and my own back issues. Plus we are mindful that, by the end of this month, Mr. T may be either scheduling surgery for his shoulder or recovering from the same...meaning it will be mois who will be packing up and returning boxes to the attic. So, some discretion needed to be the better part of the 2013 Fall decorating plan.

And that's how I happened to cut the number of boxes in half and go straight to Thanksgiving with almost no notice of October 31st. The stuffed turkey centerpiece...pilgrim salt & pepper shakers, chair covers, and mantle nutcrackers...autumn-colored silk leaves...and a welcome-mat that says "Give Thanks." Yep. We are ready for Turkey Day!

And yet...

How can we not hang the decades-old ghost windsocks on the porch lights? How can we not have at least one lighted jack-o-lantern in the front window? How can we not have some colorful "mumkins" (pumpkin-decorated pots that hold potted mums) on the front steps? Surely a few Halloween decorations can come down the stairs without too much strain.

And that's how we got "just a few Spooky things" added to the mix. A little warm-up decorating for the Holidays ahead on the calendar. Happy Fall, y'all!

Speaking of a warm-up...

October 1st is the day I start seriously considering the gifts I plan to craft for Christmas. Only 10 more weeks to turn skeins of yarn into scarves, mittens, cowls, and maybe a sweater or a vest. Tick, tick, tick! But before I get too wrapped up in the to-be projects, let me share a couple of Finished Objects that were delivered just this week.

First up, the Star Afghan I crocheted for Missy M's birthday. Even though I'm primarily a knitter, I try to challenge myself with at least one crochet project each year. This was the one for 2013. I used a Bernat pattern called Mosaic and a yarn called Sheep-ish in 6 colors to match a wingback chair in her living room. See what you think.

And then there was this fun knitted dish towel for AW's birthday basket. Made it with a Lion Brand pattern and a Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn. Added a pumpkin button for the season. Here's a couple of pictures for you.

As I said, I'm just getting warmed up!

Third Time...Charm

Eggplant. Or, if you prefer, aubergine. Your thoughts?

For the majority of my six decades, I have loved the color...hated the vegetable. Mostly on general principle...on both counts. And, until this year, I've never tried to grow eggplant in my garden. Why grow something you have no intention of eating, I ask you?

Truth be told, Missy M is the reason I have changed my ways. She has met very few veggies that she will eat, but she grows a great variety in her Secret Garden. Gives most of her harvest away to friends and coworkers. Doesn't let the fact that she will not consume it keep her from trying to grow it. She's my inspiration.

So, this year, I found room in the tomato-and-pepper row for one lone Black Beauty eggplant transplant. Put it in the ground, put a tomato cage around it, and immediately covered it with a piece of summer-weight row cover to protect it from the myriad of insect pests that seem to adore the plant. It looked like it was in quarantine from Day One.

I was so excited when the first shiny, purple fruits began to appear! And then I had my first cause for pause: when are eggplants ripe? Hmmmmm. Had to look that one up...and then take a chance. Here's what The Veggie Gardener has to say on the subject:

There are a couple factors to consider when deciding to pick eggplant:

Size – I like to pick my eggplant when they get to be a little bigger than my hand. As with other vegetables, it is better to pick eggplant when they are young and tender. Picking them early will also encourage the plant to grow more, and will help to extend the growing season. The eggplant does not have to be those behemoths you see at the supermarket.

Shine – An eggplant is ready for the picking when it gets a nice reflective sheen to it. Grasp an eggplant you might think is ready, and carefully hold it up to the light – if it appears to be very shiny, it is ready.

  

The first ripe beauty was sliced, breaded, and fried. Fried eggplant. That's how I remember Rena Belle fixing eggplant for Daddy. Uh, no. To be fair, it could be that I am a lousy fryer: I don't like to fry things because you have to stand over the skillet and constantly tend to the contents...and it makes such a big mess to clean up afterward. Whatever...I didn't like the results. Strike one.

The next two ripe eggplants were also sliced, but they became part of the layers of a lasagne. Unh-uh. Didn't work for me or Mr. T, who was home for this experiment. To be fair, I probably should have steamed the slices a bit before introducing them into the middle of a dense stack of ingredients, as they were judged too tough to eat, even though everything else was fine. T removed his eggplant layer and tried to feed it to the dogs. The Bassets were wise, but there's always Abbie...she'll eat anything, right? Apparently, not a fan of eggplant. Swing...and a miss. Strike two.

Now, if I can claim any trait, it is that of persistence. I'll keep trying long past when common sense may have led another to throw in the trowel, so to speak. But, that lone eggplant plant was again producing fruit after a brief respite during the hottest, driest days of August. So, I had to give it one more go.

The Kitchen Garden is currently in transition from warm season to cool. I'm writing about that over on my garden blog, Gardening With The Giants. (Click here to go there.) While we have said goodbye to many of our faves like beans, cukes, squash, and most of the tomatoes, we are still enjoying the taste of Summer with okra, peppers, and...you guessed it...eggplant. Here's a picture of today's harvest, below.

See that gorgeous shiny purple eggplant? With those peppers and the Sun Gold tomatoes, I could just imagine a tasty stir-fry (recipe below) was in our immediate future!

And guess what? We loved it...ate every bite...filling and taste-bud-tickling! It was a home run!! 

As "they" say, third time IS the charm.

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Recipe

Beef-Pepper-Eggplant Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 pound beef round, cut into 2-inch strips
2-4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium-sized fresh eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2" cubes
1 bell pepper, cut into strips
2 carrots, thinly sliced on diagonal
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced on diagonal
1 onion, thinly sliced in rings
3-4 cloves garlic, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced (opt.)
10-12 cherry-type tomatoes
2 tablespoons salted peanuts (opt.)

Sauce: 1/2 cup beef broth or stock
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Hot, cooked rice

Directions:

1. Marinate beef strips for 15 minutes in a zip-top bag with the 2 T. soy sauce, 2 T. rice wine vinegar, and 2 T. cornstarch. Prepare all vegetables. Prepare Sauce by whisking together listed ingredients and set aside.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat; cook and stir eggplant cubes until softened, 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to rest.

3. If needed, add more oil to wok and heat over medium-high heat: cook and stir beef strips until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Move beef to plate with eggplant.
4. If needed, add more oil to wok and heat over medium-high heat: cook and stir (in the following order) bell pepper, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic until tender-crisp.
5. Add beef and eggplant into other vegetables in the wok, and then add tomatoes and peanuts. Season with Sauce. Continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender and Sauce has thickened, about 2 more minutes.

6. Serve over bowl of hot, cooked rice. Enjoy!

Fast-Approaching Fall

Hard to believe but I'm seeing leaves changing colors here at Casa 3917. Not just the tulip poplars either...those early-droppers have been generously sharing their yellow bounty since July. No, I can see reds and golds in the maples and the dogwoods in our yard. Can the oaks be far behind?

Fall, of course, means football. And it typically means tailgating and cheering for Duke at their home games in Durham. This year, however, you'll likely find us far from the college crowd, ensconced in our family room, thankful for being just a few feet away from the action on the big screen. Sigh. At least Abbie is a fan...shown here at attention on the foot rest of Mr. T's recliner last Saturday for the LSU game...while the Bassets hold the sofa down and catch a few zzzzz's. 

We had planned on heading for the beach next week, like we usually do. September is such a fine time to enjoy all the amenities without all the families, if you catch my drift. The days are still sunny and the water is still warm...and, if you aren't battling hurricanes (which also seem to enjoy the beach in September), you can have quite an enjoyable, restful retreat. Just what the doctor ordered.

Except...not this year. We've had to cancel another 2013 adventure due to the continuing saga of Mr. T's shoulder. Granted, a week at the beach, enjoying the warm salt water of the ocean, would be excellent therapy for both his shoulder and his knee. But, we have to be mindful of "personal time off" when it comes to Mr. T's job. Knowing that he is facing a big chunk of non-productive recuperation and recovery time (surgeon has said 3-4 months altogether), we feel that now might not be the best time to be away.

You see, we know surgery is just over the horizon...we just don't know when. And that last part is more jaw-locking and teeth-grinding than the first part. The "not-knowing-when" part. Grrrrrrrr. 

So...MRI is done and the latest diagnosis on our patient is "severe tendinosis with partial tears of the distal supraspinatus and undersurface of the subscapularis...(along with) probable tear of the anterior labrum with loculated fluid..." Good grief. Need a nap? By all means, read more on this ailment here: http://www.sosmed.org/shoulder/rotator-cuff-tendinosis.html 

Two things you'll want to note:

1. Mr. T has the additional problem of a tear in a tendon. This aggravates any attempted at-home or physical therapy...at least until the tear has healed of its own accord...which is becoming less and less likely. It also means the surgery, when it comes, will be different than described in the long-winded  article, due to having to repair the tears. More ice please.

2. In all the blah-blah-blah, there's one salient paragraph, beginning:  "Surgery may be considered if a concerted effort at non-operative treatment has failed to result in improvement in comfort and function after 3-6 months." That's the key...3-6 months. And he's rounding the corner on three as I write this. 

He has done all the steps...he is in the range of "misery time without a resolution"...so, my guess is that the BCBS insurance Utilization Review clerk, sitting in a cubicle somewhere in New Jersey, is more likely to approve the surgeon's request now. Ah, modern medicine.

Anyway. We'll have a better idea of the next steps after his upcoming appointment. Next week. Mr. T's explanation of why 3 weeks in between appointments: the dr wanted the option of giving him another cortisone injection. OK.

The best way I can describe our lives of late: suspended animation. Waiting, by any other name. It feels like we are waiting for the other shoe to fall...in Fall. Like the leaves.

And we all know how much I love to wait...

Make A Wish

Welcome, September...one of my favorite months! Several reasons for this feeling come to mind:

1. It's Mr. T's birthday month...always a reason for joy! More on this in a minute.

2. It's Elmo's Gotcha Month! Our "baby boy" became a member of the Drool Gang in 2005, when we adopted him from Guardian Angel Basset Rescue (GABR) while we lived in O'Fallon, MO. Even though the GABR foster mom told Missy M that Elmo "needed" to be an only dog, we soon found out that was just not the case. Mr. E needed to be part of a pack...with a strong leader like Gus was.

3. If it's September, that means August (not one of my faves) is over for another year. And the hottest and most humid part of Summer is (typically) behind us. Hooray! 

Here are some pictures that connect with Reason #1...and the Man of the Month:

The first one is Mr. T's cake (as requested, chocolate with white icing), his birthday bouquet of flowers in bloom in the gardens on this day, and a few of his cards from friends and family. The second one is the Peel'em and Eat'em Shrimp with zippy Cocktail Sauce he wanted for Birthday Dinner (recipes below). And the third/last one is of his birthday present: a new Trex swing for the Kitchen Garden overlook in the Way Back Garden...being enjoyed by himself and Miss Abbie. (The "old" swing was wooden and only three years old when it began to fall apart...hence, the Trex choice.)

Of course, as do most things in our DIY world, the new swing arrived via UPS in a flat box, stamped with those three most-dreaded words: "some assembly required." And it was h-e-a-v-y to boot. Fortunately, Mr. T was able to scoot the box into the garage where he could assemble it on his workbench, and then slide it over onto the garden wagon for transport to its final destination. Still, the lifting, hoisting, and mounting on the chains was extremely difficult...given his current shoulder problems. No wonder he was happy to rest a bit when all was said and hung!

Shoulder problems, you say? Oh yes. Still with him. In spades. After the FP read the diagnosis of "chronic dislocated shoulder" produced by the X-ray of his right shoulder, the orthopedic surgeon ordered an MRI. Now, we are working on the assumption that, instead of a dislocated shoulder, Mr. T has a "torn rotator cuff aggravated by tendinitis." Good grief. As Daddy used to say, "well, they call it practicing medicine for a reason..."

Either way, another cortisone injection was in order. Gave him maybe 3-4 days relief, at most. He is trying to do the exercises the dr prescribed, but they are more painful with each day, making physical therapy a pipe dream at this point. And he still can't find a comfortable position to sleep. We've even tried switching sides on our bed to see if that would help...not much. So even with liberal use of a heating pad, he's still getting very little sleep, and even less restorative rest. 

He left this morning with an arsenal of supplies to help him get through another week on the road: usual meds, including Celebrex (anti inflammatory) and Tramadol (prescription pain med. which he can't take during work hours or while driving); a topical NSAID rub called Voltarin Gel, prescribed for me and my back by my pain management dr., and willingly shared; additional OTC pain relievers, in the form of Excedrin Extra Strength (aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine) as the FP has forbidden him to take ibuprofen in addition to the Celebrex for fear of causing stomach ulcers (although Dr. K would probably frown on Excedrin and Voltarin with equal negative reactions); BioFreeze, a roll-on cool-therapy analgesic, originally suggested by my physical therapist following back surgery; Icy-Hot patches, as he gets more relief from warmth than coolth, he says; and two zip-loc baggies to hold the bagged ice he'll apply after his long drive to MD: one for his shoulder, one for his knee. Oh yes, don't forget: he's still dealing with a painful left knee. Even with all of the above, he likely won't get much relief from his pain, er pains.

Sigh. It's evident he can't go on like this much longer.

So, you will understand that his birthday wish this year included "feel better soon." And if that involves surgery to repair the tear, then bring it on...he's way past ready!

Here's hoping this four-leaf clover I found near the swing helps him get his wish!

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Recipes, as promised...

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Peel'em and Eat'em Shrimp

Ingredients:

1-2 cups cider vinegar or beer

2 cups water

2 tablespoons OLD BAY® Seasoning (see substitute below)

2 pounds large shrimp, fresh or frozen

Cocktail Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions:

In a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket, mix beer or vinegar, water and seasoning. Bring to boil on medium heat (can do this on burner of outside grill). Gently add steamer basket of  shrimp, then cover.

Steam 2 to 3 minutes for fresh or 8-10 minutes for frozen, or just until shrimp turn pink, stirring as necessary to evenly steam all shrimp. Drain well.

Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Then, peel'em and eat'em...just like the name says. Best served with a zippy cocktail sauce, an ice-cold bottle of beer, and lively conversation. Enjoy!

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Old Bay Seasoning Substitute

Ingredients:

4-6 whole bay leaves

2 teaspoons celery salt

1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

1-1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon ground celery seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except whole bay leaves and mix thoroughly. Place in an airtight container, along with whole bay leaves, and store in a cool place. Use 2 tablespoons of mix and 2-3 bay leaves in liquid where the shrimp is to be boiled. Remove and discard bay leaves after boiling.

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Cocktail Sauce

2 cups tomato catsup

2-4 tablespoons prepared horseradish (more=zippier!)

1-2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a measuring cup. Pour in a jar and refrigerate for several hours. Use liberally with chilled shrimp. The longer the sauce rests, the hotter the taste from the pepper flakes! Enjoy!