Recovery

Monday began with a walk with our friends. I walked for an hour at a more satisfactory pace. I had pain, but it was bearable, and it was only my foot, not both my foot and my hip. I could walk more naturally yesterday morning. It still hurts, and it’s still swells, but there’s not near as much swelling now.

Then we went shopping. Then we went back to the village because I did not read the recipe fully, and it calls for lemongrass sauce. I’ll just add rind to the recipe. And then we went for our second walk. A woman came by as Her Highness was pooping and I was intently watching her poop. I looked at her for a millisecond and returned to H.H. I felt rude, but I’ve been trying to decide if I need to have another stool sample taken. Based on what I saw today, I feel that we are in the clear for Sheba.

When we got home, it started to rain. It was light but had drops bigger than mist. I’ve become a rain connoisseur. It got satisfyingly wet yesterday through the early evening. I was delighted and celebrated with a fire. Soon we were all in the living room. Fred and Ethel were each on a chair, close to the fire. I was on the chaise, and Sheba was on the floor beside me. We are all keen on heat.

Light rain, a fire, Diet Coke, and Kate Atkinson with a family that loves me (and can’t talk back).

This is what I see through the door jus to my left as I sit at my desk. That’s my Climbing Hydrangea growing on the trellis I had built on the right. Above, the red are rose blossoms. The entire lower tear of the fountain has been eaten by Ivy. I love it because it makes the fountain look old and connected to the earth. And the dark purple leaves of the Japanese Maples, one in the courtyard behind the fountain, and a beauty just at the end of the deck. Fuchsias in the planters.

All of this began as baby plants, but it was all created eight years ago. If I go outside, I feel good. I love what I see. I love my playground. It still thrills me to be l living in a very comfortable home, with guest rooms and a hot tub, on an island, disengaged from the continent and all the craziness that goes on amongst people over there.

And with a huge garden, nice neighbours, stores close by, no parking problems, no parking fees, no traffic lights at all, and infrequent stop signs. Beaches and a trail network to die for in a thousand-acre natural park of untouched forest (except for the trails and some trail signs): this is paradise.

•

We had real rain late yesterday and during the night. My rain barrels are full again. It’s predicted to clear today—it’s overcast with thick clouds this morning—and get quite warm. Endless sunshine is returning and hot temperatures (30°)!

We’ll walk this morning together, and I shall read until the sun returns and then there is plenty of yard work to be done. We must walk early this morning and then I must stay home all the time until my Tezspire arrives because it has to go into the fridge, I must sign for it, and I must return the packaging from last month.