The nurse wasn’t kidding when she said shoulder surgeries don’t like to lie down. So the recliner part of our 100 year old couch is where I have been living the past 2 weeks. While the pain meds make me very tired, the couch is not the most comfy. That is why I am up at 12:30 AM, waiting until I can no longer keep my eyes open.

Two weeks ago I had rotator cuff surgery. I had no idea what to expect in regards to recovery. I have had 2 other major surgeries one on my foot which put me in a cast up to my knee for 6 weeks and back surgery to remove a piece of ruptured disk off my nerve. I was self sufficient after each of those. Sure, being the clumsy person that I am, mobility on the crutches proved to be challenging and I may or may not have thrown them once or twice out of anger for making me fall (crutch’s fault) only to have to crawl to pick them up. Having the use of one arm, not my dominant arm, brings all kinds of challenges. It is truly humbling when someone has to help pull up your pants, wash your hair, help dry you off; all things my husband of almost 28 years has done for me. I am truly grateful to have him in my life. So, if you read this Jeff, love you lots and thank you for all the help.

About a month ago my neighbor invited me to a Color Street online party. Of course I will support you and attend and probably buy something. I didn’t even know what it was. Found out it is glue on nail polish strips. I think I am obsessed with these things; what do you think.

Laminate wood floor installations, chain link fence install, finished basement, brick patio, catio (yes, catio; an outdoor enclosure accessible from an inside window, for our 3 cats) and the latest carpet installation on our stairs and upstairs hallway. Those are many of the projects my husband has completed in the 17 years we have lived in this house. So proud of the work he does to pretty up this house.

Every Thursday night from September through the middle of April I shoot pool. I was asked 3 years ago to join the team because they needed 1 more person. “I’m not good” I said, but the team didn’t care, they play for fun and just needed a body. I proved myself right that year, but we did have fun or at least I did. This past Thursday was our last home game of my 3rd season and I am going to miss my night out each week. I have gotten better, though there is still a lot of room for improvement. These ladies have become my good friends that I know I will still see during the off season.

Ever since I got back from Seattle I have been thinking about future trips. I feel like I am a little obsessed with train travel. Aside from repeating a trip to Seattle, I want to visit the East Coast too. But, the biggest trip I am looking into is traveling by train to NY and then cruising to Europe with 2 stops in Ireland (according to AncestryDNA, I am about 32% Irish). Not only is this an expensive trip, it is a long one, but celebrating 30 years of wedded bliss just might be worth it. My hubby and I have 2 years to plan and save 🤗

Similar to jet lag but from train travel. I have been so tired the past couple days, I am guessing it’s from traveling through a couple time zones and being on a train for several hours. So, maybe I just made something up, but it is my reality. From the pictures though, I would say the lag is worth it.

I bet you are wondering what I do when I am not traveling the country by train. Well one of those things is clay pot crafts while watching NASCAR. Today I am trying something new making gnome houses and mushrooms, but I specialize in flower pot people. It is a really relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

1. Your balance is tested every time you stand up or lie down ( hence the bed belts on the top bunk)

2. You make instant friends and have great conversations (as mentioned in the previous post)

3. The train’s air is very dry. I had a light show unfolding my blanket, no lie! Drink lots of water. I might bring a small portable humidifier on my next long distance trip.

4. People on the train are social and happy (mostly); I heard a lot of chatting and laughter.

5. The food is excellent (steak. chicken, salmon, omelets are a few things I enjoyed along with sides, salads and bread). Meals are included in the price of sleeper cars. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at meal time or in the cafe. Those in sleeper cars can drink those beverages in their room. Otherwise they have to stay in the dining or lounge car.

5. Shoes have to be worn when moving about the train. Once you walk from one car to another you will understand why. I don’t want to be the example for that rule, so my shoes go on my feet when I leave my room.

I just had my last meal in the dining car (the food was above expectations) and I was thinking about the differences to other forms of travel and who you meet along the way. While I didn’t make lifelong friends on the train, I did talk with others and hear stories, some really personal like Jinny who is part of the Ojibwa tribe, a teacher, and was on her way back from taking time away by herself. I met Lynn on my way out to Seattle, she is from Australia and was visiting friends in the States. She was rerouted to this train (as were many others) due to bridges being out in flooded Nebraska. Devin who had a ton of positive energy had just received an accepted offer on a first house with his wife. He hasn’t seen the house in person yet because he works in ND for 3 weeks at a time and was headed home for his 3 weeks off. He is also a proud army veteran who has seen the world. It was amazing how many people travel the country by train; one man even told me how for he and his wife’s 40th wedding anniversary traveled by train to New York to connect with a European cruise. Sadly, his wife passed away last year so this was a solo trip down to CA. Besides the scenery, making connections with others is part of the train experience, something you typically don’t get when flying. I looked forward to meal time not just because I was hungry, but I was excited to see who my companions were going to be and the stories that would be shared.