I stopped by the Miller farm early in the morning to drop off some pie pans that arrived during the night. Moise and the crew suspended work on the barn today; they needed to take a day to do some crop cutting, including soon, their corn crop.

Things will pick up this week. Moise will be working on the middle walls of the barn, and 40 Amish church members, men and women, children, and the elderly, will arrive to help start the roof work.

On the 28th, between 75 and 100 Amish workers will arrive from all over the region and sleep in various Amish barns for miles around.

I’ve been asked to help gather some supplies the family will need to host and feed and care for visitors. I’m happy to help.

There will be more work on the barn tomorrow.

Today, I went to see the hospital podiatric surgeon, Dr. Cary. My eight-month foot problem has healed, thanks to her wonderful work.

My new orthotics arrived today and were fitted; they fit perfectly, although I was warned they take some getting used to. The wound has healed, and I will see Dr. Cary every three months to make sure my feet are sound and monitored, a good habit for people with diabetes.

This problem went on for much of the year, and I thank Maria for the daily work with bandages, antibiotics, and miles of gauze.

She was wonderful, and I appreciate it very much. She never made me feel that I was burdening her, although I certainly was. My lesson; don’t practice “bathroom medicine,” said Dr. Cary. If there’s a problem, come and see her.

Got it.

After the visit, my sixth to Dr. Cary, Maria, and I drove to Glens Falls so she could take one of her sewing machines to get fixed.

Then we got some ice cream on the way home and stopped at a pet store to get some fish for our re-imagined tank.

Glad to be home; the day wiped me out.

Before I left the Miller kitchen the morning, I got some Butterscotch crunch to bring to the Saratoga Hospital nurses who have been taking care of me – they were pleased – and got in three thumb wrestling sessions. Won two, lost one.

I’m trying to stay humble so that I don’t get these giants angry and competitive. My victorious days are getting short I think, and my thumb is getting sore.

I think the Amish don’t do competitive, but we’ll see.

Photo: Maria and the girls skirted the wool two weeks ago. I love this photo.