Small graduation.....

Today was therapy day..... I had missed the last two sessions ... One due to a dizzy spell and the other due to a blizzard.  So it kind of makes you wonder if there was a little slipping.....not doing quite as well because of those misses.    But not to worry.   I had  Jeremy today.   He is the "head  honcho" and it seems that every so often he has to evaluate how things are going. He was real happy with everything that I could do.  He gave me some new exercises to strengthen my leg muscles.   They are the problem .... not the break anymore.   That has totally healed.  It's those muscles that were stretched and pulled and who knows what all else.     And my graduation?????  I only have to go to therapy once a week from now on.    They know I'm serious about my exercises --- so they will just use their time with me to check how things are going.   YEAH!!!!

Gary is outside in the workshop building a crate for Toby.   We are going to take him to Rapid City on the 19th for surgery.    Gary decided  - after watching Toby struggle in a snow bank -- that if his other leg went bad there was no hope for Toby.   But if we can make his one leg good....then if the other goes --- he will just have to be a three legged dog (still 4 legs - just one not working good).....   I think we could keep him very comfortable that way!!    Skip loves to play with Toby and for the most part Toby puts up with it.  But those puppy teeth are sharp!!!  and Toby lets him know every so often that it's quit'n time!

The reason for the crate --- is that Toby will have to be pretty stationary for a good 6 weeks.  Oh --- Poor Toby!!!  I feel so bad for him!!!   But if this works he will be so much better!!   We can take him out on a leash to go to the bathroom --- but no jumping and running and playing!!!

Anyway ----    So ---- Toby and I will heal together.   Thank goodness I am quite a ways ahead of him.    I hope that by spring I will be able to throw my cane away.   The walker is already a thing of the past!!!

Fishing has picked up some........ we will be eating lots of northern pike this coming year.  Not my favorite but not too bad if you can get those nasty bones out.

JDC was great again this week.   We read thru the story of Jonah.   The one girl knew the story and we had told the 2 boys that was their reading assignment.....but they forgot.   We had a real good discussion with the three of them.   It was good to be able to do just one group again.  And then we sang!!!  David sang his heart out.....Casey didn't really sing---but he did all the choosing.  And then the bonus....... two of the Officers (one was there for the whole lesson) were there singing along with us.   They share a "favorite song".... "Here I am to Worship" and "Jesus Lover of My Soul" (not the one in the church song books....but a different (better) one.)    It was GREAT!!!   Really a good evening.

No Red Winged Black Birds singing in the tops of the trees yet (I always figure spring is here when I hear their racket).  But it's on the way!!

God Bless!!
Gary and Barb

SKIP

I want to share a quite moment with "Skip".   He can be quite the rambunctious little guy.   Toby has had to nip him a couple of times.   He likes to grab the skin on Toby's flank.  His teeth are SHARP!!  Toby has let him know he doesn't care for some of his play.  He loves to follow Gary and Toby around and that's just what was wanted.....for him to learn from Toby.

Toby has his hip problem but still loves to run and be involved.  We hope that will continue for a time!    Anyway ---- here's the "quiet moment".

My legs were all wet when we were done....he had been in the water and the melting snow.  And yes you see my cane along side me.    Today I can walk - side step - along the kitchen cupboard without hanging on.   That was one of the new exercises she wanted me to do......yesterday I had to keep my fingers on the cupboard -- today I don't.   PROGRESS!!!!  Love it!!

Gary is gone fishing ---- with 4 neighbors.  Hope it picks up.   We have several meals in the freezer....but nothing like other years.  Pan fish are the favorite....and then bass.  I will eat the pike but definitely not my favorite eating fish.  There are so many bones to watch out for....and they are hard to figure out how to fillet and leave the bones behind.

Anyway ---- enjoy the quiet moments in your lives!!!
Barb

Can't keep me in!!!!

Today was a beautiful day.......almost kind of warm.   We went to the Detention Center and visited with 4 young people.  I really wanted to get out to see our new puppy, Skip's, home with Toby.   So when we got home Gary went and got my 4 wheeler and said -- "here you go". 

Yes --- I was careful -- but it was great!!  Got to see where Skip spends his time in the chicken/dog coop.  It's pretty nice and they both have plenty of room. Gary drilled a couple of holes in the plywood that separates them so they can stick their noses through to each other.  Skip knows it's his spot and goes in willingly.  

After spending some time on the 4 wheeler we loaded up Toby and Skip and headed off to Don and Jeannie for a "show and tell".    Kind of scary --- didn't want Skip to jump out--- or get tossed out on a bump.   He sure looks like he's having a good time in their with his big buddy!

Hav'n Fun!!
Barb and Gary

New family member....... Skip

I saw an advertisement (on Valentine Swap and Shop) for Yellow Lab puppies - pure bred but no papers.  WOW!  The price was super good and we know the family.   It was Pastor Busenitz who has a church in Cody, NE -- but lives in Nenzel -- just 8 miles west of Kilgore.  So we quickly gave him a message on the facebook acct.   He answered right back.    He was going to be home in the afternoon so we would meet him at 3:00.

The roads were nice and clear when we headed to Nenzel ---- not so on the way home....   But we found their place and got there just a little ahead of Pastor Kurt.   The puppies were in the barn a little south of their home --- so he went running to get them.  "DON"T FALL ON THE SLIPPERY DRIVE!!!"  I didn't really yell that--but I sure thought it.   Pastor Kurt is a tall lean cowboy and he was really high stepping it.

Along came three 10 week old male puppies and their mama.  How do you pick from these cuties?!?!   (Mama had 9 puppies and now three left.)  I have tennis balls on the bottom of my walker so Gary said "give me one of your tennis balls."    He threw the ball into the group of three and the one that grabbed the tennis ball is the one we took home. 

Meet Skip.......

He shares the Dog House / Chicken Coop....with Toby and the Chickens....but has his own "room".  And he can get outside from his room and can see Toby -- so he seems pretty happy.    He was NOT a happy boy on the way home --- had to leave his two brothers and mama....he cried all the way home.  

Seeing as how he is already 10 weeks old --- Gary is thinking he should be ready to do some hunting this fall.   Dan T. -- who Gary hunts with Toby on Dan's big hunts --- came over this morning and thought Skip looked pretty good.   Gary is hoping Toby will have enough stamina to help with the training of this little guy.

Anyway --- that's the fun that is happening here.   No skunks this morning -- but did see some more tracks.

Gary and Barb

Attacked by a SKUNK!!!

I had physical therapy this morning and an eye doctor appt.   We got back home around 10:30 or so.  Gary and Dean decided to go fishing at the Parmelee Dam and Gary would pick up Dean at 1:00. 

We ate lunch and Gary said "good-bye".😚   It was a nice sunny day today.  I, of course, stayed home.

About 5:45 I got a phone call from Gary......."meet me at the door...........I want to know if you'll let me in the house.....I got attacked by a skunk!"    "WHAT -- just now?!?"  "No before I ever left to go fishing."

Gary was out to the barn to load up and this skunk came running at him. He threw his new jug of anti-freeze at it.    It came at him again and he gave it a good kick--- sending the skunk flying.   The skunk went under our 4-wheeler trailer (which sits outside).  Gary rushed off to get his shotgun out of the shop.....just in time.   He certainly!!!!  didn't want the skunk inside the barn.   He thought he'd have to kick it again but he just hollered at it and  it went running off to the south of the shop......   Shot DEAD!!     That skunk HAD to be RABID!!!

And then without telling me anything about it --- he went fishing. !!  Dean even got in the truck and rode with him to the Dam.   He really didn't get sprayed.....but he DID stink.  We are soaking his coat and bibs in white vinegar.....didn't have any tomato juice....  His boots stink the worse and they are brand new!!!!   AUGH!

I let him in the house......what else could I do --- it's COLD OUT.   We are burning candles in the back entry.  Not sure if our noses are just used to it....or if it isn't too bad in here.  His boots are outside!!!  They might not get in for a while!!!

I don't know for sure which is worse---- a rattlesnake attack -- or a rabid skunk attack!!  Thank goodness God was watching over him both times!!!

Gary and Barb

Juvenile Detention Center..... and more healing..... and Release Time

First off....... the report from the surgeon on Tuesday was all good.  There is new bone growth --- wow - at my age...didn't know that would happen 😀.   "Don't go outside without your walker -- as long as there is snow and ice."    No problem - I wouldn't think of it.   Therapy in Valentine has graduated me to "practicing with a cane - inside only".  That goes good --- but seems to bring on a bit  more fear on my part.    I should practice driving a little - where there are no other people for me to crash into.  I suppose my reaction time with that right leg will be way slowed down.   My only thought would possibly be to drive myself to Bible Study.......   Anyway ---- healing is going great.   A few new exercises have made me ache a little more ....but again--- no pain .... no gain.  So I thank you VERY MUCH for all the prayers......and you may keep them coming!!

AH! JDC - Juvenile Detention Center. 

Laura Patton did the lesson this past week.  There are about 6 kids in detention right now....but joe can't have contact with bill and sue can't have contact with sam and sam can't have contact with joe ....you get the idea...........   So we did the lesson 3 times Wednesday.   First - one girl (the other one wanted to stay back to watch tv)....then 2 boys and then thinking we were finished we packed up and stood out at the door.....but here came one more boy -- so back we went.  It really was great.    Laura had a question.....  "Who is Jesus? or What do you know about Jesus?"   Each time the kids that were there had at least one thought.   And then the rest of  us gave our thoughts....... Healer, Almighty God, Savior, All knowing, Friend, Everywhere present, The Way, The Truth, The Life, Good, Everlasting, Faithful, Forgiver, and so on.     After the listing, Laura had several verses to look up describing these very attributes.     She then went on to ask "who is Jesus to you" (from this list....and the young person could pick out at least one) ..... and then she told them that Jesus can be all these things to each one of us.      We went home rejoicing in the lesson and the kids responses.  We pray for God's Spirit to work in their hearts.

Pastor Mark even used this same thing this morning in church and he got responses from the congregation.    Good stuff!!

We ask for prayers for Release Time.   The older kids have gotten very disrespectful and almost defiant..... so they have to miss a week and then we will see who is willing to change their actions.....  A couple of them might not get to come back at all.      We want to do what is right -- but it can't go on in the direction the kids are taking it!!

Gary has gotten in some ice fishing with one of our church members / neighbors.   However, the fishing has been ROTTEN!!!!  I guess it's good to be outdoors and with other people.   Deans wife fell on the ice a couple of years ago and really injured her shoulder so she has the fear in her and then I, of course, won't be out for at least this year.   So these 2 guys are thankful for each other even if the fishing is no good.     Gary took home a good mess of bluegill one time --- but rather small------ he was really disgusted with himself when he had to clean all of them by himself.  He said "won't do that again."  But they taste so good!!!

We grieve in the passing of Harlene Lubbers......such a wonderful sweet woman!!   She wrote us letters of encouragement and also had written letters to a young Native American gal for years.  Harlene will be missed greatly!!

God Bless!!     Gary and Barb

Recovery / Healing is going pretty good.

It has been a month since I fell and had hip surgery......  I go to Valentine 2 times a week for therapy and do those same exercises 2 times a day at home.  My muscles are the problem.   Therapy people and others have told me that - "yes /no it wasn't really and 'air hammer' ...but close to it that drove those rods into my bones.  They have a more technical term for the tools......    YEAH!!  So my muscles are in rebellion for what happened to them too .....being pulled apart and ??what else!!    Some are working better than others....but I have to strengthen all of them.   So as it goes ....."no pain - no gain". 

Gary has been great.  Not only encouraging me with my exercises......."don't help that leg onto the bed...make it do it by itself".    He heard that at therapy and repeated it to me the following day.   I haven't helped that leg since!!!😬  There are a couple of exercises that amaze me --- that I can now lift my "bad" leg up off the bed - straight up.....WOW!!  In North Platte they wanted me to do it and there was NO WAY....it just wouldn't work.  Now I have to work on the one that is  laying on my left (good) side with a pillow between my legs and go straight up.  OUCH!!!  I can only lift it a couple of inches and boy does it hurt.    So therapist said "don't do it.......we'll work on strengthening those muscles more first."   PHEW! 

I went to JDC on Wednesday evening.  We had 2 girls and then 2 boys.  The boys left today....so we won't have them again but the girls will be there for a month.  Nice kids --- with good questions and very attentive and responsive.  It was a fun night.....even did a little singing.  I have to get my fingers toughened back up but we only did a couple of songs.

I also went into the grocery store today......when you are in town 2 times a week grocery shopping doesn't have to take very long.  It just happens more often.  Gary is willing to do the shopping but when he tells me how he went looking for peanut butter and made 2 trips around the store....I feel bad. He did ask "where's the peanut butter" finally.  It's good for him.....but I need the walking too.

I have an appointment in North Platte with the surgeon on Tuesday.....so wondering what he will have to say....And will he take x-rays to see how the bones have healed??

Snowy right now and VERY cold out.  So I guess I wouldn't be going outside to play anyway!!!  Might as well enjoy and hope that cabin fever doesn't work it's work!!

And so --- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE PRAYERS!!!  Prayer is most important as God is the Great Physician!!  And His hands are the best to be held with!!!


Gary and Barb