Several months ago (as in during the early spring) Bear re-injured his back. Bah; humbug. I don't think I said anything about that, because, well, I've been dealing with other things. Like getting stoned from the inside, for having too much gall (so to speak).
There were some plusses and minuses to the re-injury. Since I had trouble trundling around, I was able to sit at my desk with my computer, and spend lots of time writing and visiting through my blog to your blogs.
My back has healed sufficiently that I can get on with some other things. J and I spent about two hours this morning cooking various delightful items (poached salmon, anyone?), getting ready for a week-long visit by the cubs.
Destruction and Construction
See, their cave is being demolished and rebuilt. Well, only partly demolished. |
| This is the front of the house that was |
 |
| The back of the house that was. |
First, we see the house that was. (All photos by Tim Brown.)
Then we see the house that is.
 |
| Notice the cubs checking out the work. Not too close, you two! |
Finally, we see the house that will yet be!
Yes, I know it is still wrapped up, but give the guys a chance, eh?
See; some of the framing is already done, ready to be lifted into place.
BTW, Jeff from The Bipolar Diva is the honourary superintendent on the job. (You'll have to go over to her blog and learn about Jeff's very sad misadventure, and maybe offer some help.)
Back to the Challenge at Hand
So the cubs are coming over, and we are getting ready.Another part of my activity, now that my back is getting better is to walk. I've been doing 8, to 10, to 12 blocks a day. And yes, my back really does hurt when I walk. But we soldier on (Inger, please take note in your Desert Canyon). The good news — even a short sit-down rest leads to a major improvement, and on I go.
Tonight, however, I could only go half a block before my back completely gave out, and I practically had to crawl home. (Not fun!)
So, here I am at my computer, writing you a story, trying to distract myself for another half hour, when I can take some more medication. Extra strength Acetaminophen. (Tylenol, if that's what you understand.) And while I don't comment as often as I used to on other peoples' blogs, I am reading your blogs. I don't want to miss the great stories I find there!
More on the walking, later. More on the rebuilt house/den for the cubs, later.
Blessings and Bear hugs, folks.
Oh gosh I am sorry about the back problem and the gall stones must be painful as well.
ReplyDeleteI hate pain.. I wonder who likes it?
Actually, I think I'm allergic to pain, it's that bad.
DeletePerhaps the Marquis de Sade liked pain.
Blessings and Bear hugs.
So glad to hear from you and hoping that the back pain will cease and desist.
ReplyDeleteLove the "before" and "during" photos andook forward to upcoming ones.
So glad that you get to see the cubs, Bear.
Nothing warms the heart more.
The cubs are here as I write. One is busy reading; the other, watching a dvd. I'm sure their dad will be putting more pictures on Facebook. I'll share them when he does.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
So sorry about the back injury- I know the pain well. We are stacking hay here, and my back keeps seizing up. Keep walking..it really does help!
ReplyDeleteOuch! I cannot think of anything which would be worse for a back than stacking hay. Maybe time to move to a round bailer?
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
I was wondering where you kept yourself these days, but a messed up back is a good enough excuse to lie low for a while. I sometimes have back trouble, but with a bit of ibuprofen, I am okay in no time at all. I gather your problem is more severe than that. I have to exercise when my back causes me problems and walk a lot. I hope you are back to normal in the shortest amount of time, or even better than that if you wish.
ReplyDeleteI need t keep walking, like you, Irene. But sometimes the pain gets right down into my hip (sciatica), and then I can be additionally immobilized.But I keep moving as much as I can, and rest when I cannot move.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Oh My! I feel for you. Reluctant to be cliche, but it could be worse. Sending prayers for your back to be healed. Keep walking!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the house photos. It's always fun to see a rebuilding in progress. I know your offspring will be very happy in their new, expanded home. Adding a top level - wow!
Yes, Anita, it could be worse. I could have broken something and become paralysed. Now that is not a happy thought.
DeleteI'm sure there will be more pictures that I can share with you.
Blessings and Bear hugs.
Nothing is worse that hurting, and when it doesn't get better it can be very demoralizing, even for a gentle bear like yourself. Here's hoping it's on the mend. Have you been to the doctor about it? Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteHurting is not a lot of fun. It is something I can do without! Definitely.
DeleteI've been to the doctor already, and may have to go again. GGGRRRRRRRRRRR!!
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Crawling! It's what you bears do best! Seriously, I hope you are feeling like your old bear self soon ... I love remodels, construction .. the old/new home is going to be spectacular. Have fun with the cubs (thrilled to note they wear helmets while biking.)
ReplyDeleteCrawling? As in a pub crawl? Not this Bear! Being on all fours is for eating or for running (after dinner), not for crawling.
DeleteI'll keep you attuned to the house development.
And yes, the cubs' dad insists everyone wear a helmet when out bicycling. I do, too.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
I suffer from backitis. I'm supposed to get up and walk around the house every 30 minutes. I don't always do as I'm told.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Backitis is so "not fun!" You have my undying sympathy. So get up and walk regularly. That's what I have to do, even in this filing cabinet in which we live.
DeleteThis is a case of "do what you're told or you will suffer." And it is one case when I am only too eager to do what I'm told.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Having a bad back can be very debilitating. My husband, who has some chronic problems with foraminal narrowing, had disc surgery a couple of years ago. The one medication that helps him most during flare-ups is naproxen sodium (commercial name: Aleve). I hope you're back to the ten block prowls soon.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your husband's problems. Not fun at all. I hope he is closee to some permanent relief.
DeleteMy back is slowly improving. I was able to walk six blocks yesterday with no troubles. Bearing up fairly well at that, I think.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Remodeling? Well, that must be distracting and irritating while it's going on.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you soldier on for blocks and blocks to keep yourself in shape is most admirable. It will keep you mobile and engaged, and out of the house!
No wonder your mind is so acutely engaged!
This work is a major dread for son and dil. Now their ceiling is starting to fall in, for the work above it. One thing leads to the next. DIL is not amused about that little turn of events in her house! If it were mine, I would say GGGRRRRRRR!!
DeleteI will continue to soldier on, and that may make me a general, but not an admiral. Oh, sorry; admirable. Well, those words are close.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
This is the back you injured while on your bike, right? Oh, honey bear. At our age, we never bounce back, and even bouncing hurts. Monday, I just STOOD UP and yelped from the sudden, unrelenting pain in my foot. WHAT? No exercise was involved. Tomorrow we'll see if I broke it.
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest getting wrapped up in padding, but you'd get cut on the sharp edges.
Actually, I injured the back before I tried bike riding. Which proves I am a Bear of Very Little Brain.
DeleteI'm so sad about the fact you maybe broke your foot. You seem like me; an accident looking for a place to happen. Please take care! And let your studs look after you.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Wow a lot going on! Please take care of your back! Not fun!!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot going on. Glad that most of it is not where we live. Taking the cubs to give their parents a break is about the best we can do. I'm sure the addition will be delightful when it is finished.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
I am sorry you have had back trouble - I didn't know. And I know seeing the cubs will make you feel better.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to have the cubs here. But life with them is physically more demanding. Hence more painful, sometimes. But today has been a good day!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs.
Oh, that's too bad you've been having back problems. So sorry. But that's quite some construction going on. Fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteA bad back and fall stones. You really are having a rough spell. Hope you feel better soon.
DeleteThe fun stuff is why we have the cubs at our apartment; gets them out of the dust and noise of home.
DeleteBut the back is getting better. I walked six blocks today with no noticeable pain, That's good news!
Blessings and Bar hugs!
Oh Dear I understand this back thing My Hero has thrown his back out again and right in the middle of haying to boot leaving me with lots more to do:) I am happy your back is doing well but I see and know it does not take to much to remind you you have to be careful hence your use of Tylenol:) Take care and feel better. B
ReplyDeleteI feel so sorry for both you and your hero. HIs bad back means more pain for him and more work for you. That's not a good deal.
DeleteI keep trying to strengthen my bak by walking, and it is showing some sign of improvement. As long as I do not injure it again.
Blessings and bear hugs. And thanks.
Oh back problems. No joy in that. I guess I don't understand. If it your house that is under construction? Construction is a time when all things go out of whack and then add to a bad back. I would like to do a few things of remodeling to this old house but I also know what living with construction is like so I'll just improve the yard. Haha
ReplyDeleteDon't you go crawling down the street again. Manzi
No, Manzi, it's our son's place that is getting the work. That's why we have the cubs with us, to get them out of some of the noise, and dust, and falling ceiling.
ReplyDeleteWe took the grandkids to some children's theatre today. In the process, I walked six blocks with no significant problems until I got home. Making progress!
Blessings and Bear hugs.
Oh nos. I'm sorry about the back. That's beary bad. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with the cubs.
Can't wait to see the "after" photos.
Thanks for the sympathy. My back is actually getting better, as I keep walking.
DeleteCubs are having fun; so are their grandparents.
The "after" photos will take a while, but the project is coming along!
Blessings and Bear hugs!
The human back - the definitive proof that the theory of 'Intelligent Design' has no merit!
ReplyDeleteI think there are a lot of peculiar things about us. Our backs being only one of them (or is it "those"?). And here's my problem. Despite the apparent design flaws, how might we be able to do better? I would like the answer to that before I ask for my back transplant!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Having said taht I should also point out that there are few things so miserable as a crook back. Hope you mend soon.
ReplyDeleteHaving a hurt back is no fun. I seem to hurt my back *pull a muscle* about once a year and it takes almost a month for it to heal. Hope your back pain heals soon for you.
ReplyDeleteDark Thoughts Blog
So sorry to hear about your back! I know how painful it can be. Have you gone to a chiropractor before?
ReplyDeleteLike the butcher who backed into the meat grinder and got behind in his orders, I have some catching up to do on blog reading. Hope your back and other ailments are duly recovered from soon.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a new house going up on the old lot? Reminds me of the church group that decided to build a new edifice. The Board of Elders agreed to build the new church on the spot where the old one stood, using as much material from the old one as possible. They also agreed not to tear down the old church until the new one was finished. You may have been there?
just checking in to wish you well. I totally understand the variable blogging.hope your continuing to improve!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of the two cubs checking things out on their bikes - what a beautiful house that is becoming. How awful for you about your back, that must be incredibly painful, I'm so sorry. Good for you for getting out every day though healing bit by bit...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jodi. Because of the construction project, the Cubs are spending quit a bit more time here. Which is all right.
DeleteI'm going to post an update on the house, and on my health. That should come in a few days.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Well darn.. back pain and gall bladder pain should not be plaguing the bear. So sorry to hear that. And I feel for you also about enduring renovations. That's been my recent past with the home we're working on selling and my near future with the house we just bought. May it all be far less painful for you soon.
ReplyDeleteYour excuse is more-than-a-good-one, Bear. You should have told us about your back but since you did not all I can say is that I am glad it is getting better. The walking is good, keep it up even while the cubs visit. Their house is looking truly great; how exciting for them!
ReplyDeleteI noticed Misha's question above about a chiropractor. I swear that one last year did so much good for my neck. And acupuncture worked wonders for other ailments the year before. If you have not tried those treatments please consider!
That's weird, I was just reading something you wrote about classical gas and listening to the Youtube then - pow back to this one! Magic!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about magic, Jody, but I know the first rule is, "Thou shalt not bore thy readers." (You know that rule, too.) So I try to change things up a bit. Glad it seems to work.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!