New Mexico

Folks, we are just back from a trip to NM to see Dad and for me to teach a workshop at Albuquerque (UNM). Lavonne and her broken hoof were troopers. We drive and photographed trees and scenes and ate lots of chile. I will post more photos this weekend.
Wish you all could have been with us.

Tribute to Cubby the Wonder Kitty

Cubby, Our niblet-less grey kitty...the one with the expensive pins in his hip was hit by a car last week and did not make it. He came to live with us after surgery and we got a bit too attached. When we were running around the country for my work we left him with Lavonne's sister Sharon...and he jumped off a table and needed more surgery...plus...Sharon got really attached to the cuddly little grey furball. He stayed with Sharon and was our constant companion every time we were at Steamboat (his kingdom... which he rulled with an iron paw). He had the run of about 8 acres of garden and trees but he got too curious about the highway to the east and wandered out there. I am a dog person but this little guy was really special.

Lavonne Update

Lavonne and I took a field trip to the Dr.'s office. We got there right at 8:25...appointment at 8:30 and the Dr. came in and said I looked at your x-rays and you will not need surgery. 9 out of 10 folks need surgery and Lavonne is the one out of 10 who is OK. The fracture does not involve the talus (another odd bone in the foot)...so her heel is in good position and no surgery. Good news.
Bad news...8 weeks off the foot. So, 8 weeks with the walker and the crutches. She already hates the crutches. They did put her in a cute little boot that looks line something from NASA. It will take some getting used to the boot but it is better than the wrap and 100 pounds of cotten they had on it before.
Lavonne had a huge list of things to do outside to get the house ready for winter and I can do some but there are a few that are beyond me (anything on the ladder is out...plumbing and electrical too). So, as a get well present I got her a handyman named Jason. He is great (great at plumbing and electrical too) and right now he is doing one of the things that was on my list (staining the deck). I may adopt him.
So, all is well and we are chugging along.