Since you've seen a myriad of wedding photos this week, I deem it prudent to skip Foto Friday in favour of an UnFoto Friday. Fear not, however, for you can count on me posting many many wedding photos in the days and weeks to come. Don't you feel better just knowing that?
As luck would have it after my sciatic adventures of Wednesday night, I already had a scheduled visit with my pedorthist yesterday, the purpose being to relieve me of a king's ransom and in the process to also relieve yet another condition common to some of us Less Young: a condition known as plantar fasciitis (heel spurs in the common speech). Be that as it may, the only relevant thing regarding my sciatic occurrence and, therefore this blog, was that he concurred with Ruth and others that it is, indeed, sciatica that I am experiencing. (Not that I would ever doubt Ruth, but it was comforting to have verification from a higher power — so to speak.)
But I have endured sciatica in my left leg for years (fear not, for it's generally under control), and this right side attack felt different. So I did what everyone would have done, only they would have done it much earlier because just about everyone on the planet is brighter than this writer, and did a Google search. Which led me to a few useless sites before I clicked on this YouTube entry (click or see below or take my word for it and move on down the page for even more more of my engaging narrative).
You have probably chosen to skip the video, but I have included it above as proof my my lucidity and because a recent scientific survey reported that there were at least five other computer users out there who suffer from sciatica. Or was that five tarillion? Regardless, there was Dr George Best describing the cause of sciatica and demonstrating appropriate remedial exercises. He described the Mackenzie method, which I know is reputable and endorsed because I have been using it with some success for about a decade and a half now. At the end of his video he mentioned another cause of sciatica, one not caused by disc ruptures etc. So, I opened his next video ...
... and found my condition (I think). Apparently these is a muscle deep in the buttocks called the piriformis that can also get tangled up (my words) with the sciatic nerve. In this clip he showed how to differentiate between the two causes, and so I deduced that my recent moanings and groanings were from piriformis sciatica rather than disc-induced sciatia. And he prescribed, if pescribed isn't too strong a word, remedial exercises. All of that takes place in this video.
I checked out his site, SciaticSelfCare.com from which I downloaded a free 49 page booklet. He just seems to be a well-intentioned doctor desirous of helping back suffers. So far I find no monetary motive, and that pleases me muchly. How wonderful to know that there are good, well-intentioned people around — not that good people don't need to earn a living too, but I think you know what I mean.
To come to the point: I did the exercises before retiring to bed, and I am pleased to report that I had a good sleep last night without too much back and leg trouble. Now, I'm not so naive as to think that a few stretches would relieve the condition that quickly; no, the attack probably wasn't that severe anyway. Nevertheless, it's comforting to have found a resource that may be of great help to me both now and in the future.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
On Becoming Less Young
Becoming less young is a rather fascinating experience. I have to put it that way — less young — because I can't see it, or at least can't say it, as becoming old yet — not yet!
Although I am now over the sixty hump, and the idea of becoming less young isn't as novel, I still find myself wondering at the process that is inexorably occurring to me, the processes occurring within me.
Tonight, it's the right leg. It's five AM, and I've been up for hours and slept fitfully before then. The leg from rump to knee along the back is causing me grief and some fascination. For some time now, I've experienced soreness of the back legs, and although Celebrex has helped lately, it's not a total cure. I take it in the morning, and it has often seemed to wear off before the next morning.
But that's a nagging general soreness of an ache in both legs. Tonight, it was multiplied by five or maybe more in one leg only, and I don't know if it's the same thing or something different. Why one leg and not both? Why tonight when I can't think of a cause?
Three strong Tylenols and a hot bath have helped somewhat but only somewhat. It helps to be up doing too. Even though the pain is still there, one can work through it to some degree. But when you lie there in the stillness trying to find the unconsciousness of sleep, it's too loud and insistent on the nerves as it were.
So I got up. Had my Tylenols. Tried to rest in my Lazy Boy. Got up again. Went to the basement to find the portable heater to warm the bathroom because it's really cold tonight (what's up with that?). Came back upstairs to find that Sir Cat had gifted me with a puke. Cleaned it up. Ran the water. Found a dry towel in the closet. Explained to my Sweatheart that I was not really hosting a convention. Squirted eyedrops into my sleepy eyes so that I could read in the tub. Soaked. Towelled. Went to bed again. Got up again. Blogged.
My prose seems quite wonderful to me now but by morning it will probably read like Sir Cat's earlier offering. What's the old saying: Many are called; puke are chosen?
I don't know what's up with the leg. I have a big day planned for Saturday, have had for quite some time now. It involves a lot of driving followed by a lot of sitting followed by a lot of driving. Will I have to cancel because of this stupid leg thing? Should I call the doctor? Can she see me at short notice? Would she have a clue anyway. I mean it does seem rather bizarre. How should she know what it's all about?
But it is fascinating, this business of becoming less young. I have observed that almost everyone has symptoms of one sort or another. Compared to some, I'll take mine and be glad — except for the cat puke and the possible letdown looming on Saturday. It offered me a blog topic after all.
Although I am now over the sixty hump, and the idea of becoming less young isn't as novel, I still find myself wondering at the process that is inexorably occurring to me, the processes occurring within me.
Tonight, it's the right leg. It's five AM, and I've been up for hours and slept fitfully before then. The leg from rump to knee along the back is causing me grief and some fascination. For some time now, I've experienced soreness of the back legs, and although Celebrex has helped lately, it's not a total cure. I take it in the morning, and it has often seemed to wear off before the next morning.
But that's a nagging general soreness of an ache in both legs. Tonight, it was multiplied by five or maybe more in one leg only, and I don't know if it's the same thing or something different. Why one leg and not both? Why tonight when I can't think of a cause?
Three strong Tylenols and a hot bath have helped somewhat but only somewhat. It helps to be up doing too. Even though the pain is still there, one can work through it to some degree. But when you lie there in the stillness trying to find the unconsciousness of sleep, it's too loud and insistent on the nerves as it were.
So I got up. Had my Tylenols. Tried to rest in my Lazy Boy. Got up again. Went to the basement to find the portable heater to warm the bathroom because it's really cold tonight (what's up with that?). Came back upstairs to find that Sir Cat had gifted me with a puke. Cleaned it up. Ran the water. Found a dry towel in the closet. Explained to my Sweatheart that I was not really hosting a convention. Squirted eyedrops into my sleepy eyes so that I could read in the tub. Soaked. Towelled. Went to bed again. Got up again. Blogged.
My prose seems quite wonderful to me now but by morning it will probably read like Sir Cat's earlier offering. What's the old saying: Many are called; puke are chosen?
I don't know what's up with the leg. I have a big day planned for Saturday, have had for quite some time now. It involves a lot of driving followed by a lot of sitting followed by a lot of driving. Will I have to cancel because of this stupid leg thing? Should I call the doctor? Can she see me at short notice? Would she have a clue anyway. I mean it does seem rather bizarre. How should she know what it's all about?
But it is fascinating, this business of becoming less young. I have observed that almost everyone has symptoms of one sort or another. Compared to some, I'll take mine and be glad — except for the cat puke and the possible letdown looming on Saturday. It offered me a blog topic after all.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Ceremony Photos
So, let's meander through the rest of the ceremony, shall we?
The rabbi and the couple partake of the cup (wine).
Then the seven blessings are read. In this case, the rabbi read the first two and last two. I read the third in both Hebrew and English. Cuppa and Puff's Mom read the fourth and fifth blessings respectively.
Although the couple does not formally exchange vows, they do exchange rings.
Of course, they kiss after the ring exchange.
Then they each broke a wine glass.
Following the Jewish tradition, right after the ceremony the couple went off together for about ten or fifteen minutes. The second picture is an attempt to be arty. I know; I should leave it to the artists. You may have to view it large to get the effect.
The rabbi and the couple partake of the cup (wine).
Then the seven blessings are read. In this case, the rabbi read the first two and last two. I read the third in both Hebrew and English. Cuppa and Puff's Mom read the fourth and fifth blessings respectively.
Although the couple does not formally exchange vows, they do exchange rings.
Of course, they kiss after the ring exchange.
Then they each broke a wine glass.
Following the Jewish tradition, right after the ceremony the couple went off together for about ten or fifteen minutes. The second picture is an attempt to be arty. I know; I should leave it to the artists. You may have to view it large to get the effect.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Singing, Clapping and Dancing
If I recall correctly, there were three times when D played the guitar and sang, always encouraging the rest of us to join in. I have never witnessed such integration of music into a ceremony and found it to be quite wonderful.
Music leads to clapping and that's what the next four photos show from various distances, starting with the girls and moving back to take in the audience. The third picture is just a zoom of part of the one before it. When I looked closely at the whole photo, I found that all four of us — parents and grandparents — were engaging Nikki Dee as they clap as we often do this together. I, particularly, have a goofy look on my face.
Good music tends to lead to dancing. This one was impromptu. What fun! Imagine being spontaneous at your own wedding!
More to come tomorrow.
Music leads to clapping and that's what the next four photos show from various distances, starting with the girls and moving back to take in the audience. The third picture is just a zoom of part of the one before it. When I looked closely at the whole photo, I found that all four of us — parents and grandparents — were engaging Nikki Dee as they clap as we often do this together. I, particularly, have a goofy look on my face.
Good music tends to lead to dancing. This one was impromptu. What fun! Imagine being spontaneous at your own wedding!
More to come tomorrow.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Under the Chuppah
The Jewish wedding ceremony takes place under a canopy called a chuppah (don't say the 'c'). For their event the girls had their west coast friends sign their best wishes at the party following the civil ceremony. Puff's dad has passed away, so on top, Puff placed her father's prayer shawl.
The first photo shows the whole scene and part of the audience. One has to appreciate how green everything was so late in August. That was the beneficial side effect of having such a wet summer. Another great thing is that by the end of August the insects were not inclined to bother us very much; earlier in the summer, they could have and would have made it miserable. Notice that the families stand beside the couple rather than sit through the ceremony.
The next photo is a little closer than the first. The flouncy bride's family and friends are on the right actually closer to Althegal. Except for Nikki Dee who was being a very good girl in the front row, that's our whole but tiny clan under the chuppah and to the left. The two brothers-in-law, Puff's and Althegal's, are holding the chuppah with Puff's nephew helping out.
Moving in even closer, you can see me looking off into the trees. At times I needed to collect my emotional self by casting my glance to the glorious surroundings. Cuppa seems to be having a similar moment. It was a beautiful scene on a beautiful day with the Crowe River in the direction in which I am looking (except lower). If you look closely, you can see that the officiant is playing the guitar at this point as he did at several junctures during the ceremony. It was quite poignant.
And finally, for this post, a closer shot under the chuppah with the rabbi reading, the girls holding hands, and my son-in-law holding the chuppah. The funky footwear is more visible in this photo, but if you look back up at the other photos, you'll see it there too. We didn't all wear pink or green Converse sneakers, but I was keen to go with the flow.
(Note: all of these photos as well as those yesterday were taken by my BIL.)
The first photo shows the whole scene and part of the audience. One has to appreciate how green everything was so late in August. That was the beneficial side effect of having such a wet summer. Another great thing is that by the end of August the insects were not inclined to bother us very much; earlier in the summer, they could have and would have made it miserable. Notice that the families stand beside the couple rather than sit through the ceremony.
The next photo is a little closer than the first. The flouncy bride's family and friends are on the right actually closer to Althegal. Except for Nikki Dee who was being a very good girl in the front row, that's our whole but tiny clan under the chuppah and to the left. The two brothers-in-law, Puff's and Althegal's, are holding the chuppah with Puff's nephew helping out.
Moving in even closer, you can see me looking off into the trees. At times I needed to collect my emotional self by casting my glance to the glorious surroundings. Cuppa seems to be having a similar moment. It was a beautiful scene on a beautiful day with the Crowe River in the direction in which I am looking (except lower). If you look closely, you can see that the officiant is playing the guitar at this point as he did at several junctures during the ceremony. It was quite poignant.
And finally, for this post, a closer shot under the chuppah with the rabbi reading, the girls holding hands, and my son-in-law holding the chuppah. The funky footwear is more visible in this photo, but if you look back up at the other photos, you'll see it there too. We didn't all wear pink or green Converse sneakers, but I was keen to go with the flow.
(Note: all of these photos as well as those yesterday were taken by my BIL.)
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Along the Green Aisle
Even the last four years have brought about a difference in photography. When Thesha got married, there were digital cameras, but they weren't quite as ubiquitous or so many megapixels. I perhaps have access to half the pictures taken at the wedding and feel swamped. Nevertheless, bit by bit I'll try to wade through them and post them here and there on the WWW. Primarily for family, I think some of you regulars may appreciate a quick look too. In almost all cases, and certainly in today's batch, the photos were taken by others. All of these, for example, are from my Bro-IL, Treebeard who has some amazing photos posted on his Flickr site.
Today, I 'll show you the walk down the aisle, the green aisle. In this first photo, you can see where the wedding party collected for the traditional walk. It shows the lawn, which we call Bridgesward (or Bridge Sward)because there is the relic of a bridge if you were to point the camera the other way. The rabbi (not officially one yet) is the first to make the walk.
At thirty second intervals the rest of us followed. This is Thesha, my oldest.
Both Cuppa and I walked Althegal. This was very emotional for me, and there are a number of photos of me looking to the ground, but I managed to lift my head for a this one. Get a load of the funky vest and bowtie, will ya? I think it's been fifty years or more since I last wore one of those. Don't Cuppa and Althegal look smashing?
At the end of the walk, we both got a hug from the girl. Cuppa is about to get hers in the next photo, and I managed a smile while waiting for mine.
Then Puff came, escorted by her mother and sister.
Here, the two brides greet and are about to hug and kiss before being officially joined.
I'll try to keep the photos coming fairly regularly now that I've started because I know that a number of folk are getting anxious to see them.
Today, I 'll show you the walk down the aisle, the green aisle. In this first photo, you can see where the wedding party collected for the traditional walk. It shows the lawn, which we call Bridgesward (or Bridge Sward)because there is the relic of a bridge if you were to point the camera the other way. The rabbi (not officially one yet) is the first to make the walk.
At thirty second intervals the rest of us followed. This is Thesha, my oldest.
Both Cuppa and I walked Althegal. This was very emotional for me, and there are a number of photos of me looking to the ground, but I managed to lift my head for a this one. Get a load of the funky vest and bowtie, will ya? I think it's been fifty years or more since I last wore one of those. Don't Cuppa and Althegal look smashing?
At the end of the walk, we both got a hug from the girl. Cuppa is about to get hers in the next photo, and I managed a smile while waiting for mine.
Then Puff came, escorted by her mother and sister.
Here, the two brides greet and are about to hug and kiss before being officially joined.
I'll try to keep the photos coming fairly regularly now that I've started because I know that a number of folk are getting anxious to see them.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Foto Friday
Last weekend while at the cottage we stopped along The Old Mill Road near Apsley, Ontario for a few photos.
This is Eels Creek as viewed from near the road.
Cuppa: my focal point in life.
The other day, Nikki Dee brought Little Winnie the Pooh to me, so I grabbed big Winnie the Pooh, and we all snuggled together for quite some time. Probably the only person on the planet to appreciate my singing, she made me repeat the Winnie the Pooh song over and over and over again.
Then, when I decided to assume a back friendly position on the floor, Nikki Dee decided that her poor back could use a break too and that mine needed just a bit of extra pressure.
This is Eels Creek as viewed from near the road.
Cuppa: my focal point in life.
The other day, Nikki Dee brought Little Winnie the Pooh to me, so I grabbed big Winnie the Pooh, and we all snuggled together for quite some time. Probably the only person on the planet to appreciate my singing, she made me repeat the Winnie the Pooh song over and over and over again.
Then, when I decided to assume a back friendly position on the floor, Nikki Dee decided that her poor back could use a break too and that mine needed just a bit of extra pressure.
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