Next to our farmhouse, I’ve spent more time at the Saratoga Podiatric Surgical Center than anyplace over the past year.

We have a favorite place to stop for breakfast, a grocery to shop in, a nice sandwich place for lunch. I’ve come to know and love the nurses at the center, they are angels to a one, some have become friends.

I bring them pies, cookies and donuts every time I come, something for the receptionists, the rest for the nurses, fudge for Karen, who does my bandages. And I am blessed to have Dr. Daly oversee the rebuilding of my foot. She is amazing to watch.

Today, we hope to find out that the foot has healed to the point of moving forward, as in showers and regular shows and some walking while my brace is being construced. Today, I’m stopping for some bloodwork along the way, I hope to be home for lunch.

My guess is that this isn’t quite over, but close. I saw the toe this morning, it looks great. The brace is under construction.

Oddly enough, Maria and I almost always have fun on these podiatric excursions. Love is curious thing.

The stitches are supposed to come out today. I love getting up early on the farm, the mist is usually over the pastures, and then the sun breaks through. I tried to catch that evolution this morning.  I can get flowers and animals into the same photo sometimes.

Have a great day. Later.

First light. The donkeys get brushed.

As the sun rises and cuts through the mist, the sheep and donkeys are let out to pasture.

I love when the sun touches the poppies it means the mist has just a couple of minutes to live. I call this first light.

Then, the sun is out, catching the tops of the flower beds, the poppies leading the way.