Scooter Saga

The Lake Theater and Cafe For the last year, I had been part of a 10–member committee planning our 50th High school Reunion.  Lincoln High in the 60s was the 'downtown' high school and was also the newest, being the 2nd iteration.  Fifty+ years later it's falling, like us, into disrepair and is slated for replacement (unlike us) . Lincoln & committee c. 1967 Although I had physical disabilities, I had only minor cognitive decline, related to being 68 rather than my ataxia.  The benefit was that I still remembered how to design and use a database—very beneficial with the data collection tasks. Accumulating alumni information over the course of a year insured that I would recognize most classmates.  It also gave me an opportunity to catch up in advance of the reunion.  The rest of the committee members didn't have that advantage.  Incorporating the reunion planning committee as a new group into my 'village'* was an unexpected benefit. It was more f

East Coast Fall foliage It had been more than two years since we had ventured on our first roadtrip*.  It was time to move from using a walker to a wheelchair.  That was a particularly difficult humiliation bullet to bite.  I thought I had accepted the inevitability of progression, but I found myself whining, "No-o-o-o!"  Was this the end of the road before absolute immobility? Were my traveling days over?  More importantly, would I strain Earl's back and were my scooting days over? 😱 As with previous transitions, logic and practicality won out.  I was so freakin' slow with a walker. I didn't appreciate how frightening my precarious balance was to others.  Finally, I knew an injury was the bigger personal threat and was to be avoided at all costs.  Thelma and Louise ** became a permanent part of my next chapter.  Wheelchair use gave me greater mobility and freedom than I had expected.  It didn't impact my travel, scooting, and I didn't "

 I only had Skeeter for a few weeks when our youngest grandchild pointed out that I didn't have a helmet* 😳.  A year later when I acquired my trike, I also needed the helmet for that.  This Christmas, Earl found a new helmet on the web (of course) , a product of a 'Kickstarter' project.  He felt this might enhance my safety when venturing out and would make a good gift.  I didn't really need a new helmet, but this was so cool (and high tech **).  lumoshelmet.com With flashing LED lights, it's visible from a long distance—actually, any distance. I may look ridiculous, but that ship sailed long ago ***.  It really looks and weighs about the same as any bike helmet. I have long wanted a way of turn signalling that didn't involve hands (not many people even remember what car hand signals are.  Neither did I want to be confused with someone having a seizure or needing assistance.)  The helmet comes with an indicator that mounts on Skeeter

  As has become our favorite vacation spot*, Caldera Springs beckoned again.  In truth, Central Oregon provides the best chance of good weather and offers the most options for children and adults.  Because of the big reunion  in Canada** last year, we didn't go to the area and everyone missed it.  So this year, back we went with some changes.  I had feared they would get bored with family vacations, but no.  Or if they were, they kept it to themselves. CS has something foreveryone The last time we were here, we saw indications that indeed the kids were maturing.  This year, they were in full blown 'independent' mode. At least twice a day, they went off on a cousins bike ride—no adults allowed.  They could ride to the pool alone and that became a new custom.  Actually, it was kind of fun watching them participate in an activity that didn't need chaperoning. But, since adults weren't invited, we have no photos of that momentous event. A random pile of

Bad weather seems to be following Earl and me this year.  We couldn't even escape it in Maui.  Sure, it was nice at first, but then the blue skies and sun Lake Kai Makani gave way to clouds and the rains came.  It was different from the more persistent, but light rain in the Pacific Northwest. Rain in the South Pacific may be warm, but it can also come as a tropical deluge. Our sweeping lawn became Lake Kai Makani, the parking lot flooded, the beach views turned gray.  In fact, it was 64° and sunny in Lake Oswego and 64° and rainy in Kihei.  Go figure.  Bad weather in paradise?  It did get better.  It always does. No pool?  I'll bike instead Devices to the rescue?  Sue us. The highlight of this trip was hosting two of our grandchildren (the first two had come in January) . Of course, they were looking forward to all the Maui attractions, but especially our pool.  Except that it was closed for resurfacing.  Damn! Fortunately, there are beaches, biking, zipli

Just when I thought Spring was coming and severe weather was behind us, we were hit with a windstorm.  Granted, it wasn't a severe tornado–like storm more commonly seen in the Midwest, but it toppled trees onto homes, roads, powerlines and (gulp) knocked out electricity to thousands of homes.  Now, I realize being temporarily out of power is a 'developed world' problem, but we are an indulged nation.  I was born and raised a spoiled citizen and can live with that. Pollyanna to Elphaba Ordinarily, I can maintain a positive attitude in a challenging situation, so when Earl texted me at breakfast Friday morning that the power was out, I thought, "No problem.  Surely the power would be restored by the end of the day.."  After all, it wasn't the middle of winter, there were two fireplaces for heat, a water tank with enough hot water for a couple of navy showers, gas for cooking, and emergency supplies. My tech devices were charged (at the time) , so I was

Triking up the street In the six years I've been scooting, this was the first year I found myself often weathered in. It's been a long winter. Snow, ice, wind, and heavy rain got me out of the scooting routine.  I have to confess to some reluctance that I attribute to advancing age and cowardice. If the street is wet, my tricycle slips, so I wasn't triking either*.  I hadn't seen my 'route' friends in months**.  It's not as if I haven't been out and up the street in a car this winter.  I just missed being outdoors by myself. The comings and goings Earl and I, living here 36 years, aren't the longest residents on the street, but pretty damn close.  Turnover is slow here, but eventually time passes.  Kids grow, graduate, marry, move out, even though we never age.  I was able to get a closer view of the new house being built and an update on the house for sale on the street. My new 'friends' Looking outside, the Oregon sk

Unaccustomed to much snow, it doesn't take much to convert an Oregonian into a weather wimp.  We have neither the necessary equipment nor severe weather–driving expertise.  Western Oregon often hovers around 32 to 35 degrees in the winter, resulting in freezing rain.  If freezing rain coats a couple of inches of snow, we're screwed.  Unlike the flatter terrain east of the Cascade mountain range, the Portland Metro area and Willamette Valley have hills that add to navigation challenges.  But then, we also have our share of deniers (it's not going to happen... the kids will be home by then... how bad can it be?) .  Spoiler alert: It was bad. Snowmeggeddon commute Having disabilities and inclement weather has advantages and disadvantages.  I was safe at home in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine, while Earl was stuck in the 'Snowmegeddon' traffic for six hours.  Once again, technology was beneficial. The good news: I knew he was safe, warm, and had