Doesn't it seem that the holidays either zip by too quickly or get stretched out until you find yourself blinking at sunspots while emerging from the end of the tunnel? We had a wonderful holiday; relaxing and quiet at home for December and then a nice long visit with Joan and Paul for January. Normally I wouldn't consider January a 'holiday', but having guests who bring 'happy hours' and stories of adventure and excuses to play outside seems close enough.

Speaking of playing outside, the weather has been alternating between grey, rainy days and brilliant sunny ones. Today is one of the latter, and I realize I appreciate it all the more for being a bit more rare lately. The rain has been good for the little ficus we transplanted; while rather anemic-looking, it nonetheless seems to be thriving after being thoroughly doused in a few days of hard rain, with intermittent sunny periods.

The last weekend of Joan and Paul's visit was cause for a send-off of extra-ordinary proportions, and as you may have read here, we chose to spend the night in Venice Beach, then visit the Getty Museum.  The little 'canal neighbourhood' of VB is very obviously a hot-spot of architectural exposition and is truly a delight to explore - especially since we rather chanced upon it unexpectedly. The Getty is yet another architect's dream made reality and we were fortunate to have a wonderfully clear day to admire both the building, grounds and the surroundings all the way out to the Pacific.

Our return home was bittersweet; we always enjoy the January visit and it's sad to say goodbye, but it felt nice to come home with Maverick and just curl up in the solitude. Scuttle looked terribly smug.

The peace was destined not to last, sadly. Monday night was the Sprouts final game of an unbeaten season. Phillip played twenty minutes before an awkward kick between him and another player resulted in a painful strike against the bottom of her cleats, with him hobbling off the field shortly after. He took a breather and prepared to come back onto the field, but the pain persisted and finally, he sat out the rest of the game.  The Sprouts went on to an undefeated season and will be promoted from 9b to 8b league. Huzzah! Phillip then walked (well, gimped really) the whole six blocks home and upon coming upstairs, declared his suspicion of a broken foot.

There was discussion about emergency room versus family doctor appointment the next day for x-rays, and after a shower, Phillip was in enough pain to choose the ER; however, after signing in with triage and being told the wait-time, he was ready to flee, hobbled or not. My good sense prevailed: "We're here now, might as well see it through rather than take a chance on our GP's unavailability."

The ER wait wasn't as bad as either of us feared, but it wasn't quick. I had my textbook with me so I could study for a pathology exam - the irony of which was not lost on me, surrounded as we were by the dross of humanity - but I ended up driving home after an hour or so. It's hard to concentrate when there is so much of your subject matter in the air, not to mention the blaring 'reality tv' show about dog-fighting. Ugh.

We'd arrived at the ER at 10 pm, and by midnight, Phillip called me to pick him up, foot heavily splinted and bound with bandages. The resident who examined his x-rays suggested it was not a serious break. Phillip had his appointment with the orthopedic surgeon today who confirmed that the hairline fracture of his fifth metatarsal (with some extension into the joint) is not enough to warrant a cast, but a special foot-brace will be required for a month. I had to stop empathizing with my beloved, because my own foot started to ache. Yet, I will continue to suffer! I have to share Zoomie the Smart Car and -gasp- mow the lawn!

All kidding aside, I'm glad Phillip gave into my pestering to work from home this week. He hobbles about when he can, but he won't be on the motorcycle anytime soon, if I continue to have my way. Amazing what a tiny crack in a tiny bone can do, huh? That said, be safe and healthy, my friends and loved ones.

-K