This week found me hitting the east coast, the place I had been aiming for since the beginning of the year, with plenty of stops along the way. I lived in Massachusetts for 12 years (Boston, Acton, Stow, and Beverly, to be precise) so it feels like coming home in a way. And it took me about 10 seconds to remember the rules of MA driving, which include never acknowledging the other drivers and taking a yellow light to be the same as a green light. I may have a Washington plate on my car, but I can hold my own with the crazy traffic and drivers of Cape Cod in the summertime.
The flowers are in full bloom here, and I’ve enjoyed walking around the neighborhood and checking them out. This bunch by the beach was simply beautiful.
There are a few little beaches within walking distance, with rights of way for locals (which my friend definitely is, and I’m staying at her house, so by extension, I’m kind of a local…) and I’ve been down every day to check them out.
Yesterday, I hit low tide perfectly and so I was able to walk from one beach to the next, looking for cool shells and sea glass along the way. This was how I spent my late afternoon and evening, and was pretty much the perfect way to end the day.
The hand continues to improve, albeit slowly, and I have started in with a new hand therapist 2x a week for the next month. New exercises, stretches to the point of ow, ow, ow, and someday I might be able to make a fist, which is the end goal. Right now, it’s still mostly a pipe dream, my fingers can’t really bend from the palm very well yet, but I’m working on it. 10 times a day. Seriously, that’s the drill: 10 exercises, 10 times a day.
That doesn’t seem like the best way to end the weekly update, so I’ll put my favorite photo from yesterday up as the closer.
How blessed is the last light before the dark. That last, rebellious, and triumphant spark, before it too becomes the ash of night.
Tyler Knott Gregson
oh yes, I remember those Boston drivers… I was asking for directions and they said, go down to the corner and turn right for 1/2 block. I looked and said, but it’s one way the other direction?!?! They said, ah, it’s only 1/2 block….
I spent many a childhood summer on Horseneck Beach, which I now need to go look up! I also remember running into the water off a Maine beach and running right back to shore – the Gulf Stream was no longer present!!!
Enjoy your trip and hang in there with the rehab – doing it is the way to get your hand back!!!
Hey, I forgot to tell you I went to Mr. Bills and got a salmon fillet before I left Lancaster! They’re moving into a new spot, so it was a bit underwhelming but the salmon was tasty 🙂
You’re right about time being the healer, I’m just not very patient! I take photos of my hand every week so I can see the progress and that helps. Hope you get to the Oregon coast, it’s one of my favorite places!
Wow, those flowers really are beautiful, and I love the hydrangeas too; they are probably my favorite community flower. Rehab can feel so slow and tedious, yet it’s the way through and you are doing so well. 10×10 – Yes! Sending warm healing thoughts as you enjoy MA… I can definitely see you holding your own with its drivers, and then some 🙂
Best wishes on your hand rehab. I know it can be frustrating, but you’ll be doing everything you did before. Time is the only hindrance. Love the beach views. I’m really hoping to get to the Oregon coast in the next few months to get my spiritual dose of salt water and beaches.