Sleeping Swamp.

11-28-23 SHORT HILLS: Thanksgiving has come and gone. Judy did the holiday for 15 people almost by herself. The guests brought sides, and Lily and Danna were here Wednesday night and Thursday morning to help with the chores. Judy was up at 5 AM to make stuffing and start the turkey. 

I am now doing PT with 100% weight bearing, the knee is as big as a pineapple, but mostly not painful. I can see walking on the horizon. 

Emmett continues to be much photographed, which has not had any adverse effect on growth and development.

Blue and Judy just left for Blue’s first therapy visit—Good luck, Little Dog.

A few days ago we did a drive by at he Great Swamp Nature Preserve. Everything looks dormant for the winter, but the streams are not yet frozen. We did see a few ducks and a bunch of Canada geese. 

 

Emmett in a rare moment between eating and sleeping.

Great Swamp looking gray and lifeless, but just waiting for a warm Spring day to begin stirring.

Another gray swamp, the white in the center is a flock of Canada geese.

A few ducks not yet ready for the commute.

Sleeping Swamp.

Note to 'Anonymous'.

 Blue's pronouns are 'she, her'.

Blue Stars.

11-19-23 SHORT HILLS: Tomorrow I start 75% weight bearing on the healing leg and the next week full weight bearing. The knee is still the size of a cantaloupe. 

The new golden, Blue, has passed her Therapy Dog exam with Creature Comfort. It’s the culmination of months of hard work by Judy training her for the certification. There’s another exam for B & B in a few weeks. Judy has changed a fearful, anxious dog into a star performer.

Emmett, now three plus weeks old, models a new outfit almost daily, and may be the most photographed celebrity since Diana. 

Carol sent a snapshot of Judy and me from a trip to Maine with her and Ken from 30 year ago.

Blue last summer in VT.

J and H, mid-nineties trip to Maine with Ken and Carol.

Emmett.

Emmett again.

Two Weeks for Emmett, The Leg Slowly Heals.

11-10-23 SHORT HILLS: Two weeks of age now for Emmett Benton Davis, who we visited earlier this week at his home in Greenwich Village along with proud parents, Anna and Gardner, and proud Grammy, Alison. It was an easy in-and-out for us in the middle of the day. Judy and I each held and fed him. We are thrilled.

I have started PT at JagPT in Chatham, and started weight bearing on the broken leg. I am allowed 25% weight bearing on the healing leg, and next week 50%. [I have no idea how to estimate 25 or 50% while using the walker.] But progress is progress. In two weeks, it’ll be 75%, and the next week full weight bearing, also known as walking. I have home PT to do as well.

Judy is busy prepping for Turkey Day here. She is amazing—getting all the work done by herself with the least bit of help from me or Margaret. 

Feeding the baby.

The new arrival with Mom and Dad.

Anna's first Birthday. Front row-Edith and Oscar, my parents. Middle row-Valerie, Alison, Anna. Back row-Glenn, Dan, me, Judy.

Great Grandparents!

10-26-23 SHORT HILLS: Happy Birthday to a new Earthling—Emmett Fagin-Davis who arrived early this AM. This makes Judy and I Great Grandparents. Huge congrats to Anna and Gardner. Congrats also to Alison, Dan and Lily. Congrats also to Gardner Senior and to Gardner's sisters. Now everybody, including Emmett, can get some sleep.  

Family Unit.

Emmett Fagin-Davis.

Emmett and Aunt Lily.

Father and Son.

Anna and Emmett. Emmett is getting his first look at Earth.

And now the flu....

10-18-23 SHORT HILLS: The new incision has healed, sutures are out, but still two weeks to weight bearing. Fingers crossed that the incision stays healed. The last week has been occupied with the flu, partly over now, but still coughing. I did get the flu shot, and maybe it modified the course of illness. 

That’s it. Still doing PT for the legs and upper body. Judy’s car is now set up the way she likes it. 

Burning bushes define red.

Visitors to the neighborhood helping with grass care.

One of the pretty girls.

Another Operation.

10-6-23 SHORT HILLS: Leg news first. Shortly after the last post, my care was transferred to the Dr. Liporace  and Dr. Diamond at SBMC. After tests and cultures, the decision to re-operate and resect the infected area was made and executed. The metal plates and screws all looked good and were not replaced, a primary closure was done. Drainage devices were inserted, but collected almost nothing over the next few days.

Since discharge, the VNA has been changing dressings and watching the wound, which has stayed dry and clean. This is the ninth post-op day. I see the surgeon next week. The cultures ID’d a type of Staph so I am on a different antibiotic, Linezolid, for 10 days. Hopefully, the infection was only superficial and is now under control. It’s been 6+ weeks since the original repair, I’m guessing 8-10 weeks for weight-bearing. 

Outside the leaves are beginning to turn, the burning bushes are aflame. Birds are eating the berries on all the shrubs are they ripen. I did manage to put Judy’s front license plate on the new car in the wheelchair, and clean out the pool cover pump sitting on the patio. 

Judy's new car outlined by fiery burning bushes approaching peak. Check out the job on the front license plate installation.