The hope of spring always brightens the heart.

Dear friends,

It’s a warm feeling to be missed enough to receive a few sweet notes asking about my whereabouts since the last day of October of last year.  I was struggling back then, and all fell apart on New Year’s Day of this year when I was rushed to the hospital not being able to move, all rolled up into a ball in that horrible bouncing buggy ride in the ambulance to hell, as every minor blemish of the road was magnified tenfold.

My stay at the hospital lasted a week, as I was being treated for meningitis, until a MRI revealed I had a staff infection in my spine in my neck area, and an area just behind my heart.  A week later I was released from the hospital and transported by my husband to an approved rehabilitation center that was rated only two stars by it’s previous guests, all to learn how to walk again and be on IV drips of antibotics every four hours..

Two months later, and here I am, still suffering from neck and upper back pain and finding some relief with opioids for a little bit longer.  I have heart issues that may clear up on their own after my medication is finished or may affect the quality of the rest of my life.

Time will tell.  I am told I am lucky to be alive.  We shall see if that is actually true.

For some reason, it is extremely difficult for me to get used to the layout of my bedroom since I returned home five days ago.  The light has to stay on in the hallway, to keep me from feeling trapped in my own bed when it is adjusted for sleeping.

The last set of unpublished photos are of November 2024 in my garden, and that is what I have added here, as I am using a walker to stay upright and move about my home, so no current photos will be forthcoming any time soon.  A rollator walker is in my near future with all terrain wheels and a tray, so I may be more self-sufficient.   I have exercises to build the strength of my legs back up, and it's a ton of work to tackle on my own after my month of in home exercise sessions are over.  

Looking back to last autumn and its beautiful colors -

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Male Cardinal

Fall Crocus

Swamp Sunflower

 

Copper Iris bloom in fall for a grateful honeybee.

Usually only blooms in late spring..

 

Blackhaw Viburnum fall leaves

Aster Seedhead 

 Crane Fly

 Autumn Tapestry

Beautiful Grackle

Carolina Wren

Sweet Austin

Charlotte

Daddy had to make a second appointment, 

because I outran him the first time. 

Spring seems to be upon me at a most inopportune time, and all that needs to be done before it is here, will most likely not be done.  What can I say.  It is what it is.  Husband says he is always here to help, but in reality, he isn’t.  Loving the gardens is not his forte, so there will be much grumpiness to handle this spring.

Thanks for sticking with me these past five months, as I am still alive and somewhat well.  I’ve slowed down a bit, but hopefully my photos will be worthy by the end of this year.

Usually reminiscing about the garden comes next, but all I see out my windows is a barren landscape with plenty of early weeds, and inside at the opening of my closet in the writing room is a long dead cockroach with legs extended.  Evidently it couldn’t wait long enough for me to return.  Poor tyke.

I'm tired, so I'll close and take a rest.  Love you.

    Yvonne