Well, I’m still not yet back in the saddle. What I thought was a minor fall has caused me to have a painful and much longer than anticipated recovery.

Now we’re wondering if the vertebrae was partially fractured before my fall. The vertebrae could have already been fractured from years of pressure caused by poor posture. The point of impact could have been merely coincidental or just made it worse.

Diane is always reminding me about my posture. But I’ve never done much about it. Now I’m paying the price.

I even remember a time when I was walking home from school which should have told me to do something about my posture.

Two twin girls that lived two blocks from my folks’ house stopped me and asked, “Why do you walk like an old man?”

I was caught a little off guard. These girls were kind of cute, I thought, but were a year older than me, so I never talked to them.

My answer to them was, “I don’t know, I guess between my books and my violin case, my stuff is kind of heavy and it makes me bend over.”

Well, I should have listened to them.

Now I have both Diane and my Mayo physical therapist, Selen, constantly reminding me, ”POSTURE.”

I injured myself on August 12. That was five weeks ago last Friday.

The doctor originally said that it could take six to eight weeks for the vertebrae to mend. I am doing my exercise routine on a regular twice a day basis and I got off those awful pain pills last week.

So I hope nqw all of that means I am on the mend.

--------

The recent election once again demonstrated why it is so important to cast your ballot and that every vote counts.

In the local council election, Art Tolis defeated Mike Archambault by nine votes (2,797 to 2,789). In the 5th Congressional race on the Republican side, Andy Biggs defeated Christine Jones, 25,280 to 25, 224.

TheTolis victory brought back memories on the John Cutillo - Jerrry MIles race for Mayor back in 1994 when Cutillo won by three votes.

-------

That explosion in New York City last weekend was too close to home for comfort.

Our son-in-law Brandon’s cousin, had her car totaled in the blast. It was parked directly in front of the doorway from where the blast took place.

They were in the car two minutes earlier. She said it was a miracle that they had not been injured or worse.

-------

Happy Birthday to granddaughter Brooke Ireland who celebrated her 8th on Sept. 15. She is the older daughter of our daughter Holly.