Tuesday, October 19, 2010

CHICK, CHICK, CHICKADEE



**Since fall is well upon us, we are seeing the first weeks of the annual bird migration. One of the first changes I notice is the arrival of the Oregon Juncos and similar birds which hang around in the winter. We have Black-capped Chickadees all year around, and a few Mountain Chickadees with their classy racing stripes on their helmets, but the Chestnut-backed Chickadees only show up as summer wanes.
**I think most of the brown-backed beauties spend summer months further north along the Pacific Coast as far up as Alaska, but a few may dwell in the higher elevations in the Cascade Mountains. These birds come down when the weather cools and seem to drift on further south for the coldest months. The active little guys are among my favorites. Black oil sunflower seeds make them happy and they will pluck a single seed out of a feeder and flit off to a nearby tree perch to open it, enjoy the morsel inside, and flit back for another. I've watched individuals long enough to think they are eating at least a seed a minute all day long.
**The picture is out our dining room window. Friendly and really fearless, these tiny birds will take the easier seeds from an open hand if it is held still and flat with the fingers together. The tiny fellows weigh nothing, and it is a kick to offer the treat and be able to softly twitter to them as they pick just the right seed for each trip. The Sibley Guide to Birds (a National Audubon Society publication) describes the tiny song of these guys as a weak tsity ti jee jee or when being even more gregarious a louder (buzzy-husky) tsidi-tsidi-tsidi-cheer-cheer. I can spend a lot of peaceful moments watching my little buddies.
**We did spot a new visitor a couple of days ago, but we could not identify it. I have most of the major, reputable bird books but haven't found the newbie in any of them yet. Description: It's the size of a robin or varied thrush and has a two-leg hop like those birds use, but it does not have the coloration of either [there is absolutely no hint of the typical thrush orange]; it is dark, silky gray from the top of its head down the back to the tail-tip; it has lighter shiny gray on throat, belly, and underparts; it has a narrow breastband of darker gray similar to a thrush which provides considerable contrast to the lighter (softer) gray of the throat and belly, but the necklace tends have more of a dip toward the center than expected; the wings when folded show a mottled pattern but no bars; and maybe the most distinctive marking of all is a prominent, light-colored stripe from before the eye, across the eye, and down the side of the neck as far as the shoulder [and this is somewhat of a "thrush-like pattern"]. Do any of you have a clue who this stranger is? I've got the camera ready now, but I fear my unknown transient may have been moving through the area headed south and I won't get another chance to get a picture. (Oh, well. I didn't get a photo of the yellow hummingbird several years ago either.)
**One more thing: the geese are on the move. Monday morning I saw clouds of geese - Canadian and Dusky, I think - pass by the golf course. Some of the multi-layered V-formations must have been composed of more than a thousand birds, and there scores of such clouds out as far as the horizon. There sure was a lot of honking in these aerial freeways. Here at home we can hear the low-flying strings coming well before they sail past just above the tree tops. Most of ours are local birds which overnight on the Columbia River and pass overhead each way enroute to or from a nearby waterway which is a favorite feeding ground. Both our local geese and the migrant geese are trying to fatten up either for wintering nearby or for the long flight south, perhaps to the Sacremento Delta in California.
**What bird migrations are you witnessing?

Friday, October 15, 2010

AFTER SEEING THE DOCTOR

Thanks to all who responded in one way or another to my last post here on Blogspot. (Especial thanks for the "comments" to that post.) I appreciated the loving feedback, and in partial response, here's the requested update.

With heart pounding and blood pressure jacked way up, I did go to the appointment as scheduled. All the tests and labwork were reviewed, and as expected, my current numbers were discussed. The doctor made several recommendations, adjusted my medications, and pointed out some goals for me to work toward. I'm comfortable with all we covered, and resolve to make positive changes over the coming three months - holidays and birthday celebrations not withstanding. Prescription of the big "I"* which I expected was not among the topics brought up or named as an immediate decision now. There were, of course, several dark references to "stronger measures" and a "firmer approach" which I interpreted as justifiable threats.

Sure, my numbers were up again; weight, cholesterol, A1c, and other factors had all climbed. (Only my height has diminished!) By a severe change in diet habits I hope to reduce all of those results before mid-January. The solution continues to be, "Eat less; Eat better. Exercise regularly." One of the recommendations was to go see the Nutrition and Diabetes Center at the local hospital and get training in achieving the meal deal and in monitoring blood glucose levels. OK, I'll make that call Monday.

The other vital topic we discussed was the cause and possible treatment of my continuing foot pain. I've always had flat, wide feet, and have needed good foot support. Last spring while pruning the orchard, I stood for days on a ladder wearing old tennies which did not provide that requisite foundation for my arches. I'm sure what little arch I had collapsed completely. Owwie!! I have not been able to walk pain-free since, and it has almost eliminated my ability to walk any significant distance for exercise. [Now I have been golfing nine holes Monday mornings, but once I sit down for a while, I can hardly get back on my feet. I hobble around most of Tuesday, and by Wednesday or Thursday, if I am careful about wearing good support and do not walk about bare-footed, I can finally get around again.] The Doctor, after his in-office check, has referred me to a podiatrist for further exam and suggested some sort of orthopedic lift or shoe might be prescribed.

OK, the title of my previous entry suggested, tongue-in-cheek, that "Things Are Looking Up, Right?" It may actually be true; let's all keep that in mind. I will work toward improved numbers and accept the advice I am getting from my caregivers. Y'all help me remember that much of the change I need to realize depends upon me. I have set some personal goals, and promised myself some new slacks and shirts when I achieve my target numbers. I've been told that discarding older, larger clothing and working at staying slim to be able wear the new clothes becomes a motivator for maintaining the gains achieved. Sounds good to me 'cause I need to be motivated, and I understand setting goals and chipping away at them to make progress in small degrees.

Meanwhile, these Wyatts need to seriously challenge the status-quo re. the groceries we buy, the meals out we can allow, and such-like. Goodbye sweets; Hello veggies. I'll probably be talking about these things in future blogs, so don't be too surprised. Now, shouldn't we purge the refrigerator and food cabinets of all the no-nos; make a contribution to a food-bank with our surplus carbs and snacks? Get out the diabetic recipe books and begin building a new cuisine? Lube the treadmill so it is available on rainy days? Make ourselves vulnerable to family and friends who are willing to gently inquire (even nag?) about our progress? Renew commitment to that list of strategies for coping with health issues? (I'll post that list in a few days.) We probably need to do all of the above, and more for insurance. Will you help?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

GOOD TIMES AHEAD, RIGHT?

Those of you who long ago in days of yore read Pilgrim's Progress may remember his struggle with places like the Slough of Despond, the Hill of Difficulty, the Valley of Humiliation and his growing discouragement in the company of characters with revealing names like Adam the First, Mr. Despondency, Much-Afraid, The Flatterer, and Mrs. Fearing. Each place and encounter has its effect on poor Christian during his journey to the Celestial City, and it ain't a happy ride.

You might have noticed I haven't posted much lately as I just have not had much to say nor the will to say it. It a lack of focus and a feeling of not getting traction in the tasks of life. I feel my wheels are spinning, and my fate (beginning tomorrow) is sealed. It comes down to not being able to get a grip on controlling my diabetes.

I was supposed to see the doctor three months ago for routine A1c testing, but I knew my weight was up, my blood sugar numbers were soaring, my blood pressure was high, and I was feeling generally crummy and unmotivated. I wanted to do better before I saw the doctor, so I skipped going in, because I didn't want to face the music. (Insert here a loud, dark, Gothic, descending run on a thundering organ, a la a Jules Verne movie or a Wagner opera, and draw that last low note out long and heavy...)

Is it my concern based solely in fear? despair? dread? Yeah!, almost certainly. But I finally scheduled the long delayed visit, went in last Friday to have blood drawn (more dark organ music) for multiple panels/tests/studies, and I face the appointment tomorrow afternoon. Why all the drama?

I am convinced that the good doctor is going to scold me, berate my failure, tongue-lash me soundly, and put me on daily insulin shots. Bah! Humbug! He will tell me it is for my own good, and insist I lose weight (I would like to do that), to adopt a suitable diabetic diet (I'm not too keen on this idea), and to resume regular exercise (and I don't think nine holes of golf weekly will satisfy him). I'm way too busy and interested in other things than to eagerly accept such distraction into my routine, but... I must.

Bottom line: I am discouraged about my lack of discipline, my inability to manage weight and numbers, and my failure to maintain control of my health, and I'm depressed.

Nevertheless, (deep breath and meaningful pause) because I love my wife and kids and grandkids, I will submit so I can continue to take care of them, which I hope I have been doing better than I have been caring for myself. And maybe as a side benefit, the doctor can recommend something to relieve the constant pain in my feet so I can hobble around without hurting at every step.

Like the Pilgrim, I am struggling not only with the journey, but with being mortal.

But things are looking up.... Aren't they???