Meanwhile, up at the ranch

So it figures that my dad gets to go live at a ranch before I do.  Last week, my dad was transferred to a neurological rehabilitation facility on an 88 acre ranch.  During the last 2-3 weeks, he's made great progress, both cognitively and physically.  He is able to walk 300 steps and his memory for quite a lot of things has come back.  There is still quite a bit of work to do before he is able to be independent and he's still unable to get a lot of control out of his left side, however the new facility will do even more intense rehabilitation with him.  I'm very encouraged that it is located in a rural environment with livestock and pets.  They even just got a retired racehorse at the beginning of October.  My dad has always secretly wanted to get a place out in the country to escape to and this will be a nice taste of that country life.  We aren't able to visit because they have a very strict COVID visiting policy, but we have been able to talk to him via FaceTime.

If you can believe it, today it's in the 30s and raining!  In Texas!  I've pulled out all of my sweaters and sweatpants.  We got blankets out for the horses and they're snug and bundled up today.  The weather is definitely a nice change from the sweltering temps we had only about a week ago but only in Texas will you see 50 degree temperature swings from week to week.  Bowie's even suffered the embarrassment of having to wear a sweater inside - poor shorthaired doggos.


One of the best purchases that I've made this year has been the Pyro Tower that's now sitting on our back porch.  This thing is made of solid steel and ships flat packed, so you have to assemble it like some sort of blacksmith IKEA project.  We've already enjoyed many nights in front of this thing, roasting marshmallows or listening to the crinkling coals.  I much prefer sitting outside in front of a fire to sitting inside brainlessly watching tv.  I anticipate getting a lot of use out of this come winter.


Comments

  1. I'm glad to hear your father is continuing to improve, and that facility sounds lovely! I had never heard of a pyro tower but now you have me intrigued, haha. I love our woodstove, but not so good for the roasting marshmellows ;)

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    1. I'm so jealous of your woodstove. We don't have an indoor fireplace so the pyro tower is a substitute

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  2. So glad to hear your dad is improving by leaps and bounds at the new treatment center!

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    1. We're thrilled and also ready for him to come home

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  3. I am totally digging that Pyro Tower! And so glad to hear your dad is doing better, and now being in this new rehab place, it sounds like he'll be in better hands. ((((HUGSSSS))))
    PS Bowie=cuteness:D

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    1. We light a fire outside almost every night now :) Thanks for thinking of us. I hope his recovery continues!

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    2. Just dropping by to say hi:) And am so jealous that you guys are not in lockdown, although with all the yahoos here in Toronto, it was really inevitable that we are almost back to where we started...sigh....

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  4. so glad your dad is doing so well and on a ranch even :) Sounds cool. A shame you cant visit but i get it!! Also we too had the pendulum weather. It was 31 degrees at nite last week and now it is 80s in the day 60s at nite. Remus has his winter coat already UGH. The only good thing is that the fall light with the warmer temps and fall leaves are spectacular colored.....:) Poor Bowie. My dogs LOVE their sweaters(That is cause i have little shit dogs :) Hugs to you and your family and tell your dad he has a lot of us rooting for him! :)

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    1. We threw on the horse blankets for 3 days and now they're off and the horses are sweating to death as well. Gotta love southern falls. Thanks for thinking of us. Give the doggos a squeeze from me!

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  5. I'm so glad your dad is in a good place. So many of the rehab places are not great. I'm glad he's doing better!

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    1. Thanks Sarah - we're happy he's in a good place as well!

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  6. Glad to hear your dad is progressing!

    My sister moved to Austin recently and they once had snow when we did not have any. The weather is an unpredictable thing!

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