stories

People, places, and and the uncommonplace telling stories as they travel with Morganica (Cynthia Morgan) in mind and memory; neighbors, friends, and findings

8 03, 2017

Moonlight at sunrise, with jitters

2020-10-06T19:11:17-07:00

Awake to my sister practicing the last movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor: Moonlight Sonata at sunrise. I smile and nod as Mom asks me if I've slept well, scent fresh-ground Sulawesi in the little one-cup coffeemaker Carol and Emelia gave me an age ago, and wonder: If I grab these moments really REALLY tight, plaster them against my heart [...]

Moonlight at sunrise, with jitters2020-10-06T19:11:17-07:00
2 03, 2017

The wheeled view

2020-10-06T19:15:59-07:00

I saw Marcus* out of the corner of my eye, stopped at the crossroads, obviously waiting for us. Kaitlyn and I were headed over to the cafeteria for lunch.** It's a bit of a long haul for me, since there's a steep incline on both ends of long, meandering sidewalk. I haven't been able to do it yet without needing a friendly [...]

The wheeled view2020-10-06T19:15:59-07:00
30 01, 2017

Elmo, Beorn, and the Ferengi’s ears

2020-10-06T19:23:15-07:00

If you're wondering what's up with The Leg: We're hanging in there. LOTS of other stuff has happened that'll show up here as I get time to write, but mostly? We're hanging in there. On Friday night, Sept. 16, 2016, I fractured my left femur just above Elmo, my replacement knee. I lived in a wheelchair, facing hip-high amputation of [...]

Elmo, Beorn, and the Ferengi’s ears2020-10-06T19:23:15-07:00
28 11, 2016

Cliffhangers, clues, and claying around

2020-10-06T19:41:55-07:00

Today is jitterday, IOW, my monthly trek down to the orthopedics hospital, where they do all kinds of x-rays and studies to discover if Elmo and I will stay together. The docs will be looking for signs of healing and bone growth. If they don't find any, we wait for another month and go back for a recheck. If they [...]

Cliffhangers, clues, and claying around2020-10-06T19:41:55-07:00
16 11, 2016

8 weeks: Patience for the unvirtuous

2020-10-06T19:47:03-07:00

Happy crashiversary, Elmo! Two months ago, the bottom of my left femur seceded from my leg. If I've learned anything from this, it's that patience really is a virtue. Trouble is, I'm not that virtuous. "I saw this and it's exactly YOU!" a coworker once beamed, handing me a refrigerator magnet. It said, "I want it all, I want it now, [...]

8 weeks: Patience for the unvirtuous2020-10-06T19:47:03-07:00
20 10, 2016

Death by chicken

2017-07-03T14:25:28-07:00

It's like a horror movie: You walk into your chicken coop and roosters attack, spurs and beaks shredding your jugular like carnitas, killing you deader than Kentucky Fried. Apparently this can happen if you have chickens. Kinda makes Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds look like a Sunday afternoon in the park with Tweetie. Mom's friend Marla, who comes every week [...]

Death by chicken2017-07-03T14:25:28-07:00
13 10, 2016

Mr. Desmond

2020-10-07T14:46:54-07:00

"You need to paint a rock this morning," decided Selene, one of my favorite daynurses* at The Fortress. "And I will paint this rock because...?" I asked reasonably. "Because only two patients showed up for recreational therapy this morning, and Amber needs your support," she said firmly. She wheeled me on down to the art therapy room, I painted a [...]

Mr. Desmond2020-10-07T14:46:54-07:00
9 10, 2016

Saving Elmo 4: The Meltdown

2020-10-07T14:45:50-07:00

You knew there had to be a meltdown, right? Mine came Wednesday morning and by all accounts was a great success. Go big, or go home, ya know? On Friday night, Sept. 16, 2016, I fractured my left femur just above Elmo, my replacement knee. I lived in a wheelchair, facing hip-high amputation of my left leg, for about two [...]

Saving Elmo 4: The Meltdown2020-10-07T14:45:50-07:00
2 10, 2016

Bedpans and reachsticks

2020-10-07T14:44:57-07:00

"I'm sorry," I said, falling back with a sigh, "I don't quite have the hang of being an invalid yet." Dave had been rubbing cream on my sore leg, but now his head came up, "Invalid?!?" and his eyes flashed, "You're NOT an invalid. Where did you get that idea?" On Friday night, Sept. 16, 2016, I fractured my left [...]

Bedpans and reachsticks2020-10-07T14:44:57-07:00
29 09, 2016

Saving Elmo 2: The Plan

2020-10-07T14:43:38-07:00

Post-op, 8:30PM Saturday I awoke in the recovery room briefly, like a dolphin surfacing for air. Three brightly chattering lights orbited my head, nurses, asking if I knew who I was (mostly) or had pain (not much). I wondered mildly if I still had a leg, didn't care much either way. That's a sign they're giving you the goooood drugs. On [...]

Saving Elmo 2: The Plan2020-10-07T14:43:38-07:00
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