Tuesday Trip

Last Tuesday we took off on an adventure.  The leaves were at the height of their Fall color.

We made many stops along the way.

This public access to a small lake was a perfect place to stretch our legs..Chance is a good traveler…but we all need to get out of the car!  We stopped at a few Antique Shops, and visited a few places that are total blog fodder.

Our destination is clear..

Follow the yellow brick road..follow the yellow brick road..no we are not in Kansas..we are in Grand Rapids, Minnesota the birth place of Judy Garland.  There is a museum there ..but it is only open on weekends in the winter..and they think winter starts right after Labor Day.  I wanted to see the Ruby Slippers..then I heard that they were stolen back in 2005. We will have to go back again..on a weekend. They must have some other fine memorabilia there.  I did see a pair of ruby slippers in one of the Antique Shops..unfortunately I hardly ever take my camera into Antique Shops.

This time we were there to see two special ladies. The first one was Far Guy’s Cousin,  we had a lovely visit with her..Chance played ball and pooped in her front yard. We found out later that the next door neighbor has hand raised two baby skunks that have been known to spray dogs..luckily we did not see them. Her dogs Curley and Macy have both been sprayed.  She reported that both times a diluted bleach water worked the best to remove the worst of the offensive odor.

In the evening we headed to the Library, to meet the second special lady.  Chance was walked once again..before we headed to the book club talk where Laurie of Three Dog Blog and the Author of News To Me Adventures of an Accidental Journalist was being featured.   It was a pleasure to meet Laurie and have her sign my copy of her book.  Her interview was awesome, just like Laurie!  If I had not already read and reviewed her book..I would have bought it.  Far Guy enjoyed Laurie’s stories too! 

Laurie is on the right, she was interviewed by a local Grand Rapids Gal that had a local radio show about books.  Anyway..both of these gals who said they were both “shy” were very entertaining!  Far Guy said “They both have a way with words.”  It was a very casual gathering..with cookies and hot apple cider served.  We were welcomed by several people..it seemed to be a real friendly group of people…they had on their Minnesota Nice!  This was a lovely way to end our adventure and head back home:)

Creatures of Habit

I knew it was too good to be true, this morning we woke to some of that nasty white crap in the air again.  Good thing I didn't put my parka away.  The ground is getting white, Chance didn't stay outside very long.  He retreated to the bathroom to sleep, and deposit all the sand that was locked into his fur from his early morning romp. He has no job until Far Guy gets up. That is when his day really begins.  They have to play ball and play chase me games, they might run errands or walk to the mail box or take the garbage to the dumpster, then the dog will want Far Guy to lay down and rest.  When the Fire Department Pager test goes off at 6PM it signals that someone should be cooking some supper. Talk about habits, the dog practically wears a watch.   If Chance needs to rest during the day, he takes up his post right in front of the door.  There is no sneaking out without him.

He has become a creature of habit just like his master.   When Far Guy gets up, he gives the dog a milk bone biscuit.  ( Dogs that only eat once a day are more prone to twisted stomachs..and this is one way to prevent it.) Far Guy read that once..and since then Chance gets his treat every morning.  Far Guy starts his coffee, then he heads for the bathroom..after that the coffee is ready.. and he sits down at his computer to read the morning news and to really wake up.. he yawns repeatedly.  Then the dog lays his head in his lap which is a signal that he needs to go out.  When he is done outside, he paws on the dining room window, he can see inside. so he knows when you are headed for the steps to let him in.  He then waits patiently for Far Guy to make peanut butter toast and cereal.  Chance gets some crusts that have been dredged through the peanut butter, some mornings he drools so heavily on Far Guys leg that clean up involves a towel.

I prefer to watch my news rather than read it, and in my waking up stages I will watch CNN or the Today Show or BBC News..if I am up really early I will watch Imus in the morning.  I usually have plain toast, and share crusts with Chance too..but I usually make him work for them.  He doesn't like to be petted on the head while waiting for toast...so naturally I must pet him in between his crusts. It was a war of the wills when I discovered that petting him while he was focused irritated him and he would back away.  He wanted the toast crusts but on HIS terms. He did not get them. He had to allow me to pet him in-between, he was quite stubborn about it all. When push came to shove, he wanted the toast!

Yesterday I worked in the yard. I was on poop patrol. I cleaned it all up. Now the next time it rains..the grass can be really clean.   Chance and I had the usual spring "poop in the woods" talk..he gets a little lax during the winter..and just goes where the snow is removed.  He can go back into the woods again.  I hate walking through the yard and seeing dog poop..it is unsightly and unsanitary.   I informed Far Guy that he should also have a "poop talk" with Chance guy to guy.  If you have a dog or dogs ..now is the time to go on poop patrol..unless of course you brave the cold winter weather to clean up after your dog everyday.  Cleaning up after your dog is just one of those things you do because you are a responsible pet owner:)

Medical Updates

Seems like all we do for entertainment is sit in waiting rooms, lounging around waiting for our name to be called. What with my eyes and my shoulder..and then the regular appointments.

What more could you need in a local waiting room?  A clock, a cash machine and a computer. 


Far Guy has to see the Neurologist every three months...yesterday was the day. We really like Dr. P. he is genuine, or the real deal. For those of you that may not know Far Guy has Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia..a rare disorder that causes him pain on a daily basis. He was diagnosed on December 25, 2007.

A water feature in the Clinic ninety miles away. 

I cannot stress enough that anyone with this disorder find a Neurologist that you can work with. Our Neurologist is kind, I cannot imagine that he would not return a phone call or leave us dangling and waiting for the phone to ring for days like previous so called medical professionals. He knows how to count pills..you need many meds if you have TN. Sometimes in different dosages. Through teamwork.. we are achieving a better quality of life for Far Guy. No it is not perfect..what would be perfect ? I am not sure. There are little things that we can do. The monster known as TN has a mind of it's own. Pills..take them on time..I am a real bitch about this..some days he forgets..one day he forgot his meds all day long. I saw red. I dropped the ball.  I need to be more vigilant. Head coverings..he has several but he leaves the house without them..so I usually grab them. The cold wind will bring on painful lightening bolt zaps. It is not an easy disorder to deal with..but we are doing the best we can. Chance is very much in tune with Far Guy and if Chance thinks he should lay down, he takes Far Guys hand in his mouth and leads him to the couch. Some evenings he turns down the bed..


If anyone out there ever wants to contact Far Guy his email is geneo532000(AT)yahoo(DOT) com he is more than happy to communicate with anyone that has this hideous forgotten orphan disease. Sometimes it helps to know that you are not alone, he has several TN friends that call him frequently.

Dr. P. knows by now that I will always ask "What is new? Is there anything new being studied or tried with TN ? " I have to ask..and the answer is always the same.."Nothing new." I think perhaps Dr. P. reads my blog, yesterday he said that Far Guy was a model patient and a joy to work with, and that all Neurologists should treat their patients with the utmost respect. He also shared that Neurology is the thing that gets him up everyday...because he loves his work. Far Guy and I are FINALLY at home and comfortable with a Neurologist. It has been a long journey.

My shoulder is much better, I am still doing exercises every day to improve my range of motion. I may have to get out the duct tape and tape my arm to my body at night. I injured it the other night, I did something in a sleep walking episode that locked it up..it might have involved a coffee table. I woke up on the floor and could not move my shoulder..it hurt..so I rubbed it and gently unlocked it with my other arm.. it is a little sore..but not bad. I don't bawl every time I put my coat on anymore.


My eye is doing great, Far Guy puts drops in it and I get rechecked on Friday. I will be glad when the other eye is done, my eyes still fight, the new improved eyeball is winning and takes over more and more. I wear a clear plastic eye patch at night so that I don't rub my eye. I am pretty cute with the eye patch, now if I duct tape my arm..I ought to be a real fashion statement in my thermal nightgown with my fuzzy red socks:)

Along The Tower Road

Last week one afternoon we had a little time to go for a short adventure.  The Tower Road, this time I left a note on the table, and we did not veer off course.   We met one vehicle..a man was dressed in Orange..possibly an early hunting scout.

A beaver has been busy making a home..I wonder if the thickness means anything..probably only to the beaver and it is possibly reflective of how much raw material is available.   He wasn't home, or if he was he was hiding.

One of the sloughs must be full from the recent rainy weather, a small creek seems to come out of nowhere and heads toward the river.

We saw an Eagle, it was way too far away to get a decent photograph.  He was resting in his perch..the river must keep him fed.  I am not real fond of Eagles..that is possibly why I see my fair share.  They feed on  dead stuff, and kill cats and rabbits.. they used to sit in a tree right outside our house..and eye my dogs..one spring I even had to put up a camouflaged play area for a litter of growing puppies.  Eagles and I do not see eye to eye.  I had to watch one terrorize a Trumpeter Swan one winter, the Swan was injured and couldn't fly..that Eagle was relentless...finally the Swan disappeared.  The Eagles are really mean to the Loons too, and will steal their eggs.  They are just nasty..nasty.   I think it is a disgrace that they are the National Symbol.  Just my opinion.

I wonder what this area looked like years ago.  The natural progression of the woods may be in the same cycle.  Oak to pine and back again.   Far Guy tells me " You know, years ago when the trappers came down this river they met at one of these points on the river..and named it Pine Point."

We had a wonderful afternoon drive, the sun was out, the woods were quiet except for an occasional Chickadee.  No one was sighting in their rifles, there were no gun shots.  I did see and photograph a baiting site..which is Illegal.  More about that some other day.  I have just a few things to say about that!
Chance enjoyed the ride, after awhile, I let him sit in front with Far Guy..he thought he was pretty important.  Anyone with Dogs in Minnesota..the Deer Ticks are still out..so check your dogs really well:)

Big Hill Country Adventure

Yesterday, late in the afternoon we went on an adventure. Far Guy took me for a ride into "The Big Hill Country". I made the mistake of asking him where he thought the biggest hills were in our area, he used to deer hunt back in the big hills, and he knew where there used to be a pretty little lake. I have been north and south of the big hills but never through them. We took the pickup it has more clearance than the car, we might need it in the hills. ( For those of you familar with the area, we were south of Hwy #34, we went into the hills heading east off of the Pickerel Lake Road.)

I didn't pack a snack or anything to drink, and we didn't tell anyone where we were going.. I should have left a note on the table, next time I will. When I got into the truck I noticed a busted belt on my seat, I asked what does this belong too? Far Guy replied, "'To my truck, I think it is the air conditioning belt." You think? What if it is something more important? "Then we won't make it very far." Alrighty then.

We went further and further into the woods, the road got very narrow. I think we might have been on a snowmobile/four wheeler trail.

There were big mud holes. Many of them....we went up one hill and down the other side into a mud hole. Far Guy says "I don't remember the lake being this far back in here."

I said "I have no idea, but the road kinda resembles a footpath." Far Guy says "Oh well, we know where we are at and we are only two miles off the main road." There were huge rocks and roots in the road, it was becoming treacherous. I was getting nervous. We nearly got stuck in one mud hole, it was really deep. The road is getting rougher, I had unbuckled my seat belt so I could hang out the window and take some photographs. We are bouncing around so much, my head hits the roof of the truck..I should have worn a helmet. I started taking photographs..Far Guy said "What in the world are you taking photographs of? " I said, "I am establishing a record, when they find our bodies, they can look at the photographs, they will tell the story."

He finally said " I think we should turn around and go back." Really..ya think?? I helped to find a place without stumps, logs or rocks to turn around..not easy. Chance must have been listening, he is pretty smart. When we got turned around, we both breathed a sigh of relief..and Chance came out of the back seat, and into my lap, and then proceeded to wiggle himself down in between my legs and the dash, he wanted to hide on the floor where it was safe. We both started to giggle and couldn't stop..laughter is sometimes a great stress reliever.

We made it back to the main trail ..what an adventure! We did come across a lake eventually, a number of them. Then we came across some private lakes and some farms..a very pretty area. We were on a road that we knew existed, just one we had never explored before. We made it back home well before dark. The sun might actually shine today..so perhaps we will have another adventure to report on tomorrow:)