Tag Archives: knee pain

I’d Rather Be Working; Not Working Is Hard

Do you have a hard job? Like, is it physically demanding? Are you usually worn out and too tired to pet the dog when you get home?

Well, I have a job like that. Granted, it’s not as difficult as loading garbage trucks. It’s also easier than performing a Christian funeral for Ozzy Osborn. However, it still takes a lot of effort and energy.

However, since the 18th of June, I have been doing nothing more than coming to work. I sit in the break room for 8 hours. Sitting here is where I am at this moment. It is harder, more draining, and certainly more boring than any physical work I could be doing.

Back on June 18, I was at work at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. I pivoted wrong and twisted my left knee. According to the medical professionals, I have two meniscus tears and a sprained MCL. There may be even more damage to a tendon or ligament, or something. This happened on the job. Workers comp is taking care of everything. The onsite medical and physical therapy staff are also helping.

But here’s the thing: I still have to come to work, even if I don’t work! They are literally paying me my regular hourly wage to sit on my butt and drink coffee. I’ve even been able to do a lot of video editing.

And that’s the hard part of this employer-mandated rest. Sitting here for eight hours every day is making me tired and making me fat. I’m not getting the exercise that comes with working on the line in the body shop. My vision has gotten worse from constantly being on my iPhone in low-light conditions. But worst of all, there’s the paranoia. I just KNOW people are talking about me!

Then again, why am I complaining? As King David asked, “Why art thou cast down, o my soul?” As James prescribed, I should be counting it all “joy.” Well, I don’t know about joy, but I am thankful for a place to work that allows me this opportunity. Even though it may seem silly to those outside my body, the pain in my knee is still bad enough to make me lose sleep. I avoid going up stairs altogether.

So, unlike some bloggers who stop writing and fade away, I’m still here. I may be focusing all my free time on making video content. However, I still find that I have to write out what’s on my mind to stay sane. Just last night I renewed my annual fees for WordPress, so I guess I’ve even more reason to stick around.

Have a great weekend, my friends. Enjoy your health – if you have it. Spend time with your family if at all possible, and then go to church somewhere this Sunday (unless you’re Adventist). If you have some extra time, please check out my YouTube channels. They are called The Humble Horologist and The Humble Word. I’m even posting to TikTok pretty regularly.

God bless, and I’ll write again, soon.

Anthony

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I’ll Whine If I Want To

All I know of the lyrics to the old song is, “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to, cry if I want to, CRY if I want to. You would cry too if it happened to you.

Well, it’s my birthday, and I wan’t to cry…sorta.

Maybe more like whine.

The Negatives

First, I had been planning to attend a preaching conference today. It is sponsored by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is being held just outside of Atlanta. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed on a Saturday – on my birthday – at 5:30 a.m. and then drive. I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep in the last few days and I have a knee that’s really hurting, so it wasn’t a good morning to be hitting the road dark and early. So, I’m missing out on something I really wanted to attend. That’s sad.

Secondly, my dadgum knee is killing me! Well, maybe killing is a little extreme, but it hurts to go up stairs, down stairs, use the gas peddle or brake, move it, etc. What did I do to it to make it hurt? Nothing that I know of – other than get older.

Third, after I had regretfully resigned not to go to the conference and sleep in, Jack the dog – which my wife so mercifully let into our room during the night – made it very clear he needed to go outside. So much for sleeping in.

Everyone else is still in bed. Wait, did I hear movement upstairs?

The Positives

First, I woke up, was able to get out of bed with one good knee, and made it outside where the air was fresh. I was able to make it down stairs, make my own coffee, and see and hear the falling leaves that are finally ushering in the fall season.

Second, a dear blogging friend (Jessie Jeanine) is here visiting with us! Because of having to do several other things, including drive a school bus for a football game last night, I’ve been unable to take her to my favorite coffee shop here in Chattanooga, Rembrandt’s. But now that I’m not going to the conference in Atlanta, we can go get some coffee!

Third, I get to spend a little more time in study for tomorrow’s sermons. And really, that’s a good thing; I’ve been a little stressed with finding the time to just sit and meditate on the passage I’m going to be covering…

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. – Luke 12:32

And, you know, I have to make a good impression tomorrow, too. I asked Jessie to tell me if there were any differences between the real me and the person I convey over the internet. She replied, “Wait till after I hear you preach on Sunday.” Pressure!

Incidentally, I want to thank our exchange-student-daughter, Vivian, for giving up her room for a few days and sleeping with Haley so that our guest could have a bed. However, I don’t know what German kids think about southern hospitality at this point – I think they think we’re crazy.

Fourth and finally, “This [is] the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psa 118:24 NKJV

God has been good to me, far more than I deserve – ’cause I don’t deserve anything, really. He even gave me this wonderful day at home to answer the phone, read emails and Facebook, study, drink coffee, and feed off the sympathy of others as my knee aches.

So, forgive me if I whine just a little…but it IS my birthday, after all 😉

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