The Next Step
As I head into my sixth month since having back surgery there are a lot of tasks around the house and yard that I want to do, but still need to take things cautiously so as to not end up back where I was before January 23rd.
To help me transition back to a “normal” life I have my Physical Therapist, McKinley. I was instructed by my doctor to “take it easy- you kind of have to baby your back. Don’t overdo it.” All great words of wisdom echoed by McKinley. It’s not that I haven’t had challenging physical therapy before; you know the type where you keep adding weights to exercise physiology machines, or doing more reps, but physical therapy for a back fusion means adding exercises that help you move portions of your back that have been idle; Example? Well, I started out lifting less than five pounds for six weeks. Since then, the magic number has been 15 pounds. I grab onto something, and if it seems too heavy, more than likely it is too heavy. Experience has also taught me that the limited Physical Therapy that I do will tax muscles and they will be a bit stiff the next day…which is good. Stiffness is certainly different than pain.

Recovery is a slow, consistent, process. Physical Therapy has been the next step in that process. This week I may get to try walking on a treadmill (I started out at four minutes-I used to be able to walk over an hour) and peddling a stationary bike. I guess caution during physical therapy is the price you pay for being old (er).

Wildflowers Are Appearing
There are so many wildflowers that appear in the spring of the year, but probably one of my favorites are crocuses. They appear in early May and last about two weeks. Where do you find them, and other wildflowers? Let me suggest that you walk along the nature trail(s) at Upper Souris Wildlife refuge.
“Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Souris River Valley of northwestern North Dakota. The Refuge extends 35 miles along the Souris River corridor. This Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is an important unit in a series of national wildlife refuges in the waterfowl migration corridor known as the Central Flyway. This Refuge was set aside “…as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife…”.
Check out their website at https://www.fws.gov › refuge › upper-souris.

Good Question
I was working at the Shrine Circus and a young boy came up to me with a sad, concerned, look on his face. As a Shriner I where a FEZ (Funny Red Hat as my grandson would say) and so young man thought he was going to a source of information.

He looked at me and said, “where are the elephants, and the camels, and the lions? They used to be at the circus.” My response? “Well, they have retired the elephants and the camels from this circus” I explained “and it has been quite a while since there have been lions.”

He sat down in a chair beside me and said “You know, I wonder how come they keep changing good things? Pretty soon the circus isn’t going to be a circus.”

And then my friend Dizzy The Clown walked by and invited the young man to follow him. Within minutes he was back with not only a balloon sword, but a balloon figure in the shape of a dog. I could see from his smile that his previous thoughts about the circus were probably forgotten. Clowns and kids…something that will never change at the circus…and that’s a good thing.

Ramblin’ Around
If you haven’t had a chance to tour Ft. Stevenson State Park, it is certainly worth the trip. I think it’s probably the closest Prairie Dog colony to Minot.
There are several miles of trails great for walking or biking, and then Ft. Stevenson Fort area is a great historical tour area. Check out their calendar of events at https://www.parkrec.nd.gov › fort-stevenson-state-park

Today’s Chuckle:
You know you’re getting old when you start giving advice you never followed as a youth.