I had what they call a momentous day for me. Maria and I are both still in shock.

Dr. Daly was so happy when she saw my foot that she actually laughed and smiled. She said I heal beautifully; I’m free to get on with my life. She wants to see me in a month. This will take a big load off of Maria and me too.

But life is all about handling loads, one after another. I’m getting a tooth implant.

All restrictions on my foot were lifted, and I’m getting my new brace on July 17th.

I stopped at my favorite landscape and flower shop and got some new flowers to replace the ones hit by days of storms (pictures below), and I met with Dr. Timoth Kelling of Northeast Surgical Specialists (he is an oral surgeon and agreed to have him place a dental implant in the spot where a tooth was extracted five months ago.

It was not a simple decision for me. I will have to borrow at least some of the money, and I dread piling up debt that Maria will one day get stuck with. My doctors say I need to prepare to live a good while longer, not for dying any time soon. OK by me.

The procedure will cost $2,000 at Northeast Surgical and another $2,000 to $2,500 to my regular dentist, Dr. Jacob Merryman (one does the implant, the other the crown that covers it after a few months. Dr. Kelling was open and easy to talk to. He said the decision was up to me, but an implant made sense, he said.

I had a strong bone structure to support it, and he said it would strengthen the teeth around it and protect them.

It wasn’t something I had to do, but something he thought could be beneficial down the road. He said there was no option as good for that space, showing me an X-ray of my mouth.

I agreed to do it; the procedure will be in mid-August. I’m weary of more medical procedures but am committed to getting what I need doing. Everything I’ve done in these past few months will make me healthier and more robust. I can hardly believe how much easier and painless it is for me to walk – Maria says the difference is striking – and this is before the brace, making it a lot better.

My energy is returning, and I was on the move all day. I just need to take it easy for a bit. My foot has been swathed in bandages and anti-biotic lotions for months; it needs to get used to life in the real world.

So please enjoy some photos reflecting a few of the new flowers in my garden. Some art photos will follow tonight or first thing in the morning. it was a truly fine flower day.

I’ve got five new plants and turned four or five over to Maria. I’m just not drawn to taking photos of them, and Maria is delighted to have them in her garden. The system works well for both of us.

I  love purple flowers. I got the names of all of them, but frankly, I am too tired to sort through the tags and label them. Many of you will know what they are.

The garden is coming back to life, and I’m deeply into experimenting with color and light. Thanks a gain for your kind and generous messages.