Views: January, 2021

I've not felt like posting any blogs for a couple months, obviously. I've had some more-than-usual challenging months since September. And they caught up with me, so to speak. 

So, I thought I'd post some pics instead. I can now post pics directly from my iPhone which makes the process much less time consuming. 

A list of the added physical challenges (on top of my regular ones):

~Shin splint, right side. September. Lasted about 3 weeks. 

~Shingles in my head and ear and mouth, right side. Beginning of October thru mid-December.

~Plantar Fasciitis, right side. Started in September. Got bad in December. Ongoing.

~Weird upper back and breathing symptoms. Ongoing. Breathing trouble started back around October, 2019. I don't wheeze but have to gasp for air, like I'm short of oxygen, though I'm not. Thought it might be anxiety, so started back on Paxil. But that didn't clear it up sufficiently, so I dropped the Paxil after about 4 months. Upper back issues started in May, 2020 -- pain when I breathe in. Feels like pleurisy (which I used to get in my lung-disease days), but it's not. Had debilitating spasms two different days, one in May and one in November. I got a full heart work up and lung x-rays in May and a Covid test, so those don't appear to be the issues. Good news is that in January (finally) the chiropractor may have identified the issue which is probably associated with my scoliosis and muscle scrunch (my term). I am getting relief with adjustments and specific stretches. 

That on top of my polyradiculitis and all its associated stuff... Well... It just gets downright hard. 

I received my 33rd epidural yesterday. Hopefully by Thursday or Friday the good relief will arrive. I can use the break.

All that said, when I've been able, I get out of the house. Driving country roads is one of my best therapies. Sir Edward the Explorer provides me such a comfortable ride. It's something I can do without a lot of physical effort. I'm not having to carry my body weight nor do I have to do many small-muscle movements. It's similar when I ride a bike. What takes the most effort are smaller motor skills: clothing myself, packing to go, putting on the seatbelt, getting in and out or on and off, etc.

Music often fills my ears and heart. Sometimes I choose the quiet and sounds of nature. 

So, here's some pics from January. Each picture has a story, of course. Good memories for the bank. I call them to remembrance when times get tough and tougher. 

I hope to later post some February pics. 

All pics are taken with my iPhone SE, except for the one by Josh which he texted me. He probably has an iPhone 11 or higher. 

1/16/21 ~ Linn Cove Viaduct ~ Pic by Josh

1/19/21 ~ Salem Lake ~ Bleu leans

1/22/21 ~ Mt. Airy ~ Hello Selfie

Carol's Tilt & Whirl Corner

1/26/21 ~ Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) ~ The Saddle Shelter

1/26/21 ~ The Saddle, BRP ~ Night orb bids hello

1/26/21 ~ The Saddle, BRP ~ Day orb bids farewell