After

Pitchers and catchers have reported and spring is just around the corner plus after the past week I am finally ready with some words of wisdom.  Did you know that Stan Musial was the first baseball player to be paid $100,000 and that after a poor year, approached management on taking a cut in his salary?  I believe that Albert is worth the money if compared to others in his field-he is simply the best in the game now.  For a team that stresses turn overs and defense, how many lay ups and dunks did MU give up last night?  Why did it take Kansas State this long to be a really good basketball team?

Even though my surgery took place in the LL Bean wing of the Maine Medical Center I did not get a free fly rod!  Pain meds are truly amazing.  Patricia Richter is probably the most amazing woman/wife/partner/friend that anyone could possibility  have.

Three decoy factories that operated between 1921 and 1945 in Jefferson City, Missouri. The Hays, Gundelfinger and Benz Factories produced very artistic decoys despite economic pressures of the times. Mason's Decoy Factory ceased operation before the Great Depression and even in the 1920's was marketing mainly their less expensive Standard Grade models. Perhaps this was another sign of Herbert Mason's business sense: he knew when to quit. In 1921, J.M. Hays began producing a line of decoys in an attempt to copy Mason's designs. However, the painting was inconsistent compared with Mason's. In 1925 the company went bankrupt. The Gundelfinger family purchased the Hays assets, and began producing 19 different species of Gundelfinger's Ducklures. These decoys have a feather finish achieved by use of a rough unsanded surface. Despite the crude finish, Ken Thayer describes the Gundelfinger painting as the very best scratch and comb painting ever used on factory decoys. In 1928, the Gundelfinger Company was forced to declare bankruptcy. Harry Benz and his partners bought the Gundelfinger assets, decoys and raw materials. Benz Wood Products Company began making decoys in the basement of Harry Benz's rental car agency until a factory was built. Large retailers such as Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward ordered large numbers of decoys. Benz Decoys stopped production in 1945, when competition from new paper and plastic decoys became overwhelming.
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Hays Decoy Factory(1921-1925) Bluebill Pair        Pair Price=$1,143.00

When I feel better we can talk more about this but thought it was interesting that carvers in Missouri produced quality products too.

I feel better every day, especially without the pain of the arthritic hip.  Surgery was 90 minutes, took longer to get ready but whole procedure is new.  Entire floor is dedicated to joint replacement so everyone there knew their job was very good at it. The incision is about 4", super glued shut, Pat changes the dressing each day even though have health nurse that comes every other day. PT is 2 times per week-much stretching (which hurts like heck) and regaining strength  which if frustrating.  Walking 3-4 times a day for periods not longer than 15 minutes, other exercises 3 X a day - takes about 25 minutes to get through all the work.  Have meds every 4-5 hours, Pat keeps track and administers on the schedule-I worry because she is going so hard.  Next week more time out of bed instead of in, following week, get to meet other people, go back to dr on March 3 then may be able to drive.  The worry of infection will be reduced greatly if can get through this weekend.  Plan to take up a knife next week-since I have to sit so much just as well be doing something good.  I have been very surprised by the level of the absence of pain.  Have been doing a lot of reading and surfing the net-amazing what lurks behind this screen.  Everyone has been great with positive messages and emails-thanks so much.

Get tired pretty quick but as I told the dr.  "It is the right hip"-he marked it with an X-and   "be sure to measure twice and cut once"  Much peace to all.