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Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Made a purchase today I never thought I’d make

My work schedule today had me roving in the morning, and working the VC in the afternoon.  I chose to use the refuge Chevy Impala today rather than the electric cart.  I would be sharing the vehicle with Kathy, an intern, who had the opposite schedule from me.

71 Okefenokee NWR 2012-1314

As  I crept slowly up and down the Swamp Island Drive, I was surprised to see the alligator mama in the water so early in the morning.  With the cooler temperatures of fall and winter, the alligators usually don’t come out until a warm sunny afternoon.  I added the red-headed woodpecker to my list of bird species seen on the refuge, and found another buckeye butterfly resting in a mowed area between the tall longleaf pines.

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As small flocks of sparrows were flitting about, I captured this chipping sparrow to add to the list.  There were also white-throated sparrows, but I just couldn’t get a good shot of them.  I never did run into any visitors to the refuge, but that’s really not surprising at this time of year during the morning.

71 Okefenokee NWR 2012-1313

Yesterday during the warm afternoon sun, I found this snake sunning itself on the paved road but didn’t want to post the pictures until I knew what kind it was.  Turns out it is a pygmy rattlesnake.  Yes, it’s venomous.  I remained in the car to take these pictures.  Thumbs up

Before heading in to work the VC in the afternoon, I stopped at the rig to let Emma be outside for a while and to eat my lunch.  While I was there, I broke down and ordered something on line that I never thought I’d buy.  There are a couple of things that I’ve associated with really growing old, and swore to myself that I’d never own.  The first thing is one of those chains that you wear around your neck to hold your reading glasses.  To me, that screams an old fogey librarian.  (probably because the old crabby Miss Wenzel used them and she was the librarian in my elementary school)

                                               Brooks Addiction™ Walker V-Strap White Full Grain

The second thing I thought I’d never own is Velcro closure shoes.  I always felt if you couldn’t tie your own shoes you might as well pack it in.  That is until I read the booklet from the Mayo Clinic on full hip replacements.  They suggest bringing these kind of shoes with you to the hospital or having elastic shoelaces for your regular shoes.  So, I bit the bullet and ordered a pair from online shoes where I get my favored Saucony kicks.  Growing old isn’t for sissies.  Smile with tongue out  Shucks!

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                                                                              THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

29 comments:

  1. Shoot! I was going to stake out Alligator Pond this AM but thought it was too early and too cold. Rats!!!

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  2. Velcro closures on your shoes is also handy for little kids. Just think of it as entering your second childhood! :-)

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  3. At least you don't have to worry about them coming untied :) I hate it when that happens, usually because it happens when there is no place to sit down and I have to bend over to retie them. I am with you on the eye glass chains, I don't like them either.

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  4. Eight years ago I accidentally severed the flexor tendon in my left wrist. Those velcro shoes got me through that tough time so I wasn't needing Kathy's help to fend for myself. Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  5. I have a pair of very comfortable sandals that I wear all year round. They have velcro straps. Talk about convenience!

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  6. Smart move on the shoes. I remember when Paul had his hip replaced. He refused to buy Velcro shoes and ended up wearing slippers all the time. I put a stop to it when he had to go to PT. But by then, he could put on his tie tennis shoes.

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  7. LOL. I'd be curious to know exactly how old Miss Wenzel was when you were in school. 40-50? When we were kids 30 was old. 40 was ancient. :-)

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  8. Wow, I did not know you could buy those kind of shoes in regular stores:))

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  9. Now, I'd probably go for the shoes!

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  10. What's wrong with velcro strap shoes? Seems like they would save a lot of time tieing shoelaces!

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  11. Think of the velcro closures as being more efficient and you'll be all set. I don't like the eyeglass holders either, but they sure make it easy to find your glasses when you need them ... again, the efficiency theme. :-))))

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  12. The shoes look pretty snazzy to me...I hate have to worry about rattlesnakes....ours have gone to hibernation for a couple of months.

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  13. How right you are...getting old is not for sissies. Velcro shoes reminded me of when Andy was young..here's a kid with a 130 IQ and couldnt tie his shoes, his 3rd grade teacher swore he would get married in shoes w/ velcro. If it helps make your recovery easier go for it. Just this weekend one of my regulars at the restuarant that I havent seen in a few weeks came in and he just had the full hip replacement and he said he couldnt believe how much pain he had been in before the surgery. He cant wait to get back on the tennis courts and his doctors said by spring he will be playing like he always has.

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  14. You're not old until you start thinking that way. So.....you'll be young forever!!

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  15. I'm so thankful that you are getting your Hip replacement and can hardly wait to see your blog when the pain is gone! Are you going to take photos while in hosp?

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  16. That butterfly's colors remind me of a Cecopia Moth (sp?)..We use to find the caterpillars and keep them in a jar until they did their metamorphisis..amazing...Judy, Judy, Judy..YOU, my sista, are NEVER getting OLD...Think of great wine...vintage...That's what we are..vintage... ;-))

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  17. Just think of those shoes as one step toward walking pain free again. What are your plans for rehab after the surgery?

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  18. I have the chain for my sun glasses after losing about 3 pair in 2 weeks. But losing a pair with cord and all was a real mystery.
    great pictures as always.

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  19. Oh my, I've had three pairs of Velcro "tied" shoes. Thinking my next purchases will be eyeglass chains, a Hurrycane and an extra large bottle of Geritol.

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  20. I've never thought of velcro shoes as old people's. Just quick and easy which is how I like everything. Recipes - quick and easy. Cleaning - small, quick and easy works. And so on. Glad you stayed in the car. Snakes just don't rank high on my list of "cute" things.

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  21. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet to make your life a little bit easier! :)

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  22. Because my feet are so hard to fit I already owned Velcro closure sandals when I had my double knee replacement done and I am so glad I did. I had a grabber thing that could reach down and do or undo my shoes without causing me pain during rehab. I still have those shoes. Some days I wish I still had the grabber but it broke.

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  23. My Dad is eighty-five...he is a very small man and buys some of his stuff in the boys dept. rather than the men's. He went into his bedroom to take something out of his desk but he didn't turn on the light. He kept seeing flashing lights and couldn't figure out where they were coming from. Later he went back to put the stuff back in the desk and saw the lights again! Needless to say he ha purchase shoes with the flashing lights that kids wear! Velco straps and all. We call them Grandpas magic shoes and get a good laugh over it. Whatever works for you and keeps a smile on your face!

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  24. You do what you gotta do to keep on chuggin' along.

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  25. Velcro saved my life! I can't tie knots, I'm knotistically challenged, so with Velcro, I no longer have to walk barefoot... ;c)

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  26. Old? Never! Think of it as being frugal with your time. Less time spent before hitting the road running (so to speak) and no more time lost looking for glasses. :)

    I searched "camera" on your blog but did not find what kind you are using. Do you mind sharing? Your pics are gorgeous - especially the chipping sparrow!

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  27. I have had velcro sandals for years and have never thought of them as old people's shoes. I see lots of them around. Bet you'll love your new shoes.

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  28. Great snake picture, that is pretty good sized for a pygmy. You can ditch the shoes after you are all healed up.

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  29. butterbean carpenterNovember 22, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    Howdy Judy & Emma,
    Velcro is MAGIC; IT'S QUICK, EASY AND DOESN'T COME UNTIED OR BREAK!!! These Chinese shoelaces last about a couple of months, THEN YOU HAVE TO BUY 2 PAIR, because they ONLY come 2 to a pack; velcro will outlast any of the CHINESE SHOES(only kind you can buy anymore)!!! As for the eyeglass holder, I always catch it & break it or my glasses,so, I buy a pair for each place that I need them...
    That is the largest pygmy rattler I've ever seen, about 15" is a big one; but he sure is prettily marked!!!

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