What Month Is It?

I haven’t updated the blog since April as the new normal we live in with Covid isn’t very exciting. The months keep going by and still no end in sight for social distancing and wearing masks. No hope for traveling in the near future either. We booked the 2022 World Cruise as a backup plan as I don't see how the one we are booked on in 2021 will happen. I'm still holding on to the tours I have scheduled with independent tour guides, but I know I will need to contact them all later this year. Any ports that are the same for 2022 I will just change the dates, but most will need to be canceled. 

So, our biggest adventure is masking up and going to the grocery store. 

My vein treatments on the right leg went so much easier than my other leg. Phew! Then, I had a 3 month wait for a recheck to see if everything is OK or I need more treatments. The large veins are doing well, but I imagine I will need some spider veins done again. I see the doctor again week after next. 

Our pond now has a small gator. (about 4 ft) He’s fun to watch as he suns on the banks or is swimming about.

 here he is in the backyard

 in our backyard again - sunning

  

The Sandhill Crane family lost one of the babies, but the other one is almost a full adult now. It has learned to fly, and they still fly across the pond and visit our pond often. We see them around the neighborhood when we are out for our walks. The other baby crane seamed healthy so I imagine a critter got it. 

One day we went to a local pond in search of Fulvous Whistling Ducks, but only found our usual Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. 

 Whistling Ducks

 Florida Black Ducks

 Ibis

 Ibis

 Ibis

 Ibis

On one of our walks we came across this baby snake that was smaller than a worm. 

Ring Neck Snake

 baby Mockingbird begging to be fed

 Meadowlark

I have been doing jigsaw puzzles which dominates my days. Here are the ones I have finished so far:

Still cooking like crazy since eating out isn’t that appealing in this pandemic world we live in. My pizzas are getting better and I have 2 "go to" crust recipes now. We are enjoying our new smoker. The first time we used it we did ribs, chicken and a Boston Butt for pulled pork. I brined the chicken which I had never tried before (and won’t do again). It was good, but very salty even though it was rinsed thoroughly. The pork was to die for despite getting done around 11:00 at night. The ribs we bought were baby backs labeled extra meaty. Won’t do that again either, as they were more like bone in pork chops than ribs. A few days ago, we smoked a large salmon filet, 2 chickens and a whole packer brisket. The salmon was very good as were the chickens. Greg spatchcocked (butterflied) them again which works well, and I used a citrus rub (and no brining) and they are delicious. The brisket is some of the best I have had anywhere.

 served with a dill caper sauce

Usually once a year I make a “Cherry Blueberry Peach Pie” when all 3 fruits are in season at once. Since I couldn’t get those things in Panama I hadn’t made it since 2012. Well, the peaches had just appeared in the store and we bought some to eat and they were very good, so I set out a few days later to gather the things needed for the pie. All the peaches were gone and I made do with some other ones that didn’t look as good. Should have waited. Then, I always use quick cooking tapioca to thicken it and with everyone baking there was none to be had anywhere. (even on the internet) For the first time, the fruit didn’t cook down in the pie. I used flour which didn’t thicken it either. So, it didn’t turn out great. On the upside my crust was my best one ever. So, in a week or so I will make a “do over” pie when there are really good peaches and the cherries are not so firm.

we ate it anyway....

Well, that's our exciting lives in a nutshell. Stay safe and healthy everyone! 

Vein treatments & the Sandhill Crane Babies Are Growing

Well, it seems like it has been a million days "sheltering at home". I long for the day when terms like that and "in these uncertain times", "safer at home" and quarantining are no longer heard daily.

We do get out once a week for our grocery shopping adventure. It is surreal to wear masks (thanks Cathy & Tom for sending them) while shopping and feeling like a rat in a maze as we negotiate the one way aisles. (hoping to find what we came for)

We are fortunate that we can walk around the neighborhood as long as we maintain our "social distance".  (another phrase that I hope can go away soon)

In my last post I shared photos of the Sandhill Crane family. They are growing quickly and often walk past in our backyard.

 

Some Black-necked Stilts flew in a few days ago as well.

We don't have a gator in our pond. (yet) We did come across this little guy in a pond on the way to see the progress of the Sports Complex. 

I'd say he was on the banks sunning, but there was no sun and a huge windstorm came up as we walked. There is still a lot of loose dirt (sand here in Florida) and we got sandblasted. Cute little guy!

The only other exciting thing has been getting my veins taken care of. Since varicose veins are considered "essential" they have been able to do that. They started with my left leg since it was the worst. 

They did the upper leg first and then a couple of weeks later they did the knee on down. Apparently, my upper leg was more difficult than usual so I had a bit more recovery. (a few extra stitches as well) They removed the sutures a week after the procedure. 

If interested here are the procedures they used (from the Water's Edge website):

"RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION (RFA) WITH VENEFIT™

The Venefit procedure uses radiofrequency energy to precisely and effectively treat chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). This procedure results in less pain and bruising than alternative treatments.


ENDOVENOUS LASER TREATMENT (EVLT) WITH DORNIER MEDILAS D FLEXIPULSE 940

Endovenous laser treatment uses laser energy to close and seal faulty veins. The body responds by automatically re-routing blood flow to surrounding healthy veins. This minimally invasive procedure requires no anesthesia and results in less pain and quicker recovery time.


ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FOAM SCLEROTHERAPY (UGS)

This is an additional procedure recommended to patients with venous reflux who also have varicose/spider veins. Once the refluxing vein is closed, the vein branches that drain to the now closed vein have to be closed. This is necessary for two reasons: (1) to decrease the chances of recurrence and future problems; (2) to help eliminate the varicose and spider veins and their symptoms.


MICROPHLEBECTOMY

This is a minimally invasive surgical technique for removing large varicose veins using local anesthetic only. The procedure is painless and, once completed, the patient is able to resume normal activity immediately. The incisions are pin-sized, so no stitches are required and, as such, there is no scarring.


Some physicians feel this is an old technique for treating varicose veins. In our opinion, it is a treatment option that we offer some patients, when appropriate. As one of the most technically difficult procedures we perform at The Vein Center, it is understandable why most physicians do not offer this service. However, when in the hands of a well-trained, highly experienced vein physician, this technique has amazing medical and cosmetic results that cannot be obtained with other treatment methods."

Here are some before and after photos:

 they wrap you groin to toes which I remove 24 hours later to shower as usual

 there is a bit of discoloration and bruising while it heals

this is right after they removed the sutures on the lower leg and it will continue to look better as the discoloration goes away 

They start the right leg in a couple of weeks. For 3 to 5 days after the procedure and the wrapping comes off, I had to wear a thigh high compression sock which did make it feel better. My hope is that my leg cramps and "Disney rash" & swelling will go away. It should....

We are very disappointed that our Trans-Siberian train trip was canceled in June. Also, Scott & Sonya have canceled their plans to come in June, but we hope they can visit later in the year. We remain hopeful that the world cruise goes as planned in January. 

Very thankful for my email friends as we seem to be emailing way more than usual despite having very little to actually talk about. We also feel like it was lucky that we are now settled in our house while having to "stay home". This would have been a bit less comfortable in a hotel. 

Until next time......