We only had to leave the neighborhood ONCE today. That was for therapy at 1:00PM.

We put the prosthesis on first thing this morning and it worked. So he kept it on until about 11:30, then we got all cleaned up and had lunch before going over to the Care Center. Lori was really pleased that we got the leg on. She put it on again and he stood three times for as long as 5 minutes, practicing putting weight on that leg. Tomorrow we are on our own so will put it on when he wakes up again. That is before the stump gets a chance to do any swelling and will help shape the leg and keep it formed. She reminded us that Dick has to keep his weight pretty constant now. Fluctuations in weight will cause the prosthesis to not fit. If he loses a lot, it will be too loose, but if he gains it will be too tight. Such responsibility.

So this was a nice day. I find that just doing the things that have to be done for Dick and taking care of the house and the animals keeps me busier than I care to be. Things will calm down as time goes on. Even now, Dick is becoming more able to help himself every day.

We used the threshold ramp for the first time today going out. It was there when we got home yesterday so we came in on it. It is perfect. It is SO much easier for us to get him over the threshold AND it is not so bumpy for Dick. It looks great too.

Tonight I went downstairs and did a bit of sewing and straightening up down there in the den. It has been MONTHS since I have been able to do anything.

That's the story for today. Kind of dull and I am not sad about that at all.

Love you all

Mary

Was St Valentine a true blue Dub?

by Dermot O'Gara

JUST about everybody knows that St Valentine is the patron saint of lovers. You may have known that he was a priest in Rome in the third century, and if you're really on top of your game, you may even have been aware that he died in jail, but you probably didn't know that his final resting place is Dublin.

In fact the good priests of the Carmelite Order have been looking after his remains in their priory in Whitefriar St, just off Aungier St in Dublin, for over 160 years.