One month ago today I got this!

Today is much better, one month of pain and many other things I really didn't expect. I knew 6 weeks was the for sure, but I really didn't expect all that I was in for. 

Today is better finally almost able to walk again, but still unsure, although pain is basically gone, the limitations still here. 

Phisio says I'm doing really good, I'm now driving, so watch out!  

This is the now look, not bad sewing 🪡 job hey. 

What I didn't expect was the feeling I got once I was finished with the pain killers. Withdrawal, I didn't expect it, and spent 2-3 days really sick, and unable to do much. Exercises were limited, and sleep was on top of my days, Polly was a fantastic help, so good to me when I was doing so badly. 

I wasn't the best patient, Polly and I didn't argue, but I was very nice a few times. We talked about that the last few days, and agree was a very hard time for us both. 

Happily 😊 today I'm feeling much better, dinner was steak 🥩 last night, so kinda a celebration 🎊 🎉 as was very hard time. 

Today we'll watch the bikes coming to town for the annual toy run here in Port Alberni. Always fun to see so many bikes in rows. 

Life is starting to come back to normal, I've started to drive again, that helps too.

Love our life ❤️  even under repair 🦵🏻

I can almost walk now, but being careful as I don't want to screw this up now. Little at a time, all will work out I've been told, and yep, that's exactly what I'm doing. 

How do you afford Rent!

I read a small rant yesterday, talking about years ago how a man could work and make enough to pay for a house, a boat, a car, and feed and cloth his family on a good wage he made working. 

What happened?

 I'm wondering too, what happened?

Today if ya take a good look, rent becomes almost 1/2 a person's income! 

I remember when I first rented, was $75.00 a month for a small 1 room apartment with a shared bathroom. 

Then a move up to a fourplex apartment, 1 bedroom place, $120.00 a month. In 1974. I think I was making about $500-$700.00 a check then, around $1000 to $1400 a month. So $120 be about 1/10th of my income. Now it's close to 1/2 a person's income many cases. 

We may be getting more $$ per hour, but the cost of everything has risen so much that were no better off. In some case's worse. 

I'm not writing to complain, mostly I'd like to see a future where it gets better. What I do see is a future that's getting progressively worse. 

Polly and I might make it to our final resting place without too much trouble, but what about the rest of our family? Our children our grandchildren? How are they going to ever get a house? Or if they do, how can they pay for it with such a difference in income vs cost of living. 

I know, I shake my head every day, our government's, and city's can run a huge deficit, and keep going, but our own household can't put off payments, or we are out on the street. 

Life isn't fair, and that's just one of the instances I can give. 

Today I'm very happy with our lot in life. As for our family, and many others, I'm not sure how they'll make out as time goes on, but surprisingly, they seem to find a way. 

$1700. Or more for a months rent for a two bedroom apartment. Or more! 

Again I shake my head.

Love our life ❤️ as we watch the change.

32 years ago we were married 👰🏻🤵🏻

Hmm, so many years ago, sure went by fast we both think as we sit this morning and drink our coffee ☕. What to do to celebrate? Dinner out, where? Travel? Naw, let's stay close, maybe the new restaurant on the Quay? Well whatever we decide, I'll make a reservation, and enjoy dinner out. 

So many great memories ❤️ so much enjoyable life lived together. Now in our older years still up for a fun time. 

Knee surgery really slows us down, Pollys been a great help, be very difficult to go through without her help. Been a strain alright, so much to change as this knee surgery calls for. I'm on the positive mend now though, so much better now, pain almost all gone & mobility coming back. Soon be walking on my own, still using the walker for now.

Looking forward to a quiet day, a drive somewhere, and a nice dinner. Neither of us got cards this year, just too difficult to get for me, and Polly forgot till yesterday when it was mentioned. Yep, life changes when ya get surgery that limits ya in many ways. 

Like most everything, ya do whatcha can within limitations. Today I think I'll drive the car, I'm able sure, but of course Polly wants me to stay out of driving! Might be a battle LoL 🤣 

It really doesn't matter to me, it's just a little freedom to go out without having to depend on someone else. Maybe get Polly some flowers 🌹 🌹 🌹.

Will see how the day goes, nothing in a rush now. Nice to have the time to enjoy the day together, no rush to work, no things that have to be done, just enjoy our day together. 

Well I guess I better shave, and make myself presentable, maybe even a shower 😁

Sure do love our life together ❤️ 

Sundays fun day's!

Second day of the Salmon Derby is on now, be many fish caught, many stories told, many memories created. I really enjoyed many days trolling along in the derby, trying our best to be where the big fish were, and putting in the water exactly what they might want. My biggest was 34lbs during a derby put on by the Greenwood Hotel so many years ago. Didn't even get a prize, was 3rd place, then before the derby ended another came in bigger. Bumped off. 

Oh well, was a beautiful fish, and had my kids with me, they were happy to pull up the gear and Go home, me I woulda kept fishing. 

Now, this year I'm still thinking fishing 🎣, yet not really up for it. Might try a trip to the derby today? Might not too, always depends on how I'm doing. Been keeping track of the winning fish so far, all in the 20lb range yet, so small from what we've been used to, but I guess that just the way it goes when we fish the heck outta a salmon run. 

Talk to anyone from here that has been around all there life fishing in the inlet, they all have memories of big salmon being caught here, during the derby and other times. When I was younger, almost every year at least 1 40lb salmon was in the glass case, sometimes 2-40lb fish and a 39 in the cooler. 1st-2nd-3rd place.

I just checked again, on FB tyee club, biggest 20lb so far. I wonder what the winner will be? Where it will be caught? 

Foggy out this morning, fall truly here now, I know some nice days left, but when Polly makes the comment "Be wearing 👖 pants in another month!" That let's me know where we are at. Going from spring till now no heat, to AC, now still warm, but ya can feel it in the air, cool is coming, then a heavy rain, and the furnace will be on. 

Been a really nice run this summer, shorts every day for I don't know how long now, been really nice. I remember when we retired I dreamed of shorts 365! Thinking that we would spend summer and spring here, then as the geese flew south we would too. We did for awhile, but I realized that it got cold in Yuma too during winter, even Mexico had some cold spells during winter. 

Spending our winter here last year was great 👍🏻, only a couple days where the ground got a little white. Was a really good winter. This year, I'm not sure we'll fly anywhere, but ya never know, nice if it gets ugly to just hop on a plane and be somewhere warm. Pretty hard to beat our comfort here though, everything close, and nobody checking to see if you're a criminal, or trying to get into another country with fake ID. Demanding your fingerprints, and a picture of your eyeballs 👀 or taking you off to have a bodycheck, or wanting your phone. 

Yep, I can stay away from that kind of travel, maybe we are done? Travel not a easy as it once was, so much to consider, how much of what are ya allowed, what can I pack, checked bag or not? Just too much BS for me. Will see what comes. 

Oh well that's just the way it is, participate or not, is how things are now. 

I read a bit of news this morning before I started to write, as usual, then I had to just stop. I said to Polly, "I can handle only so much of what I read, then I gotta stop. Otherwise it will give me a bad attitude for awhile." Just can't handle too much reality now, most what I read discusses me now, the justice system, the political BS, the news. 

I know, I'm like an ostrich with my head in a hole 🕳️ but I just can't stand to read, listen, or see the BS of the day! 

My way of dealing with what's going on. 

Today I took my pills, Polly just got me my second coffee ☕, my knee has ice on it, exercises be next, life is pretty simple. 

Our granddaughter's birthday today, we gave her the card already, and went to dinner with her and her husband. Was really nice way to celebrate 🥳 her birthday. Often we have been gone for her birthday, this year we've been home for more birthdays that we have for many years. Been nice. 

🍁🍂🍁🍂

Love our life ❤️ 

I never saw myself as a full of energy guy.

Not that I'm lazy, just ya see some people, they like never sit down, always on the move. I'm not that person.

I can do things, and am somewhat ambitious, but really not as I see some people.

I look at actors for instance, or sports figures, they are expected to be 100% each and every day. I believe some are, but mostly we all need a little down time. 

I just notice some people are so darn busy, always something that's got them going. As I watch now I feel so slow, like I've taken a pill or something, that slowed me down. Sometimes I think, I've done it all, no discovering left to do. Like when I look at a boat, I don't want that again, too much maintenance, and problems. 

I have my moments, but mostly right now with my leg healing, I'm even slower than usual. I thought I might get a little more energy this week, I did, and it went into exercise, making my knee stretch just a little more each day. Surprised how tired that can make you. 

Maybe next week, I'll feel just a little more ambitious. Not that there is a lot I have to do, just things I'd like to have done. Might have to hire someone, instead of doing myself. Yep, I think that'll be my next way. 

We did a drive by at the Quay a couple times now, looks nice. I could have made the cedar planters, but time wasn't on my side to get them done before I went for surgery. Whomever made them did a really good job 👍🏻. I noticed yesterday they moved them in-between the posts, looking really good. 

Maybe a donut 🍩 there next week? Always love the taste of those donuts 😋.

We stopped yesterday and looked at the amount of boats ready for the gill net fishery that was to happen last night. I'm not sure if they have more than one day opening, but will be less fish in the harbour after the gill netter's are finished. 

I can only hope they are finished after today, and leave the incoming fish for the Derby. Will see. 

I'm going to go back to exercising, and stretching my leg, get it to be ready for the stitches out Friday. Pain is still there, but not as bad. As phiso guy says, "a little at a time." 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Even with pain. 

Sunday morning day 11 after knee surgery.

Well seems like I'll be ok in time, pain killer's, ice, exercise, and rest. Along with lots of sleep, been a good rehab. I'm getting kinda where I'm looking at what I can do to keep busy, haven't decided on anything yet, but I believe this week will get something on the Go. I'm not sleeping as much now.

Went for a drive with my cheafauer yesterday, visit a friend, and passed by another that were not home. Drove out to Arrowvale for a visit, met Jack & Rio and their parents, and their grandparents, was really nice to talk with them. Polly bought some flowers from the boy's, was nice to connect again. 

Then a ride out to the old West Bay area, a cafe there now, Polly got a couple 🍦 🍦 ice cream cones 😋 Mmm. We sat in the parking lot looking across at the lake, and slurped them down. 

           1 scoop was enough for us. 

Today we have a dinner we've been invited to, a birthday dinner, be nice to see everyone at this fun time. Polly already about, getting this and that, I'm not really a good getter when it comes to Birthday. 

Polly brought me my second coffee ☕ ☕ now, lucky me ☺️, a little sweet but I can handle that vs not enough Honey. 

Nice way to wake up, not in pain, just need ice for the swelling. "Do you want bacon 🥓 & egg's 🍳 this morning?" Says Polly "Well yes, that be nice 😳 ". Surprised, yet be a nice start today. 

We talked with the kids grandparents yesterday at Arrowvale, was good conversation as usual, found out that the woman, forgot her name right now, she had both knees replaced. I had some learning to do now. She talked about walking with the walker around the neighborhood, I've been staying inside so far, but she was saying get out, a short walk once or twice a day good for ya. 

I'm not sure but I think I'm going to take a little walkabout today, use the 4 wheel walker, the lady (Margo I think now) said. Sure was nice talking with them yesterday, always a pleasure. 

For now, ice, exercise, then breakfast, then maybe a walkabout. See how it goes. One of my grandsons is in town this weekend, thought we might see him, but he's been busy. Long weekend coming up soon now, Salmon festival here that weekend. Another exciting weekend. 

Maybe a drive by Harbour Quay before we go to dinner tonight, see how it looks down there. I've seen the photos, but still would like to see in person. 

Another Sunday morning 🤗

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Rain ☔ out now, great! 🍁 the start of fall.

Such a comforting feeling inside warm listening to the rain on the sundeck roof, feels great knowing we still have a beautiful fall coming yet. Been an interesting summer, fire's all over, we didn't get hit hard here, good fire fighting here on the island. 

I'm feeling a little bit less ambitious than usual, not only because I'm limited in what I can do, but in that I'm just loosing my desire to do something. Depression? I don't think so, just a moment of ahh shit! It's hard to keep up while things change so quickly, and my options get reduced so quickly. I'll be getting back into it in awhile, just give myself time to heal and then be better I'm thinking. 

Tomorrow phiso, and the big reveal at Harbour Quay of all the work that been happening all summer, be really nice to see what's changed, and what the plans reveal. I have seen photos of the new cover in front of the buildings, but much more has been changed too. I guess I'll have to wait for the show in November to see it. 

I noticed yesterday on our trip to coombs with my friend Don Lloyd, that I didn't take any photos. Have to be up, feeling good optimistic to be taking photos, and I'm not there right now, just different. Also holding a phone out while hanging onto a walker not so easy. I did take one just now of the rainy looking day outside today. 

We now have the Sun to look forward to with cooler weather, and wet underbrush, be nice once again to have a campfire 🔥, I have lots of scraps to burn up after a spring of building many planter boxes. 

Funny how fast it changes hey, one moment AC is really important, then a couple days and done. I think I'll pull that book my sister gave me out and read for a change, be something different for me to do. 

I got a call from a friend that's thinking about surgery on his knee, was nice to talk with him, been awhile. Hopefully I gave him some positive thoughts. 

I did take another couple photos, breakfast was great today, Polly always got something great 👍🏻. 

Then after I saw this on my plate as I finished hmm, is it a sign? 

Everywhere ya go now 🤔

Sure do love our life ❤️