The Fall of 2016

We have been absolutely thrilled to be in Montana and witness the changing of the season from summer to fall. The autumn colors, the cooler temperatures, the sights, sounds, and smells of everything fall have been awesome. Sigh-Bar is a beautiful place to be to appreciate some of God's handiwork, and we have felt so blessed to be part of it.

The "fall" of 2016 will be remembered in our family history for a secondary reason as well -- Lee's fall from an extension ladder and resulting injuries. While I was at the Beevention in Arizona Lee was busy working on another arch out in the barnyard, and while trying to get a measurement of the top crossbar fell 10-12 feet and landed on his left hip. He didn't have his cell phone, so after he gathered his wits he began the process of trying to drag himself to the house. After over 2 hours he finally got to the house and was able to call for help. He was taken to Kalispell Regional Hospital where an orthopedic doctor diagnosed multiple fractures to his pelvis. Good news is the fractures were not displaced so no surgery was required.

Lee spent a week in the hospital before coming home to begin what will be a long recovery, and an extremely disappointing realization for me was that the trip that Gloria and I had planned to take with Tara would have to be cancelled. Tara had worked so hard to include us in a very unique and fabulous Arthur Murray experience in Peru, and ended up going without us. She had an absolutely incredible adventure.

Lee was fortunate to have Home Health nurses make visits to teach him how to navigate a walker, and get started on strengthening exercises. After three weeks, he is getting pretty good at getting around with the walker, whom he has named "Ernie." He has learned to use a cane to get up/down the stairs, and with the use of a step stool can get in/out of the car.

We weren't sure Lee would be ready to make the trip back to Texas in October as we had planned, but he is ready to try. He has been giving me detailed instructions on how to winterize everything here, and we are getting close to locking things up and heading south. There has definitely been "the good, the bad, and the ugly" in The Fall of 2016!!!