back in the saddle or something

Late this afternoon I asked hobbitt if he'd mind me taking the dog to the beach for the evening walk. He said it was okay.

Earlier today I had my follow-up with the surgeon. I described how I was doing and he said most patients my age don't report such good results quite so soon. But the recovery is remarkable in that every day, I was well aware of the improvement. Today I was able to cross the right leg over the left, to put on my socks and shoes. Doctor Reis also told me that with normal activity, there's nothing I can do to harm my knee while it's healing. So that was my ammo when asking hobbitt if he'd mind me walking on the beach.

It has been ten days since I last saw the point, the marina at Hadlock, the bridge to Indian Island and Marrowstone, and the lagoon inlet. The beach roses are in full leaf, and there was a rufous hummingbird keeping watch over his little patch of real estate. The meadow is awash in white and purple blooms, and the Solomon's seal is in full foamy flower, too. I could hear the eagles but they didn't seem to be on our side of the lagoon. Maybe they're nesting over by Chimacum Creek. It was a very low tide, so once I emerged from the meadow pathway, it was easy walking on relatively even terrain at the low tide mark. There were two herons fishing.

To be honest, for the most part I kept my head down and focused on the terrain ahead of me, and also on my gait (which is going to need the help of physical therapists), so I'm sure I missed a million lovely little things. But I didn't miss the glimpse of Mt. Rainier, or the lower slopes of Mt. Baker, or the heady aroma of the roses, or the chance to say hello to several neighbors and their dogs. Even in the somewhat brisk headwind on the return trip, I was grateful to be present in the sunshine.

The walk took me twice as long as usual - about an hour and 15 minutes. And that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. And once or twice I even found myself giggling with delight about what I was doing.

I don't think I'll be hauling myself up the hill for another month or so, but that's okay. I'll get there. I'll begin my training tonight, with the 35 steps up to Sirens for a martini on date night.

The surgeon thought that was a very good goal, indeed.