Thirteen Seems Lucky Again

I'm not a bit superstitious.  But I do love to

study folklore and folk beliefs. And I've always

had a special fondness for the number 13.  Many

a time I've won a door prize or had other good

fortune thanks to that number.  Plus, I'm just a 

contrarian, and am drawn to that which others

might reject.  (I won't say that I retired during

Miss Nora McNeill's 13 year as my principal

because I thought it was lucky.  Rather, the 

entire 13 years were lucky!)

So I thought it appropriate that 13 days before

I am to acquire (at a cost quite dear) the first

new knee of my life.  FirstHealth was kind

enough to call me just a few minutes ago and

assure me that from the convenience of my 

own telephone I could max out both my 2015

deductible and co-payment.  Wow, talk about

customer service.  Of course, I couldn't pass it up.

Thanks to some fine friends plus a little (more)

good fortune, I've already accumulated most of

the implements of torture-- I mean instruments

of rehab.  Here they are, assembled and ready.

First, of course, is the handy ramp that we had

built last fall.  It has been a terrific addition, even

if I had no knee problems.  Visitors love it, and

it is even a play space for the grandkids.  But in 

just over two weeks, it will be more fully appreciated.

Several years ago, when I thought I wouldn't

need new knees until my 70's or so, I came upon

this "cadillac walker" for $20 at a yard sale.

Since then, I've loaned it out to several friends,

and now I will put a few miles on it.  It's as

good as new.

A church friend bestowed upon me this

bedside toilet.  There's no room beside my

bed, so we'll find an alternative location.

Someone said "How about down at the 

tree house?"  While it's true the tree house

is lacking such an amenity, I think I'd (k)need

to frequently replace the wheels on my walker.

Another dear friend passed this shower stool

to me.  Along with my non-skid rubber mat,

this will make my sponge baths a breeze.

No showers until the doctor says so.

Finally, my favorite. 

This is the walking cane of my great

grandfather, Joseph Alford Loyd, who

died in 1935.  He was 6'4", four inches

taller than me, so this cane is right for me.

Also, it is made of uncommon "wormy

chesnut," once the most plentiful hardwood

in the southern mountains.  The chestnut

blight, which continues to this day, prevents

chestnut saplings from maturing, though new

shoots continue to sprout from old stumps.

For this reason, there is a finite quantity of

items made from this sturdy, attractive wood.

In fact, the dulcimer that Judy gave me, hand

crafted my my pastor, Reverend Max Gilmore,

is made of wormy chestnut.

A home health store found me a rubber tip

for the cane that fits perfectly, so I will be 

honored to use it as long as necessary.

I've already had my pre-op session at

FirstHealth, and am gradually checking off

items on my pre-surgery to-do list.

I've had great encouragement from many

friends and family members who have already

had knee replacements.  And a lot of friends

who haven't had a knee replaced look at me

seriously and ask, "Are you sure about this?"

Yes, at least 13 days away, I'm sure!