Shifting Winds: TBT

 

Throwback Thursday:  

A Little Good bye: a Little Hello

Dr. Greg Prins and his sidekick Angus live in our neighborhood. 

~~~~

I went to the dentist yesterday.  

Let's just say it had been a while.

Turns out I'm a grinder. 

I actually knew that after a visit with an ear specialist about ten years ago who told me my ears were just fine.

Twas my jaw that was causing some strange behavior. 

That's the first time I'd ever heard of TMJ aka Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

The ear doctor suggested that I try using a mouth guard, especially when I slept at night.

Eventually, the symptoms of my grinding went away until a week or so ago. 

Seems grinders unconsciously do a lot of their work at night.  I'm also aware that I do a lot of my grinding in the day time, especially when engaged in physical, repetitive work like raking. 

Stress is also a contributor. 

Long story short, the right side of my jaw has been tender of late, especially when I chew.  At first, I thought it was a tooth problem.  

I'm one of those oldsters who still has three of my four wisdom teeth.  

As an aside, many of my generation probably don't have tonsils, while those who've come after us often get rid of their wisdom teeth and keep their tonsils.

Okay, back to my story.  

I decided rather than spending a lot of time on Dr. Google, trying to figure out what was going on inside my head, I'd break down and ask a dentist. 

I happen to know one who lives down our road AND who works in the same practice where I last went to the dentist---my classmate Dr. Jim Miller. 

How long has HE been retired?  

Well, it's been a year or two. 

So, yesterday when I went to see Dr. Greg Prins and his assistant Melissa, I---who try to avoid professional visits to doctors---was as nervous as usual. 

My concerns quickly diminished as I got to know Melissa and, later, when Greg came in to see what was happening inside my mouth. 

To say I was impressed and happy with the appointment would be an understatement; so right then and there, while still sitting in the dentist chair, I asked, "So, would you be my dentist?"

Greg said yes. 

So begins another longtime relationship with a professional in this life on Earth. 

Another is soon to begin when Cecil Giard gets home from farrier school.  

I asked his mom Deanna a while back if Cecil would be willing to remove six shoes and trim 12 hooves sometime next month.  

Deanna got back to me yesterday and said that Cecil said yes. 

I met Cecil a couple of years ago when he was bucking bales for my sisters.  They relied on him to help gather hay crews. Plus, they really appreciated his hard work. 

Soon, Cecil will begin his chosen life mission, working with horses' hooves. 

I asked his mom to ask Cecil if he would do my horses because I did not want to say good bye to my longtime farrier John Fuller---in person. 

Instead, I'm saying a virtual good bye to this wonderful man in this morning's post. 

He told me a while back that he'd probably still be around when it was time to remove shoes and to do some trimming.  

There was uncertainty at the time about his plans to go into full retirement mode and spend some time in his beloved Mexico. 

Well, it all has worked out, and from what I saw from another John Fuller fan's Facebook post, he and Vicki will be heading south of the border in a week or two. 

It's difficult for to say "good bye" to someone who's played a vital part in our life story for so long.  

So, I choose not to say that; instead, I'll say to John "good luck" in this new and well-deserved adventure in your life.  

We'll miss those fulfilling times spent in lively conversation out by the barn, with you bent over and me standing there, holding Lily or Lefty or CB. 

John, you've been good to our horses through all these years.  

I have also always appreciated your punctuality and especially all the extras of treasured wisdom you've dished out while trimming and shaping those hooves and nailing on the shoes.

Farewell---at least in the farrier realm---but no farewells to one whom I consider "friend."  

Til I see you again, thanks for the memories and for your skill, consistency and wisdom.   

John Fuller, with a mouthful of tools of his trade. 

For you, my friend John: 

Now, will someone please tell John to get on the Internet and read this post. 

Cecil Giard

Cecil, I'm looking forward to introducing you to Lily, Lefy and CB. 

~~~~~

A few more TBT's: 

Visitors from Belgium and Switzerland with family members in this photo taken at Second Avenue Pizza a few years ago.

I'm hearing there may be some shifting of the winds with this highly popular local restaurant but nothing confirmed. 

Guess we'll wait and see.