The doctors say attitude is perhaps the most crucial element of healing. I can’t know for sure if that is true or not. I do believe faith is a vital part of healing.

Avoiding anger and complaint and self-pity helps and also the ability to see to the other side. Pain, like fear, is a space to cross. I think of what’s across the field.

It helps me to see beyond the reach of pain and discomfort to brighter days.

Late this afternoon, when I got so sick of lying down, I collected all my stuff (with Maria’s help), and Zinnia and I went out to the house’s back yard and one of my favorite chairs..

I brought a book – Amor Towles, The Lincoln Highway – and Zinnia, and we sat outside for an hour. It’s a beautiful book.

Maria got a footstool, so I keep my leg above my heart and also ice it.

It was a sweet and healing hour in a place I love. The donkeys and sheep came by to bah and bray in the hopes of enticing me to give them a treat, but I couldn’t get up.

I dozed briefly, felt a soft breeze, and looked out over the mountains. How lucky for me to be there. When the leg stiffened, I gathered my junk and, with Maria’s help, walked back to the farmhouse.

I took some photos today of “my room,” my boundary for this week and probably next. They’re in black and white.

I’m trying to capture what images strike me that I see all day. Tonight, round two of the Apnea mask. I’m eager to put it on. See you in the morning.