Eclipsed

So many people have posted their eclipse photos that it seems silly to do it, as well, but you know, it's a big deal, so I'll pile on.

We had planned to witness the phenomenon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway but as the day approached and my foot remained in my clumsy boot after bunion/bone spur surgery, it just seemed silly. Post-surgery, I was instructed to stay off my foot as much as possible for up to six weeks.

I was optimistic, but it wasn't to be. So we went to Niki and Ehren's countryside instead, and had a fabulous time. It was everything it was hyped up to be, except for the color changing thing that was predicted for people wearing red and green.

Our colors remained the same, but the wind and temperature drop and the progress of the moon obscuring the sun was just tremendous.

Jeff snapped this: 

Niki snapped this: 

And this is from the Indianapolis Star: 

I was such a fun thing to experience with good friends. Kate Shepherd's son Joey, 12, was on again and off again impressed, and I had fun arguing with him about whether the partially obscured sun looked like a banana or a croissant. He saw no bananas. We agreed on Pac Man and a bite out of cheese.

He was a cheerful helper, bringing snacks and drinks to those of us who leaned in to infirmity.

In other nature news, I've continued to watch out the window (mostly) at some pretty things Nature sent our way. Our magnolia was gorgeous before sustained wind and rain. The phlox withstood the elements better. (Pay no attention to weeds and overgrowth.)

I would share a photo of my foot that the Captain made me take without bandages and with pins that were holding my shaved bones in place, but it's not as pretty as the above. Ever since learning that I had pins sticking out of my foot underneath the bandages, he's been calling me Frankenfoot. And in truth, I am even more clumsy with it.

Yesterday, the doctor pulled out the pins - which contrary to what I'd been led to believe - DID hurt. One of them was trickier than the other, and my doctor kept apologizing. I couldn't look, but I visualized him bracing himself against the counter while he pulled with all his strength to get it out. It's still a bit achy from time-to-time but nothing worth prescription drugs.

Now pin-less and stitch-less, I've been cleared to slowly practice walking in shoes for a few hours a day until I am fully back in shoes by next week. (Fingers crossed. I'd cross toes, but they're still kind of stiff and uncrossable.)

Walking without the boot after nearly a month dragging that thing around, was nearly as surreal as that eclipse. It's super weird. My toes feel like they're asleep. So I'm still thudding about. Here's hoping I regain my normal gait soon.

My yard will look much better in a month.