In the absence of snow angels

It's hard to believe that while today's temps are hovering around the 50's, last year on this day it was snowing 23 inches.  That 'ole Mother Nature is a loony, isn't she?  It's February and I was taking a walk on my lunch hour--outside.  But as much as I love the warm winter temperatures, I like the snow too.  Hobbes and I agree--anything that gets us outside is okay with us.

I was snooping around the yard in all of this nice weather and I happened to catch a glimpse of the white underside of a frog on the bottom of the pond--which is not a good sign.  I scooped him out with the net and homeboy looked a little...uh....stiff.  I think he is dead, but who knows? Hibernation/dead--they sorta look the same sometimes.  You gotta love Joe who says "Throw him back in--we'll know soon enough if he is dead".  That man is all marshmallow, isn't he? I vote for him to be the one to have to scoop a dead frog out of the pond come March or April.

That's the one day I'm gonna be in the house.

Brain Freeze

Maybe it's because it is January. Maybe it's because I've got the blahs.Maybe it's because I sat on the couch last night watching back-to-back episodes of "Hoarders" with the cat on my lap.  I dunno, I just didn't have a thing to write about today.  The cow is dry. 

So, I just post one of my favorite photos of the kitties and write the day off. I'll be back tomorrow.

Well, unless "Billy the Exterminator" is on or something.

"I am not an animal!" --The Elephant Man

I have been avoiding photos of my FrankenToe until now because it is still healing. My doctor says it will take a full 6 months to heal and the swelling to disappear.  Until then, I wear a little compression sock on that toe every single day to keep the swelling down.  And while you may think that it is not very pretty--I'm really glad that it is straight and that surgery was rough on the little guy--and his surrounding friends.

Everyone asks about the GERD now that my toe is straight.  If you remember, my reflux (GERD) was really acting up before I went in for my toe surgery.  My acupuncturist casually  mentioned that the second toe is the direct line to the belly, and he seemed to think that my surgery might correct the GERD.  Hmmmm....weird, I know, but I was hopeful.

So, here is the update:

I am officially off the omeprezole--the generic GERD drug for Prilosec that so many doctors are pushing on their patients these days. (I wish I had stock in the makers of Prilosec!) I did my own research and learned that you just don't quit taking that stuff cold turkey--it makes your stomach over-produce acid and makes the GERD worse. Yeah, I found that out before.....the hard way.  I took omeprezole for 5 days, then 1 day of Zantac. Then we slowly (!) went to 4/1, then 3/1, and then 2/1 until I was taking only the Zantac.  Now I have stopped taking Zantac except for when the GERD flares--which with much research and talking to others is a direct result of carbs (well, for me anyway).

Mix this combination of weaning with digestive enzymes (to aid digestion because the acid level is funky), DGL licorice(coats the throat), aloe vera juice (coats the throat), and a lot of carrot sticks (I dunno, they just help), and I am managing my GERD successfully so far.  My tummy is still funky at times, but heck, it has been through the mill with 2 years of omeprazole.  I'm sure we have some adjusting to do, but I am proud to say that I think that we are heading in the right direction.

Was it the toe? I don't know, but I'd like to give it a little bit of credit--It makes for a good story, doesn't it? 

While I got the official "okey dokey" from my doctor to start walking and even running a bit (what gave him that idea?), I have not ventured out for a true workout.  Call me protective of that newly straightened toe or maybe just lazy, but I haven't gotten further than the back 40 (feet) lately.  Okay, so Colin and I went on a hike a few weeks ago--that hasn't happened much since then. Sigh.

And I wonder why I feel so....bleh.

Anywho....while Hobbes and I were out in the snow the other day, I took a look around the yard a bit.  I took note of the large amounts of opossum poopers that need to be picked up, the cut-up Christmas tree that is now mulch in the garden, the wee birdy footprints under the feeders, and all the poor little plants coming up--confused by this warm weather.

I checked in on the praying mantis eggs too. Yep, still there clinging to the branches....waiting for a cabillion little creepy bugs to hatch in Spring.

It never ceases to amaze me the tiny miracles that surround us. Even icky miracles.

Hello, down there....

The opening around the pond heater was extra-large the other day, and so I was allowed a peek at our little buddies under the ice.  There they were, all swimming around in spite of the icy ceiling above them.  No sign of the frogs though--they must really be slumbering.

It always amazes me how those wacky fish and frogs manage to survive under that ice--even with the heater to create an air hole.  It just all seems so..... you know.....cold. Brrrrrr. 

It's a weird world in winter--one that I can't imagine those who live in warmer climates year round would understand.  When the cold and snow come, the outside world sort of shuts down.  We all hunker in our homes and toast our cold bones by fireplaces or just the glow of the TV.  We don't see much of our neighbors (thank god) and it's like the world is hibernating. 

When you live as close together as we do, winter is a good thing--we all need a break from the annoyances of each other.  We don't hear radios blaring music we don't like. We don't hear squealing tires or loud motorcycles. There are no lawn mowers or leaf blowers.  Heck, I don't even smell my neighbors cigarette smoke in my family room during winter months.  It's all quiet--gloriously quiet. And neighbor free.

I imagine that is what it is like for my fish friends as they swim around under the ice.  It's probably quiet and dark, sounds muffled and no annoying visitors like the raccoon or opossum to eat you.  Oh, they still come to drink water by the heater, but there isn't much fishing going on during winter. Apparently opossum are not big ice fishermen.

I think we all need this time of respite--even the fish.  It's good to just slow down, relax, and ignore the world for a bit.  It's stressful that big 'ole world, you know.  So, while everyone is trash-talking the snow and the ice, I'm sorta glad for the time off. 

Hibernation is underrated.

 

I love Hobbes .....and snow

After I made sure the coast was clear of cops and other assorted pains-in-the-neck (a.k.a. neighbors), Hobbes and I ventured out into the snow.  One of us bravely lead the way, making trails for the other, less brave Eskimos.

After a little encouragement, my 47 lbs of Stripey Goodness met me in the yard:

And while the path was nice, he soon got bored of that and made his own trail.  It lead past me and Em....

over a mound or two of snow....

and straight over to the pond to see if he could see the fish or the frogs.

The whole adventure ended abruptly when he sniffed the heater and a foot  got a little soggy with cold pond water.  Snow is fun--but only until you get cold....or wet. 

After a half hour of playing in the snow and chasing snowballs, Hobbes called it a day and snoozed the whole adventure off in his basket by the fireplace.  He is not a very good Eskimo.

Wordless Wednesday

Who knew?!