Jottings by Jerry – Feb 1

February is here. The shortest month of the year, 28 days with several gone by already. Less than four weeks of winter left. When March arrives you know you have beaten the Minnesota winter mentally. March can be tough, but you know it won’t last long and you can almost put the shovel away for the season.

I skipped last week mostly because of back surgery. It was two and a half hours of which I have no memory. They started at 8 am and by noon my mind was shaken back to reality and I was home by 3:30 p.m. The next 24 hours were very difficult, standing was almost impossible. I started doubting my decision to have the operation at all. Nurse Johnson did her best at the care and feeding thing. The second day at home I knew I was getting better. There was no moving without the cane and walker. By Saturday I could stand straight and walk ten feet without any aid. Things are good. The operation was on L4 and 5 of the spine and a few other things of cutting out and scraping. There were no stitches, no tape, just a layer of blue glue painted on that will eventually fall off in the shower they say. Therapy is walking and lifting nothing over ten pounds. I should be good by spring.

We are planning for a few days in Mexico this month. If the fence is up, we may not be able to wade the river to get home. I’m counting on reality, common sense and a few other things that apparently need to be learned by the new administration.

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I hope you enjoyed our special bridal supplement published with last week’s papers. The following are the names for the wedding photos that were on page 16: 1. Steve and Mary Brake, St. Kilian; 2. Bruce and Judy Heitkamp, Adrian; 3. Clayton and Faye Gehl, Fulda; 4. Chuck and Arlys Hoffman, Wilmont; 5. Troy and Gwen Post, Brewster; Paul and Mary Jans, Fulda; Glenn and Denise Henkels, Heron Lake; and Kim and Doreen Chapa, Ellsworth.

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You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.

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Have a good week!