Delight

To escape from slow-moving traffic this morning, we turned off to retrace the cross country route we’d chosen on the way to Greenwich. Usually we take it only in one direction, but it’s aways good to get a view of it the other way around, especially when the weather is moody.

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Today is what in England we call “close”. Very humid. The air feels thick and clingy, though luckily it is not dreadfully hot, which would make it most uncomfortable.

As long as we retain power, our air-conditioner keeps us comfortable, yet I suspect it is partly the weather that is making my head ache. Never mind, it will pass.

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Last week I began physical therapy for a problematic shoulder. I have to admit that I have a slight prejudice against physical therapy, based on previous experience, which really isn’t fair.

Two decades ago, when I complained of serious back pain, my doctor sent me for therapy, but it made things worse. Still, it was the therapist who recommended a scan that properly diagnosed my condition, so I was grateful to him for that.

After the surgery that followed, therapy was needed to strengthen my injured body. I understood and accepted it, but in the back of my mind, physical therapy always equals pain!

The current routine is nothing like that, but I can’t say I am a fan. When I walked in I felt like turning around and going back out as I was assaulted with a barrage of NOISE. Loud voices chattering and laughing, exchanging stories I really didn’t care to hear.

The therapist was perfectly nice, but I sensed he was a man very bored with his job, endlessly confronted with geriatrics and their decrepit bodies. He explained my problem as if reading from a script, rattling off the details and saying repeatedly:

“Make of that what you will.”

Fortunately, I don’t need to understand the ailment, only how to deal with it.

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August is an expensive month in which all the insurance policies come due. Luckily last year’s increases forced me to seek alternatives and I found something a great deal less expensive.

Such things are one of life’s necessities, so I pay them promptly – or at least try to, but companies are forever changing their names and their online access.

More passwords and user ids. The bill I received today doesn’t even offer the option of paying by mail which in any case I don’t anymore trust. What can one trust these days?

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But let us move on to cheerier subjects.

A cross country drive on a day like this will always lift my mood.

The corn has grown tall and makes a wonderful sight as many acres of it ripple in the wind.

As I write, torrential rain has arrived, but I like a good downpour!

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Several deer have been visiting recently. One doe is accompanied by a single fawn, above.

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Another has two frisky children.

The larger of the two is particularly energetic.

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When they came by last night, it looked as if they were inviting me out to play.

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There is nothing I would like more than to pet these beautiful babies.

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But I am content to watch from my window, keeping out of sight.

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We just pray that these two stay up here on the hill where they are comparatively safe, away from the road. All too often we see deer lying dead beside the highway.

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“Come on! Let’s go ‘splore up the hill!”

Last night Mum rounded the kids up and led them away into the brush, but a nano-second later the babies shot back out again, running around beside the garage.

Mum persuaded the little one to follow her again up the hill, but the troublemaker came back twice more before he eventually went with them.

Those two may be a problem to their mum, but to me they are a great delight.

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