Scooter Saga

Earl and I decided to make the first post-retirement travel adventure a three to four week road trip through the national western parks.  This year seemed like a good time. Seeing the parks is something we've always wanted to do.  Work schedules don't dictate the start and end dates of trips any longer and we've gained some information about how well Skeeter and I travel.  We've been flying to Maui and driving to various family vacation destinations–running the gamut from minimal luggage to everything but the kitchen sink.  We know Skeeter's battery lasts only so long, as well as what terrain she can and can't handle.  We've been able to handle most scooting disasters that have occurred.  My bladder is good for three hours or 200 miles ( whichever comes first) .  At this point, I'm semi-ambulatory (with a walker) .  We were probably as prepared as we'd ever be. Thank you, Google Maps Google maps helped us plan the trip route and mileage b...

As I said in an earlier blog, Earl and I can be soldiers but, truth be told, we prefer to be generals—not very compatible with a smooth transition to retirement*.  Leaving the hospital means that he's going from an environment where he was used to being in charge (operating room) , to home where I'm used to being in charge.  Fortunately, he's accustomed to a nurse managing his schedule, but in a hospital setting, a surgeon is at the top of the food chain.  Earl and I are anticipating changes in our routine come April, but there's more to it than that.  No location or function needs two CEOs, so we found ourselves in search of a less redundant, non–violent solution.  We also needed to own up to our inherent 'do it my way' natures.  Earl and I are happy the house is mostly shared space–we prefer it that way. A home is a joint responsibility, and ours always has been.  One of the more distressing aspects of being disabled, is how traditional ...

As a person with disabilities, I am grateful for Skeeter.  Having a mobility scooter has allowed me get outside and stay aware of the changes in my neighborhood*. Not only is staying indoors boring, it makes me feel like a stranger in my environment, and my world seem smaller.  I knew there had been increased construction/remodeling activity in the 'hood'.  But, being able to scoot around helped me stay in the game of being a responsible resident. Tear it down, build new Historically, Lake Oswego began as a weekend retreat community with attractive, but small cottages housing the populace.  The structures became 'tear downs' as the land value increased and were replaced by larger homes.  New streets and building sites appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.  I had no idea there was any 'there, there'. Typical of an affluent suburb with good schools, Lake Oswego is a desirable place to live and raise a family—providing any kind of diversity isn't o...