Where's Bob Been, or the Case of the Purple Leg

I'm Usually Not Offline for More Than a Day or Two, So I Owe an Explanation

This is my first Local Food Forum post since October 22. I don't want to say I hope you missed me, but considering that I average somewhere around a dozen posts a week — and this is by far the longest layoff since I started the publication more than 4-1/2 years ago — perhaps a few folks may have be thinking, "What's up with that?"

Since I've been AWOE (Absent Without Explanation), here's what's up. The short version is that I started feeling exhausted on October 24, and by overnight on the 26th it revealed itself as a full-blown case of a nasty infection known as cellulitis in my lower right leg that put me in the hospital for more than two days and has had me in a s-l-o-w recovery mode since.

Cellulitis is an insidious little bastard, its opportunistic bacteria find a tiny opening in the skin — something I may have completely overlooked — and spread a whole lot of misery. It actually wasn't until we were waiting for an ambulance that I noticed my leg was turning purple. It eventually covered pretty much everything below the knee, accompanied by swelling.

During the first few days, it was excruciating to stand on the affected leg. A steady application of IV antibiotics knocked it back enough for me to get home last Tuesday, but bedrest with the leg elevated and four antibiotic pills a day were the doctor's orders.

The good news is the discoloration and swelling has gone down a lot. The not-so-good news is that this fight has been exhausting, and this is the first day since this started that I've had the energy to sit at the computer and put words together.

Now about the image at the top. Barb and I have been together for 45 years, married for more than 40, and one of the strengths of our relationship is our ability to make each other laugh even in the worst of circumstances. Because I am so on the go when I'm feeling right, I've been dubbed Energizer Bob for a while. So while I was still in the hospital, Barb made me smile by texting that image with the caption, "Energizer Bunny Down!"

I also have had to wear compression socks, and Barb managed to find some of the snazziest versions around. I turn 70 a week from Friday — yeah, I'm shocked, too — and I have to say that racing-striped compression socks may be the most age-appropriate gift ever.

And no, I'm not imposing photos of my injuries on you. Trust me, I'm doing you all a solid.

Hopefully, I'll continue to progress and tomorrow will start writing actual stories again. In the meantime, a few things that could help:

1) As a one-man publication covering a lot of ground, I've been saying for a long time that my two favorite words are contributed content. Right now, contributed content — whether it's an article you want to get off your chest or a press release I can cut and paste — would be a huge help.

2) I am collecting string for a roundup of organizations and businesses whose angelic efforts to provide food and nourishment to those affected by the disgraceful efforts by those holding food assistance hostage to their warped political agenda. (I try to avoid politics, but in this case I can't.) But as in the contributed content note above, any information sent directly to me would help a lot.

And everyone, please contribute generously to the food banks and other non-profits that are filling the breach as best they can, and show support by patronizing businesses that also are going above and beyond.

SEND CONTENT TO BOB

3) One of the realizations that has come from spending too much time staring at the ceiling is that it has become really challenging for one person to try to be everywhere for everyone all the time. If Local Food Forum were more self-supporting, I might just be able to pay folks a stipend for content.

Also, paid subscriptions make excellent get-well gifts. Did I mention I have a birthday next week?

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