"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Amidst The Chaos Comes Calm


I've been away for what seems a very long time though I know it hasn't been.  My husband has been in two different hospitals and all that goes with it.  I feared a couple of times that he might be dying.  It was a sobering period. Pneumonia in both lungs, malnutrition, dehydration and the infectious disease all came into play at the same time; the perfect storm. You lose your sense of real time, don't know what day it is. This is how rattled I got. I had driven to the barn to lock up the animals, and I usually stick my cell phone in my bra for a pocket.  When I got back to the house, I started frantically searching for it as I talked to my son, then finally figured out I had it up to my ear. We'll discuss more about that later, but my husband  did get the feeding tube while there and it is so easy, I wonder why he didn't do it sooner (but I know the answer to that.) 

During those dark and crazy days, I'd come home in the evening to feed the animals.  This Great Heron has taken a fancy to me and comes to the nightly feeding frenzy of fish, turtles and such.  He's fearless now; comes not for the smorgasbord, but to dine on the little fishes that are waiting for me.  This brazen, ungainly fellow belly flops down suddenly into the water and comes up with a fish in his beak then struts around with it before deciding to swallow the poor little fry. 

 The moon on the pond (notice the inquisitive little turtle head poking out of the water) was the early blood moon later on that night. It was nice to see that all was well and as it should be.

We closed on the new city house the next day after my husband made them release him from the hospital.  Plan B was to sign at the hospital. Oh those poor nurses and doctors. The worst, hard-headed, terrible, awful and stubborn patient on the planet has become a darling once again.  Happy as a lark even though he may never be able to eat or drink again.  Can you imagine?  Our lives will change.  I went out and bought frozen tv dinners so I won't be eating in front of him.  We'll figure it out. 

It is a beautiful day.




21 comments:

RachelD said...

On. Donna. I have no words for this. Out of the blue, and thus, incomprehensible---it will take a while to assimilate

Wish I lived close. I'd go and FEED for you, morning and night. Any time.

r

Joanne Noragon said...

Phew! I'm sorry your plate is so full. Such a good decision to move to the city!
I would call your bird an egret, a white heron. We have grey herons aplenty here, but I see egrets only occasionally, on their way to Lake Erie in the spring. Not every year, either.
My best to both your and your stubbornly sweet patient husband.

donna baker said...

We'll make it. Just one day at a time has been my mantra for the past two weeks. Thank you Rachel.

donna baker said...

Thank you Joanne. Last night was the first night the heron wasn't there at the pond. Wonder if he took off for warmer lands...

La Table De Nana said...

You write beautifully Donna..very poignant this post of yours..

Poor man your dear husband..what a stroke of luck he picked you..in all the world.
My thoughts are with you..I am reading between the lines.and the tubes etc..

Life changes in a heartbeat.
I love it when it's a fairy tale ending..not so much when the the story has hard turns.
Peace to you in your new home..just peaceful..you know what I mean?.Peaceful and good.

donna baker said...

Yes Monique, I know. I shut down a couple of times; could speak, but wouldn't. I am pretty strong most times though. It has been a long journey, but we pick up and move forward. One day at a time. He was on the riding lawn mower today. I took a picture and texted the kids, "he's back in the saddle again."

Frances said...

Good evening Donna, and thank you for your fine writing and exploration of all that you and yours have experienced in the past days. Monique has said it in her comment so much better than I could.

Perhaps being in your new home will bring days that have limited drama, increased strength for the home's inhabitants. As you correctly put it, one day at a time. xo

elaine said...

Oh Donna - what a time it has been for you and your husband. Glad that you are managing to keep positive about it all.

donna baker said...

Thank you for your comment Frances. Yes, one day at a time is the new normal. I am trying to figure out what steps to take first in moving into the new house. Painters, floorers first I think. It is going to take a while to call all the servers and get them scheduled too.

donna baker said...

Thank you Elaine. I have so much to do now, that is going to keep me busy for a while.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thinking of you Donna. Everyone has said it all - hang on in there, take one day at a time and keep strong for him.

donna baker said...

You too Pat. I think women are more fit for that, don't you. After raising children, it's about all one can do, isn't it? Been through it all and come out on the other side.

La Table De Nana said...

I love that Donna!
You must have been overjoyed to see him on the tractor~
You are an inspiration.

Amanda Summer said...

Donna, I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's illness. My prayers and thoughts go out to you both.

donna baker said...

Thank you dear Amanda. I was wondering where you've been, then saw a new post. He is better each and every day.

The Weaver of Grass said...

In answer to your question on my post yesterday Donna - we don't have chickadees or mocking birds. We do have the lovely little wren with his perky tail but not sure whether he is the same species as yours.

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

You are much like me-I always feel better after "the dance is over," then let's talk about it. Glad your husband is on the up tick-much the same occurred with my mother-all the same problems this past winter. Much goes out the window-but our thoughts remain. Mine are with you-and on the mend. pgt

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

You are much like me-I always feel better after "the dance is over," then let's talk about it. Glad your husband is on the up tick-much the same occurred with my mother-all the same problems this past winter. Much goes out the window-but our thoughts remain. Mine are with you-and on the mend. pgt

donna baker said...

Thank you Gaye. He is on the mend and has gained 6 pounds already. He had a little set back last night with a fever, so we will have to be vigilant that the pneumonia isn't returning. He is hydrated now and getting nourishment so we'll be much ahead of the game now.

donna baker said...

Pat, I wish you had mockingbirds. They are something else, mocking all different sounds. And, I discovered the city mockers sing different sounds than the country ones. At the city house once, I heard a resident mocker making siren sounds. I thought that was so funny.

Nada said...

Beautiful photo where I can see and feel what your yearning sought. For a better future, I wish you both.