It Ain't Rice Krispies!

That popping noise you hear isn't Rice Krispies' SNAP CRACKLE POP.


Nope, it's my knee acting up. Not to go into a deep session of organ recital, but my knees have been a problem for a few years. Back in aught-four (for you youngsters that's the year 2004) I had a left knee arthroscopy. Dr. Padilla went in and fixed some problems. Six weeks later, I opened the door of the motorhome and stepped out, only to realize that the automatic steps had failed to open up, and I was S-O-L, two feet above the ground. I went down on my right leg, while the newly repaired left leg stayed firmly in place on the upper step.


Undaunted, the two of us proceeded on our life as if everything was fine.


More recently, my right knee has become irritated, to the point of being unstable and painful. Now, when I attempt to stand up from my comfortable (and quite low) La-Z-Boy recliner chair, the noise is deafening! POP! SNAP! So far, thank goodness, I haven't had a crackle! This morning, both knees popped in unison, and Suzy had to cover her ears!

For over a year I have been wearing this Mueller knee brace on my right knee. Actually, in that time I have worn out two sets of braces, and am now working on my third. The brace acts as a stabilizing influence, but still there is pain and discomfort.


We found a new orthopedic surgeon who will do a total knee replacement for me on June 2. Wow, how wonderful! But based on Suzy's (and others') past experience, there will be several weeks of intense physical therapy and pain to undergo. I'll have to do exercises at home, and Suzy will be my care gver.

I mentioned my comfortable, but low, recliner. Suzy has one too.

This is Suzy's La-Z-Boy Recliner

Some time back I built a new base under her chair out of 4X4s.

I'll want to do the same for my own chair, to facilitate getting out of it after surgery.

So today I got started. Our SKP Saguaro Co-op Park has a facilities department with several woodworking tools available to all leaseholders and renters.  I was able to dust off my old skills and cut dados in a pair of 4X4s that will hold the base of my chair.



Clean up is necessary in a shared wood shop.

Next I will have to cut the 4X4s to length and face the framework with some good quality 1X4 stock that has been waiting for me in the living room for a couple of months.

Suzy knows that I have never been one for completing a project all the way, so she offered some time ago to stain and varnish the visible surfaces of both her and my chair supports. Right now, I'm not overly concerned with pretty and shiny, I just want to make it easier to get into and out of my chair. And that's about to happen!

See you again soon in ... Our Life on Wheels!