My daughter Amelia a nursing student in Montreal writes about her training and fundraising: "On June 7th, I meet my final deadline. I have to have a minimum of 5800$ raised. I am currently at 78% of my goal ($4,533), which is about 1400$ short. I will not be able to make up the difference that they require, and this puts me in a hard spot. "

If you have an interest check out her blog http://dreamingovertheocean.blogspot.com

For all who have offerred suport in any way thank-you!!!

On  holiday Monday I had two tired dogs!

Here  are some of the shots including a 4 month old puppy and a squeeky toy that Nanuq could not destroy.

Just got back from a morning at the University  Hospital....finally more xrays & follow up appt with surgeon....good news driving OK ( It is my left leg and I drive an automatic ) healing well, but ( bad news? ) another 7 weeks if non-wt bearing. This is due to the particular procedure of surgery they used..not the little old lady type....the hip has to completely heal before " learning to walk" again! No physio at this point and swimming OK but no kicking. Stopped the celebrex and using T3's for pain control at night. Walker, wheelchair and crutches...doing stairs now with both crutches.

Got to think some of this through....

The beauty of this time of year astounds me espeially with all the blossoms, as crabapple blossoms in my side yard.

My usual routine is one of digging and planting but mid May gardening using the wheelchair takes much longer. Dysis finds a cool spot behind the tulips and has been walking with me in wheelchair in back lanes. These magpies were chattering and must be young because they just flew up to the top of the fence.

The yard is still pretty sparse but one of the first tulips amid strawberry plants. Looking up abundance of pink blossoms Like the textures of blossoms on bark First crapapple blossoms. Tiny blue spring flowers just after watering.

as the weather is now delightfully warm, but alas only cycling in my wheel chair!

However going to put in a plug for my younger brother Don, who is doing a cross Canada, Victoria in BC to ThunderBay, Ontario bike ride with all the proceeds going to assist under privleged kids to participate in sports at local YMCAs.

His blog for training is:

http://ykids.blog.com/

One of the challenges of limited mobility is having to discover different ways of doing those normal day to day tasks, one has taken for granted previously....methods that are efficient but also safe and conserving energy. This, of course, is what the occupational therapists teach us and I remember those sessions in the hospital when questioned....so how are you going to put a sock on your left foot, safe transfers to the bath chair for a shower, where are the items in your kitchen and how to you plan to cook and get your items to the table? The physios make one practise transfers, give exercises and do stairs with crutches, my least favorite activity!

Still only toe touch on the left leg for a few more weeks! Back porch four steps OK but not down to basement where my laundry and files are located.

The home environment has been much different than the hospital but I am thankful for those sessions in short term rehab at the Ottawa General. My challenge has not been only physically, as have been fairly active, but also emotionally and mentally as have been fairly independent and finding that I want to do more than able, zapped at end of day if I over do it! Am thankful for the help of others.

Spring, despite the odd May snowstorm, has arrived in Edmonton! Did a fairly extensive yard cleanup last fall and glad to see the tulips and others coming up. This old wash tub makes a great container. Most of my enjoyment has been sitting on the back porch and there are the dogs of course! They do not understand I can't take them for a run, so throwing chewy toys is a great distraction. Love these shots of Nanuq. Did get out to the Strathcona's market on Saturday ...some friends from church dropped me and the wheel chair off for a few hours. Good to run into some others I know and pick up some fresh veggies.

Settling now back at home in Edmonton.Our trip from Ottawa was Saturday night myself in business class due to the leg and Amelia got an upgrade to be next to me. Much has involved cleaning, grocery shopping, picking up walker and bathroom aides, prescriptions filled, greeting the dogs and getting them and ourselves out for haircuts....Amelia can drive and I will not to be able to for a few weeks so important to get these chores done before she heads back to Montreal.

  Yesterday morning surprised with a western Canada May snow storm....dogs loved it but I did not venture out. perhaps however some of the best was a social gathering of her friends last night many of whom have not seen in a number of years Fooled around for photos near the piano or TOO CONNECTED all on the phone. A board game of Cranium and Makayla stayed over night.

Will miss them all as Amelia leaves in the morning and I am solo again.

Spring has definitely hit Ottawa but I have not been able to do many tours,  for the most part seen only either hospital grounds when out with my wheel chair or the airport.....the hospital grounds had some spots of daffodils and odd tulips but not in concentrated beds. Saturday afternoon was my last day and decided to take a taxi trip with Amelia and walk to see the tulips near Dowds Lake.    Wish I had been able to take a wheel chair as the crutches were quite exhausting but we saw some lovely beds. Many of these bulbs were a gift from Holland as noted on the plaque here.  Red, white a blue bed. An odd red petal   among the yellow tulips made for some interesting shots. In the middle of our walk there came a torrential spring down pour and I retreated to one of the benches with my crutches pretty exhausted and wet. The less than half a block to get to the Malone restaruant and bar was excruciatingly slow about 25 minutes but the beer and club sandwich was well worth it before a 5 PM taxi pick up.