still resting

*thank you Liz*

Dear friends and family,

We are more than 48 hours out from Batman's surgery and so I thought I'd give you a brief update.

He's been up and about a few times, and this morning I caught him watching The Squawk Box on TV for details on the market. Sheesh. I made him hand over the remote.

He's resting a lot, and still a bit weary from the anesthesia and pain meds. All the snow has slowed everybody down around here, and it's been great weather for napping. Crossed fingers...still no trace of vertigo!

Gretta has been a cheering presence and Hannah will join us for dinner tonight. Stewart and Lindsey have checked in from afar.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts.

We remain blessed by your care,
Karen

recovery

Today we were reminded of the power of love.

Batman, Gretta and I were lifted up 

by the thoughts, prayers and TLC showered upon us

by friends and family both near and far.

It was comforting, reassuring and wonderful.

For about 25 years Batman has been haunted by

Meneire's Disease, a degenerative disease that

eats away at the function of the inner ear.

Meneire's has flitted in and out of his life, often striking

just when we had been lulled into a false sense of security.

The last nine months have been especially difficult, 

with the symptoms of vertigo

literally stopping him in his tracks again and again.

This morning we went to Yale New Haven Hospital 

and he had an endolymphatic shunt implanted in his inner ear.

A fabulous surgeon, an amazing hospital 

and blessedly good health insurance

have given him a second chance

at a better quality of life.

Time will tell if that second chance will "take"

(it's a 2 out of 3 proposition).

In the meantime, Batman is resting.

We are all resting...

from the labor that we have so doggedly undertaken of late,

and from the worry that has distracted us.

Peace and quiet.

That's a prescription I like.

xo

a birthday and a special request

(no goats, so we settled for a cow)

Happy Birthday #22

Margretta Elaine!

Ten things I love...

1. The way you say, "Marmie, use your big girl words" when I get exasperated and befuddled.
2. Listening to you playing your guitar and singing (even though your door is closed).
3. Your support and help as we push our way through the never-ending "to do" lists.
4. Trying new recipes and puttering in the kitchen with you.
5. Rockin' out to tunes in the CRV, so I don't get old.
6. The way you and Batman share a sense of humor (?).
7. Your constant effort to lure Henry into your good graces. Patience, Grasshopper.
8. The stories you tell about the little kids when you get home from substitute teaching.
9. Your inner light. It amazes me.
10. Your obsession with goats. I made you an Etsy treasury. xo

And the request, dear readers? Batman will undergo some surgery tomorrow and we need your good thoughts and prayers. He will be OK, it's just going to be a little scary. We'll fill you in tomorrow. Many thanks, friends. xo

devoted

a companion, i think, is someone who 

stays by your side through thick and thin.

no questions, no judgement.

i have many companions,

but henry is one of the very best.

buckets of truth

One may go 

a long way

after one is tired.

-French proverb

chasing february out the door

boosting the immune system while embracing citrus season.

march will require fortitude.

checking on the snow melt.

batman, an amateur astronomer, 

says that according to the meteorological seasons

march 1 is the first day of spring.

spring is his favorite season.

working on our march calendar,

with henry's help.

do you think march will come in like a lion or a lamb?

catching up with an old friend

He's missing an eye and his right side seam is frayed,

but my heart skipped a beat when I found him in a box.

This vintage Steiff  hand puppet was 

a dear friend of mine many (50?) years ago. 

Well loved, he will find his way to our

bit of earth, you can be sure.

Have you re-discovered any treasures recently?