The World According to Leslie

A couple of weeks ago, m right thumb started hurting. Progressively over those weeks, it has gotten worse. More tender. More red. More swollen. Finally, on Friday, I was learning to become a lefty because I couldn't move my thumb without pain shooting up my right arm. My mommy, THANKS MOM, made me go to the doctor. We weren't in there more than an hour, but I came out with a diagnosis of arthritis and inflammation. (The inflammation has a really long 3 word name, but I can't remember it.) I'm in an "awesome" brace on my thumb and up my wrist. Doc said to wear it 4-6 weeks.  Mom and I both looked at her and said, "FOUR TO SIX WEEKS?!?!" I'm on medication for the inflammation. I really didn't realize everything that my thumb does.... until I can't move it to do things.... like hit the space bar! What would you miss most about not being about to use one of your fingers?

Did you know there is a Nimblewheel in NC? I've lived here all my life and had never heard of it. Of course, I'm sure there are 1000s of people in NC who have never heard of it. I can't locate it on a map either. I've tried to Google Earth it, but the closest thing I came up with was Nimblewill (GA). I don't think it's possible, but after the trip home we had, it may be. Just about every year, we go to Pigeon Forge, TN. (I know. I've said that like 1000 times!) We go to Cherokee for a day and then go back over the mountain to stay in TN. When we went up for the eclipse a couple weeks ago, we should have taken a RIGHT and gone over the mountain! I'm sure we wouldn't have taken as long to get home as it did. So.... here's the story (as condensed as I can get it!) We turned left to head out of Cherokee. We left the reservation (stopping to take pictures at the sign). We got on Highway 74, maybe it's I74 (not quite sure). I started

Again, I am behind on posting things. Between August 18-21, lots of things happened (especially on the 21st) and I literally made a list of blogs to write; so I wouldn't forget. Then, as always happens, things went haywire and I didn't get them "on paper" before it's basically like an afterthought. I am part Cherokee. I have a grandmother (a few "greats" back) who was full-blooded. I've probably said before that my dad has that "red mud Indian skin". He's naturally tan all year.  (I'm actually jealous...since I'm pastey pale!) Every year, when we visit Pigeon Forge, TN--one of my most favorite places on earth--we go through Cherokee. During the summer, we always stop to watch the dancers on the street and listen to the stories. We also get pictures. This year, we did not go to Pigeon Forge (over the summer anyways), but we went to Cherokee for the eclipse. I always joke that being in the mountains makes you closer to