I’ve been busy lately. Very busy. Extremely busy. The activity? Allowing Sylvia to spoil me. I must say that she’s been doing a fine job of it.
Recovery from last week’s cancer surgery continues. Not as rapidly as I might have hoped, but it’s been a half-century since I was 23 years of age. I’m able to spend only a few minutes at a time here at the computer. The pain killer has the wonderful side effect of killing brain cells.
What’s in a word?
Several days ago, as I entered that twilight zone that lies between sleep and consciousness, I began to muse on the word “paraphernalia.” Does it always come in twos? Can you find, or have you even heard of, a single paraphernalium? It seemed like an important question at the time.
Paraphernalia comes from roots that mean, “beyond + dowry.” And one of the meanings is the personal possessions of a married woman exclusive of the dowry that she brought to the marriage. Now that makes sense, doesn’t it?
The meaning, with which I am familiar, is “a collection of equipment or apparatus.” The drug culture has taken this over and thus another fine word falls victim to popular culture.
My later research revealed a third meaning, “that which is beyond natural talents and abilities.” I love that! Don’t you? Perhaps we should work on building our own paraphernalia. Sounds to me like a worthy project.
Proud Kitty
One evening last week, just after sunset, Nellie was being very playful and active. She has been doing that more and more of late and we are greatly encouraged by that.
I heard her run quickly behind Sylvia’s recliner. I looked and there she sat looking under the chair. Her small red ball lay beside her, and I thought she was just playing with that. Then she reached out a paw . . . and . . . a mouse ran around the corner of the chair. Nellie in pursuit. I rose and tipped up the recliner, but Nellie was back over beside my chair.
Sylvia had heard the commotion and came to investigate. She had seen enough and leaned my recliner forward. Nellie sprang to the back and lunged as Sylvia lifted. Nellie ended up with her rear quarters six inches above the floor. She turned and exited from beneath the chair. In her mouth she held her prize.
I wish you could have seen her body language as she bounced on tippy toes toward the archway that leads to the basement. Her head was high and lifted up. She exuded pride and satisfaction. We didn’t see her again until the next morning.
Coodles to Nellie for catching that mouse.
Glad you are back, keep exercising those brain cells.
Thanks Ida. :tiphat: Nellie agrees. :hkitty:
Not ready for a regular schedule yet, but I will accept your advice and keep these [few] brain cells exercised. 😎
That is quite the retelling of that story. I can just see it. Your brain was working for that! Keep on making progress.
Thanks Shark. It took me three days to assemble that in my head. Nevertheless, you are right. Progress this way comes.
Hooray for Nellie!! That’s great that she is a good mouser!
We have little holes all over in our garden–especially a few that lead under the slab for the shed. I was thinking “mouse”, but we found a dead shrew in the garden (thanks, Hobbes!) and I think we have those instead. He is outside working on catching them. Maybe you could send Nellie over to teach him.
I think the meds wrote the first part of your post.
Isn’t Nellie great? :hkitty: Good for Hobbes! :frolic:
If the meds didn’t write it, the certainly inspired it. Should I have given them an appropriate credit? :tiphat:
Good to have you back! Clearly Sylvia and Nellie are taking good care of you.
Thanks friend. The gals are indeed doing their very best. :tiphat:
Yesterday, I went out for the first time. A brief trip into town left me feeling “wiped out.” Upon on our return, we discovered your most welcome card in the mail box. Thanks. :cloud9:
Well Nellie’s worth her weight in gold now!! :dance:
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
That was not her first catch, only the most recent that we’re aware of. :hkitty:
Thanks. The recovery is moving very slowly–at least it seems that way to me. :frustrate:
Strange things happen while anesthesia exits the body. Did you know it can take six weeks to fully depart your system? It’s true. The publicist told me so. And she would know….
Glad you are feeling better. And that Nellie got some mousie brains
I’m discovering the truth of your comment. :stars:
Thanks. I too am glad that Nellie claimed her prize. :hkitty:
Oh, I’d believe it!! I hate that stuff–I have a very hard time processing those chemicals. 🙁
Here it is 11 Days after and I still have numbness in one thigh. Surgeon says it’s likely the anesthesia. :stars:
Welcome back Chuck! So glad your surgery went well and is over! Now the healing begins…you have a wise & faithful nurse to help you recover!
Have missed your posts :up: and look forward to seeing them again…when you’ve rested and recouped!!! 😉
Thanks Joy! :hkitty: Sylvia is wonderful! :awe:
It took a few days to gather the ideas for this post, which is an indicator that it may be while yet before I’m back to a “regular” schedule. :tiphat: