Bits and Pieces - November 1

 

The maple tree in the across-the-street neighbor's yard.

11/1/12

Hallowe'en passed very quietly at my place. Having chosen not to lay in a supply of high-octane sugary goodies to hand out, I drew the drapes on the front window  and turned off the porch light at dusk and settled down to watch the ongoing coverage of the aftereffects of Superstorm Sandy. My doorbell did not ring even once. That's not surprising in this neighborhood since there are only two children of Trick or Treat age living on our block, and they evidently were elsewhere, since I didn't see them out at all.

I am having to enjoy the neighbor's pretty tree this year, since my Japanese Maple, which had graced my yard for at least 15 years,  is no longer there. It had been "sick" for a couple of years, with branches gradually dying off.  This past summer's drought and terrific heat finally did it in.  My son in law worked on cutting  off the larger branches a few weeks ago, until his chain saw gave up,  leaving on the ugly stub shown below.  Pitiful, isn't it?  The stump (eventually) will be removed.  I have one of my tree's offspring in a large pot, but until I can have the soil tested, I won't plant another tree in this same space.

All that's left of my poor, poor Japanese Maple tree.

11/1/12

My visits to Cardiac Rehab continue to go well.  I'm now walking 31 minutes on the treadmill at the (snail's) pace of 1.7 mph, and doing another 10 minutes of upper arm exercises three days a week.  All good for me, I know.    I hope to convince myself that I need to walk around my neighborhood every day that I'm not at the hospital's facility.

That's it.  Tomorrow is also a day.