Catching Up!

Here I am, back home and recouping from surgery to repair the torn quadraceps ligament on my right knee on Tuesday. Everything went very well and it was a good experience all the way. The team at NVRH are exceptional - all the times I've had to go there for any procedure, I've never had a bad experience. On Tuesday everyone was so kind and considerate - like Jamie told Marie later, "I think Mom almost had fun!" And of course he was on hand to take pictures of me when I'm obviously at my worst. He took one right after the operation when they had most of the stuff detached from me and finally fed me. I never had peanut butter and jelly muffins and coffee taste so good!

I went prepared to stay overnight, but everything went perfectly and since I'd already had two weeks' practice using a walker and keeping that injured knee from bending, I was good to go after Pam from PT checked me out in various maneuvers. It was really good to get settled in my recliner - Jamie and Marie helped me get situated (and here I am, back in my chair) and I was fine. The next morning I couldn't believe how good my knee felt. However, by bedtime, I was hurting - everywhere, so I spent most of that night in my recliner. From that point on I've had steady improvement - but I've also been very careful not to overwork that knee and leg. Now I'm quite comfortable with it extended, of course; and when I walk and put weight on it, there is a bit of pain, but that is very mild and each day gets a bit better. However, when I have a crazy idea like going down the steps to recycle stuff in the garage, I just don't do it. I do think about it - but it isn't worth the risk.

I've had lots of company - people in and out to get things ready for when I'm REALLY old and unable to get around. Adapting a home for handicapped living is pretty interesting. However, I know what this is all about: The three boys got together and decided nobody wants to have Mom come live with them! We laugh about that, but I think it would be as difficult for me as it would be for them. And while this is just a minor glitch - I'll be good as new in no time - there may be a time later when I'll need all these accommodations. And in the meantime, I intend to enjoy them!

Actually, the doctor found evidence of an old injury in my knee that he said might have been the reason it gave out on me so suddenly. And goodness knows, I've had a few wrenches and tumbles over the years, falls from bikes, horses, skiing, and one really bad sliding accident when I was in my 20s. I was with a bunch of adults on a big traverse sled going down Pinkham Hill from the Cabot Plains School house to Brickett's Crossing Road and around that corner past Deeper Ruts Road. The traverse was loaded so heavily that the front man couldn't steer it so we swiped a snowbank at a pretty high rate of speed. It ended our sledding that night, and I was lame for days afterward, but went to work as usual the following day and never saw a doctor. It could have happened then. That was decades ago. But I'm properly repaired from this fall and doing fine now.

The weather is still beautiful, but so very dry. I keep hearing about more people, neighbors, who are out of water - some folks living at Joe's Pond are either out or very low, and that is not good when winter is coming at us in a few more weeks. I just hope we get some real meaningful rain next week. The forecast has rain beginning Tuesday through Thursday - but I haven't heard if it will be a gentle mist that almost evaporates before it hits the ground, or a good old downpour. In the meantime, there is foliage still, but it hasn't been as brilliant around my house as most years. I've lost lots of leaves, and those that are left are just dried and brown. It only takes a little wind to rip them off the trees. It's still pretty, but just a lot more browns than usual. Enjoy, and be well.

All the time I was away from my computer, I kept thinking about the link Jamie sent me of the very nice program at the Danville train station a bit over a week ago and I didn't get a chance to post. KATV recorded it, so click HERE to see that. I haven't looked at it yet, but I did see a little of the proceedings on WCAX at the time. Nice job, everyone. I know lots of people have worked really hard to make this happen.
 

This and That

 

Sorry about resending the Oops blog post. It got caught up in my drafts and I hit "send" by mistake. It was sent (I think) soon after I tripped and ripped my knee ligament. If not, I still apologize for being a clutz on the computer as well as just walking around. 

The good news is that we have received 1.46 inch of rain in the past few days. Not nearly enough, but even that slight amount will help. Some areas got more, but that's what I measured this morning. I have not been sending regular reports since I injured my knee two weeks ago. Too risky (and painful) going on the porch to empty the measuring tube. But this morning I felt adventurous and got out there and back with my walker just fine. I just need to remember to concentrate on what I'm doing, move slowly, and plan ahead.

I saw Dr. Prohaska in St. Johnsbury yesterday. I have a torn quadriceps that will require surgery to repair. That will put me back to where I was,with both the pain and healing process, two weeks ago, but this time, I'll know it is mending correctly (hopefully!) and will be strong. Without the operation, it would mend, he said, but would never be dependable and I would likely fall again. Can't have that. I go for surgery Tuesday, and will stay overnight, then begin the healing process all over again, but with PT. It is going to take months to get back to normal. I guess it's good that we are heading into winter - I won't feel so bad about not being able to do everything I'd like. Maybe. I know I haven't enjoyed being so sedentary - and I will actually welcome doing some physical therapy to strengthen those muscles. I feel like I've lost some overall mobility by being so sedentary these past two weeks. I wish I had been able to see Dr. Prohaska right away - and it might have been better for doing the procedure, as well. He said there is a short window of time to get it done and I'm presently almost past that, thus the quick surgery schedule. 

The autumn colors are showing nicely now. The rain brought out a depth of color and trees are turning almost as we watch. Every day I see more color around my house - and also more leaves on the ground. My hawthorn tree is shedding its leaves quickly. A little wind will probably strip it. The maples seem to be holding on better, and they are brilliant. 

I missed Sherry LaPrade's birthday celebration when friends took her out for lunch in Stowe today. Diane sent me this photo - left to right, Sherry, Dotty, Cyndi, and Diane. They had a good time - went to the "Roost" at The Topnotch Resort. My birthday is the next in the group, in October, but goodness knows what shape I'll be in! I don't think I will be up for going out to eat. We will need to think of something else, like pizza at my house, maybe?! 

Tomorrow evening I'm looking forward to a turkey dinner from Cabot. This is the Fall Foliage/Cheese & Culture weekend in Cabot. Lots going on. Jamie and Marie are picking up dinners for all of us. I always look forward to Cabot's turkey dinners; I also really like the chicken-pie supper at the North Danville Baptist church, but not this year. It's unfortunate they are both on the same night. Last year Diane and I got both so we had both turkey and chicken dinners to look forward to. Actually, holding either of those over for a day or two only enhances the flavors for me. Everything is always really, really good. Especially since I haven't roasted either a chicken or a turkey in literally years! Covid changed a lot of things, and then for Diane and me, losing husbands really changed the way we do things. Living by yourself, it's hard to use up a whole bird of any kind - and for me, at least, putting together a big meal even for my family or friends is just too much work. 

Take care, all, watch your step and stay upright! (Do as I say, not as I DID!) I can think of better ways to get lots of attention!

Engineers At Work

It's getting chillier each night now, and critters are doing their thing to survive the coming winter. Part of that process is sometimes annoying to humans, especially when they are left with either a miss of brush or their favorite young tree is neatly toppled. Beavers are building dams in order to keep reasonable water levels where they live, and restocking their ponds with tender branches to munch on during the winter. Unfortunately, they found the small grove of small trees between the Ricker and LaGue homes on Joe's Pond had just what they were looking for. Here's what Sue LaGue wrote to me earlier: 

 I wanted to tell you and pass on that the Rickers and LaGues have had a busy beaver chewing trees along our shoreline. It leaves the branches and leaves a mess. I could live with that but then it felled a poplar near our sheds. I've called Fish and Wildlife and talked with a Warden what we could do. Basically, it's all on us to try putting wire fencing around trees it might like, poplar, birch, beech. Otherwise, we could hire a trapper or try to get it ourselves. I wondered if others are having a problem. Beavers come out after dusk but with the low water it has found ways to climb my bank. If you see branches or sticks with eaten bark, it's what this beaver or beavers have left behind. I've already taken one load to the stump dump. I'm not sure what we will do but I hope it doesn't keep moving up the property to fell more trees.

Photos from Sue show the beavers' work. 

 Beavers have chosen that area before - there must be something special about the saplings along that little brook. It's difficult to know why they cut certain trees and not others, but I'm sure there is a reason. They are clever critters. Understandably, during droughts beavers become stressed. They are in danger of losing their habitat, so they are inclined to build more dams and cut more tender young trees to store for food to prepare for winter. There was a time when there were very few beavers left in Vermont - they were trapped in the very early settlement days because their pelts were valuable for men's hats - the fine stovepipe style worn by many gentlemen in Europe. Once the beavers were gone, former watersheds went dry and the natural ecology suffered. We now have them back, and it's a balancing act to protect our property such as prize trees or our land along a brook they decide to dam, while letting them do what comes naturally to them for their survival - and the survival of wetlands, in many instances. 

The best solution is probably to get out some wire and wrap the trees that are precious on your property - and maybe they will carry off some of the brush if it is left in place. If they don't, it will provide habitat for other wildlife this winter and you can assess the situation again in the spring. Sue - good luck!

Just a quick note on our weather - last night the temperature dropped to 34 degrees at my house, and I believer it is expected to go below that tonight. I have all my plants inside except some geraniums and straggly petunias that were in hanging pots. I've covered them, and if the forecast is correct, we may get warmer weather after this weekend. But it's time to think about buttoning up for winter! 

 

Shuffling Along

I'm moving at a very reduced pace these days since taking a header last Saturday and twisting my knee. I'm still waiting to see an orthopedist, no available appointments until next week. I hope I'll be much better by then and maybe won't need to keep the appointment. However, right now, I'm pretty sure I'm never going to heal! It hurts if I move it wrong - and getting comfortable at night is really difficult. I like to curl up on my side to sleep. I may have to resort to sleeping in my recliner - I have great naps there, so why not just camp there for the night! I'll figure it out, but in the meantime, I love to complain to anyone who will listen. I'm not a happy camper being sidelined like this.

I do love this nice weather, but I'm thinking it's time to bring my house plants inside - the nights are going to get into the 30s and 40s very soon, so I am hoping to get that done perhaps tomorrow. All three boys will be working at camp in the morning, and with luck I can persuade one of them to take a few minutes to haul those heavy plants inside for me.I think I've successfully bribed Bill to do it - promising him an egg salad sandwich for lunch.

I read in the Caledonian Record that a former Joe-s Pond resident, Betty Chase, passed away recently. Some of you will remember that Betty once owned the Joe's Pond Country Store in West Danville. That was probably in the 1980s or early 1990s - hard to remember exactly when. It was before either Ned and Marcia Moran or Jeff Downs owned it. I can't remember if Betty owned it before or after Dick and Terry Larrabee, but I believe she came after them. That building was a country store for many, many years, going back to when Mary Rodgers owned it and her husband, Earl, had a garage in the north end. They lived upstairs - their businesses provided important services in  West Danville back in the day. I found these two photos of that building in my files, the top one was taken probably in the mid-1900s and is from a collection at the Danville Historical Society; the second one was taken about 2013, I think. That building (where Nacho Mama cafe is) certainly looks a lot different today!

My knee says I'm about at my limit sitting at my desktop computer. I need to get it up and a little rested before I begin putting supper together. So, enjoy tomorrow's unusually warm weather- another day like today, according to the forecast. This long, warm, dry stretch has been nice, but we so need some rain! A good steady rain for two or three days or more would help. That said, I know we must be careful what we wish for. I'm presently writing for the Cabot Chronicle about the Molly's Falls Dam in the community of Petersville (an archaic name for a group of farms, homes, and a mill site on the lower Molly's Brook, near the Marshfield town line),  and the new dam that had not yet completely filled to capacity when the 1927 rains came in November, resulting in one of Vermont's worst floods.The new power plant was the only one able to produce power in the area and kept electricity flowing to the hospitals in Barre and Montpelier. By the way, if you aren't a Cabot resident and would like to subscribe to the Cabot Chronicle for $20/yr., contact Jeannie Johnson, editor. You'll enjoy lots of Cabot news and find it is a great place to locate businesses and services in our area. Stay healthy, happy, and upright!

 

 

An Oops! in My Life

My sons couldn't help themselves, they had to photograph Mom when she was at her worst. Saturday I was getting ready to start a sewing project at the sewing machine in my basement and after putting something away, I turned too quickly, caught my foot on something or stumbled - not sure what I did - and went down. I landed on concrete, but it wasn't a particularly hard fall, so fortunately I didn't break anything. However, I twisted my knee and boy, did it hurt!!! I fumbled my phone and left messages for my kids, and then realized that my knee was pretty painful and probably I needed more than an assist to get up. I called 9-1-1. The ambulance crew arrived in about 15 minutes and by the time they got me ready to load on the ambulance, all my kids arrived in time to help and see me off. Marie and Theresa followed me to the hospital, but not before Bob got this photo. Of course, they had me laughing so it looks like I'm way happier than I really was. My leg didn't (and sill doesn't) hurt as long as it was supported and straight out - so no big emergency. After X-rays at Central Vermont (NVRH is being refurbished and they are only accepting "real" emergencies) the doctor said it was probably a torn ligament or something else, gave me instructions and made a referral to an orthopedist in St. J. The girls brought me home with a support cast and I'll see an orthopedist in St. J. whenever I can get an appointment. In the meantime, I'm getting around with a walker, doing fine, and it's mostly just an inconvenience with only a little pain if I move wrong or if I stand or go without having it elevated for long. Therefore,I'm spending lots of time in my recliner, and having fun answering emails and texting with friends and family and not feeling guilty! So that's it for now.

I've been urged to share the above picture that middle son, Bob, took! My first ride in an ambulance. I have high praise for the three young women who came on the ambulance. That is Veronica standing beside me and Jean with her back to the camera. The "other Veronica" at the far right was the driver. All of them were kind, efficient, and knew their stuff.They are good at their jobs! 

  

"Tis The Season!

Cabot Church Harvest Supper  

Saturday, Sept. 13,  5 pm - 6:60 pm.  

Dine in or take out, by Donation. 

 Ham, Red Flannel Hash, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Rolls, Desert. 

Cabot United Church 

 To support the church fuel fund. 

Deliveries happily made to shut-ins - call 802-793-6486.

 

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We had some interesting photos donated to the Cabot Historical Society recently. They are of the construction of the Molly's Falls Dam, or Reservoir, as it is sometimes called. It's also sometimes mistakenly called "Marshfield" dam - not in Marshfield - entirely in Cabot, but very close to the Marshfield line. Unfortunately, the photos we were given have no information with them. I will be trying to put together as much as possible, but these are from the time the homes in that valley were purchased by the power company, to when the first steam shovel dug into the earth, and on to the final connection of the big wooden penstock to the power plant on the Winooski River far below on what is now Route 215. We will be looking for someone who may have some knowledge of what these photos are. The dam was built in 1926 and 27 - and was just beginning to fill with water in November when the 1927 flood hit our area. The power plant was the only plant that wasn't damaged. It supplied power for hospitals in Barre and Montpelier throughout that crisis. The operator was unable to leave the plant because of the swift water all around it, and had no telephone, so wasn't aware that he was being a real hero by staying at his post and keeping the power plant operating.

 

It's chilly tonight - time to think about bromgomg in my tender plants. The closer we get to the first of October, the closer frost is. I thought we were going to have frost Monday night, but it didn't get that low. Next Friday there is a cold front coming at us again, and while we may actually get some rain from it, it may also bring us to the freezing point. I will probably bring things in tomorrow. It was a beautiful day today, and I think there will be many more nice days like that, but nights are getting cooler and my plants don't like those low 40s and high 30s nights. It seems like it's been a very short summer. 

 

Stay warm and enjoy the late summer sunshine! 

 

 

 

Catching Up!

Time slips by so quickly! There are a few things I have neglected to tell you about this past week, so today I'm going to try to catch up - and I hope I remember everything I want to include.

First of all, my apologies to Susan Bouchard for not getting this really fun, short video, produced by her son, Scott, on the blog sooner. It is of the artists who engaged in the Paint & Sip Party that Susan and her family put on to support our Milfoil Eradication efforts. The afternoon was a huge success and not only did they raise a nice sum of money, everyone had a great time, so many thanks to the Bouchard family. I'm sure you will enjoy Scott's video - and a special thanks to him for doing that.

As some of you know, the application of ProcellaCor herbicide to the areas in our pont that were found to be infested with Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM), happened on August 13th. It went exceptionally well. The weather cooperated, as did residents around the pond who stayed off and out of the water as directed. The EMW team was able to apply the herbicide where it was needed with no hiccups. Several days later, the divers and snorkelers on our JPA team spent hours searching those treated areas and according to a report by team coordinator Barry Cahoon, JPA Water Quality Director, nearly 100% on the areas treated directly showed no sign of EWM. Other native aquatic plants were showing no signs of damage, and fish were happily swimming where they couldn't before the treatment. This is a huge step forward in controlling this very invasive, fast growing weed, but Barry cautions that there will no doubt be other outbreaks in the future, so we need to remain vigilant. He also advises that we should not operate watercraft of any type in shallow areas either where EWM has been or where it is likely to be present, as it is still the growing season for EWM and small bits of the weed could be dislodged and quickly infest other areas. The team will continue to monitor some spots at least until the weather and water cool to uncomfortable temperatures. You will find videos on the JPA website of the complete EWM saga, from when it was first discovered late last summer through the steps taken to control (or perhaps eliminate) it. Our JPA has been proactive in this emergency and we are grateful for the support of our whold community. People not associated with JPA have pitched in to assist in whatever way they can. We thank those volunteers and everyone in JPA for their dedication and support of this cause.

One more important bit of information - we finally got some rain this weekend. Saturday brought us a nice, gentle, steady rain! We haven't had a soaking rain since back in July. The whole month of August I recorded less than one inch. The actual count was .85 in. We've had a total of 1.09 in. since the beginning of September, and that is encouraging. However, ponds and streams are nearly dry and there was absolutely no runoff from the rain we got Saturday - it immediately soaked into the ground, and that is so needed and good.

Son Bob and I did our monthly "First Thursday" lunch on Friday this month as he couldn't do it on Thursday. We went to Barton to Nick's Snack Shack. We'd never even known it was there, but it rates as a "find" for us. Great little place with good service, great food, and a perfect spot for lunch. They have a large back yard with picnic tables and benches, but also very nice space inside. Bob had whole-belly clams that were very good - I know, because I snitched one or two! - with fries and slaw. I had a really good fish sandwich - nice slab of fish perfectly cooked, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on a bun with chips. It was really good.There is a bar, and a cooler full of soft drinks - so we made Arnold Palmers. 

We came home through Irasburg and East Craftsbury, which is a beautiful drive, and took Route 16 to Hardwick. We could have turned at Craftsbury and come out in Greensboro, but opted for the Hardwick route. Everywhere we went there was a very obvious lack of water in ponds and streams. We need more rain, for sure. Oh, yes, we took a selfie in front of Nick's - we have the technique down now - Bob holds the phone and I press the button to take the picture - a bit goofy, but we have fun. I don't know how people navigate to take selfies with one hand - my fingers don't work that well! We try to remember to get a picture in front of the signs of the places we go for lunch - that started a while back, but sometimes we forget as we're leaving, so Friday we took the photo before we went inside. It was a really nice day and lots of fun interacting with the servers at Nick's. Very nice young women who did a great job. 

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead - full of fun and pleasant surprises.