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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Keep Moving

Storms have chased me everywhere recently, it seems.
I've been going through an extremely bad phase with my spine. Jolting electrical pain down my legs has made life miserable. It's been tough to keep moving but I know, from many years of experience, that motion is the best thing.

K joins me for easy mountain bike rides every morning. Look at that sky over the Divide even early in the morning! It's rare to be rained on and hear rumbles of thunder at 8 AM but it happened yesterday.
The Divide almost disappeared behind swirling and angry clouds a little later in my ride.
The stormy skies seem to reflect whatever is going on in my spine. I've done something, although I'm not sure what, to make my nerves very very angry. It wasn't the epic odyssey that I wrote about in the last post because I was fine for more than 2 weeks after that ride.

So, I'm keeping moving and trying not to let the word "surgery" creep into my thinking. I know that another fusion is sitting out there in the future waiting for me (my MRIs show a host of disintegrating discs) but I'm trying to delay for as long as possible to protect the remaining unfused parts of my spine. As soon as more joints are fused, the stress increases at the adjacent ones and degrades those discs. Thus, a fusion tends to increase in length as the remaining discs fall like dominoes.

Yesterday, during my easy ride, I ran into a friend who has a young horse. Her horse is inexperienced around bikes so we joined together for a combined horse and mountain bike excursion for a short loop. We were quite a sight - a mountain bike in front, a young and peppy trotting horse with a rider behind me, and finally a loose horse running along next to us. My friend and I giggled the whole way!
After saying farewell to the horse brigade, I spotted a mother wild turkey with TEN babies. I captured a photo of the mother and three babies but the others were nearby. The babies look almost ready to set out on their own.
Getting out and moving is the best thing for me. And, along the way, I see so many beautiful things that I briefly forget the pain - a very good thing!

23 comments:

  1. Mom has some of those aches and pains too. She agrees moving around us the best
    Benny & Lily

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  2. hello i have to say you have the more beautiful picture the i ever see>>lovely >< Dog Grooming Miami Beach thumb up<

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  3. Now I know why sometimes I can't ignore my own back pain. I'm indoors, sitting at a computer all day, instead of being outside, moving and enjoying sights, smells and sounds that would help me forget!!!

    I'm so sorry you are having pain again. You know if there was anything I could do to stifle it, I would.

    What an absolute treat to see TEN young turkeys!!!

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  4. Sorry to hear your back is giving you so much trouble. Great catch of the turkey and poults

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  5. I sure hope your pain gets better. The weather seems to have the effect on my body...some days everything starts hurting. Oh how I wish I could ride a horse again...love your pictures!! Lots of love, Debbie & Holly

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  6. Hi Y'all!

    Oh dear, how did my turkeys get to Colorado so fast? ;)

    My Human was injured when she was in her early 20's in an auto accident. She said she never knows what sets her back off. Sometimes she can just reach toward something and end up frozen and unable to move.

    Y'all know if you wanted one of those turkey for supper you wouldn't be able to fine one anywhere.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  7. I'm sorry about the pain, but GOOD ON YOU for keeping moving and not just sitting..
    Stunning photos, as always!!!

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  8. When I had my own little battle with back pain a short bit ago, I remembered you saying that moving was really important. I'm not sure how you've figured out the balance between keeping it loose and overdoing it, but I salute you! I'd be a terrible back surgery patient.

    I always love the things you see in the world! You have an artist's eye!

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  9. I would have to say the same as Houndstooth - I would not do well with back pain at all. I worry about fractures with my osteoporosis, but you do serve as an inspiration for me. So sorry you are experiencing such pain, it must be bad for you to even mention it. I so hope it abates for you soon and without the need for surgery.

    Your cloud shots are beautiful. But then again, all your photos are just gorgeous.

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear that you are in such pain. I hope it abates soon and I'm glad you have your pups and the beautiful mountains to help get you motivated to keep on moving.

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble with your spine. I always think of you when I wake up stiff and sore and feel tempted to stay in bed all day. Thank you for being an inspiration.

    Kira

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  12. Hi KB
    I am sorry your back is hurting so bad.. Its just not fair.
    You are wise KB,, to keep moving,, but don't overdo. It is so hard, I know.
    The beautiful photos look so peaceful, and the turkey momma and baby- how sweet
    love
    tweedles

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  13. Your drive and determination inspire me on those days when I am achy and lazy and want to take shortcuts through my physical therapy exercises...I simply think of you and push on imagining myself in your incredible setting and filled with the will to be in control of my body. Thanks.

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  14. So sorry to hear about you are having pain with your spine.

    How do you do it? I mean really how do you continually motivate yourself like you do? Do you have any secret rituals? lol Do tell!!

    Yes, it is such a beautiful world. Thanks for being part of it. :)

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  15. The post made me scroll back to earlier posts two years ago . You've made so much progress and dealt with so many challenges. For what its worth there are so many folks silently willing you on .

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  16. Your post is really amazing, I love the photos, and the place is really awesome, it looks very relaxing! I hope that you really enjoyed staying there! :)


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    Dog Fence | It's All About Pet Fences

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  17. Sorry to hear of your back troubles! Have you looked into any natural herbs to help? Turmeric, Reversatrol supps? Hope you feel better!

    And look at those turkeys! I usually chase turkeys, they are much faster than they look!

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  18. I can only imagine how frustrated you must be by the restrictions and the pain your spine forces on you. It's good to fight, I think, and you're doing quite the job of it. Keep on keepin' on, girl!

    I was surprised to see an English saddle on the gray. I thought it would be strictly Western riding out there.

    I wish that the turkeys around here had had more than three. The Turkey Ladies have been around for a while now, and they need some younger members of their flock.

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  19. darn and drat about your back!
    your storm photos match our weather today, lightening and thunder on and on. The rain is good for watering the earth and helping to slow or put out wild fires.... but the lightening, well it could start some more. Beautiful images.

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  20. I am sorry you have been in more pain. I sure admire your ability to look on the bright side and continue moving through the pain.

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  21. I'm sorry to see your back has been giving you trouble. Hang in there!!

    That's a beautiful horse!

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  22. So sorry about your back...your courage and perseverence to keep on moving is inspirational. I have some "structure" issues I am facing and truly do understand that moving is the best medicine, although that in itself can be very difficult. Beautiful pics...I love the ones silhouetted against the sky and am just amazed at where your dogs can perch...just gorgeous.

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  23. Playing blog catch up and sorry to see news of a pain flare up. I've learned so much from your ability to keep moving through the pain and to look for the beauty around you. I hope you feel better soon.

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