Life off the grid in the SW Texas desert. An experiment in sustainable living. NUMBERS AT THE END OF EACH BLOG POST: temp at 8PM,high temp,low temp,rainfall,wind conditions(CalmBreezyWindyGusty). YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TheFieldLab
Daily live streams at https://www.youtube.com/thefieldlab/live
Saturday, December 13, 2014
yeah...that hurt!
It has been a busy week. Simple rollover atv accident - nasty compound fracture in my lower right leg - helicoptor ride to Odessa - two surgeries - ten days of PT - restricted to wheelchair or crutches for at least 4 months.
Glad you're back home, JW. I'll bet you'll have more help than you ever knew was available to get the necessary stuff done. Good to hear from you again.
Sorry to hear of your accident and the outcome. Heal quickly so you can get back to normal, but in he meantime, I am sure you will adapt to your temporary handicap.
Shiny Pedi. Cute Toes. We're so happy you're back. 4 months? Dang. Have you broken the news to Ben & Bud? You did not say whether or not you are actually reporting from home. And as you know, there has been some conversation about insurance...NOT to be nosey. Anyway, it's great to know you're back conversing with us. All the best! I'd say "Get well soon," but, know the time frame, let's just say, Speedy Recovery.
Glad to have you back John and though broken at least now in one piece. Lots of folks missed you. I expect some projects are on hold for a bit. Get well soon and get that fancy wood stove hoked up. Michael
I am assuming with 10 days PT you are not home. Hope you have someone that can come and help you out with the daily chores there. A lot of insurance provide home care if you can't provide for yourself. Hope you mend fast and true.
So sorry to hear about the accident, but glad you survived it and are back online. I missed your posts! Guess you'll have lots of time for thinking and planning now. Keep us up to date on what you're planning! And very best wishes on a speedy recovery.
Compound fracture? Oh wow, those are ALWAYS nasty, there are no 'simple' compound fractures...
It's good the hear you are doing well for all that!
There has to be a heck of a story in the rescue from the rollover. It's not like you live in a crowded neighborhood and it has to be hard to move around with your lower leg busted up like that.
I dumped my ATV twice trying to load it into the back of my truck using a pair of shaky, wooden ramps. Luckily I was OK both times, but it sure scared the heck out of me. A lot of us followers have been checking the blog every day looking for news. Sorry to hear how serious it was, but glad to see you are on the mend. Hang in there and take it easy.
Glad to hear you are recovering. Let it heal properly - so you will be good to go in the future. Use that nice safe Toyota - instead of that ATV - because the Toyota protects your body better - especially that injured leg!
Helluva way to take a vacation.4 months not too bad for that type of injury.My vacation lasted 9 months before I got the last cast off.Then the muscles had atrophied so bad my leg just hung like al dente pasta.Had to learn how to walk all over again.30 years later it's still smaller than the other leg and a half inch shorter.Glad to see you're back ! The photo looks like right leg, mine is left...sort of matching bookends. BTW,you have an excellent barometer now.
Wow! There has to be a book in this if only a survival guide. Shame the boys couldn't have come to the rescue, lending you a horn to hold on to. Just how did you get help? These next four months should be wonderfully creative for that head of yours -- personally, I'd start with a semi-fabulous rehab of the Airstream for a new home sweet home. YOUR home sweet home.
Viva John! Glad you are back home and recovering. Where can we send you some funds $$$ to help with the unexpected expenses? It's time to show our appreciation for everything you have done for us via the The Field Lab project. :)
Glad to hear it wasn't worse, although a compound fracture in nothing to sneeze at! You can recover in less than 4 months if you do what your therapist says only about 10% more, not 30-40% only 10%. With all my injuries I have tried to do just a little more than called for and it has worked every time. Compound fracture, broken, leg, cancer operation recovery I recovered sooner than the docs expected because I always did a little bit more than they asked.
I guess this shoots getting up in the paraglider for awhile. Maybe you could hop real fast on one foot to get airborn. Just a little humor in an otherwise lousy deal. Hey John you know what they do to lame horses. Just kidding
I second what M says about funds and Carl D. Jones says about recovery. Been checking on you every day for years and share the concerns that have voiced.
Don't know the ultimate meaning in this for you, but know that in the coming months you will find it.
Peace in this season. . .and prayer for your recovery.
Hello, John. Haven't met you yet, but live a few miles down the road from you on the Ranch. Let me know what I can do help with any chores around your place. Would be happy to. Been in your boat and know what you can expect for the next several weeks. 371-2766. Morris Allen
Someone needs to establish a GOFUNDME for John. His portion of these medical bills will be great. He provides a lot of people with a daily blog that entertains all of us and we can give back in this way. To give his time daily to post for us is something that he gives willingly. We can give back.
Now we are talking! That is why I was asking about confirming his mailing address so I could send him and the Field Lab critters some "rainy day" support. It may be easier for John this way.
Been following your blog for some time and sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery. Want to send you something to help with your convalescence if your mailing address can be confirmed.
Palmer Rolling Monastery, the lower 48 and western Canada
not convinced that John needs the money. He says he had a pretty good nest egg - AND insurance... and if it were me - I'd not take charity if I knew I did not need it and even then I'd have trouble accepting it...it's a pride thing
J.W. glad you're back, and safe. As we mature 8) we heal slower. Or so they say! When I broke my hip (age 59) I pushed the P.T.: walker, crutches then the cane.God made our bodies. Remember God is a healing God
Slo Mo now. This might be a time to relax and read some online books. One of my sons plays online chess (he placed 3rd in chess for all U.S. Military branches). I worked on my PT which hurt and contrary to the Dr.s predictions (for which I cried), I recovered fully with no lasting problems. Not overdoing and PT really help so much.
John - both your prayers and mine are answered - you will walk again, but hindered a bit. Aging is unkind to the body, mine has 72+ yrs and looking for more. I'm confident your neighbors will repay your kindness helping with your chores while healing. You only need assistance in physical therapy - you will likely need 2 months to regain your strength & longer before you fly. My experiences with therapy is the more you work on it the healthier you will become. Thank you for your TFL blog. ~Ericc
Pablo, you're a sad, twisted boy with issues of your own. Nobody here is buying your line of junk. You could post this tonteria forever and you would only reveal your own inner vacuum. The more you pursue this, the clearer it is you are to be pitied. I believe John deleted your previous posts to protect you- to keep you from revealing the ugliness inside you, but now he can't do that. Too bad for you.
I have a lot of Spanish speaking friends in San Antonio from various countries in the word who are so smart and kind. And when we go to restaurants and have fun I feel so blessed that I can understand the conversation and reply and read even if I am rusty.
I found your blog tonight after watching a video of you and your home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4IlgVPiDScQ), and I'd wanted to say how awesome you are to have done what you did there in Terlingua. If I weren't a lone 53 year old female, I'd do something very similar. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear of your mishap, and I hope you get better soon.
sometimes things like this are called life-changing events - a time when people re-think their situations...
we're all very fortunate to be able to share John's Magnificent Adventure but it is his life and we should all hope him the best no matter his choice.
but if John stays - I see a golf cart, or gator-type vehicle for getting around his place..until he gets back to 100% 2-leg mobility.
I remember the movie Forest Gump where he was in the phase of his life where he ran all day long, every day and over time more and more people would fall in behind him - then one day Forest said "I am tired and I need to rest" - and that was the end of his run and from the crowd behind him came a question "what are we supposed to do now"!
I agree with you Larry. God has a plan and we don't know what it is and John is right where He wants him to be. And as we go down the road of life we will understand His plan and it will always be better than our own. We will learn and grow as will John. And TY John for sharing so much with us. The Natives have the idea that we should share and when we do we will be blessed. Where is this venture taking all of us. Because Life is a journey not a destination. And since it is so short we should enjoy each day as if it were our last doing what gives us pleasure.
Howdy JW, just started reading your blog recently. I happened across your blog post the other day entitled "Ready to Roll" from a few years back and couldn't help but see the irony there. Sorry about your accident. Get well soon.
I think you will recover just fine from this, thanks to your good insurance coverage and intelligence. You might be 99% instead of 100, but so what? This is a story for many dinners. :-)
Good to hear from you. You can do this.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back home, JW. I'll bet you'll have more help than you ever knew was available to get the necessary stuff done. Good to hear from you again.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are ok (albeit banged up). Cheers
ReplyDeleteGood evening, John. Long time follower, first time commenter.
ReplyDeleteI've missed your posts the past few days; I figured you were taking a break (not -that- kind of break!). Glad you're back, and mending.
george, off the grid at Cerrito del Llano, NM
Sorry to hear of your accident and the outcome. Heal quickly so you can get back to normal, but in he meantime, I am sure you will adapt to your temporary handicap.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again. I'm glad the results of your rollover were not worse. Here's to a speedy recovery!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're okay. Good thing the compound break didn't hit the tibial or peroneal arteries. Would have been a sad day here online.
ReplyDeleteShiny Pedi. Cute Toes. We're so happy you're back. 4 months? Dang. Have you broken the news to Ben & Bud? You did not say whether or not you are actually reporting from home. And as you know, there has been some conversation about insurance...NOT to be nosey. Anyway, it's great to know you're back conversing with us. All the best! I'd say "Get well soon," but, know the time frame, let's just say, Speedy Recovery.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back John and though broken at least now in one piece. Lots of folks missed you. I expect some projects are on hold for a bit. Get well soon and get that fancy wood stove hoked up. Michael
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear from you, Brother.
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteGlad you are reconnected. Hope all is as well as can be. Prayers for you daily.
good to hear you are healing. The desert can be a brutal place. You are a lucky man.
ReplyDeleteI am assuming with 10 days PT you are not home. Hope you have someone that can come and help you out with the daily chores there. A lot of insurance provide home care if you can't provide for yourself. Hope you mend fast and true.
ReplyDeleteAnyway to farm out your menagerie until you are able to care for them?
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the accident, but glad you survived it and are back online. I missed your posts! Guess you'll have lots of time for thinking and planning now. Keep us up to date on what you're planning! And very best wishes on a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteCompound fracture? Oh wow, those are ALWAYS nasty, there are no 'simple' compound fractures...
ReplyDeleteIt's good the hear you are doing well for all that!
There has to be a heck of a story in the rescue from the rollover. It's not like you live in a crowded neighborhood and it has to be hard to move around with your lower leg busted up like that.
Take it easy & get well.
I dumped my ATV twice trying to load it into the back of my truck using a pair of shaky, wooden ramps. Luckily I was OK both times, but it sure scared the heck out of me.
ReplyDeleteA lot of us followers have been checking the blog every day looking for news. Sorry to hear how serious it was, but glad to see you are on the mend. Hang in there and take it easy.
Bet you are glad you purchased that helicopter insurance!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have someone to give you a helping hand with the chores, as well as take care of you while you convalesce.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Ouch! Nasty accident - best wishes.
ReplyDeletesorry to hear about your accident. do you have some lady volunteers to come out and take care of you at the lab? ha ha ha get well soon my friend!
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you! I wish you speedy recovery!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back John. So glad you on the mend. Best wishes for proper recovery.
ReplyDeleteIt's just like Grandpa would tell me years ago:
ReplyDeleteGetting old ain't for sissy's!
Glad to hear you are recovering. Let it heal properly - so you will be good to go in the future. Use that nice safe Toyota - instead of that ATV - because the Toyota protects your body better - especially that injured leg!
ReplyDeleteU need an off-road wheelchair
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear from you. Take better care of yourself. Your fans and critters have missed you.
ReplyDeleteHelluva way to take a vacation.4 months not too bad for that type of injury.My vacation lasted 9 months before I got the last cast off.Then the muscles had atrophied so bad my leg just hung like al dente pasta.Had to learn how to walk all over again.30 years later it's still smaller than the other leg and a half inch shorter.Glad to see you're back !
ReplyDeleteThe photo looks like right leg, mine is left...sort of matching bookends. BTW,you have an excellent barometer now.
We're all glad to see you're gona be ok. This is just a bump in the road of life but can't keep a good man down. Hope to see you in February.
ReplyDeleteWow! There has to be a book in this if only a survival guide. Shame the boys couldn't have come to the rescue, lending you a horn to hold on to. Just how did you get help?
ReplyDeleteThese next four months should be wonderfully creative for that head of yours -- personally, I'd start with a semi-fabulous rehab of the Airstream for a new home sweet home. YOUR home sweet home.
Sounds like it's time for a wide bodied flip proof solar powered surrey.
ReplyDeleteViva John! Glad you are back home and recovering. Where can we send you some funds $$$ to help with the unexpected expenses? It's time to show our appreciation for everything you have done for us via the The Field Lab project. :)
ReplyDeletewell.. that seems like just about enough excitement for now.
ReplyDeleteease up a bit
Glad to hear it wasn't worse, although a compound fracture in nothing to sneeze at! You can recover in less than 4 months if you do what your therapist says only about 10% more, not 30-40% only 10%. With all my injuries I have tried to do just a little more than called for and it has worked every time. Compound fracture, broken, leg, cancer operation recovery I recovered sooner than the docs expected because I always did a little bit more than they asked.
ReplyDeleteI guess this shoots getting up in the paraglider for awhile. Maybe you could hop real fast on one foot to get airborn. Just a little humor in an otherwise lousy deal. Hey John you know what they do to lame horses. Just kidding
ReplyDeleteAfter having My ATV roll over me and break my collar bone . I now have a lot of respect for that machine . Wishing you a Speedy recovery ! BEC
ReplyDeleteHope everything heals well. I'll keep you in my prayers, Regards
ReplyDeleteI second what M says about funds and Carl D. Jones says about recovery. Been checking on you every day for years and share the concerns that have voiced.
ReplyDeleteDon't know the ultimate meaning in this for you, but know that in the coming months you will find it.
Peace in this season. . .and prayer for your recovery.
Dang John, please let us know how the distant can help.
ReplyDeleteIs this mailing address for Mr. Wells still current and valid? It was posted on one of his blog post entitled "Market Research" back in May 13, 2010.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wells
2500 Mailbox Rd.
Alpine, TX 79830
I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Glad your feeling a little better. Are you able to return to the homestead?
ReplyDeleteThat just stinks, wishing for the best for youl
ReplyDeleteHello, John. Haven't met you yet, but live a few miles down the road from you on the Ranch. Let me know what I can do help with any chores around your place. Would be happy to. Been in your boat and know what you can expect for the next several weeks. 371-2766. Morris Allen
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to establish a GOFUNDME for John. His portion of these medical bills will be great. He provides a lot of people with a daily blog that entertains all of us and we can give back in this way. To give his time daily to post for us is something that he gives willingly. We can give back.
ReplyDeleteJohn has always said he would never put a donation button on his site, but with the GOFUNDME it would take this away from John's decision LOL
ReplyDeleteAnother thought would be if someone can post his paypal email, we can send funds that way.
ReplyDeleteNow we are talking! That is why I was asking about confirming his mailing address so I could send him and the Field Lab critters some "rainy day" support. It may be easier for John this way.
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Wells:
ReplyDeleteBeen following your blog for some time and sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery. Want to send you something to help with your convalescence if your mailing address can be confirmed.
Palmer
Rolling Monastery, the lower 48 and western Canada
not convinced that John needs the money. He says he had a pretty good nest egg - AND insurance... and if it were me - I'd not take charity if I knew I did not need it and even then I'd have trouble accepting it...it's a pride thing
ReplyDeleteJ.W. glad you're back, and safe. As we mature 8) we heal slower. Or so they say! When I broke my hip (age 59) I pushed the P.T.: walker, crutches then the cane.God made our bodies. Remember God is a healing God
ReplyDeleteSlo Mo now. This might be a time to relax and read some online books. One of my sons plays online chess (he placed 3rd in chess for all U.S. Military branches). I worked on my PT which hurt and contrary to the Dr.s predictions (for which I cried), I recovered fully with no lasting problems. Not overdoing and PT really help so much.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this would be the time to learn the guitar. 🐌 😁
ReplyDeleteJohn - both your prayers and mine are answered - you will walk again, but hindered a bit. Aging is unkind to the body, mine has 72+ yrs and looking for more. I'm confident your neighbors will repay your kindness helping with your chores while healing. You only need assistance in physical therapy - you will likely need 2 months to regain your strength & longer before you fly. My experiences with therapy is the more you work on it the healthier you will become.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your TFL blog. ~Ericc
I will remember you in my prayers. I know you're thankful it wasn't worse.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you just need an upgraded ATV? Something that would protect you better in a roll over.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.govplanet.com/jsp/equip/auctions.jsp?groupId=11611
Surplus Humvee!
;-)
Pablo, you're a sad, twisted boy with issues of your own. Nobody here is buying your line of junk. You could post this tonteria forever and you would only reveal your own inner vacuum. The more you pursue this, the clearer it is you are to be pitied.
ReplyDeleteI believe John deleted your previous posts to protect you- to keep you from revealing the ugliness inside you, but now he can't do that. Too bad for you.
Learning Spanish better would be something good to do with free time.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of Spanish speaking friends in San Antonio from various countries in the word who are so smart and kind. And when we go to restaurants and have fun I feel so blessed that I can understand the conversation and reply and read even if I am rusty.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog tonight after watching a video of you and your home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4IlgVPiDScQ), and I'd wanted to say how awesome you are to have done what you did there in Terlingua. If I weren't a lone 53 year old female, I'd do something very similar. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear of your mishap, and I hope you get better soon.
ReplyDeleteMao Tsu Tung said the higher the tree grows, the harder the wind tries to blow it down.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWhen the Alaska Tlingit Natives harvest a seal, they leave the head for the Spirit. That is a good thing to know.
And do not eat half cooked bear meat because one could get trichinosis like half cooked pork which cause worms in the body.
ReplyDeleteJohn needs to come back.
ReplyDeleteJohn needs to come back.
ReplyDeleteJohn needs to come back.
ReplyDeleteYou okay there Margery? :) Greetings from Sabine County in East Texas! Viva John!
ReplyDeleteI believe Margery will eventually settle down and realize her upset was caused by a comment from 1 diseased mind suffering Schizophrenia.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that John...
ReplyDeleteSorry about that John...
ReplyDeletetake about a year to get over, barring complications..............bad injury..........homebound services?????????
ReplyDeletesometimes things like this are called life-changing events - a time when people re-think their situations...
ReplyDeletewe're all very fortunate to be able to share John's Magnificent Adventure but it is his life and we should all hope him the best no matter his choice.
but if John stays - I see a golf cart, or gator-type vehicle for getting around his place..until he gets back to 100% 2-leg mobility.
I remember the movie Forest Gump where he was in the phase of his life where he ran all day long, every day and over time more and more people would fall in behind him - then one day Forest said "I am tired and I need to rest" - and that was the end of his run and from the crowd behind him came a question "what are we supposed to do now"!
http://youtu.be/QgnJ8GpsBG8
6 minutes in -
the best to John Wells - always
I agree with you Larry. God has a plan and we don't know what it is and John is right where He wants him to be. And as we go down the road of life we will understand His plan and it will always be better than our own. We will learn and grow as will John. And TY John for sharing so much with us. The Natives have the idea that we should share and when we do we will be blessed. Where is this venture taking all of us. Because Life is a journey not a destination. And since it is so short we should enjoy each day as if it were our last doing what gives us pleasure.
ReplyDeleteMy question is how did the ATV roll over-slid on road, hit something, rut, speed, sharp turn, what?
ReplyDeleteHowdy JW, just started reading your blog recently. I happened across your blog post the other day entitled "Ready to Roll" from a few years back and couldn't help but see the irony there.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your accident. Get well soon.
I think you will recover just fine from this, thanks to your good insurance coverage and intelligence. You might be 99% instead of 100, but so what? This is a story for many dinners. :-)
ReplyDelete