Last week, our editor, Sarah Overby, suggested that someone write a helpful column on how to organize – and survive! – graduation preparations. Having planned, organized, prepped, stressed, and survived two graduations in the past three years, I feel that I am qualified to tackle an advice column on the subject.

If you’ve been following along over the past few weeks, you know I broke my back (T12) getting out of my pickup to get gas. In a nutshell, I didn’t notice the cement pad where the fuel island is located was covered in black ice. (See “Down Goes Simmons,” The Borderland Press, May 1.) As I wrote last week’s column, more than two months had passed, and I had yet to see a specialist. Dr. Sam at LPH took another run at Altru in Grand Forks for me, The new Altru facility is gorgeous. I walked through the doors and was met by a cheery receptionist. “Can I help you?” she asked. “Yes, you certainly can – Bob Simmons. I have a 1 p.m. appointment with Interventional Radiology,” I replied. She said — and I quote — “Yes, doctor, straight down the hall to your left.”

We have a kamikaze bird in our backyard….specifically, a male robin. For a good two hours on Sunday afternoon, and again Monday morning, he repeatedly threw himself into our west-facing window, leaving a blotch of mud on the glass every time.

A few weeks ago I boldly declared in this very column that outdoor track season was my favorite time of the year. Looking back now, I would like to formally apologize to the entire state of North Dakota because apparently I jinxed spring.

I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning to write this column. I didn’t wake up on purpose, but once I was up and began thinking about the day before, I had to get up and write down as much as I could while it was still fresh in my mind.

If you’re tired of hearing about track, you can skip to the next paragraph, I guess, but if I were you, I’d keep reading because I’ve got some pretty amazing news. Last Saturday, the track team traveled to Larimore, where we had mostly sunny skies and decent temperatures. Even the wind didn’t have the same bite it usually does because the entire track is surrounded by tall trees that block it. I had a good feeling we were going to have some success that day, and I was right.

At this point, I want to clear the air on where I’m at mentally with all this broken back stuff. Aside from occasional aches and pains in the back, I’m fine. Look, I have nothing to complain about aside from having to navigate a very botched health care system. I sleep fine, I continue to have a voracious appetite, and I’m enjoying a forced layoff about. I am an unapologetic cynic and tend to find humor in uncomfortable situations. I’m guessing you or someone you know can relate to my health care odyssey. So, in a nutshell - yeah, I have a broken back. It slows me down, but I’m otherwise healthy and in good spirits. We continue… I last left you as I was crossing back into North Dakota at the Maida Port of Entry. With Sgt. Slaughter and Stalag 13 in my rearview mirror. As promised, Nurse Bob from the Fargo hospital called me back. Unfortunately for me, he said the doctors there prescribed only a back brace and that I would need to call their Grand Forks medical equipment store to get it.

May is the new December, they say, and honestly, I think they’re right. This month has been absolutely crazy — both on the “momming” end of things and on the newspaper end of things.

May is cruising past with promises of tulips blooming and school activities wrapping up. Earlier this week, we attended the K-3 Spring Concert held at Langdon Area High School.

By Sara Goodman As I’m typing this on Monday, May 4, it is noon, and it is snowing. To say spring sports season in North Dakota is frustrating is an understatement. Track meets, baseball and softball games, and golf meets have all had competition dates canceled, It’s not fair for these kids to work their butts off only to have a handful of chances to compete and try to qualify for state. I won’t even get started on the number of athletes who have injuries or are just plain worn out from the harsh conditions we’ve had to endure nearly every day we’ve managed to participate in a meet. I know, I know — it’s life in North Dakota, but jeez, it sure would be nice to get a break and have a mild spring every now and then.