Aneta's 65th Turkey Barbeque!

 We'd made plans to make the trip to Aneta, ND for over a year.  Aneta hosts an annual barbeque & this year was the 65th!  Butch's Uncle Sanford & Aunt Yvonne were founders of the event.  Butch's father grew up on a farm just outside of Aneta & his cousins Ward & Russell still farm there.  We'd been invited often over the years, but the timing never worked out.  It was a long drive from WA.  Moving to IA, put us closer to ND!  Uncle Sanford was one of Butch's father's brothers.  Butch hadn't visited or seen his cousins since he was about ten years old.

283 Turkey's roasting!

When I had my accident, the first thing I thought of - was missing the trip.  I decided I'd do everything I could to recover enough to go & if I couldn't, Butch would go without me.  It was close timing - I was still hurting a lot & not very mobile.  If I could stand the ride, I could always rest once we got there.  My x-rays on the 17th; looked good - everything was in place & healing.  

We left for Aneta on the 19th. Finn & I insisted on stopping at the rest areas & Butch agreed!  He still made amazing time, we passed by Aneta on the way to our motel in McVille & arrived at 7 p.m. We had dinner at a little bar, the only place in town to have a meal.

A. Yvonne's backyard~

Saturday morning, we drove the sixteen miles back to Aneta.  We were met by Butch's Aunt & Cousin Ward!  We were just in time for the community breakfast held in the original Auditorium Building.  There was a small open top elevator right inside the street entrance - very handy for me with my walker.  We were introduced to many of the local residents.  I was happy to meet a lady who had attended high school with Butch's Dad.  

A. Yvonne & Connie touring town~

Aunt Yvonne's new golf cart was wonderful!  I could tour the town & not have to walk!  Russell took a break from his duties at the barbeque (where he's training the next generation of cooks).  He & Butch had left earlier on the old golf cart & took their own tour of the local attractions.  In the museum Butch found many photos of his dad on the high school basketball team that took second place at State. Butch called to tell me I had to go visit the Community & Botanical Gardens!

Aneta Community & Botanical Gardens~

We picked Butch up on our way & I was so amazed at the variety of trees, shrubs etc. thriving here.  The entire area was surrounded by a high fence, keeping deer & other critters out.  One of the local residents had the idea for the gardens.  Obviously, it was very successful.  Extra produce was placed in baskets at the entrance of the garden for everyone to share.

I took a break while the parade was going on.  Butch attended & took pictures for me.  Finn & I took a nap.  Butch & Aunt Yvonne came to get me in time to go to the park for dinner.

Crockpots & Casserole dishes ready for supper~

At the park, things were perfectly organized.  The turkeys were beautifully browned & being carved to serve the ever-growing lines!  There were homemade baked beans, potato salads & rolls.  1,736 people came to enjoy the barbeque! 

The welcoming turkey at the entrance to the City Park~

I wish we'd thought to get a picture of all the people at the park with their plates full, but we were too busy enjoying our own!  Watermelon for dessert, along with Ice cream bars!  Aunt Yvonne had brought homemade Rhubarb pies for our family!

One of the many decorated "floats" in the parade!

I was sorry to have missed the parade, but the rest gave me time to recover for the evening's entertainment.

Replica of a Civil War Cannon

The above Cannon was fired at the start of parade!  The loudest cannon I've ever heard!  Again, Aunt Yvonne's golf cart was our mode of transportation to go see the contest below!  It was perfect, since it also provided comfortable seats to watch the show!

The local volunteer Fire Departments stole the show though with their contest between stations.  The winner was the team who could push the empty beer keg to the opposing team's side first!  Needless to say - there was hardly anyone who didn't go away soaked!  The kids loved it!

The Smaaladen Farm ~

Sunday morning Butch drove to Aneta to attend the church service in the park with his aunt.  Afterward he came back to pick me up & we enjoyed brunch - again in the Auditorium building.  (This is the same building where Butch's dad had played basketball in high school.)  

Ward took us on a tour of the different parcels of land owned & farmed by the family.  I was especially looking forward to seeing the farm where Butch's dad had grown up.  The house was still standing, but just...  It's now too dangerous to go inside & I was in no shape to hike around anyway.  From there, Ward took us to the property where Aunt Yvonne had grown up.  The house & barn are gone now, but the property was beautiful.  The trees planted by her mother were still thriving. 

Butch's Cousin Russell, Aunt Yvonne & Butch ~ 

Sunday evening, we were invited to Russell & Marilyn's farm just outside of town for barbeque ribs!  Ward met us there.  The meal was outstanding & seeing Butch's family all together was a joy for me.  It had been many years since they'd visited WA & Butch had taken me to meet them for the first time.  All of Butch's father's brothers & sisters have passed on now, but Aunt Yvonne still keeps the family memories close.  It was a busy & wonderful weekend!  I've never seen my husband laugh so much!  

Good News Week!

 Finn & I are very happy!  We both received Good News in the last two days!  Yesterday, marked two weeks since Finnigan had his TPLO surgery.  Siris requested a short video of Finn walking, taken from behind. He had been required to wear a lick sleeve over the left hind leg & a collar of shame to keep him from taking the lick sleeve off.  Well, Mr. Smarty figured out a way to get it off even with his collar on!  I worried constantly he would get to the incision.  (Contrary to popular belief, a dog licking at a wound can cause infection.)  We moved one of his beds right by ours so I could hear if he started making unusual noises.

Finn is only at the two-week mark & it's amazing how well he's doing.  Much better than me!  He won't be allowed any freedom for six-more weeks.  Butch takes him on walks several times a day.  He's made a cable system where I can attach another cable to his harness.  That gives him room to go down the hill & access a large area of the yard where he'll be able to do his duty.  Butch has been working on all the things necessary to leave the two of us on our own when he pulls out again.

Then - there's me...

Hardware~

Today marks six- weeks since my second surgery to repair the Tibial/Fibula fracture of my right leg.  Butch took us to my appointment with the surgeon & intern at UNMC yesterday.  Dr. Thomas came in & we both smiled!  She was so instrumental in overseeing my care while I was in the hospital.  The first thing she said was; "You look so much better!"  I've felt better too.  There have been some days when I didn't think I'd have the strength to endure much more.  Thankfully, with Butch's help - this mark finally came & with it, a reduction in the severity of pain.  I had marked this date during my recovery from my last injury & had hoped the timeline for this recovery would follow the same path.

Side view~

The x-ray technician had quite a time isolating the current new hardware, from all the existing hardware from the old injuries.  It was almost laughable, but it wasn't.

The results were all good!  Healing of the bones has started; everything has remained where it's supposed to be.  I will be able to start PT this week.  I was told it will be four-weeks before I can start walking with assistance.  I'm not sure how long after that I'll be able to walk on my own, but I hope not long.  Once I'm walking, I would think I'd also be driving.  My next appointment at UNMC is mid-August, unless I have an issue before then.  Dr. Siebler & Dr. Thomas both were impressed with how far I've progressed.  I can stand flat footed & am constantly working on flexibility.  I can even walk (walker assisted - with a decent stride.) 

If all goes well, both Finn & I will be enjoying our daily jaunts in the woods about the same time.  At least I hope so.  I had everything pretty much caught up when the accident happened, but with all the rain, I'm sure the weeds have taken advantage...    

Finnigan's Story~

 I'm a little late with Finnigan's story.  With both of us recovering from surgery, Butch has his hands full.  There's little I can do to help which is not my usual MO.

On the 15th of May, both Butch & I noticed that Finn was favoring his left hind leg.  He would do a little hop as he walked & when he was just standing, he wasn't putting any weight on that leg.

5-16 Finnigan~

We called his vet, Dr. Darnell right away & Butch took Finn in that day.  Dr. Darnell prescribed some dog aspirin & told us to wait a week & see if the limp went away.  It didn't...  The next step was to be referred to Siris Veterinary Orthopedic Center in Omaha.  Their first opening was June 1st.  Butch & Finn met with Dr. Karlin who gave Finn a thorough examination.  The news wasn't good.  He had managed to tear his CCL.  This injury would leave him lame for life, with a high probability of arthritis as he gets older, unless TPLO surgery was performed.

Diagram~

The "V" in the above drawing is the section of bone that was to be removed.  It's a very expensive surgery, the estimated cost was twice what Dr. Darnell had expected, but neither of us hesitated.  After his heroic escapade to find me after my bike accident on the trail, he's proven himself the most loyal of companions. Everyone who knows Finnigan, knows what a special dog he is.  We don't know his exact age, but he should still have many good years left.

6-2, Finn, post-op~

It was heartbreaking for us both, Butch had to drop him off & I had to sit at home & worry.  The staff at Siris were super in keeping us informed on how Finn was doing.  The surgery was scheduled for later in the day & it was late in the evening when we received the above photo.  To see his bright little eyes & that expression meant the world to us.  It meant that our boy had survived & was staying strong.

The next day, Butch brought him home!  He had a bag full of goodies!  His own Finn sized ice packs, a lick sleeve, a collar, lots of drugs & a folder with pages & pages of directions & information on how to care for him.  This included exercise routines, massage therapy, etc.  I told Butch, Finn had more thorough post op directions than I had!  

He was so happy to be home & the two of us started our new routine, sitting together on the recliner.  He was kept under a low dose of sedation, to make it easier to keep him from doing something he shouldn't.  

6-8 A very unhappy Finnigan~

The two of us are limping around the house together now.  Finn easily keeps pace with my walker & will stop to wait for me if necessary.  He loves being pampered & looks forward to his walks around the yard with Butch.  

Tomorrow is the two-week mark, when we send in photos & a video to Siris.  If they approve, Finn can ditch the collar of shame & the lick sleeve too!  It will be six more weeks before he can return to his usual lifestyle.  That said, I'm going to do everything I can to slow him down a little.  He loves to run, to jump, slide across the floor after Hedgehog & do his sit up tricks.  All of those things are very hard on the rear legs.  As hard as it will be for us, if he can take things a little easier, it should help him from injuring himself again.  He is back to playing with Hedgehog (no sliding!) & doing his easier tricks!

New View~

 The saga continues - Part 2

I don't remember much about my short stay at the Shenandoah Medical Center.  I was given anti-nausea & a pain med during the ambulance trip.  It didn't take us long to arrive.  I do remember a very caring nurse who had been in the profession for 40 years.  She kept me occupied with conversation while the Doctor's decided I would be transferred to UNMC in Omaha.  Butch arrived out of nowhere!  It seemed not long at all since he'd kissed me goodbye as I was loaded into the ambulance.

The youngest member of the ambulance team was heading to Colorado to be a medic on the firefighting lines.  I gave him tips on the best places to visit while he's there.  

May 3rd, 10 p.m. 

The nurses gave Butch the address & directions to where I was being taken.  He followed the ambulance as it left Shenandoah.  He said that didn't last long through, when they blew through the first of the stop lights siren blaring!

I remember even less about my arrival at UNMC's emergency. Butch again, was there & I trusted he'd stick with me until we knew what was going on.  I was eventually transferred to a room on the 5th, Trama floor in the Clarkson Building.  

My room, Monday May 4th~

Butch stayed long enough to see me settled into a room & hear the report from the Doctors.  I had sustained a Tibial/Fibula fracture of my right leg.  They would wait until morning to do surgery.  It was a busy night; I've been through this often enough to know it's hard to rest in a hospital.

View from my room~

Butch was back early Monday morning, he accompanied me to pre-op.  I met the surgeon who would do the operation & several of the interns who would be assisting.  The surgeon asked how the accident happened & when I said the key words bike & gravel, he pantomimed putting his hand over my mount, pointed at himself & held up two fingers.  Obviously, I was in good company when it comes to that mix of circumstances.

I was offered a surgical nerve block, that would alleviate the level of pain for 24-48 hours.  I was convinced & in retrospect - wish I hadn't been.  Having the block was about as unpleasant experience with long needles I could have ever imagined.  The Doctor's used an ultrasound & MRI to place the medication exactly in my thigh.  Thankfully it didn't take long & soon the anesthesiologist had me asleep. 

I woke in recovery & that's pretty much a blur.  I was told that the repair had not been done.  Instead, the Doctor preformed a fasciotomy to relieve the internal pressure caused by Compartment Syndrome.  That was a real blow.  I couldn't believe my bad luck in having it happen twice...  My leg left open with a pump for two days before a second surgery could be scheduled.  I decided going through the nerve block was worth the pain relieve it provided - once it started wearing off.

Wednesday was a really bad day.  I was told if the swelling wasn't down, they would not do the surgery on Thursday.  I prayed all day the surgery would happen as scheduled.  Thankfully, I was taken down to pre-op again by 8 a.m.  Butch was again at my side.  This day I was to have a different surgeon.  She came to introduce herself & I felt instantly at ease with her level of professionalism.  I was relieved to know I would not be getting another nerve block.  Surgery started at 8:21 a.m. they were closing by 10 a.m.  I was in recovery by 11 a.m. & back to my room shortly after. 

I can't say enough about the nursing staff!  It was unusual to have the same nurse for more than one shift.  Even so, I like to think I could call any of them my friends.  I'm of a generation that still has difficulty with male nurses, but I had two of the finest, kindest anyone could wish for.  One of the female nurses I appreciated the most, was Staci.  She was with me prior to my second surgery & when I asked if she would be there afterward, she replied she would.  She was - she'd stayed after her shift to keep her promise to me.  All of these professionals were very young.  I was told the average age of the nursing staff on the floor was mid-20's.  

From the beginning, I had Butch write on my white board I was going HOME on Mother's Day!  I met my goal!  It was close, but I was determined & again my prior experience helped!  Getting into the Bronco was tricky, but Butch got it done.  I can't say how good it was to be home!  Now, it's time for recovery & that always seems to take forever~

The Littlest Hero~

Another saga - Part I

Butch arrived home early afternoon the first of May!  The weather was perfect.  We had planned & were looking forward to a busy & fun four days of home time.

Home!

The following night, we had tickets to the Blue Rose PRCA Charity Rodeo at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds.  We always enjoy a rodeo, but to be honest, the arena was very small & grandstand seating the most crowded & uncomfortable we've seen.  We left a few minutes early to get ahead of the traffic.

Ready to leave from Imogene!

Sunday, Butch loaded our bikes & Finn's cart.  Our plan was to ride from Imogene to Shenandoah & stop for frozen yogurt at Kats Koolerz before heading back.  We'd made this ride in April of 24.  Finn surprised us by jumping right in his cart!  He was ready to ride!

Walnut Creek - upstream~

The creeks had more water flowing than we'd expected.  It was such a beautiful spring afternoon.  The leaves were still opening on the trees & the smell of wild plum blooms filled the air.  Finn had been standing up, then sat facing forward most of the way.  Every so often he always looks back to be sure I'm still following.

Bridge over Walnut Creek~

Below is the second of the downed trees we had to navigate around.  Butch went first & made it under at the right side of the trail.  This section of trail was in rougher shape than we expected.  

3:21 p.m. Downed trees~

I was relieved to see when Butch & Finn made it through.  I took the photo & followed.  We hadn't gone much farther when the trail reached the intersection of 160th.  Butch was quite a way ahead of me.  He & Finn cleared the road & continued down the trail.  

The road had been freshly graveled.  As with many of our gravel road crossings, the level of the road was much higher than the trail surface.  I misjudged the depth of the gravel, was going too slow & should have been in a higher assist gear.  I wasn't...  When my rear tire started bogging down, just shy of cresting the road, I shifted.  Another mistake.  The extra power spun the rear tire out from under me, with enough force to throw me & the bike up onto the road.  

I lost control of the bike & started falling to my right.  My right knee was at the top of the pedal rotation & took the blunt of the fall.  I heard the bones snap as I hit.  When I tried to move my leg, the feeling was all too familiarly sickening.  Thankfully, I'd fallen clear of the bike, it was in the middle of the road & so was I.  I tried to move, but on gravel & with nothing to use to leverage me up, it wasn't going to happen.  I couldn't reach my phone, still on the handlebars.  When Butch didn't return, I realized he had no idea I'd fallen.

Running out of options & worried I'd be run over, I yelled out his name as loud as I could.  A minute later I heard Finn barking.  It sounded a long way down the trail.  I yelled one more time as the barking continued!

Butch told me later, he had been cruising along when suddenly Finn went nuts!  He started barking his loudest ever bark!  Butch stopped & turned to see what the problem was.  That's when he realized I wasn't behind them.  As he was getting his bike & Finn's cart turned around - Finn was fighting to get out of his escape proof harness.  Next, he tore at the bottom of the zippered door at the front of his cart & leaped out!  He started running back the way they'd come - full speed!  Butch went after him.  

I was waiting, since the barking had stopped.  I knew Finn must have gotten Butch's attention.  Sure enough, a couple minutes later the two of them appeared at the road.  Never have I seen a sweeter sight!  Butch put his arms around me & lifted me to the side of the road.  Finn came running to me & laid as close to me as he could - looking up into my eyes...  He was so proud to have found me!  

3:52 p.m. My Hero's~

Butch called 911 & within a very short time we could see a dust cloud approaching fast.  It wasn't the ambulance!  A black car flew by us without even slowing down...  Crazy scary...  The next dust cloud - was the ambulance out of Shenandoah.  These guys are my human hero's!  A highly trained, compassionate team who listened to my concerns.  Incredulous I had suffered such a similar injury.  I made sure to tell them of my tendency to develop Compartmental Syndrome. 

4:05p.m. On our way~

In the meantime, another senior eBike rider had appeared & offered his assistance.  He went for his pickup truck, then returned to help Butch load my bike.  Butch rode his bike & pulled Finn back to the Bronco, where he & the good Samaritan met up.  I wish we'd thought to get his name.  He told Butch he hadn't planned to ride, but his wife told him to go.  She said; "You never know, someone might need your help."  Well - someone did & we are eternally grateful.  

I can't express how much I love our little brown dog.  He was very unhappy when Butch returned to the Bronco without me.  He spent several days of the week following with Grama Doris while Butch was with me.  My goal was to go home by Mother's Day.  Butch took the photo below just before they left to pick me up.  

Finn giving Butch "the Look" Mother's Day Morning~

Butch had planned to leave on Tue. the 12th.  Nationwide has been extremely kind & understanding.  He was told to stay home as long as it takes & let them know when he's ready to leave.  

I'm so very grateful for the village of amazing professionals who have cared for me these last weeks.  I am the luckiest woman in the world to be married to the man who took me as his wife!  The "better or worse" part is a bit lopsided!

Finally Green!

 Today - a perfect Ten day!  mid-60's light breeze, blue skies & a few pure white clouds sailing overhead.  I was ready for the smooth sailing trails of Lake Manawa.

On the trail~

I'd started a new to me drug on the third, that my primary care physician recommended. By the beginning of the second week, I started feeling awful.  A sore throat, lower back ache, no energy & no strength.  I couldn't even walk up our hill without stopping to breath.  I stopped the drug on the sixteenth.  Today, was the first time I felt even close to human again.  I hadn't even had the bike out yet this month!  Normally, April is one of my favorite months for riding. 

The winding trail~

The fresh pale greens of early spring were so refreshing!  Even on a Sunday, I had the trails mostly to myself.  

Two Turkeys~

I say mostly to myself, since ahead I saw two Turkeys walking along as though they owned the trail.  AS I passed the campground, I could see a small flock of about six along the edge of the roadway.  These two were heading that direction.

Farmer at work~

As I rode north along the Indian Creek trail, I could see the farmer above working his field.  Since it was planted in soy last season, this year it will probably be corn.

Mutual of Omaha tower nearing completion!

It's been interesting to watch this building go from the ground up.  Omaha has had road construction in the main part of downtown for several months now.  Once that's done, the city should be back to the walkable, friendly place it usually is.

Wind on the water~

The lake was beautiful today.  The wind was whipping up some decent waves.  It was so nice to see the grass turning green too.  I stopped & took my usual break to put in a call to Butch.  He was in MO heading back to IN.

The shade is expanding~

Starting back, I took my time to admire the beauty of the day.  At home, my daily schedule seemed to suddenly fill up.  As the flowers bloom, the weeds grow!  The work I did last fall is paying off this spring.  There's more order to the plantings now.  Originally, I just looked for any spot I thought a plant would grow.  Now, I've moved plants, had some large enough to split & planted the same variety/color along the edge of the trails.  It's looking more cohesive!

Finn had been home alone.  He met me at the door, very happy to have earned one of his special cookies!  He assured me he had fought off a bear, the Amazon guy & the mailman!

Praying for Rain~

 Today, the promised rains - have started with a misty drizzle.  We're well over 2" below normal for the year & ended last year in a deficit. The numbers are sobering.  The forecast is for three days of possible precipitation adding up to hopefully .5".  We need five times that amount just to catch up.  

February 20, 2026

The only real snow we had this winter was four inches in February.  Since then, we've only received a dusting with almost no moisture content.  With the moles digging from below & the squirrels digging from above, as dry as the ground is I can only hope the plants survive.

March 15, 2026 - The Lowlands~

It's been so very dry, it's almost hurtful to be outside for any length of time.  My eyes dry out, my skin feels like I live in the Sahara.  The storms will start across the middle of the country, then split to the north & to the south.  They have missed us, Nebraska & most of the Midwest.

Photo by PR Newswire~

The photos & story's coming out of Nebraska are so horrifying scary.  The scope of the disaster will be felt for many years.  Third & fourth generation ranches, burnt to ash.  Our area has had a Red Flag Warning in place for weeks & weeks. With the winds blowing up to 40 mph gusts almost every day.  20 mph winds have become our new norm.  Many of our local volunteer Fire Departments have gone to help in Nebraska.

3/31/26 The Marsh

Even the lowest area of our property is dry, normally the grass here is emerald, green.  Some years, there were large pools of standing water.  I've been watering all the trees, shrubs & flowers we've planted since last fall.  Our local water bill has climbed, due to new housing developments & the resulting need for a larger sewer treatment plant.

April 1, 2026 - Nika's tree~

This afternoon, we've received .01 of moisture so far.  The air smells so fresh & is charged with negative ions.  To be rid of the dust is wonderful.  When I spoke to Butch this afternoon, he'd driven in pouring rain from the Iowa state line at Walcott 337-miles to Greenfield, IN just east of Indianapolis.  I told him to fill a trailer & bring some back with him!