Rich and Robust in Everyday Ramblings

I live up there in these trees. I took this yesterday from the top floor of the dental school building as I was waiting for my implant surgery. When I talk about going up on the “hill” you now have a visual. All those building up top are the university and medical center I both used to work for and now frequent as a patient. If you look carefully left center, you can see the tram on its way up from the allied buildings down by the river, one of which I was in.

The surgery is over, but I will admit it was hard. My periodontist said it was hard, so this isn’t just me expressing my lived experience. But he got it done. With a little extra bone grafting. I was also a bit grumpy going in. I had tried to get my prescriptions for antibiotics and antibacterial mouthwash before, but my doctor was in another surgery all morning.

I had checked with the pharmacy beforehand so I could just go straight home after but no dice. Even though the pharmacy was busy when I went back afterwards with a bloody lip and an ice pack, they were very kind and gave me priority, so I didn’t have to wait too long. The more time I had at home with my own ice pack before sleep means less swelling. And less swelling means less pain.

Now I get to focus on healing. Yay. Because of the additional grafting I need to wait longer for the healing cap and crown. Months. I am okay with that. The uncomfortable mesh is out and so in a few weeks I should be fully operational in terms of somewhat normal eating and energy levels. Double yay.

It was quite a week with the board meeting last Monday where a few folks were complaining about not having the financial information they were used to, which is the big project I have been working on for months with much angst. I got it sent out late that morning and other than someone wanting another view of the reporting everybody was happy with what I did.

And best of all, it is now set up and maintenance is no big deal. Whew.

Of course, now our annual nonprofit taxes are due in about two and a half weeks. I have help with that. At least I hope I do. For this last fiscal year.

The closer we get to the election things are finally calming down. It has been crazy. Emails constantly. These amazing people in our group have worked so hard over the last few months to help voters understand what they are voting for and how. I was surprised at how grateful all the guys in my dialogue group were for what seemed to me the minimal support I gave them in understanding their ballots. And their wives. There was a ripple effect.

Our niece, Miss E’s mother needs to have some pretty serious surgery and follow up treatments in November and Kes and Most Honorable and I are all trying to figure out the logistics of getting one or both of us up to Seattle to be there for the surgery. Miss E. is in Dublin.

Yesterday they scheduled the appointment for me to get my stitches (I have a lot of stitches) out the day after her surgery. Eek. I am on a waitlist, and it is crazy to make me wait 3 ½ weeks to get the stitches out so I am going to cross my fingers and hope for the best. Theoretically, if the trains are running on time I could be there for the surgery and get back for this appointment, but it is a bonkers ask.

I got most of the garden settled in for the winter. I left my sweet pea and one fabulously late blooming marigold up as they were still so vibrant and thriving. I will finish that early next week when we get a short break in the rain that is sitting on us now. I planted about 15 tulip bulbs, but I doubt I got them deep enough.

It is still a hope thing though…this planting of spring bulbs.

I have some left here to plant for the patio well. I will get those deep enough. Every year I learn so much more but in spite of the things that didn’t work this year I am happy with the garden and happy about its role in the community of gardens in which it exists.

Right under that tram up there in the trees.

In the rich soil of my complicated and still robust life in retirement.