Can I get a lift?

No, we're not putting in a device to get me up the stairs.  Well, we don't have any stairs in the house, just the steps that lead up to our front door.  And, I am doing those with alternating steps.

Joan was getting ready to go to the store.  I jokingly asked, "Can you give me a ride up and down our street, so I can get my 'mileage' in?"

She countered with, "How 'bout I give you a ride to the Event Center and you can walk back?  You'll get some different scenery."

While I do look around while I'm walking, it isn't for the scenery... but, yeah, time to change it up.  She dropped me off in the parking lot of our Event Center, and I walked home while she went to the store.

Along the golf course...

Past a couple canals...

It was a lovely walk, not just because of the change of scenery.  Earlier, a gust front had come through, with a change of wind direction... and it dropped the temperature and humidity.  It was 78º when I got out of the car, and not much wind.  Really nice.

When Joan got back from the store shortly after I got home, the temp was up to 84º, with a warm wind and more humidity.  Things can change fast here.  Glad I got out when I did.

It's been weeks...

We had our Monday morning breakfast out.  Yep, Pier 19, where every table/booth has a view of the water.  This morning, we saw a couple dolphins.  Briefly.  It has literally been weeks since we have seen dolphins.  Normally, if we were still here this time of year, we would be out on our boat, seeing dolphins daily.  Since the boat is still waiting for us in our storage unit, the only time we have seen dolphins this season has been while driving over the bridge to get on or off our island... and they haven't been there in quite a while.

I miss those delightful cetaceans.

Stand tall...

Joan asked if I'd play guitar for her this morning.  I aim to please.  I sat on the couch and played my X7 (the smallest of my Emeralds, and the guitar that has been getting the most play since the surgery).

When sitting with the X7, I hold it slightly tilted up.  The sound hole on the X7 opens to the front (my other Emeralds open to the front and up)... from a sitting position, and tilted slightly back, the X7 sounds much bigger than it is.

Since the hip is improving, I decided to play while standing (something I haven't done since before the surgery)... the X7 sounds much smaller from that position, since the sound hole is projecting all the sound forward (not upward).  Joan said, "Try it with one of your other guitars."  I got the X20 and gave it a go... yep, that sounds BIG, from any position.  Size, and position, matter.

The take way here isn't all about the guitars... it is about the standing to play.

Another step forward.  Get it?  "Step."  On that front, I am able to do a few steps at a time without the cane.  Yep, another step forward.

As far as "standing tall"... well, I am apparently standing medium these days.  Officially 5' 9" at the doctor's office.  But, I don't list to the left like I used to.  ;-)

Happy Father's Day!

I won't get to see our daughter today.  The last time we got to spend Father's Day together was in 2008, when they came to visit us while we were working in Yellowstone.  While I would love to see her face-to-face, I carry her in my heart... everyday.

There is something special about being a Father... Dad... Pops.  It is a life-long endeavor, no matter the miles that separate you.  It makes you want to be a better man.  I take some time to reflect on those Dad moments.  I can't speak for all Dads, but my best memories are not just Dad and daugher... they are always with the 3 of us.  Because, without my lovely wife, I could not be the Dad I am.

The years as the protector.  The encourager.  The turn-her-loose-but-still-be-there years.  The prideful look-at-her-being-an-adult years.  Then, if you are fortunate enough to get a bunch of years, the reversal of roles, where she worries more about your welfare (because you know she can take care of herself).  The time that comes to mind was when we were on our boat, out of any kind of phone coverage... for longer than anticipated... and when I was able to call: "Where have you people been?  I was worried sick!"  (Kinda makes up for some of those teenager years.)

And most recently, when hip recovery wasn't going as fast or as smooth as I had hoped, the daily phone calls from my sweet girl.  It made a difference.

Like being a Dad... it makes a difference.

Exercising...

Not talking about the walking, the bicycle riding, or the physical therapy instructed exercises I'm doing daily.  The generator in the motorhome needs to be exercised once a month or so... I'm a bit behind on that.

Off to our storage unit (38 miles inland); I backed the motorhome out, Joan started the generator and turned on the air conditioning so the gen would have a load on it.

We looked everything over in the motorhome - all good.  I walked around outside it and did a short "run-through" as though I was hooking up utilities.  Pretty sure I can do this.  Driving the coach is a piece of cake: the seats are comfortable and access is good.

Yeah, I can do this.  One more "follow up visit" to the surgeon's office in a couple weeks, then we'll see how things are going.

A challenge...

No, I'm not going to dump ice on my head or try to jump over a moving car.  I thought Mark (music partner) was my friend... he suggested a song... it was popular a few years ago... I remember the tune... didn't sound tough when listening to it.  OMG, I was so wrong.  The "easy" song is full of timing and phrasing changes.  Mark spent quite a while working on a piano track that he sent to me.

I listened to it last night and practiced with a few vocal tracks.  Then worked on it again today... about 6 hours worth.  Yes, I got my walks, bike ride, and exercises in... even managed to go out for BBQ with my Honey this afternoon... and then came back and worked on the song some more.  Whew!

I sent some tracks back to Mark; his turn to add some more.  Not ready for public playing, yet.

Yeah, I needed this...

A plan of sorts: get the scoots out, start 'em, have Joan ride 'em around to keep them charged up.  Then, perhaps, go out to the storage unit to do the same with the motorhome: run the engine and exercise the generator.  These all need regular use.

Joan pulled her Honda out... I told her I would be fine to roll the Vespa out.  Once outside, I had to sit on it...

Yep; that feels pretty good.  "Ya know, I can hold this scoot up fine - I think it's time for a short ride!"  I fired up the Vespa and rolled it to the end of the driveway; put on a helmet, and... some breeze on my face!

Joan pulled up alongside me on her PCX; "How are you doing?  You feel up to riding to check mail?"

"Oh, yeah!"

At the owners area, she took a few photos to document me riding...

"I think I'm up for a little jaunt around town!"  We headed off our island, down a side road, onto the main drag through town, then back to our island.  No, it wasn't a long ride... I'm calling it a "proof of concept."  The leg can support the scoot at stops.  It is actually easier to pull my foot up onto the floorboard after a stop than it was before the surgery... that is a first.  I hope that is a preview of how the walking will be eventually.

I used some different muscles on the ride; not sore, but I can tell I've done "a new activity."  (That's what I'm calling this.)  I'm not ready to take off on a cross-country scooter ride, but it is good to push forward to get stronger and better.  I had some anticipation when I rolled on the throttle that first time... I sure don't want to do anything to mess up the progress I've made... but, I really needed this!

I think we'll put the motorhome stuff off until tomorrow.

It's a good day!

:-)