Photos

 One of the most consistent things for me throughout my life is photography...and of course walking. I often combine the two, actually. So it has been quite some time since I have posted any, and today is the day. Most of these were taken recently. By recent, I mean since returning to Jefferson in April.

Butch. He looks better now.

One of our rabbits.

And this is Twotail. Part of his tail is deformed a bit. Also, the squirrels in our yards and the rabbits get along quite well and, on occasion, play with each other.

On the biketrail is often where I get my best photos. I have never seen sunflowers grown in raised beds before, but I must say they look mighty fine!

This is the third or fourth generation for this cactus. Son Gary gave me a little bitty cactus for Mother's Day in 2008, and several generations later, here it is! It has bloomed every year, sometimes more than once. Mine is not to wonder why, but enjoy!

 

Yesterday, I walked across the street to give our neighbor some donuts we did not want and noticed how good our place looked, so I came home for my phone and took this photo.

Yes, the pool hall on the right is as big or perhaps bigger than our living quarters on the left. We like living small.

Earlier this spring, I took this photo of our front flower bed. These are chives, iris, and balloon flowers

What's new with Butch?

 It seems like Butch has had the CPAP for a very long time. I checked the calendar, and it has been just shy of a month. June 24th was his first night. In that time, he has had three very good, not connected nights. Last night was one of them! It is so pleasant when one of them happens. First off, it offers hope. He has more energy, his color is better, and it feels so normal. My wish is that this could become the new way of life!

Next Tuesday is his appointment with the heart doctor, who told us back in early June that once the CPAP and scope were taken care of, we could get to work on the heart issues. We are ready and hopeful that the next step is here.

Stumbled upon...

 One of the things that has been my biggest challenge is cooking for Butch. Yes, that has been lifelong, but it rises to a whole new level when you put (low salt/low sugar) into the mix. For the most part, eating out is not only expensive, but you also have no control over the salt or sugar.

I wear out on cooking fairly easily, and I have been that way often in the past few months. So while shopping last week in Fareway, I ran across these frozen dinners.

Butch likes sweet and sour chicken, so I decided to take the plunge. They were inexpensive to boot at $2.99. Portion size also fit his new way of eating. Probably a bit high in sugar but I balanced that with low in sodium. He likes them!!!

There is a lot of choices, clearly something for everyone.

This photo was taken on the WalMart website.

I was not paid for this add!😄

The new improved Butch

 We are making progress. He is eating! That in itself is good news. He has been in a nightly battle with his CPAP, but there are signs that the CPAP is winning. Last night he slept through the night. He did not get up even once, not even to go to the bathroom! He said this morning he wasn't sure he had ever slept that well in his entire life. We would have to ask his mother, but he may be right! 

This is the second time he has slept long and well with the CPAP, and we are hoping there will be many more to come.

Walking

 Those who know me well will not be surprised by this post. I have done this my entire adult life. I like to walk in the early morning. It gets my days off to a good start.  It gets my creative juices churning.

The biggest benefit of walking, however, is when you are at your wits' end. When you have been met with some overwhelming news, either good or bad. Walk it off!