Ah the holidays. Time for family to congregate, laugh and bicker. The wife and I flew out to the west coast to visit my family. First stop Santa Rosa, CA, where my mother hosted us for a day or 3. We feasted and shopped, and took a nice drive out into wine country on a fabulous day, as Blossom slowly sickened.
Then it was off to Colorado Springs to see my father’s side of the family. We blew into Gram’s, where we were joined by my cousins Ron and Eva, and Eva’s fiance and daughter.
Then it was up to Marie’s cabin in the mountains. As Blossom gradually became bed-ridden, Dad, Marie and I took a hike along the partially frozen river. Dad and I were standing on a rock, then he slipped on an ice patch climbing down and tore his quadriceps muscle. Much anxiety ensued as Marie dashed off to get the car while he dragged himself back up the river trail to level ground, with me clearing a path. A quick trip to Boulder hospital, a little surgery, and he’ll be good as new in 9mos to a year. As I say not infrequently, the universe is a meat grinder.
