Spring is a wonderful time. The birds are the first to announce the end of Winter. The robin and the red-winged-blackbird break the snowy silence which gripped the land for months. I love the tiny chickadee and its high pitched song.
Our elevation is 1100 feet above sea level. The snow is gone. A couple hundred feet higher, and the snow defies the sun and clings to the earth. There have been a couple of sightings of black bears at our elevation already, though I haven't seen one as yet.
I have returned to training with the atlatl and archery. I shot 39 arrows from my 70 pound recurve on the 140 yards course. I wanted to shoot 50, but my muscles weren't ready for it. Looking forward to shooting my heavy bows in the weeks ahead. I am back to 40 throws of the atlatl and spear per day.
We have been asked to bring archery, atlatl and canoeing to the Shuswap Gathering in August. That will be a big affair, with people from all over the Shuswap territory and 17 communities coming together for a "family reunion." I am planning to build atlatl teams from the local Shuswap communities in the months ahead. It will make for more excitement and comptetive fun to see 3-4 communities involved in an ancient traditional game.
With all this activity, my winterized lazy body is being put back to work. My back is well now. thanks for the prayers. Now, if only I can warm up to the new activity level with moderation....ouch.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
A Pain in the Back
Monday was a beautiful day. I almost feel bad to mention it, as I am aware that weather in other areas may not be very nice. For us in the interior of British Columbia, we greet the month of February with anticipation. February comes quietly with change. It sneaks up on Winter, and by the end of the month, has moved in and solidly established the rule of early Spring. The knee deep snow in the garden is melted down to about 6 inches, now. Temperatures may get down to freezing at night, but up to +6 C (45+F) in the day. Monday was one of those days. I had a lot of projects to do. One of them being getting the canopy back on the back of the truck.
Last week, a Christian friend here built a metal rack to fit the Sierra 3/4 ton pickup truck. It is custom designed and able to expand at the sides to be able to accept two canoes on top. What a blessing that rack will be when it comes to four person canoe excursions in the rugged outback. The canopy was removed to fit the rack, and Monday was the day to replace the canopy.
Jannie came outside to help move the heavy fiberglass canopy. I counted to three and lifted. My side was coming up, but I sensed Jannie's side was not moving. Concerned that my side would dump more weight on her side and make it even harder to lift, I lowered my side a bit, by bending over. I felt something "give", like the canopy dropped four inches suddenly, and I knew I had to shed the weight fast. Down came the canopy. Very slowly, up came Howard.
I knew I was in trouble and went indoors straight away, and put ice on my back. Later that day, I went to the chiropractor for an "adjustment". The back improved a little bit, and has dominated my affairs ever since. I have things to do, and I discovered that most of them involve my back muscles. I don't like sitting, but am resigned to do so.
I worked up notes for next Sunday's Bible Study, beaded a peace pipe, studied, and prayed. It is Thursday, and I have another chiropractor appointment in an hour. I hope to see some relief soon. It takes me 20 minutes to get out of bed in the morning.
Of course there is a silver lining here, too. My groans are strategically calculated to ellicit sympathy from my dear wife. "Wish I could help with doing the dishes, dear," I say, and groan. Like the saintly woman Jannie is, she responds, "Oh, you poor thing...no, no dishes for you. Can I get you anything?"
The Good Book says that the human heart is deceitful above all else and desperately wicked... (funny how an idea can just pop into your head, eh? Oh well....)
Well, (groan...) I have to hobble up the stairs and to the car. Got that chiropractors visit to make.
"Hey Jannie," I groan as I creep up the stairs, "want me to get the car started?"
"Oh you poor thing," she replies, "You just stay warm, and I'll do it."
Yep, the Good Book is right...(heh heh he...groan....)
Last week, a Christian friend here built a metal rack to fit the Sierra 3/4 ton pickup truck. It is custom designed and able to expand at the sides to be able to accept two canoes on top. What a blessing that rack will be when it comes to four person canoe excursions in the rugged outback. The canopy was removed to fit the rack, and Monday was the day to replace the canopy.
Jannie came outside to help move the heavy fiberglass canopy. I counted to three and lifted. My side was coming up, but I sensed Jannie's side was not moving. Concerned that my side would dump more weight on her side and make it even harder to lift, I lowered my side a bit, by bending over. I felt something "give", like the canopy dropped four inches suddenly, and I knew I had to shed the weight fast. Down came the canopy. Very slowly, up came Howard.
I knew I was in trouble and went indoors straight away, and put ice on my back. Later that day, I went to the chiropractor for an "adjustment". The back improved a little bit, and has dominated my affairs ever since. I have things to do, and I discovered that most of them involve my back muscles. I don't like sitting, but am resigned to do so.
I worked up notes for next Sunday's Bible Study, beaded a peace pipe, studied, and prayed. It is Thursday, and I have another chiropractor appointment in an hour. I hope to see some relief soon. It takes me 20 minutes to get out of bed in the morning.
Of course there is a silver lining here, too. My groans are strategically calculated to ellicit sympathy from my dear wife. "Wish I could help with doing the dishes, dear," I say, and groan. Like the saintly woman Jannie is, she responds, "Oh, you poor thing...no, no dishes for you. Can I get you anything?"
The Good Book says that the human heart is deceitful above all else and desperately wicked... (funny how an idea can just pop into your head, eh? Oh well....)
Well, (groan...) I have to hobble up the stairs and to the car. Got that chiropractors visit to make.
"Hey Jannie," I groan as I creep up the stairs, "want me to get the car started?"
"Oh you poor thing," she replies, "You just stay warm, and I'll do it."
Yep, the Good Book is right...(heh heh he...groan....)
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