What a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I have been cooped up in this house for too long, and today I wanted out. David was very kind and took me on an outing. I really think he wanted to get out of the house too!

When we started our outing we had no intention of going to Smithville, although our original thought was to go to Kay Furniture and look for living room furniture. But I was tired after getting ready and my knees hurt and I didn't think I would be able to walk around the furniture store so we were going to just take a drive. When David asked where we should go, I decided that I really did want to go to the furniture store and that was where we headed. I never guessed I was in for a treat. Our first stop was for food. It has been quite a while since I have been to McDonald's, and David surprised me with a stop at the one in Smithville, MO. My McDouble cheeseburger was good and filling, but for some reason it didn't sit very well in my stomach. I guess I have become spoiled with David's good cooking!

After McDonald's we made our way the few blocks to Kay Furniture. It was fun to walk around and try out the sofas. It was a rude awakening to find out how uncomfortable my furniture at home really is. The sofas I sat on had so much support and I could actually get up without too much pain. I have to get one soon or my knees are going to take a long time to heal.

We decided to go to Smithville Lake while we were in the area to see if the road was open. It was very pretty and quiet. No people, no cars, just nature.

I love the winding drive leading up the dock area and the Castaways Restaurant, one of our favorite places to go in the summer.

I can understand why everything is closed. It is hazardous to get to your boat, and where could you possibly go?

The only living thing we saw out there were some ducks huddling around a part of the dock area that still had open water.

All in all, it was a very satisfactory day and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thanks David!!!!

The Eagles Have Landed

Every year in December, Bald Eagles come to Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge to feed. This year is no exception. The most recent count shows 58 eagles on hand at the refuge. I have never seen an eagle in real life, just in photos, and I wasn't anticipating seeing any this trip. Things  like that just don't happen for me. But, I had a happy surprise. I saw quite a few, male and female. It was very exciting and I want to go back next week. We were able to get quite a few shots of this handsome guy. I think he is very regal!

It was truly a day for the birds, or should I say geese. Over 100,000 geese and mallard ducks will make an appearance.

We were fortunate to see a splendid cardinal and at least 5 pheasant that flew across the road in front of us, too quickly to get a photo. They are splendid fowl with beautiful plumage.

Squaw Creek is a very peaceful place, very relaxing. I could go back and will go back as often as possible.

It was around 29〫but felt much colder. I actually felt colder at Squaw Creek than I did in the Grand Tetons in October. Parts of the water area are already skimmed with ice. Rather a surreal setting, but beautiful. We left before they closed the gates and headed home. I do hope we can go back next week and maybe get more photos of the eagles.

First Snow of the Season

I had trouble sleeping this morning and, after tossing and turning for an hour, I finally got up. Imagine my surprise when I looked outside and saw snow! The first snow of the season! It's not deep and won't be here long, but it's still pretty! Snow always makes a scene look like it has been
freshly painted.

I'll be glad when I can get outside and take better photos!


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Winter is here

I don't care what the calendar says, winter is here. We have sleet! So much for going out today.





If it stops soon, we can still go to Costco or Sam's and do some of our shopping. We like to go to Costco and we were thinking about visiting the one by the Plaza. I just have to be careful because of my knee.

Sleet, sleet, go away
Come again some other day




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Benjamin Button

David and I just watched "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". I
thought it was very good and sad. David liked it except for the length
and one other thing, for some reason he thought that Benjamin should
show up at the hospital before Daisy dies and should be this big man
with a Gerber baby head. Hilarious. Can you imagine this big man with
a smiling baby's face and a curl on top of his head. You have to say
one thing for David.....he has a wicked sense of humor!!

Fall is Here.....

The leaves have almost all fallen and I've missed it.

Yesterday, I went to the doctor's office to have the staples removed from my knee, and after two weeks at home without going outside, it felt really strange to be out in the open. Now, I can understand why some of the elderly in nursing homes will not go outside. There is an immenceness to the great outdoors that you get used to in everyday life, but after confinement, it can feel intimidating.

It is a beautiful day and I have nowhere to go! The therapist will be here soon and after that, I won't want to go anywhere but the sofa, which brings up another subject.

Why have David and I waited so long to buy new furniture? This sofa is at least 20 years old, it has no support, and it has lost it's plumpness! In short, I'm embarrassed to have anyone see it. One of the first things I will do when I get back on my feet is get some new furniture!

11th Day

It's the 11th day of my recovery and today I feel strange, like I have
just awakened from a deep sleep. Since I still don't sleep well, why
do I feel this way? I miss my photography and editing sessions!! Now
I see all the missed opportunities. I have been so blind!

It is gloomy and rainy outside and rather cool in the house this
morning. David is up and was sweet to bring my coffee. That first cup
of coffee in the morning is always the most satisfying. It's when you
can taste the chocolate, or syrup sweetness of the coffee on your
tongue. The best. I try to always have my first cup with real cream,
half and half is all right for later, but that first cup needs the
finest accompaniment....real cream.

I left my bed this morning feeling achy and not quite stable on my
feet. Thank goodness for my walker. I made coffee and opened my
computer, checked my email, facebook.....all those things I normally
do first thing in the morning, but then, I suddenly realized I didn't
know what I was going to do next. I'm housebound for the next few
weeks and I had nothing to work on, nothing! I can't do all the chores
I used to try to find ways to avoid and I don't feel like doing much
of anything, knowing that physical therapy will start up pretty soon.
Generally, when I feel like this, I will get my computer and edit a
few photos, now it is difficult to do this because it hurts to have my
computer in my lap. I sure miss photography. I like to have photos,
lots of photos, but this time I have picked just one that pretty much
describes me...a little worn and needing repair! :)