flyfisher51's Blog

June 2011
Jun 4, 2011 | 8:16 PM PST
Tag: june 4th

Since last September I have started this blog a dozen times. There was always a reason not to finish it. Since January it has involved family. My Mom had blockage in her arteries, a bad valve, and “A” fib with her heart as well as COPD. After one false start, on February9th she went for surgery at Lankenau Hospital to correct her heart conditions. The surgery seemed to be just a bump in the road by the next day but she regressed. She spent the next 6-1/2 weeks struggling against her heart and it seemed at times against the care providers who were trying to make her better.

At this point she suddenly became animated and eager to progress to the next level. We were elated and ready when she was moved to a Heart rehab facility. She struggled, fought against, and grudgingly complied with the regimen she was given for four weeks. Then she got Pneumonia. It was devastating to her recovery.

Her heart was fixed, although she was still weak, but her lungs weren't. She asked for Hospice on May 13th, was moved there on the 18th, and passed at 10:10PM on the 19th.

My mom wanted to go into hospice on the 16th, but I asked her to wait, it was my birthday. I was 60 on May 16th............60. How many people get to be wished Happy Birthday by their Moms when they turn 60? I wouldn't let her wish it on the 15th, I came back on the 16th so she could do it then.

Most of my friends are younger than me, and both their parents are gone. I still have my Dad. As much as I might feel grief, he lost a partner of 65years. I hope our family can help to fill that void.

Which gets me to this point..... I'm Flyfisher51 and I went fishing today. I caught a 12” Rainbow Trout. It only cost me two flies to snags and branches, but it was worth it. This late in the season in S.E.PA, this is a haul. The daily temps had dropped enough that the water was 64 degrees and very optimized for Trout fishing. This was the first time this year that I had a day that I could spend in that Dream State I call Fly Fishing (It is actually A.D.D. and I am most at home when I don't fight it). I have spent many days tying flies and anticipating this day but none really being there. I took pictures of the stream, the fish, and the Winery where I fished. I went up to the winery(Manatawny) after I was done and bought a bottle of Shirah(2008) and Concord Grape Wine. I took pictures and wished my camera was more sophisticated so I could zoom in on the Catbirds that were all over the stream.

I came home, sat on the deck, and watched the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks cavort where I feed them. I planted flowers in the side Garden last week, Dianthus mostly, so that next year I'll have less to do. I planted my tomatoes two weeks ago in containers. I planted two Better Bush and two Patio. I put the two Rosemary from last year (I lost both creeping Rosemary this winter), as well as the Spicy and Italian Oregano, and Nancy s' Dill in the side Garden. I also put an heirloom tomato of hers there as well as potting an eggplant. I put another Rosemary in a pot where it is joined by a Sage plant. I planted last years Thyme, and this years Basil and Oregano in the old Spice Garden.

We saw our first Hummer a week before Easter. Recently we have been getting a bunch of girl birds hitting the feeder. All our other birds are feeding as usual. We have a Chipmunk who has taken up residence by our front walk and a field (?) mouse who has built a home in the Yucca next to the deck.(His days may be numbered because of the reputation for moving inside during inclement weather.) (You can only be cute for so long.)

Before coming up to write this I sat on the bench, within my hop trellis, pondering finally finishing this blog. The Trellis is already inundated with Cascade and Northern Brewer bines and the bench is no longer a seat, it is part of the Hops plants. I drank a few beers and I watched the birds flutter in and out of the feeder area. Mostly I was impressed by the Catbirds, who went about their business in my back yard without paying any attention to my problems, intent only on surviving and living for today.