Thursday, September 13, 2007

Making hay


I've remarked often, while driving past this field at the end of our road, that I should capture it in pictures. Its beauty with each season is stunning. Corn, wheat or soybeans--very likely, soon it will be gone.
So much of our surrounding rural landscape is being transformed into subdivisions. Clusters of clay-colored houses with slate-colored roofs mushroom each spring, as farmland generates more cash from developers, than crops. One day, I will arrive at this intersection and see it planted in grass--a sure sign that it is no longer a farmer's field. And it will be too late.


This morning the wagons and tractor will finish taking in the corn, and soon, reveal the farm hidden in the distance. The glossy stalks glow in the September sun. The air has finally turned cool and crisp, hinting color in the adjacent trees.

There's a satisfaction for me, that comes with starting a long-promised project. A comfort in knowing it won't slip past, undone, with regrets. So many things in life are lost, put off for a later date that never comes.
Naively we think there will be another chance next year. We wait for a more "perfect" time to act. Sometimes we are fortunate. Sometimes we are not.

My plans for tackling yard projects and exploring new hiking sites in the long-awaited cooler temperatures are canceled. A trip to the ER this week found a DVT in my leg.
So, I'm off my feet, and on heparin. Anticoagulant therapy should help, but it's a slow process. And, although I may get just about back to where I'd like to be in 12-24 weeks...all I can think about is how much I'll miss.

One of the hardest lessons to learn, is that there are no guarantees in life. If there's a chance to do something, do it while you can.
Make hay when the sun shines, tomorrow it may rain.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

11 comments:

Ruth said...

Oh my! Your active lifestyle would seem to put you at a low risk for a DVT, unless you were on a long flight. Such a potentially serious problem...glad they caught it before it caused more trouble. You are going to have to be satisfied with lots of reading. Hope your recovery is in 12 weeks (or less). The blood thinners should work quickly and hopefully you can enjoy the fall outdoors a little.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Sorry you're off your feet Nina. I hope your recovery is smooth and fast. Do you have a stack of books?

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Yes--I'd be the last person you'd expect to have this--and there's a lesson in THAT, too.
I'm reading Annie Dillard--always wanted to, never had the "opportunity".
Although, this opportunity is not what I had planned.

cestoady said...

I am saddened to learn that you must be off your feet for a while because of a pesky DVT.

You may not be able to hike on foot but surely you can -- and will--hike with your mind and spirit to hone the keen insight and perspective you bring to your posts -- including this one. No one is better prepared than you to do so.

Susan Gets Native said...

I'm on my way over with soup.

Larry said...

I'm sorry that you have to deal with such a health challenge.-Your post is a reminder of an important message in life.-I'm sure that with a creatice mind like yours,you'll find a way to make the best of you time while recovering.

RuthieJ said...

Oh Nina, I'm sorry to hear that--it's going to be hard to give up something you love so much, but you must get better and then you'll be back up and around again!
Do you want me to come and teach you to knit???

possumlady said...

So sorry to hear about your health problems! I know DVT is nothing to joke around with. I have a co-worker--young strapping 29 year old--that is prone to them. His leg was bothering him but he decided not to go to the doctors. Well, as you can guess it, the clot migrated to his lungs and he had to be hospitalized and is convalescing as I write this. Just be thankful that you live where you do where nature can come to you. And just think of the extra cat-lap time you will have!

Anonymous said...

Cousin Nina,
This is Sally sitting on her veranda in Brasil contemplating orange blossoms and owls. Luckily Susan sent me the link with your news of Dvt. Ive had two of these, Also years of heparin or other toxic blood thinner.
This too will pass.
Today I will walk over our farm for a couple of hours. Next week I will be down at oceanside doing a two mile ocean swim.
Think of the moment as another door opening. Time to get to those novels!
There are so many things you can do to help yourself once the intial crisis is over, that combine with your particular nature lifestyle. THe best of all ?? Walking!! soon enough your Drs will tell you to get back on your feet and to keep moving.
If you would like to know more please email me. sara@greco.com.br
Love and big hugs,
Sally

Q said...

Dear Nina,
I do understand. I had a toe injury and a knee injury at the same time. It took a year of "legs up" to be able to do a little bit of hiking while on Holiday this last August.
Do take care of leg and let the healing happen.
You will hike again.
Sherry

Mary said...

Dear Nina,

Sorry. Stuff happens. When I was well into my routine of 1.5 miles of power walking each day after work, I feel off the deck steps and needed ankle surgery - July 2005. I moved to NC on crutches but we made the best of it... I read a lot and caught up on lousy TV shows I hadn't seen in many years.

So, take care. You will heal quickly due to your active lifestyle.

Mary