Better

I have to admit it's getting better
Getting better all the time. . . .

-Lennon, McCartney

We had some Queen Anne's Lace bordering the cornfield and the wind was really tossing it.

First you move more. There are a lot of small motions you don't even think about. In the short term, you learn lots of little tricks to avoid using any of your insulted tissue. Now the task is to begin to move more naturally. Who wants to heal up in a goofy position? I'm sleeping like a fiend. I have an extra little nappy in the afternoon, and I've noticed that when my back really ache, a little power nap works wonders.

Second, you think more. Social worky people will tell you about Abraham Maslow and his famous "hierarchy of need." Envisioning a big triangle, at the broad base, are activities such as breathing and eating and pooping, without which many of our more eloquent inclinations are for naught. Between the Loritab, the snoozing, and ow, ow, ow, there wasn't a lot of time for reflection. Increasingly I'm finding comfortable places to perch and I'm not needing to be snowed on Loritab. This leaves a little more time for reflection.

This situation is absolutely dripping with irony. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. I do not think God hangs out and molds nearby life into lessons for middle aged men to learn. There is a lesson here, though, however it got there. I might have to get the guitar out.

I haven't changed my thinking except that it's pretty obvious that I didn't factor in helplessness. Helplessness, and who stands by you. (My boss, the retired Air Force Officer, says "I've got your six." Six o'clock. Right behind you in the blind spot.)

My judgement that I could slow down and make a tight left hand curve turned out to be erroneous. The cavalcade of resulting consequences, for everyone has included cancelled vacation plans and all kinds of inconvenience. My family has been amazingly understanding about this. Robyn defends my decision to ride road bikes on trips and supports the idea I might get back on one. I might ride a hair slower.