The View From Here

Yes, the view from here is literally all I can show you this week, because that's as far as I can take the camera! That would be the view from the deck, or through the dining room window. The camera is a significant weight, so I cannot take it out with me even though I am currently going for 2 or 3 walks a day.

click to enlarge

Because of this hip issue, the doctor has booked me off work for 2 weeks' rest to, hopefully, allow whatever's going on in there to mend itself.

In the meantime, I am on twice-daily strong anti-inflammatory medication, a daily regimen of stretches and walking, and visits to the chiro and RMT every few days. And back to the doc on the 4th for reassessment.

Not only is this absence from work a huge burden on my colleagues at Riverlands, which makes me feel guilty, but I'm finding it extremely frustrating!

Some days are better than others: It's definitely better now than it was a week ago. But worse today than it was two days ago.

On top of that, I worry about my future. The doc says that there's a risk of long-term complications and chronic pain if I try to work through this before healing is complete. And I definitely do not want to be living with this for months, let alone the rest of my life!

All I can do is everything in my power to be fixed at the end of this lay-off period. Finger's are crossed!

Keep your weight in your heels!

Tanya

Benched!

It started on Saturday afternoon, not long before I knocked off for the day ... an aching in my left hip. Saturday is the first day of my work week.

After battling through Sunday, on Monday I endured the pain sweats, getting around in a t-shirt when the temp was about 10C in the rain, from 7.30am to 11am.

After that, I just could not take it any more ... took myself directly to the Chiro. Turns out my sacroiliac joint (which is between the left hip and sacrum) has frozen. Wikipedia can explain in more detail, if you're interested.

After an hour of being pummeled by the Chiro, she gave me some stretches to do, instructions on icing the area, and suggested that I not work any further this week.

And, she said, "Go for two or three approx 20 minute walks" before returning for another adjustment on Thursday afternoon.

Walk she said. I think she meant hobble.

I did it, but the pain is worse today, so I didn't venture further than one whole block - which is about 8 houses long and 2 deep.

We're in a traditional autumn weather pattern in our area now ... rain. It IS beautiful British Columbia, after all! I love the rain. It's not great to have to work in it, but I DID miss it when we lived in the Columbia Valley!

Anyway, rain doesn't bring great photo ops, so not many to share! Just this one of the low cloud being dragged through the evergreen forest ... with a painterly twist! Remember to click on the image to enlarge it.

I really do hope that I'll be able to work by Saturday ... no paid sick-leave here! Wish me luck in a quick recovery, and ...

Keep your weight in your heels!

Tanya

How Time Flies!

It seems just the other day when I was whinging about how hot it was ...

Back then, it was tough to take nice photos of the horses because whenever they were outside, they were shrouded in fly sheets and face masks.

Now, all of a sudden, we're almost in winter and, while their faces are visible when they're out in the paddocks, their bodies are muffled in thick rain-proof sheets ... not conducive to showing them off at their best!

Speaking of rain, last Saturday we had a bit of a deluge which left the most significant snow yet, this season, on the mountain peaks around us:

So, yes, this is another excuse for why I haven't got another horse to introduce to you yet! At this point, I'd really need to enlist the help of another person ... and recently there's just not been the time for dilly-dallying around the barn!

With the forecast predicting an extended period of miserable weather, I took the opportunity yesterday to try something that I've been meaning to do for ages ... get a "big picture" look at the Pemberton Valley, as viewed from the Pemberton Meadows. This is a 24-shot, handheld, 180 degree panoramic, with me standing with my back to the barn entrance ... click on the image to enlarge it!

Another perk of the time of year, when the length of the nights begins to outstrip the duration of daylight: Alpenglo season is here! Here's a pastel version to get you started - I wouldn't want to blow your mind with dazzling colours splashed over the mountains too soon!  :D

Hmmm ... Mt Currie is featuring a lot lately, isn't he?!

Keep your weight in your heels!

Tanya

Fall Colours

Here in BC, we don't get the spectacular displays of colour that you might expect to see in Ontario or Quebec, but we do get the occasional bright splash, if you watch for it!

This week, I didn't have the chance to photograph any of the horses, as I'd hoped to do.

But, during the days when the weather changed every 15 minutes on the 15 minutes, I did manage to catch a few autumn scenes for your viewing pleasure (I hope!):

Hopefully, at least one horse next week!

In the meantime, keep your weight in your heels!

Tanya

Catching up ...

... well, I'm at least touching base! It's been a crazy few weeks!

I've taken photos at 2 horse shows, one weekend after the other, and then followed those up with a 6-day stint at work!

Somehow, I survived them all ... and am, needless to say, in great anticipation of my 90 minute massage tomorrow, to soothe my aching muscles!

Here are a couple of my favourite photos from the two horse shows:

Now that the disruptions to my regularly scheduled programming have concluded, I hope to get back into the swing of things, with weekly posts ... and more horse introductions!

Keep your weight in your heels!

Tanya

Introducing: Lutzen

I admit it. He's my favourite in the barn.

At 23 years of age, Lutzen is well into retirement, so I don't get to handle him as much, or as often, as I'd like. He's grumpy, too, playing keep-away in his stable if you try to groom him without putting his head collar on first ... and half-heartedly promising a nip if you tickle him while grooming and aren't paying attention.

I reckon Luzten stands at least 18 hands high. In other words, he's pretty tall, coming in at a lofty 6ft or more, measured from the top of his shoulder to the ground.

More than once, my fellow barn workers have had a good chuckle, watching me take Lutzen out to his paddock, or being marched back into the barn by him. Picture this short (5'4" on a good day), round human having to almost run beside him, just to keep up with his walk!   :D

I wish I'd known him years ago, when he was still in work. Even now, I can see that he's a dream mover, floating over the ground. He doesn't do much above a walk during his liberty hours each day, but watching him enjoying his "kick and fart" lap of his paddock when he's released first thing in the morning is always a treat!

Keep your weight in your heels!
Tanya

You Can't Beat This Commute!

I realized this week that I have the best commute in the world:

It takes about 10 minutes each way.

There are 2 stop signs on the way to work ... and none on the way home! That's it!

About half the drive is at 50kph, and the rest is at 80kph, so rarely any speed demons to deal with. Aside from the weekend warriors (and a handful of local yahoos), that is, and loaded logging trucks that no-one's going to argue with, anyway!

For your photo this week, I spotted this newly baled field on my way home from work on Tuesday afternoon, pulled a U-ey to go back and get the shot. I knew rain was forecast, so the bales wouldn't be there the next time I drove by!

On the physical side, my feet are much happier this week! By Tuesday evening (my Friday) my entire body was aching terribly, but waking up on Wednesday morning, I was almost pain-free! There's hope for me yet!

I can feel that I'm getting stronger all the time, that my endurance is improving, and hope to be shopping for a few more pairs of work trousers soon (to replace the single pair I have right now, that are starting to break down with the abuse!) ... if only this excess baggage would start dropping off in earnest!

And yes, I know, you're waiting to meet the horses ... I promise, as soon as I get the opportunity, I'll get them posted for you!  :D

Keep your weight in your heels!
Tanya