For My Friends On the NSF

or National Scoliosis Foundation Forum...this is Kinesiotape on my rhomboids. It has been attached in such a way as to help me remember to hold my shoulders back. I also have been taped on my lower back and pudgy belly to remind me to tighten my core muscles (but ain't nobody getting a picture of that)! Seriously, the tape helps prevent painful muscle spasms and provides a posture reminder all day. I have been able to cut my pain pill use in half, thanks to this tape. And yes, it is the same stuff as the black tape on the shoulder of the US Olympic team volleyballer. It looked pretty good on her, but it serves the same purpose for me. =)

I Just Couldn't Help Myself...

Take from this what you will. Thank you, Aunt Jen!

At Least He's Being Honest...

Unabashed Plug For My Kid

I was pretty tickled to receive this postcard in the mail a few weeks ago announcing Jon's move from Ameriprise Financial to Wallstreet Texas. Since I was not 100% sure what an investment banker does, and what a financial advisor could do for me (and for you, too!), I checked out his company's new website and was very impressed. George and I have since become clients. So if you have financial questions, or just want to look around and get some general information about these shaky economic times, click the above link. At the very least, you'll see why Momma is so very proud!

Walking the Talk

For my first post-op hike, we chose something moderately easy and familiar-the scenic fall color hike at McKittrick Canyon. And we brought friends! Our entire Sunday School class was invited, and the most intrepid among them actually showed up. Funny that most were women, don't you think? I love my sisters in Christ! Seriously, we understood that some of the men had other committments, yada, yada. But guys, here's what you missed...

• A kind park ranger took our pic at the trailhead: George, Trish, Lauri, Mac, DeeAnn, Kayla, Tammye.
• Mac and DeeAnn are ready to go.
• Kayla crosses the stream gracefully without getting wet (I, OTOH, didn't!)
• Lauri, DeeAnn, Mac, and George look for brook trout-there's lots of running water in the canyon.
• Here's what we came to see-the maples in their fall glory.
• Mutt and Jeff (Trish and Lauri)
• Hiking single file to the Grotto, an area of beautiful limestone formations.
• After the hike-picnic at the roadside park. Good food! Guys, this should be incentive enough to make you come along next year!
  

True Image Goes Country!

This has been an interesting week for George and Clyde. True Image Productions has been shooting Texas ranches for an upcoming TV special. They've gone all over the state and come back with some pretty great stories and some truly spectacular footage and still pictures. Here's some from yesterday's session at the Muleshoe Ranch. Enjoy!

• The folks at Muleshoe ranch say that most all of their work is still done on horseback. They prefer not to use 4-wheelers, as do some of the other ranchers. They say the 4-wheelers destroy usable grass and leave permanent trails, which they'd prefer not to have.
• Yesterday was the day that calves got separated from their mamas. It was time to wean them from milk and to teach them how to eat grass and pellets made of molasses and grains. George said that the calves would bawl out for their mamas, and the mother cows would low back, as if they were saying, "It's going to be all right. Try to eat that stuff."!
• I love the last picture of the horse nose. Next time, George, bring carrots. That fellow deserves a treat!

Dark Side of the Moon...

I love pharmacy jokes and cartoons! Thanks to Dave Denning, my oldest son, for the funny!