Spring is in the air

My spring will be official when the first Lucifer arrives. Could be any day now, but unless a visitor sees it, I probably won't get down there until late next week.

My niece came by while I was there watering. She had her tractor with her, as she was doing some work on her own driveways. She offered to work on my road, and I happily accepted. I knew it would mean I'd have to rake wherever she did work, but it would be well worth it! 

She did good work with what she had to work with... rocky rubble. She worked on it for three hours, with me there guiding her. I was already exhausted from watering all day, but wasn't going to let anything stop me. 

I spent the night at the oasis, finished watering early the next morning, then demanded of my body to rake the three places she had worked on.  The only part of the road that I'm not satisfied with now is the big hill itself. Not much can be done with it without pouring cement. That'll have to wait for another day. Except for the big hill, I think low clearance vehicles could do the road, but sure safer to have decent clearance. Without that, a person could park and walk up the big hill. It's less than half a mile from the oasis.

Surprisingly, raking was more doable than I had feared it would be. Although I can't raise my left arm, I discovered I can drag a rake, albeit painfully. Pain was only about a 3 or 4 (out of 10). I also picked up a zillion rocks. 

I had been quite discouraged lately, and now I'm re-invigorated!  And two days later, I don't think my pain is really worse than before I missed my nap, and overworked for those two days. After all, the bones are already bone-on-bone. A corticosteroid shot didn't help, nor does physical therapy. It's possible that I won't hurt it any worse, as long as I use reasonable care. I'd sure hate to not use it if doing so doesn't make it worse. And I guess if I do make it worse, then I'll quit. Old age isn't for the faint-hearted. I know falling is the biggest danger at my age (almost 86) so I do take great care in walking.

Visitors are already using the road.  And next week I'm hosting a Sul Ross University class. All good!