Bogieblog

Free Nights

Since late September I have struggled with a shoulder injury. The main culprit is my shoulder blade but it affects nerves all along up my back and curls around my shoulder then down thru my arm. For several weeks my thumb was completely numb and the rest of my hand tingled. After weeks of seeing a chiropractor twice per week, and a massage therapist several times, my thumb is no longer numb and my hand no longer tingles. Well, unless I make certain movements - in which it feels as if cockle-burrs appear under my skin the entire length of my arm and into my hand.

Although I'm fairly certain that the injury had nothing to do with either of my jobs, the motions that are used for sweeping, vacuuming and mopping (and to an extent just washing surfaces) keep straining the area in need of healing. So I finally made the decision to let my night job go and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving was my last night there.

I spent 3 weeks training my replacement - the cleaning company owner actually found someone who appears will stay!

The staff at the dental clinic (where I cleaned) were sorry to see me go. I have been there since April, 2016 and had never gotten a complaint - apparently that is rare. They gave me a gift basket with locally made items; maple syrup, goat's milk soap and beeswax hand cream. They also included a nice insulated tote that will be perfect for taking my lunch to work in and a beautiful card.

I will miss working at night; it is part of my routine and keeps me from being lazy and off the streets at night :D. But, I'm hoping resting my shoulder will help me heal.

 

HOG Duties Expanded

At the HOG meeting in October, officers for next year were nominated for 16 positions. In most cases, since all the officers have only held their positions for a year, those same people were nominated - and accepted the nomination. There were a few that declined (moving, health reasons etc), and for those we nominated new people for the position, or asked for people to think about it until voting in November. Some people took on two positions (and in one case, two people are sharing the duties).

At the November meeting we were informed that one member, who had taken on two positions suddenly needed to back out - and was already out of country for his work without being able to communicate (due to the nature of his work). We had no volunteers for one position, Editor, so I volunteered to take that on along with continuing as the LOH Officer.

So now I am in a weird position of not having a template to follow, nor having the information that had been previously been given to the former Editor for our newsletter. I know that National HOG requires certain fonts, logos and has rules/regulations to follow and I don't want to reinvent the wheel if I don't have to. Additionally, the newsletters have Volume and Edition numbers that I have no idea what they are in relation to. I am fortunate that 4 newsletters have been published this year, as that is the minimum amount that is required. However, I also want to put out a yea-end edition as there are several news-worthy items that should be shared, but wouldn't have the same impact or interest if I wait until next spring.

This will be a learning experience for sure.

As Promised - Autumn Pictures

Pictures of the Burning Bush. Sadly, we had a huge windstorm and heavy rains so I never got a picture of it in it's full glory, but it was still pretty. I realize that BB is an invasive plant, but around here there are many old plantings of it (even the state planted it along the town bypass put in 10+ years ago), and shade keeps it mostly in check, so I don't feel badly about letting this bush live. The first picture was taken the end of October, the second on 11/4/17.

To the right of the burning bush is the October Glory maple I planted a couple of months ago. When I saw it turning yellow, although a prettier and more enduring color than the silver maples, I thought I was going to have to replace it with another Autumn Blaze.

However, the leaves endured and then started to change even more. Luckily, the wind and rain didn't even phase the little tree and the leaves stayed put so I could enjoy them. This is the last maple with any leaves on it at all. Pictures from today.

Today started off as the coldest of the year at 18* (Last Monday I rode the bike to work and it was 58* at 4 AM!). The sun was strong though and it quickly jumped up to 30 then topped out at 35*. Warm enough and dry enough to finally mow the leaves for the last time. I also pulled the last few lily stalks that had stubbornly stayed firmly attached to the bulb.

Although my shoulder nerve issue hasn't been resolved, it has been mitigated to a degree and I no longer have a completely numb thumb. I do still have tingles run from my shoulder blade up, around and down my arm when I stretch it, but it is better than it was. Only time and rest will allow my body to heal up. I'm disappointed I didn't get the last of the planned landscaping done, nor did I get anything done on the house, but I have reserved the arm/shoulder pain for what I have to get done, not what I want/wish to get done. Thank goodness I like to read:)