I’m embarrassed to have to make this announcement again but this time I think it’s going to stick. Feathered Photography is about to have a hiccup.
We’ve been here before. Several weeks ago I announced that I was having back surgery (a double laminectomy) in a couple of days so Feathered Photography would go silent for a few days and after that I’d probably only post sporadically until I could get out into the field again. Then shortly before my scheduled surgery I had to postpone it due to an extensive outbreak of dermatitis. I couldn’t see having to endure the pain and discomfort of recovery from surgery while I was itching so badly I was scratching half of my skin off.
But a visit to my dermatologist and a couple of weeks have apparently solved the dermatitis dilemma so… here we go again.
My surgery is early tomorrow morning and I’ll probably be in the hospital for one night, possibly two, which means I won’t be posting to Feathered Photography for an indeterminate amount of time as I recover. Based on what my orthopedic surgeon told me to expect about recovery I anticipate it’ll take a week or so before I start posting sporadically and not long after that I hope to be posting daily again. Time will tell.
In the interim I hope you’ll stick with me. I’ll be back.
Ron
Addendum:
Image in the public domain
While I was a teenager in the 60’s Yogi Berra was one of my favorite sports figures (he was a catcher and so was I) so I want to give him the credit he deserves for my title.
During his long and spectacular career Yogi was known for his spontaneous and witty comments, malapropisms and seemingly unintentional witticisms. His endearing “Yogi-isms” often took the form of either a tautology (saying the same thing twice in different words) or a contradiction but they usually had an underlying and powerful message that offered humor, wisdom or both. Sports writer Allen Barra described Yogi-isms as ” distilled bits of wisdom which, like good country songs and old John Wayne movies, get to the truth in a hurry.”
After watching MIckey Mantle and Roger Maris repeatedly hit back-to-back home runs in Yankee Stadium Yogi once described the experience like this, “It’s déjà vu all over again”. Thanks for the title inspiration, Yogi.
Interestingly, the name of the cartoon character Yogi Bear was so similar to his own that the human Yogi very nearly sued animation studio Hanna-Barbera over the infringement. And then to add insult to injury, when Yogi died in 2015 his Associated Press obituary mistakenly said that Yogi Bear had died instead of Yogi Berra. You can’t make this stuff up.
If he knew I’ll bet the human Yogi was pissed!
Get well soon. Prayers our way
Sticking with you Ron!!!! Feel better soon…take your time…we’ll be waiting for your great photos and stories!
You bet! I am going to stick with you. Good luck on your surgery Ron. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Good luck with your surgery and looking forward to all the other images you post in the future. Have a speedy recovery
I hope your surgeon knows who he’s dealing with. I don’t mean you. I’m referring to all of your fans who will be absolutely furious if we don’t have new posts stat. You should show this to him; I know he understands what stat means ‘cause that what they say on all the ER type tv shows. AsYogi might say “make it stat and fast”. (Ok, so I’m no Yogi).
I’ll keep you wrapped in my heart and look forward to your rapid and safe return!
In the interim, I’m now flying TWO male HAHAs! They’re beginning to really work together, but I really need more hands…LOL! Redundancy is a good thing!
Be well my friend. I’ll also keep your surgeon(s) wrapped in my heart so that s/he/they can bring all their skills to the task of making your pain go away. Chronic pain just sucks.
I am really late in posting, but want to wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery.
We will miss you Ron! Best Wishes for a successful surgery and a very speedy recovery.
Late to the party once again, Ron, but I’m wishing you nothing but the best for a speedy recovery! This is NOT the time to skimp on chocolate doughnuts. Your system is used to them, and withdrawal could be dangerous to your health! Take care, my friend-
Good! I’d hate to not be able to get my chocolate donut fix, Diane!
Ron, as you can see you have a lot of people who will miss your morning blog with amazing photos, great conversation and information. That certainly includes me.
I had a laminectomy about 20 years ago and it helped with some of my problems. They had me walking down the hall the next morning. I am sure that you will do very well as you are one to ‘stick to the task at hand’ and do whatever it takes to get the most out of the procedure.
Good luck, and I like your other readers, will have you in our thoughts.
My surgeon says I should be walking later on the day of surgery. Having it early in the morning should help with that ambitious goal. Thanks, Alice.
Yes, I think you will be walking that day with an early surgery. I can’t possibly express my best wishes to you, for so many reasons. Love to you.
Good luck and a speedy recovery!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Best wished for a successful surgery Ron. I will be praying for you. See you when you get back.
Thanks, Debbie.
Speedy recovery, the birding will be good this March and so will your back.
I hope you’re right on both counts, April.
We will be standing by, Ron. Take care of you, rest, get better!
Speedy recovery wishes being sent your way!
Thank you, Philina.
As a native of St. Louis, I’m happy to know you’re a Yogi Berra fan.
The link I’m sending is of a photo in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch of his boyhood home. The photo was taken four years ago.
Good luck with your surgery. Take your time getting better. We’ll all be here when you’re ready.
https://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/yogi-berra-s-home-on-the-hill/image_93a547d4-ce1b-5777-9235-b3eacca7b8c2.html
Interesting photo, Jack. Thanks for the link.
Praying for a speedy recovery. Be sure and rest. I know how antsy one can get while recuperating. Great picture of Yogi. That goes back a few years!
That photo goes so far back its copyright has expired, Jean. That’s why I could use it. Thanks.
Good luck with your surgery and following the doctors’ orders. May your persistence speed your recovery.
If stubbornness (persistence) is part of the equation I should do reasonably well, Pam.
My prayers are with you. I hope for a speedy and complete recovery.
In admiration of your work, artistic ability and love of birds. Your daily blog will be missed as you recuperate from surgery but during its absence, a daily reminder to think of you and send well wishes as you heal. All my best for a speedy recovery and the deja vu of days pain free while leaning in closely to hear the shutter speed of your camera as you capture your next photo.
Thank you, Connie.
Best wishes Ron, from this side of the “pond”
The early morning Ron habit is one which would take considerable time to break – even without reinforcement. I will stick.
Holding you in my heart and wishing you prompt and complete healing.
Please don’t break it, EC. Just put in on pause… 🙂
May your surgeons be kind and your recovery easier than expected. I’ll miss your posts and look forward to their return, Ron. Glad the dermatitis eased up.
I like my surgeon so far, Nancy. Hope still do after it’s over!
May the surgeons be kind and the recovery easier than expected. I’ll miss your posts and look forwarrd to their return. My husband Bob often makes “Yogi-Isms, and then credits the originator immediately.
Sticking with you Ron. Take care.
Thanks, Susan.
Ron…your blog followers aren’t just loyal, we poor critters are ADDICTED!!! Of course we’ll all be here when you are able to send out your wonderful images and insightful behavioral information!!!we can’t help ourselves… BUT, IF YOU DON”T FOLLOW DOCTOR’S ORDERS and try to do too much too soon, WE WILL TURN ON YOU!!!!!! 👿 That means: NO DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS, NO IMITATING A PRETZEL WHILE TWISTED INTO an unatural SHOOTING POSITION”, NO SITTING IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME…answering emails, writing grabbers,INFORMATION, or culling, etc. AGAIN, BE A GOOD POST OP PATIENT…or we will TURN ON YOU!!!!!!!
HAPPY LANDINGS!!!!❤️👍🤘😍🍀
Ok, I promise, Patty. Most of it anyway. I’m not a fan of pain so I’m sure it’s good advice. Thank you.
Yup, recognized the quote immediately. My whole family were big Yogi fans, despite our Boston origins. He also said, “I never said most of the things I said.”
In light of your response to Marty, I feel compelled to offer my own experience. I had a laminectomy some years back, a single. It did take some time to recover. In that regard, I have one piece of serious advice, which I learned the hard way.
The post-surgical pain was so much less that what I had been enduring that I got cocky and ended up setting myself back. Like you, I wanted to get off the opioids as soon as possible. My advice is, don’t push it. For the first several days, take the meds as often as prescribed. The first time you think “I can wait another hour,” don’t. Ignore that thought for another day or two. My doctor gave me a long lecture, full of polysyllabic medical terms, but I hereby pass along the jist of it: Staying ahead of the pain will speed your recovery, and you’ll be able to get all the way off the meds sooner.
End of lecture. Best wishes – you’ll be in our thoughts.
Your “lecture” was appreciated very much, Robyn. I’ve heard such things before but since this is my first “serious” surgery and my only one except for a hernia repair when I was 19, I’m a neophyte about it all – especially when it comes to opioids.
I’d probably best heed your advice…
You will do okay, you are made of the stuff that is so hard to find these days but never the less you take care and take the time you need. We will be waiting patiently for your return. Hugs from Canada, Ron!
Thanks, Shirley.
Your “hugs from Canada” brought a smile. And a memory. My first “hug” (actually a kiss) from a girl was bestowed on my grateful lips by a Canadian girl (a twin) from Alberta. My heart was all aflutter… 🙂 I lived just a few miles south of the border in MT.
We wish you a speedy recovery! I grew up watching a cartoon with yogi bear, and I enjoyed it tremendously… I didn’t learn about Yogi Berra until much later, and for that I blame my parents, neither of whom were born in the USA… when I think of your itchy back, I think of a bear scratching its back on the trunk of a tree… so it’s all connected!
“when I think of your itchy back, I think of a bear scratching its back on the trunk of a tree… so it’s all connected!”
Ha, interesting observation, Nicky. I never thought of it.
Best wishes, Ron, for an uneventful recovery. We will look forward to your return.
Thanks, Cindy.
Heal quickly Ron , we’ll be here when you return !
I hope so, Laurel. Thank you.
Good luck. We will be waiting for you. Manuka honey cream and coconut oil are wonderful for dry skin and healing.
I’ll keep your suggestion in mind if (when) the dermatitis comes back. Thanks, Leslie.
Luck, mister!
Thanks, Mister Art.
Good Luck….Heal fast…and we’ll all be here waiting for you…
Thank you, Steve.
Take your time and listen to the nurses and doctors! 😋 We will be here when you return.
In the meantime, I’m sure I will not be your only reader/fan/friend who will be thinking of you and sending healing vibes your way, especially when I cross paths with a feathered critter. ❤️
Oh, I’ll listen to them all right, Marty. I want to get out of this as quickly as possible. The only area where I might cheat a little is with my drug-taking regimen. We’ll have to see but taking opioids isn’t my preferred cup of poison. I’m crazy enough in my “right” mind…
I’m glad for you that you’ve built something wonderful–your photography, your blog, and your enthusiastic posse, to motivate you through the days to come…….I think a
lot of older folks ( I’m older than you, so I can get away with saying that ! ) don’t have the “carrots” out in front to help them to push thru such trials–but YOU SURE DO !
We’re rootin’ for ya, Yogi !
Your comment made me smile more than once, Kris. Haven’t been doing much of that lately so… thanks.
You are in my thoughts, Ron. Diana
Thanks, Diana.
Ugh on the itching. I really loathe it. In the winter, I’ve started using coconut oil to combat the dryness…along with humidifiers. Hang in there!
I will, Arwen.
I used some steroid cream for a while but I don’t think it helped. Besides, I couldn’t even reach some of the large areas on my back where I needed to use it. Oral steroids helped do the trick though.
Best of luck, Ron, with the surgery and getting back on your feet with no issues. Count me among those who will be waiting for your return; I always learn something about birds and/or photography from you and appreciate your contribution to my continuing education. I will look for that first post-op post that says you are OK.
My favorite Yogi-ism is : The game isn’t over ‘til it’s over,”
Thanks very much, Nancy.
Most everyone seems to have a favorite Yogi-ism. Two of mine are”
“You should always go to other people’s funerals. Otherwise, they won’t come to yours.”
“Baseball is 90 percent mental and the other half is physical.”
Ron, I hope you recover quickly from the surgery and that it is successful in solving your pain issues.
Thank you, Dave.
Best wishes, Ron.
Thanks, Sallie.
Best of luck to you with the surgery and recovery. I hope the weather for photography is bad the next few days so you don’t feel like you’re missing anything while you’re recuperating!
We were just lookin at the forecast, Linda. Tomorrow (surgery day) looks like the only day we’ll have good weather and light for a week! Wouldn’t ya know…
I could go shooting this morning for the last time in a while but there’s a storm moving in and the wind is howling.
One of my favorite Yogi’s was, “When you come to a fork in the road – take it.” So Ron, this is your fork in the road and you have to “take it”. Good luck, best wishes, will put you back on my prayer list. Take your time and recover and get well. We FP fans are not going away so relax and just concentrate on a full recovery.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Yogi had so many of them, didn’t he, Everett.
When asked about them he once said “I never said most of the things I said”.
Your loyal followers will ‘stick like glue’ as Judy said Ron. Your posts enlighten us! Many times I’m sent searching for more info. You help keep our minds young and active! 🤔 As I said before…you have a lot of material to keep us ‘newbies’ informed! You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care…
Winter dermatitis…not a pleasant thing to deal with and it does take some searching to get the right combo that works for relief. The dry indoor air and everything that goes with it causes it for many of us ‘elderly’. (I say elderly with ‘tongue in cheek’.) I found a goat’s milk soap with oatmeal and warm water showering twice a week amongst the other things you mentioned to give relief. Also found my usual laundry detergent had to be switched. Nothing worse than lying in bed itching and not being able to sleep.
Thanks, Kathy.
I changed laundry detergent, double rinse my clothes in the washing machine, changed the soap I use to shower and started taking cool showers. I hate cold showers but I hate itching worse.
Yup! You hit them all!🤣
Good morning and good luck. I will miss seeing you and your wonderful bird pictures every morning. You make my day.
Len
Thanks very much, Len.
Crowding the batter, I love it. Pitchers can be intimidating but only a catcher can drive a batter nuts. Who’s calling the shots anyway!
“only a catcher can drive a batter nuts”
That’s exactly right, Dave!
Batters used to complain about my crowding to their own coaches, then their coach would complain to the ump. But I was always in my box so I was within the rules. Sometimes the batter got pissed enough to deliberately lean back as they swung and try to intimidate me with their swinging bat but it only made them bat worse and I don’t remember ever getting a sore hand out of the deal, though I did have a few audible tics on my glove.
Good luck with surgery and recovery!
Thanks, Mary.
Glad you’ve whipped your dermatitis, I just beat mine after 3 grueling months, not really bragging, just happy not to be itching and scratching. Maybe I’m lacking in orneriness, though others say otherwise.
You gotta be ornery to be a catcher, and tough! Here’s to you, Yogi and all our catchers out there.
I am very glad to hear that you will be getting relief from your back issues and wishing you a speedy recovery.
I loved being a catcher, Dave. And you’re right, orneriness helped. Batters always thought I was too close behind them and that caused some confrontations but it intimidated them and made them bat less efficiently so my coaches always told me to continue what I was doing. So I did.
I always loved watching Yogi behind the plate and trying to emulate his catching style. I identified with him strongly – maybe it was the big ears we both had!
I had dermatitis for several months too. Sure wish I’d gone to my dermatologist earlier!
Best of luck Ron! I will be thinking of you in the next week. I hope to see you back here soon!
Thank you, Miriam.
Good luck with the surgery Ron. I’m sure you will be up and about in no time and hopefully with minimal discomfort. It’s pretty amazing these days what these surgeons can do. Will miss your posts but be wishing you the best and awaiting your return to my morning coffee ritual.
Thanks, Frank. I should be “up” the same day as the surgery but “discomfort” is likely to be another story.
Welllllllll! Glad they are going to get something done for you and hope all goes well! Stick like Glue for me anyway! 🙂 I absolutely get too much out of your posts and the comments to let a “time out” send me away! Good luck! Joe gets “winter itch” – bad enough without breaking out also! :0 Mother nature being a bitch as usual – coyotes spooked a deer on the ice last with predictable results………… 🙁
Thanks for your…. sticktoitiveness, Judy.
That dermatitis was about to drive me nuts(er). I wondered if mine was associated with dry indoor winter air so I bought a humidifier. Something worked – the humidifier, the drugs, my orneriness or some combination.