Photos are courtesy of my friend Terri who lives just north of Nashville, Tennessee
The last month has provided Terri with wonderful photo opportunities as spring blossoms and feathered friends have returned to her back yard.
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ACDF & My Cup Overflows Inspirational Printable
I am doing well in my slow recovery to neck surgery. I’ve been thinking about the last few years and how my neck, arms, hands, and back had increasingly brought great pain and limited my capabilities. The experts found the problem in my poor neck. Back decades ago I was driving on the Interstate in the middle lane in the 3 county area around Detroit. Suddenly in my peripheral vision I see a police car sailing in the air toward me. I slammed on the brakes and within seconds I was hit. Because I slammed on the brakes the police car did not hit the driver’s door to kill or maim me. It hit the side of the front where the engine was. That wreck totaled a year old car and ultimately my neck. Whiplash damaged my neck and caused problems ever since. Now it seems 3 discs were pressing on my nerves and causing pain and loss of function in my hands and arms. If I didn’t choose to have surgery, I was assured it would get worse and I could possibly lose total function in my hands! I wasn’t accepting that fate without a fight.
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Maryce’s Spring Flowers
Photos are courtesy of my friend, Maryce, who lives in tropical Clearwater, Florida. I appreciate my friends who share photos, especially now that I am staying home and recovering. I saw the surgeon on Tuesday and he said I’m doing great. I am wearing a neck guard and will continue to wear it until June. I see my primary physician today for surgery follow-up.
Today my friend Maryce is sharing photos mostly from her home in Clearwater, Florida. First is a bouquet of yellow roses from a friend.
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Food Safety Tips
Another week has gone by and each day I feel a small step in the right direction in my recovery from surgery. This week I have follow-up visits with my surgeon and my primary. I thank you all for your sweet comments.
Here in the USA, the Federal government estimates that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness annually resulting in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. After eating bad food, sickness can occur within 20 minutes up to 6 weeks later. Symptoms of foodborne illness can include: vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain as well as flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and body ache.
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First Frangipani Blooms The First Week of April
The white frangipani (Plumeria alba) is a deciduous plumeria tree that is native to tropical areas. (Plumeria plants (Plumeria sp), which are also known as Lei flowers and Frangipani, are actually small trees that are native to tropical regions (zone 10 and 11) . It is one of the plants used for leis in Hawaii. It is popular here in Central Florida (zone 9B); we are semi-tropical with tropical weather most of the time.
Just a fast note to all on my recovery after surgery. I definitely see and feel a difference in this second week. My pain is less and I am sleeping better. I see my surgeon and my primary physician next week as post-op visits. I am saying a prayer that I feel more like me. Thanks for all the kind thoughts and prayers. It means a lot to me.
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Easy Chicken Marsala In 40 Minutes
It’s been one week since my surgery, but it seems like a long, hard week. Immediately after surgery I experienced less pain than before surgery for a couple of days. Since then I’ve had periods of intense pain almost daily. I see little improvements but this is going to be a long slow recovery I fear. Thanks to all of you for your support and kind messages. I do appreciate them. Today I have a fast recipe for an Italian dish.
If you like Italian food, you may have enjoyed Chicken Marsala in a restaurant. It’s an Italian-American dish of of lightly breaded and browned chicken cutlets and mushrooms in a rich Marsala wine reduction sauce. The ingredient that makes this recipe so identifiable and delicious is the Marsala wine that’s used to prepare the sauce.
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Spring Amaryllis Blooms
First I wanted to let everyone know I am at home recuperating from my surgery on Monday. It will be a slow recovery, but I’m happy to report my pain is less than before surgery. Thanks for your support.
Last week I shared my first amaryllis blooms of white flowers. This week photos of the continued white flowers with the addition of red amaryllis. Despite the worse drought in 10 years here in Florida, I still have amaryllis blooms to lift my heart.
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30 Minute Kung Pao Chicken
Kung Pao chicken, a classic Chinese takeout dish of stir-fried chicken, peanuts, and vegetables, is easy to make at home. Today’s recipe is spicy chicken with peanuts, similar to what is served in Chinese restaurants. It is easy to make and forgiving. Add a vegetable like broccoli, substitute cashews for peanuts, or bamboo shoots for the water chestnuts. Use half the crushed red pepper for a milder sauce. It’s still a great quick meal.
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