Heat Reprieve

The heat wave finally broke yesterday, in a spectacular thunder and lightening show that blew out the power for more than nine hours (to the entire town where my parent's live). We had our morning coffee on the front porch, enjoying the cool breeze, blooming flowers, butterflies and steady rain.

After being stuck in indoor air conditioning for a few days, my dad was particularly happy to be allowed outside! He continues to do very well, and make slow but steady improvements. This morning, while sorting Saskatoon berries, he was a little off balance and it was a good reminder that while he feels better, he's still not as steady or as strong as he might expect, or like to be. Thankfully, he's not ignoring his limitations, even though they must be frustrating.

During this week's heat wave, the raspberries and Saskatoon berries happily ripened... and not so happily, needed to be picked.  So far, my mom has picked and frozen four ice cream buckets of Saskatoon berries (with more scheduled for tomorrow) along with countless trays of local strawberries. Over the next few days, I think there will be more raspberries to pick (and devour) as well. After a morning of rain yesterday, my parent's garden is a major mud pit, but things should be dried out enough by tomorrow to pick a second round of raspberries. They are so deliciously sweet, it's worth trudging through mud to enjoy them!

Summer Salad

There are many things I love about summer. After a winter of eating soups and "warm" food, I love the switch to "summer eating". For Jeff and I, that usually means some sort of grilled meat or fish with a summer salad. I made one of our favourites for my parents this week, and they enjoyed it so much it that I thought I should share. 

Adapted from an article in Bon Apetit magazine

Serves 6-8

1/2 cup quinoa or pearl barley, cooked and cooled

1/2 cup wild rice, cooked and cooled

1-14oz can black beans, drained

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 or 2 mangoes, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

Directions 

1. Cook wild rice and quinoa/pearl barley according to package directions. Let cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa/barley, rice, black beans, mango, onions, red pepper and cilantro.  
3. Add dressing ingredients- garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper, vinegar and olive oil- directly to salad and mix well.  Enjoy! 

Sizzle

It's 9:30AM and the thermometer (which sits in the shade) measures 34 degrees. The Environment Canada website tells me that humidity (unusual for this part of the world) makes it feel more like 38 degrees... and the mercury is rising. My dad continues to do well, but is looking forward to a break in this heat wave so he can actually go outdoors for more than a few minutes of exercise. I think that climbing stairs and walking laps around the house are getting a little boring.

We had a good weekend- after surviving enjoying(!) B&B guests, my Mom had a much needed break on Saturday when she and I attended a family wedding and my dad enjoyed visits with family and friends. He still tires very easily but is really buoyed by social activity. So, if you want to call or visit, please do! Just call before you drop by to make sure he's awake. 

Inkeeping

When I moved to Nanaimo, I was not certain if I would continue work in my field or do something completely different. Jeff and I entertained all sorts of ideas, one of which was renovating an ocean front (or at least, ocean view!) house and running a Bed and Breakfast. Today, I got a taste of the B&B  inkeeper's life and it's a little less glamorous than I imagined!  After cleaning bathrooms and ironing sheets, I made the mistake of telling my Mom that the only part of B&B hosting that appeals to me is having a captive audience to try out new culinary experiments.... so guess who is signed up to cook breakfast tomorrow morning?!

My Dad is doing better today. He enjoyed a field trip to Rosthern this morning for a hair cut and a doctor's appointment, and the change of scenery put some pep back in his step.  All seems to be going well from a medical recovery perspective, and one small drainage tube incision that has been troublesome is now aided by antibiotics to avoid possible infection. The doctor reminded Dad that he is an incredibly fortunate to still be here.... and while this is still very humbling, we are simply grateful and thankful. I know there is an incredible network of friends, family, faith and prayer still surrounding us- my Dad really does feel this.

The gratuitous garden shots today are of my parent's acre (almost) of lettuce, and some blooming Sweet William. I do feel a little guilty- while Jeff is braving out cold temperatures and rain at home, the thermometer is set to hit 30+ again tomorrow with lots of glorious sunshine.

Plateau

While yesterday's motto was "Slow and Steady", today was a day more slow than steady.  I think that during recovery, plateaus are common- today was a day for quiet, rest and a little more aches and pains than in the past few. Maybe that's a result of activity during the past two days... or maybe it was just a flat day. Tonight, my Dad said the weariness of today had lifted a bit, so we end the day on a little more upbeat a note than it was lived out.

Tomorrow, my parents have two rooms of overnight B&B guests coming- this was a long standing reservation they both felt was important to keep.  I have a feeling this will make for an interesting 12 hours (hopefully, with minimal mayhem!).

Lilies in my mom's garden

Distractions

I asked my dad what to write today and his response was "Slow and steady wins the race!" I think the terms slow and steady are good descriptions of progress around here.  

Dad was up and around this afternoon- we went for a short walk outside, then he perched at the kitchen island to learn how to make two of his favourite things to eat- hummus and greek salad. After dinner, my uncle arrived with the most glorious strawberries, picked today from a local farm.  Now, my Dad is helping my Mom clean and freeze them! We're letting him do stuff that isn't too strenuous as he needs a distraction and is a little restless. Despite this activity, he did admit that today, he feels tired to the bone. So, more rest and quiet is in store for tomorrow. 

Choosing Battles

It's an interesting switch when kids become the disciplinarians of their parents.

After my dad's morning nap, he was a little restless so I suggested a few laps back and forth on my parent's front porch for some fresh air. Before I knew it, our foray on the front porch turned into this: 

When my younger brother had open heart surgery in 1982, our entire family went along to Vancouver for the operation. When we got home two weeks later, he was not allowed to ride his bike (the worst possible punishment in the universe for him).  Lyndon somehow convinced my Mom to let him "just sit" on his bike in the garage.... and three days later was caught flying across home made ramps and jumps in the vacant lot next door.  Needless to say, an iron fist came down and the bike "rested" for a few days without him (!). 

Today, my dad walked around his garden "just to look". While he did just fine and the fresh air was wonderful for both body and soul, I have a feeling that keeping him from working in his garden might be a battle that requires a similar iron fist! As you can see, he looks pretty good and is steady on his feet. The red heart pillow he's clutching provides support to his chest when he coughs or strains in any way (like getting up out of a chair, for example). 

Gardener on hiatus checking out the work of his #1 weeding assistant

My dad was a little stiff today, but also a walked a little further, ate a little more, and said he felt a little stronger. He's not ready to hoe his corn patch, but he continues to do really well. 

Finding Routine

It's amazing how much we all take for granted during our regular daily routine.  Most days, I don't think twice about hopping into the shower, making my breakfast, walking to the grocery store, doing laundry, or spending a workday in front of my computer- I just do it.  

While my Dad continues to do really well, he's not able to "Just Do It". Today we slowly worked through creating new routines and starting to define a newer and much slower pace of life. It was great to have some family members and a friend come for short visits.  Everyone has been surprised at how really good my dad looks- his colour is great and the sparkle is back in his eyes. He's just not the strong guy we're used to him being. 

Dad clutching his "heart" chest support pillow while chatting on the phone

There is lots of learning going on here- my mom and I are learning how to be caregivers and my dad is learning to be patient with himself.  I can't imagine it's easy to rely on others to wash your hair, get a simple snack, or to put on the dreaded pressure stockings (that he has to wear for 2 months) but he is pretty upbeat and positive.  We are all aware that his recovery still has a long road ahead, but we're doing it slowly one step at a time. 

My dad is quite excited to use this blog to thank everyone for their prayers and support, as well as show off his beloved garden- the same garden he is currently banned from going near!  Since I can't really argue with him on this one, I've agreed to feature a daily Unger Garden Photo (until I go home).  We start today with my mom's pansies.