Good News

Yes, good news. James is doing so well. It seems there is progress almost every day. 

Sunday Feb 4 Sarah texted with the question whether Papa can walk steps yet. The three steps up to their front door we were certain he could. We were invited to dinner. Of course it was so nice to see them all. Right now it is not that often. 

This was such a cute photo ... until Stella decided to jump off.

A few days later James complained that he can't do much to help me. Oh yes, you can!!!

And going shopping works most of the time too. Costco, Kroger and Target all have electric cards. Yeah!

In that week his PT teacher suggested he should buy a cain but NOT YET USE IT. We did and after the next session he was "allowed" to use his cain at home but NOT OUTSIDE YET. But he got a lot of steps inside the house. 

Saturday the 10th James was picked up for the monthly 9 am men's breakfast. I had asked 2 friends to help me at that time to prepare the fleece for the charity blankets the church women are going to make. 

Fencing with scissors? En-garde! 

Sunday the 11th was the day of a scheduled opera again. We had to hurry after church because we always like to go to the lecture before. Every season there is now a "modern" opera. Premiere of "Sanctuary Road" had been in 2022. We were told last year at a lecture that every opera, even "La Boheme", "Carmen" and the "Barber of Seville" were new and modern once. 

We had called the ticket office a few days before because we were worried about our season seats. They are very good but involve a lot of steps. No problem. We were changed to excellent seats without any steps and at the end of an aisle as well. We were surprised that we enjoyed this new opera very much. 

We had selected several years ago for our tickets to be on the matinee which was very good because it was also "Superball Sunday". Church members gathered after 6 pm to watch the game at a big screen. We could go for a little while too.

And then on Tuesday was the church's annual Pancake Supper (Fundraiser for the youth mission trip) because it was Shrove Tuesday of course ... with a hint of Mardi Gras. 

It seems to me that Ash Wednesday came so fast this year.

Permission to walk with the cain outside now too. On Thursday the sun made the cold less severe and James managed to walk around a whole block. Oh happy day!

When I mentioned to our friend Martha that I am worried that one of our kitchen cabinets is coming away from the wall she immidiately volunteered her son, who had hang cabinets professionally at one time, to take care of it. Jerry came with Christian two days later. This is the before photo I took when she had told me ... and I immidiately emptied it out. It had become much worse even after a handyman had attempted it once a year or two ago.

We were so impressed wth that young man. He was fast and efficient and assured me that the cabinet was now safe. As a bonus he showed me photos of his twin baby girls. So cute.

On Friday we tried out a recommended restaurant we had not been to before: "Brunches". It is only open for breakfast and lunch (hence the name). James had the Hibachi Bowl with chicken and rice and I had the same but with shrimp and noodles. We enjoyed it very much and the server was very nice. 

In the evening James climbed the steps to our loft for the first time since his accident. It's our winter evening place because heat rises. We were happy and comfy and even celebrated with a little bit of wine. 

Oh no, I didn't take a photo when I saw a bit of yellow peak out from underneath this planter. I was too eager to pull it over. Oh no, I had forgotten that there were hyacinth planted at that spot. The flower was already 3 inches long. Everything just yellow. But ... the power of nature.

Other news from our garden: The three newest camelias have just started to open their first blossoms. If it just wasn't so lousy cold. One can't stay there long enough to admire them.

 And that is it for now. A blessed lenten time to you all!