Jumping Through Hoops With a Broken Ankle

When a situation such as my current one (broken ankle, limited mobility) comes along, the question, "Why is this the direction things are going?" comes up. As I write this, had I not been otherwise impaired, my wife and I would be on a vacation to The Great Smokey Mountains. We planned to make the trip a couple months ago and were looking forward to a scenic adventure. Unless you live in some unconnected location (not likely if you're reading this I guess), you know what tragedy is playing out in the area we hoped to visit. Our plans got changed and we really didn't have much say in the outcome. Makes me have even more confidence (if that's possible) in our Creator. We must always acknowledge that He has us right where He wants us and there's something He wants us to do in that place. In the meantime, I try to deal with the business of repairing a fracture.

When I went to the orthopedic doctor, I was told that the piece of bone that broke off my tibia (shin bone) would need to be reattached with one or two screws to avoid a future complicated with arthritis caused by improper healing. I said, "Sounds good. Let's do it." Turns out the doctor was teasing in that he couldn't get out the scalpel and screwdriver until I underwent a battery of tests and my family doctor said it was ok. My family doctor, not happy with the results of the EKG, said my release for surgery would require the approval of a cardiologist. My cardiologist (I was hoping to never have to claim one as mine) was good enough to give me an appointment for Thursday, one day after the orthopedic doctor had originally indicated I could have my appointment with the screwdriver. So now, best guess (don't want to think about worst guess) is that we may have that date on Friday.

Hopefully this is going to get settled so that the real healing can begin. I'm beginning to envision a future of getting from one place to the other looking like Dennis Weaver's character Chester Good in the old "Gunsmoke" series. It just seems ironic that when an old man breaks his leg he is asked to jump through a bunch of hoops to get it fixed. No matter what, God's got me where He wants me and in that I shall always be content. I'd appreciate it if you'd join me in praying for those folks in Tennessee who are affected by and dealing with the wild fires.

Sticks and Stones

It has been so long since writing here, I almost forgot how to put up a post. Perhaps it will be more likely that some posts come along more regularly due to circumstances that have me reduced to mostly working on the keyboard. Hopefully that will carry over to a time in the not too distant future when even though the choice to remain more active is available, I'll choose to put more of my silly observations into print.

I have been blessed to be able to spend a good portion of my time in turning trees into useful objects. It is in the pursuit of that "hobby" that I got a bit of a setback last week. Most of the wood we use in Out of the Woodwork begins as trees that my son and a few friends help me work up into saw logs and eventually lumber for future projects. Working with big logs requires a healthy respect for how they move, sometimes in a direction not anticipated. An unanticipated move by a log that probably weighs about a ton caught me by surprise and broke my ankle. Hence my position with laptop on propped up leg will sort of force me to pick up the blog again.

Seeing as how it is Thanksgiving, I must say that there is much for which to be thankful. Although mobility is a bit of a problem, I don't have any place (except doctors) to which I must go and Jen (my best friend and spouse) take care of that. I have had an outpouring of "What can I do for you?"s from so many friends. I'm indoors out of the weather, can message and talk to friends, and the aforementioned spouse brings me tea and cookies once in awhile. Life is good, Most importantly, I am thankful for an all loving God who works all for good to those who love Him. Knowing that allows even a broken ankle to be counted as a blessing, another thing for which to be thankful.

Hopefully you folks who are reading this have experienced a happy Thanksgiving and have likewise counted your blessings.