A Flyover Blog

Thanks, Patty!

My good friend and brilliant IT wizard, Patty, made this shiny new banner for my blog. Like it? I love it - especially that tiny blue bird up in the corner. I met Patty a little over a year ago through work. She is a fellow dog lover, birder, walker, scrapbooker and - bless her heart - she puts up with me! Every day. I'm tellin' ya, the girl needs a medal. I love working with Patty; she has the most beautiful spirit. You can meet her at her brand new blog, Patty Anne's Place. I honestly don't know how she found the time to start a blog, but I'm glad she did.

You'll be seeing a lot more of Patty's work on a brand new blog I'll be unveiling in a few days. We've been working feverishly on this one and I hope you'll love it. (Patty says you will.) More on that one in a day or two. Until then, drop by and meet her. Tell her I sent ya.

Red Friday, February 29

I know, it's Leap Day... but remember to wear something RED today too.

Thanks to Marco Di Lauro for this great picture. 

Unremarkable

No, that's a good thing to hear... when your neurologist says it. My MRI turned up nothing in my back that was out of whack, which is a huge relief. Turns out the problem is a little farther south - in my piriformis muscles. I've never heard of a piriformis muscle; didn't even know I had them. They are small but important muscles that attach the top of the femur to the lower spine and serve to stabilize the hip. The sciatic nerve runs under or through this muscle, so if it gets injured (usually from over use) it puts pressure on the nerve and that causes pain and tingling down the back of the leg into the foot.

"That's weird, DK. How did you get it?" I'm glad you asked that. I found out that Piriformis Syndrome (it actually has a name) is found mostly in women, women who walk or run. The other risk factor for this injury is the piriformis working overtime to compensate for weak abs, which occurs after abdominal surgery - like the hysterectomy I had last Spring. Bottom line: I'm okay. My feet still tingle and the backs of my legs hurt, but I have an exercise regimen now to help correct it. My neurologist also gave me some very low dose muscle relaxers to take at night because my overall state is Extremely Tense, due to my injured hand. I never relax. Ever. So she's going to give me a little shove. This will go away when the piriformis muscles heal. So, has anyone else out there ever had Piriformis Syndrome? I'd love to know how long it took you to mend.

It's Tuesday

It's time for a smile. Our friend, Kathy sent this clip last night. Made me laugh, so I thought I'd pass it on.

Coming Soon

I got an idea a few days ago and I'm still trying to decide if it's brilliant or a disaster-in-waiting. Do you ever get those? Happens to me all the time.

I haven't actually figured out which it is yet, but I do know one thing; it's big. It's exciting too, and it sounds like lots of fun, and that 's enough reason for me to pursue it. 

Okay, one clue: it involves the new fiction series I've been working on. No, I'm not gonna tell you what I've got in the works, but I will in a few days.  Then maybe then you can help me figure out if it's a great idea or not.

Originality

"Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."
-C.S. Lewis

Red Friday, February 22

Senior Airman David Morgan gets a big greeting on his return from deployment February 8. Airman Morgan is with the 52nd Aircraft Mainenance Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force.

The Winter That Never Ends

This is just silly. We're in the midst of another ice storm. Yes, another one. In the past 7 weeks we've had 4 - count 'em - 4 ice storms and 2 tornado outbreaks. There's barely a tree standing that doesn't have some sort of storm damage. Poor mangled things. This storm is supposed to last all through tonight into tomorrow. I know I gripe a lot about the weather, but I really am thankful to have a job that allows me to work at home. I haven't missed a bit of work. That's a good thing, right? By my count, Spring arrives in 29 days. Can't wait!

Sidetracked

Four or five days ago I noticed that the soles of my feet had suddenly begun to tingle. Odd. I attributed it to my shoes. But here we are starting a new week and now, not only are my feet tingly, I have pain in the backs of my legs, too all the way up to my lower back. It's not horrible pain; it's achy and makes it uncomfortable to sit. I decided it wasn't getting better on its own and I was beginning to worry compulsively (which I do very well) so I took some Advil, bought a new office chair, and called my neurologist. I have an appointment anyway next week for my hand. (For those of you not up to speed on my hand, it's a loooooong story.) My doc is suspecting sciatica or a herniated disc and promptly set up an MRI. When I say promptly, I mean 2 hours later. So, I had my very first MRI this afternoon. Creepy. I don't do small spaces very well, but I was a trooper and tried to find "my happy place" for the 20 minute proceedure. It was like being trapped inside a refrigerator in Best Buy during the Christmas shopping rush. I hope she calls me and says "take some more Advil and give it a few weeks." I really don't want another medical drama this Spring. Prayers along those lines would be much appreciated. I've never had trouble with my back, although I did fracture my tailbone pretty badly in 1987. I'll let you know what I find out. Stay tuned...

Thanks, Carolyn!

My sweet friend, Carolyn gave me this award today! Pretty cool, huh? It's great to be recognized, but my favorite part of getting an award is turning around and giving it again. Unfortunately, this is also the part I'm really lousy at. I've let several of these fall through the cracks, I'm afraid. Not so with this one. I made my list right away! Here are my blog award recipients:

1. Jeanne

2. Andrea

3. Patty Anne

4. Angela

5. Janelle

Drop by and say "hi" to each of these wonderful bloggers!