Adjustments ~

Riding into the sunset~

How does a person adjust to vision loss?  To pick one sense over another would seem contradictory. Vision, is so much of how we perceive our world...  I'm in somewhat of a funk, that is certain.  What vision the eye has, is worse in the morning.   If the weather would cool down a bit, I'd be in the saddle & that would make me feel better...  Instead we're breaking records for heat.  End of May?  It's more like mid-July & taking a toll on the flowers, the early garden plants & me.

Late Tuesday afternoon, it cooled down.  Thunderstorms were in the forecast - so no point in heading to the farm.  I worked outside weeding my marigolds.  The cool air, gray skies & wind felt so good.  Even weeding is difficult now, without depth perception - differentiating between a thin weed & thin stem of a flower wasn't easy.  When the thunder, lightening & rain hit - Butch had just gotten home & called me up from the backyard.  We sat out for a long while - just enjoying the smell & the sound of rain~

I'm unstable too, the ground looks to be almost in my face & perfectly flat.  I know how far to lift my foot for a step, but if there's slight incline or decline - I don't see it.  I did some research & decided to buy myself a new toy - Trekking poles.

My new toys~

I did a lot of looking & as with all outdoor equipment, you can spend as much or as little as you want.  I settled for good reviews & moderate price.  I've been practicing on our big hill in the back yard & it's crazy how much easier they make things & how much more secure I feel.  I figure the last thing I need is to fall & break something.

The google support group I've joined does help.  Reading what others have gone through & tried is interesting & I can ask questions.  My good eye gets so tired & even my brain has a difficult time, since it spends the day trying to reconcile vision with blotches.

My new NP, after checking my balance, suggested physical therapy in Council Bluffs.  That's scheduled with a therapist that specializes in patients with vision problems.  I'm looking forward to being given something to work on.  I'm also going to consult with a naturopathic Doctor & make changes in my diet.

I'm reading the book;  Blind Faith - by John Crittenden.  A real eye-opener if you don't mind the pun.  World wide, there are 285 million visually impaired people, of which 246 had low vision & 39 million were blind.  The cost in Canada & the US alone is over $49 billion/year.  The drug companies make a fortune on eye injections.

Memorial Day ~

We were up & on our way to Greenfield early.  I wanted to arrive in time to decorate our families graves & find a place in the shade for the Memorial Ceremony.  Grateful appreciation has to be expressed to the members of the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357 

Entrance~

 We were among the first to arrive & it was nice to have the quiet of the morning to place flowers on my parents & brother Russ's graves.  My fraternal Grandparents gravesite is nearby, where we placed branches of wild red roses.

Honor Guard~

Butch had our chairs under a large tree in the shade & I was thankful for that - as the day was heating up incredibly fast.  The ceremony was beautiful, with the names of each & every Veteran called out.  The American Legion sets crosses in the Memorial Garden for each Veteran, in alphabetical order & by War or conflict.

Poppies placed on the crosses~

  Volunteers were asked to help place a poppy on each cross.  It's a staggeringly somber sight, to think of all the men, just from this small town, who have served & died for our country.

A field of Honor~

Both my father & my youngest brother have crosses here, along with several Uncles.  Many family names were familiar to me.  After the ceremony, family members could collect the poppies & we brought my two home~

Dad's Flag~

We took the walk to visit Dad's flag - no wind on this day - so Butch held it out for the photo.  A fitting tribute to so many who served valiantly & died for the freedom we enjoy today.

Last View~

As we drove south - Butch stopped for me to take in this last view of the Cemetery.  It's still very hard for me to think of the family I have lost.  I was so very lucky to know my grandparents so well as a child & as the oldest, have the most memories of them. 

From here we traveled on to where the maternal side of my family is buried.  It's in a quiet, almost forgotten part of the Iowa countryside.  We were the only ones there, with only the songs of the birds drifting in the light breeze.  

Family plot~

When we were planting all the emerald green trees at the Homestead, Mom got the idea of planting one at each corner of the plot here.  Even under very harsh conditions & getting hit by a mower on occasion, they've managed to live.  

A quote from the only early history I've managed to find on this area, entitled;  "A Parson's Vacation", describes it this way in 1855.  "He was especially impressed with the native wealth of western Iowa's never-ending rolling divides, then so luxuriantly covered with waving grass in a sea of green & dotted with wild flowers of every hue;  all tossing their radiant greetings to him in the gentle summer breezes."

We drove past Grandma's farm on our way back to Greenfield.  Lunch was overdue & by the time we'd finished, a thunderstorm had rolled in.  Driving through it, at home the temperatures were up in the high 90's yet again.

Omaha Farmer's Market ~

The Heat is ON!  The next few days, we're scheduled to break records for heat!  It's all Linus's fault for saying something like;  "We'll spring from spring right into summer."  Well...  that's just what's happened.  It's good to have someone to blame :-)

We were up at the crack of dawn to try to beat the heat - for our first visit to the Omaha Farmer's Market!  I was prepared with eye drops & about every set of glasses I own.

Butch & Linus, just after 8 a.m.

All the old brick buildings are reminiscent of the Pike Place Market in Seattle, but this market is smaller, not commercialized & full of farm fresh produce.  There were several bakeries represented & that of course - was our first stop!  I can't even describe the size of the pecan roll & managed to eat!  I was so busy consuming it that I forgot to get a picture!

Yes!  Those are radishes!

From fresh huge stalks of rhubarb, to leeks, green onions, asparagus & of course the biggest radishes I've ever seen!   My attention was caught by a vendor selling smoothies. When I saw they were made with Aronia berries - I had to try one.

I'll be using this!

Tom of Meristem Farm & Nursery explained that these berries had a very different taste from a blueberry, but that they pack three times the antioxidant punch!  I asked if I could try just a berry first.   When Butch & I bit into one, Tom jumped back!  :-)  To say that they have a dry, not quite bitter but extremely bold taste is an understatement!

Tom on his bicycle powered blender!

My smoothie was made with apple juice, Greek yogurt, a drop of lemon & the berries.  It was good!  I think I'd add a drop or two of stevia just for a little more sweetness.  We'll be going to his farm to pick up some bushes & I plan to grow them.  The soils here are too alkaline for blueberries.

Peonies~

The colors of the Peonies were just amazing!  Many homes plant them in rows along the front walkways as edging.  I have my first, a gift from a friend & I'm waiting to see what color it blooms.  I want to find some of the reds!

Inside shops~

We toured a few of the inside shops, then my favorite - Overland Sheepskin.  Totally beautiful leather jackets, purses, rugs, etc.  I place where I could spend way too much money.  We'd hardly been there a minute when Butch said;  "There go the mounted police officers!"  I looked & they were already past the store.  I ran outside & started up the street, trying to get ahead of them for a picture.  Dodging people on the sidewalk slowed me down, they were setting a good pace!

Omaha Mounted Patrol~

Finally, after jogging after them for several blocks, I managed to get the officers attention at an intersection. They were kind enough to pose for a photo! I asked about the heat & they responded that they get the horses out during the cooler morning hours - then do their barn chores in the afternoon.  The palomino is the new guy on the team :-)

Returning to Glenwood, the temperature is currently hovering at 99, so things are pretty quiet around town.  Thankful for AC!

The Little Things~

When life takes an unexpected turn, it's the little things that seem to either hurt or help.  I've had my share of both this past week.  It was a week ago today - I received the diagnosis of irreparable damage to my retina.

During those few days, I've been hurt by  the suppositions of others.  One suggesting I don't live a healthy enough lifestyle was disconcerting to say the least.  I've been through the days of my mind tricking me into playing the blame game.  Who among us leads a perfect life?  I don't & what fun would it be if we did?  Probably not as much fun as having that ice cream cone on a hot day, or galloping up a mountain as fast as your horse will take you - as the tears stream from your eyes!

Hanging planter to the left of the door~

But then, there are those unexpected gifts.  Last Friday morning, I walked out onto the porch to find a beautiful female Cardinal sitting on the rail.  She was so close I could actually see her!  Later in the day I was coming in & noticed pieces of sticks on the deck by the door?  Now where did those come from?  I looked up at the little planter that hangs there to find a nest under construction - right on top of the artificial plant!

I pointed it out to Butch that evening & as the days went by - I saw the female fly low under the eves once or twice.  Neither of us could imagine that she would continue her construction with the front screen door opening & closing so often.  I didn't have the heart to remove it though.

Eggs!

Today, I came home to hear a slight clicking noise...  Just on a hunch, I got the little ladder & peeked inside to find three beautiful, perfect eggs!   A true blessing for me - a reason to appreciate the vision I still have - has been placed right by my door.

CRAO - Approximation

The photo above is the closest representation (mine is more clouds) I can find to the current vision in my right eye.  I can still see shapes. I've been considering what changes I need to make to protect the vision I have left. I contacted RidersTack to ask about goggles. I will be wearing them most of the time & wanted something I knew would work. They gave me some great options & two pair are on the way.

After today's visit with my new GP, I was relieved to learn my test results were fine.  No plaque buildups or off-kilter blood test results.  My spirits were raised when I heard the words;  "You must practice a healthy lifestyle." I'm waiting now to see a Cardiologist.  As Dr. Angle said; "We can't outrun our genetics."

Small steps, as I adjust to my new reality.  Taking pictures with my left eye has been interesting too.  I can tell, even if you can't - the angle is different!   Learning to hold my big camera differently & using the left eye to compose the frame will take time.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll like the results better!

Loud Rumbles - Sweet Smells~

 The thunder rumbled & rain came down!  Then, this afternoon the sun broke through & the humidity went sky high!  But oh the smell!  The air was rich with the fragrance of all the honeysuckle & locust tree blooms!

From the deck~

Butch & I spent yesterday in Omaha.  Tests, tests & more tests.  My visit to a second Retinal Specialist confirmed the diagnosis of the first.  I'll be visiting him monthly.  I'm told the likelihood of any improvement is slim at best.  Changes in the eye will continue.

Jack-in-the-pulpit

I am atypical for this to have occurred.  My test results were all fine.  No health issues, a healthy lifestyle etc.  The Why may never be determined.  Dr. Angle said to consider it a blessing, because if it hadn't entered the eye - my brain would have been next.  When I consider the helmets I've broken, the falls I've taken & close calls I've survived.  It is difficult for me to comprehend being struck so suddenly & without warning.

Honeysuckle~

Again, many thanks to the friends who have called, texted, emailed, messaged.  All the ways of communication we now enjoy.  Your prayers have strengthened me.  With time, my brain will adjust to the changes & I may hardly notice any difference.  I've been thinking about faith in the last few months, as two good friends struggled with serious health issues.  Faith is easy to have when things are fine, the test comes when they're not.  Now - It's me being put to the test.

The swing~

I'm taking one of my favorite pieces of advice.  It was shared by my long time amigo & mentor after my serious accident in 2003; "Forward Motion saves your beehind!" (The sanitized version.) The trick is to just keep moving forward. I plan to be back in Farah's saddle as soon as the heat & humidity subside!

Not Quite the Same~

I've never discussed personal issues on a public format. Why I did on my last post - I don't know.  Part of it was my disappointment at having to cancel my first endurance ride in the Midwest.  But, considering the bigger picture, I'll go ahead & follow through with the result of our day in Omaha.

A trail I took often out from home in WA~

We arrived at Omaha Eye & Laser Institute just before 7:30 a.m.  I was being tested within minutes thereafter.  Once my eye was dilated, more tests.  Soon, I was waiting to see Dr. Thomas.  He presented a warm demeanor - but was direct & business like.  His first question was whether someone had accompanied me?  When I confirmed Butch was in the waiting room, he had the nurse go for him.

I should have known then...  The news was not good.  The vision loss I've suffered in my right eye - will not return, nor can it be repaired with surgery.  Even the cause is unknown.  Central Retinal Artery Occlusion, was confirmed.    I did not have a retinal tear or detachment.  If you click on the link, you can read about it.

Next, I spent 1.5 hours in an MRI at Nebraska Health Imaging.  During that time, I thought of grandson Mason & how his last time in the machine he'd managed over an hour without moving & with no sedation.  I decided that if Mason could, so could I.  Results came back late this afternoon & my brain showed no abnormalities.  Nothing that could explain what happened.  More tests are scheduled for next week, to rule out other unfavorable possibilities.

I'm not taking the diagnosis as final & fully expect that with time & prayer my vision will return.  Thank you to all who've expressed concern.  Your prayers, calls & support have kept my outlook a positive one.

Best Laid Plans~

Sometimes things seem to go astray... 

After our ride yesterday - I came home & compared Farah's training ride stats & recoveries from 2015 & 2016 to what we've done so far this spring.  They were better!  Every time I think of doing an endurance ride, I worry that I haven't done enough.  Then, Farah shows me that indeed we have.  What we do is straight line consistent & we've been doing it for a lot of years now.   I don't follow the fads, first it was trotting, lots of trotting.  Now it's galloping, lots of galloping.

Farah  - yesterday~

 Instead, we mix it up, we do what we do & we've learned to do it well.  She's a gifted animal & I'm blessed to have her.  Strong, without issues & smart enough to take good care of herself.  Dean taught me to ride smart & I do my best to follow his principals.  We keep to a maintenance schedule & don't change what works.

5-16-16 Victoria, WA

If anything - she's bulked up a little.  More muscle, more strength & it's getting harder & harder to make her sweat :-)  Even here.  Both of us have really been enjoying our speed work.  I'm a firm believer in talking to your horse.  I've let her know I'm planning a ride - our first here & how much fun we were going to have.

5-14-15 Washington Wetland~

Not...  The vision in my right eye went completely away last evening.  It was no better this morning.  I ended up spending the morning at the optometrist.  After a battery of tests, (when you can't even see the bright light...) the verdict wasn't the one I wanted.  :-(

Tomorrow is Omaha - surgery to hopefully repair my retina.  Since a good result is what I'm praying for - I don't want to ask what the recovery period is.  I do know it will probably be longer than the week I have before the ride.  

But, friends have managed to keep me laughing & there will be other rides.  Still - I'm feeling the disappointment~

Chasing Clouds~

I'm still far from competent when it comes to judging what the weather will do on any given day.  Starting out shiny bright, clouds moved in.  It would have been a good day to work in the yard, but I know the real heat will come & I won't ride then.  By the time I arrived at the farm, the clouds were again burned off by the heat of the mid-afternoon sun.

Grass, grass & more grass!

Leaving on what's become our favored west side of the farm, it surprised me to see the tiny shoots of corn already sprouting!  Such a light tinge of green against the dark soil.  The grass on the  greenway's is up to Farah's knees already!

Tiny green shoots of corn!

Our first break spot is at Keg Creek, there's shade & of course more grass!  I've given up tightening Farah's girth to the hole it goes, until after we've gone a couple miles.  It's not as though we have any mountains to climb & it's easier on my hands.

Keg Creek "Rapids" :-)

This section has old logs & trees in it.  You can just hear the tiniest sound of the current rushing over the debris.

Of course another "break"~

  To get in some fast trotting, we took the long way to the dirt road with a nice section that's pretty much flat. On the way, Farah stopped & sure enough - we spooked up our deer friends. We pretty much herded them from one side of the field to the other.

Herding deer~

I've noticed that most of the corn fields haven't been disked or planted yet.  Soy bean's must be a faster growing crop than corn - or they mature later in the season.  I'm going to have to ask.

Burrows~

Our last ride, Farah finally stepped into a hole with her right front leg.  With the grass so long, it's getting harder & harder to see them.  She dropped in, at least to her knee, but pulled her foot right on out the next stride.  Walking is the only safe speed.  Of course her walk is grand!  It's easy to understand why the gaited breeds developed on the large plantations.

Looping back~

At the dirt road, we trotted it four times, then galloped it twice.  All that got us 1-1/2 miles of speed work.  I'm so spoiled that we're still avoiding the gravel roads while we can.  A light haze almost obscured the windmill, but the humidity was blessedly lower today.

Sweet, sweet, smell!

As we looped the timber, a rich smell enveloped us!  The leaves almost look like a Laurel, so I have another tree/bush to identify!   Another beautiful May day - still staying ten degrees above what's been normal though.  I think that's why I enjoy the cooler weather so much!  A good clue as to where we came from :-)

Changeable ~

The difference a day makes.  When the thunder rolled & rain hit last night - it was a welcome sound to most everyone.  Our dry spring has continued, the string of 80+ degree days finally broken today.  After Kay's bible study this morning, I picked up a few more bedding plants in town.  I was taking the wheelbarrow through the gate, when Nika raced up & squeezed through.  I'm long beyond worrying about her.  I'd just finished up - when she came near enough - I managed to grab her.

Once out at the farm, Farah met me in a huff...  Not much wind, but she was ready to get out & go.  So was I.  The cool day & light breeze were about as pleasant an afternoon as I could imagine.

The Farm laced with green~

I decided to stay closer in today - the weather looked like rain & I'd forgotten my jacket.  On the far side of the timber & saw the blooms on the Mulberry!  Janice was right!  There are a lot of Mulberry trees & I can't wait for their fruit to ripen!

Mulberry Blooms~

We started up one of the climbs to the west, when Farah suddenly spooked & 180'ed.  I lost my inside stirrup & only just managed to retain my seat.  A deer had jumped up almost under our noses - but come on...  A deer?  I made it clear - any more spooking at deer would not be tolerated!

Grass~

Farah makes it plain, terribly plain, the main thing on her mind is grass!  It's that time of year & I do try to be tolerant.  Once we can put her out on pasture, this will change.  

Our dirt road~

It only took a few strides to know our dirt running road was way to wet to rumble~  Farah was slipping even at a walk.  Her shoes would compact with the dirt & then it was like walking on ice.  She didn't even ask to run, smart mare she is.

View from above~

The texture to the landscape this time of year is so intriguing.  Still corn stubble, then the newly disked & planted fields below.  Other's turning green with whatever's been planted.  We watched as a hawk circled overhead, then dove down into a terrace after game.  It started to sprinkle, the air filled with negative ions & smelled so rich & earthy.

Farah spots Dean~

Even from this distance, Farah stopped to watch as Dean went to the chicken coop.  I yelled, but he didn't see us until we were closer.  The Grainery is such a beautiful building, viewed from any direction.  The Martin Silo is one of the very few I've seen & Farah's little barn makes a nice touch of color against a drab, gray sky.

Beautiful~

 Dean came down to talk as I was unsaddling Farah.  She was paying no attention, just grabbing every mouthful of grass she could - when Dean tossed a small rock on to the pile at the side of the gate.  In a split second she jumped, hit the side of my face with her nose & knocked me back into the side of the Bronco.  The next instant, she felt the Ziploc of carrots in my hand slam up against her nose!  Tit for tat!  I mentioned to Butch that his animals were in rare form today...  He blamed the weather!  :-)

Sunshine & Shadows ~

It was a day of blazing sunshine, lower temperature, humidly & a nice breeze. White clouds floating over a landscape now filling with every shade of green.  This week our temperatures have been running ten degrees above average for the time of year, so there are grumblings of no spring - just a jump into summer...  We'll see...

Fields of dreams~

The mid-80's did feel on the verge of hot.  When a cloud came over, the shade was welcome, as was the breeze.  It was mesmerizing to watch the shade from the clouds drift across the fields.

A mouthful!

I just can't blame Farah for wanting to stop to grab a mouthful now & then.  Keeping her out at the edge of the plowed fields helps, but soon they'll be planted & we'll be on the greens.  

The bridge~

Today was the day I decided that we'd go over the bridge.  We ran into two kids carrying sticks & rocks.  When we stopped to talk, they told me they were gathering materials for a new fish tank.  Not a project I would have guessed :-)

Keg Creek below~

The bridge decking is badly in need of repairs.  Loose nails, missing nails, one board with a large hole, I was glad I'd dismounted to walk across.  Farah kept to the middle & I watched as some of the boards bent under her weight.  The dirt road didn't last as long as I'd hoped, ending with gravel at the top of a long hill.

Leaves opening!

What a beautiful sight - to see the pale green of the opening leaf buds in the trees!  It seemed to take forever this year & now it's almost an explosion of color.  We continued on the gravel west, almost to a paved road, before turning back.

Countryside~

A friend asked me the other day why we'd moved?  The wide-open spaces & ease of travel topped the list.  It's not that there's not many things I miss...  The Grandkids, their parents, even though I think we message more now than when we were closer. 

Lilac~

My long time riding friends though - those that I had so much history with - I do miss them & the comradery we shared.  I am so appreciative of the way they continue to read my stories.

Yard sign~

The above sign is not one I would have seen in WA.  Here, Christianity is a way of life, acts of kindness, an every day occurrence.  It seems, for the most part, to be a kinder, gentler world. 

Arriving back at the farm~

We saw Butch's truck coming down the road from the far west field as we were returning to the farm.  Farah had just enough of a sweat that I used a bucket to wash her down - which she appreciated.  We enjoyed a gorgeous evening & beautiful sunset.  A perfect end to my favorite kind of day - one in the saddle.