Raining red centipedes on Earth Day

April 22 OK, so maybe I took on more than I could handle by replacing the outside planter shelves. It seemed so simple at the time. I should've swapped the simple shelf unit out two years ago—before I hurt my knee, and before the herb planter box completely rotted through and grew through the shelf. How on earth did it remain standing all this time? 

Centipedes galore, oh my. Of course, I was wearing flipflops so the little red centipedes took refuge under my feet. No no no! I managed to save them all from further harm. When I had to cradle the rotted planter box and shore it up with wood, they fell like a crazy red rain. Didn't get stung either. Saved a couple of worms too. Not a job description I want to share.
 

Made my proper contribution to Earth Day by planting! I remember the very first Earth Day at Drake High School. We made shaving cream pies and lobbed each other. Not sure what that had to do with Earth Day but it was memorable...

Still queasy from knee pain. Managed to avoid taking Advil, but it was hard. They get stuck in my throat and dissolve, their fire is worse than a centipede sting.Not that I've ever been stung. I'm completely covered in dirt and am icing my knee. First things first. Priorities. Hopefully I'm not harboring too many insects in my hair. I don't think I can handle getting into the shower. The tub is precarious when you can't step, stand, or otherwise use one leg. And my other leg is so very tired, it's beginning to hurt too. I am a stork standing on one leg.

April 23: Still very yeouchy today. But also feel good that I accomplished a few big things. I'm sure all that boardwalking in Armagosa Valley is also playing havoc on my knee. Ice is my friend. 

April 30: Finally back in P T, electric injection (osmosis) of topical anti-inflamatory brings some relief. Also ultrasound. And ice, of course. I feel like I am stranded in purgatory. Will this confinement never end?

Revised from Facebook posts, 4/19