By 
House arrest is over!
The cast came off Monday so I’ve finally been able to start rebuilding strength in the right foot/ankle/leg. Yesterday I walked and walked around the house, still depending on crutches. But I discovered this morning that my ankle is strong enough to support my weight – and strong enough to accelerate and to brake. Goodbye, crutches.
And off into the world I went. Solo.
My car purred. It was dusty sitting in the garage for six weeks. It missed me and the adventures.
First, I stopped by ESU and said howdy to the Rog.
Then I went to the Granada Coffee Co. and sat down with pen and paper and a hot chai.
Gary and Larry walked by on the sidewalk, so I motioned them in.
I first started talking to Gary and Larry, oh, about a year ago, in Java Cat – after having seen them on the streets of Emporia for decades.
They have countless stories to tell – and since they’ve been walking up and down Commercial Street for more than 50 years – they know the history of what business was where, so it’s fun to ask about The Dutchess (which their grandfather and father ran), Haynes Hardware, Red X, the Mit-Way Hotel, the Bourbon Barrel (yeah, they are especially familiar with the history of bars in downtown Emporia.)
Gary
When mentioning these two guys to others, all I have to do is say, “The ZZ Top guy and his brother,” and everyone knows who I’m talking about.
Larry, making an airplane out of a newspaper ad flyer.
Welcome back to the independent life, Cheryl! And you start with a post that is typical of what makes this blog so great.
Great post! I am waiting for these two guys to break into “Sharp Dressed Man” or something! Glad you are on your feet again, Cheryl. Switch that chai for something that will hurt the next day, and you’ll be on your way….! EFH
Congrats on getting your freedom!! Did the experience give you a fresh perspective on things? Great post today!
Dave S. Yessiree, many fresh perspectives. Being (temporarily) disabled is hard work. Not easy to wash dishes or cook a meal when it’s a struggle to move two feet – either on crutches or aligning the walker just right.
When I’d think about getting out, I’d have to consider – are there going to be steps there? When I encountered a curb, I always had to think “foot up first, or crutches?”
Freedom! Yay.
Glad you are back up and running or walking as the case is here!! Look forward to many more posts!
Ben
Glad to see you move from ‘Hopalong’ to ‘Heal/toe’ motion. Be well!
Glad your freedom is back and the car is purring down the road. I look forward to reading more of your tales. I have never talked to “the boys” – yes, when I lived in Emporia that’s what we named them as we didn’t know their real names. Hope to read their stories they shared with you. I remember the 1950’s on up in Emporia. Great place to grow up!