We joined about 8,000 people for the Harvest of Hope Concert to protest the building of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
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| Willie Nelson was the star attraction. |
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| Neil Young wrote new lyrics for some of his songs to support the protest. |
It wasn't quite Woodstock, but the Harvest of Hope concert was pretty amazing. Many of us Nebraskans feel quite strongly that the Keystone XL Pipeline should not cross over the Ogallala Aquifer. This underground water source is precious for us and for future generations. It should not be compromised by big oil companies, especially considering their sloppy track record.
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| Harvest The Hope Concert |
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| The concert was held on the Tanderup farm near Neligh, NE. The proposed pipeline would cross this farm and the historic Ponca Tribe "Trail of Tears." |
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| Fun to be with Linda and Greg Nelson; they procured tickets for us. |
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| Good weather, good cause, good music = perfect day! |
My own personal tragedy began on October 2. After one private lesson several days earlier, I took my newly-purchased skates to the Ice Box to try them out. All went well for the first 40 minutes, and then KABLOOM! I was down. Thinking that my wrists were only bruised, I skated a little more before giving up. Mr. Zamboni Man brought me some ice, after which I drove myself home (stick shift). I muddled through a breakfast and lunch engagement before realizing the pain was too much to bear. Rusty took me to Linc Care where I had x-rays and was told that I had broken both of my wrists. The doctor put sugar-tong splints on my hands and immediately I realized that life as I had known it was over. I cried.
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| With elbows affixed at 90ยบ, I needed Rusty's help with most things beyond breathing. |
Four days after the accident I saw the orthopedic doc, and the following day he put plates, pins and screws in each wrist. Since I had both wrists operated on, they kept me overnight following the surgery.
Most of my next week was spent sleeping and doped up on pain pills. Rusty was nurse, cook, personal dresser, house-cleaner, etc., etc. He was amazing!! Lovely friends brought us dinner on several occasions. Olivia, bless her heart, came up for a day and was a tremendous help! She found some clothes I could get on (with help), washed and styled my hair, swept the floors and made dinner! She helped me to feel like life might eventually return.
Two weeks after surgery I went for my post-op appointment. The casts and stitches were removed. Now I am wearing removable splints for another 4-6 weeks.
Physical therapy rules my life right now, but it is paying off. I am no longer afraid to go into a public bathroom for fear that I might not be able to turn the doorknob to get out. I can also wiggle into a pair of jeans, zip them and button them. (Goodbye stretchy pants!) I've cooked a few meals, but I'm not very handy with a knife. Carrying anything more than a few pounds is out of the question.
Thank goodness for a good surgeon, a good physical therapist, a fabulous husband and great friends! I hope to be back out on the ice in 2015.
We had a great time last weekend with the Fishers in KC!
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| GiGi and Papaw help Reece open his birthday present. |
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| Instructions from Papaw |
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| Ready. Aim. Fire! |
Reece and I had fun making a cheese ball that resembled a pumpkin.
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| Reece grated the cheese and crushed the Doritos. |
Both boys had soccer games on Saturday.
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| Pierce goes for the ball. |
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| Time out after making two goals. |
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| Grandparents enjoy watching. |
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| Saturday evening we had a great dinner while watching the Royals. |
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| Olivia and Chad. Cute! |
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| Pierce had a hockey game on Sunday. |
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| Reece colors while we watch the game. |
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| My favorite player! |
Thanks to the Fishers for a fabulous weekend!!!
And now my own opinion...
Thanks to the hard work of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone and many others, women have had the right to vote for the last 94 years. (Not so for the previous 144 years!) To my daughters and others of the sisterhood, "Exercise your right to vote!"
For all of us who live in a democracy and might be fed up with the way things are run in this country, remember what Thomas Jefferson said, "The government you elect is the government you deserve!"
November 4 is election day. Go vote.
