Mobility issues

....show up in unexpected places. Somehow I noticed that my right thumb can't close as far as my left. I've been stretching to try to get the mobility back, but it's not happening yet.

Check out the difference in how far my thumbs are closed;

I'm closing them as hard as I can. I can bend it a little further by squeezing it inside my fist, but I can't make it go any further on it's own strength.

Climbing Trees

I don't think my wife got a picture, but yesterday I climbed a tree. Well, at least a little bit - with a ladder head start. We've neglected the cherry tree at the front of our house for too long, and it's grown way too tall. It's too close to the house and I've considered taking it out completely. We still may do that.

I started out just cutting some of the branches that were easy to access from the ladder. Then I looked at it again, assessed my energy, and climbed in. I hung on with my affected arm and cut a few higher branches. Hurricane Earls' wind blew me around a bit. Every once in a while I thought; "what am I doing? I have Parkinson's." Somehow I was able to hang on and cut out about two-thirds of the branches. They're now laying in the driveway waiting for me to clean them up.

I think God is trying to tell me I can do more. And - that He'll take care of me even if I do something stupid.

What follows an announcement?

Hey everybody, I'm going to bike 3 times a day!


Translation = Hey everybody, I'm going to skip biking for the next few days.

Why do I never see it coming?

Three-a-days

I'm trying a new approach, with the goal of increasing my pace. Instead of one bike workout per day, I'm shooting for three. I'm trying to keep my pace over 15 mph. So far, it's a goal. I'm getting there.

Today's chart;

Hand shakes

No, not the tremor.

Yesterday, while being greeted by others at church and shaking their hand I was finding it hard to let go. It made for some awkward moments.

I really appreciate the connection of a handshake or a hug. I'll have to figure out how to disconnect quicker.

50 miles

I did it!

Now, what's the next goal?

More miles

Aiming for 7.5 miles each day now - targeting a 50 mile week. This'll be the first time.

I was easily upset over a work email this week, and when I tried to reply the shaking in my right hand was so bad it kept me from typing with my left! I have voice recognition software that I'm slowly learning to use, but I needed to use it that day. I think that was the worst my hand has ever shook.

Stress sure does bring out the best in us.

Oh, and Happy Canada Day!