So...I'm the least visible blogger on the planet. Really, I forget all about my blog. And I still haven't mastered uploading pictures.
Knitting is my pastime as the name of my bloG indicates. I change the appearance and background to show my other passion...books. Avid reader. Right now it's Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell. The book was published in the 1960s and Caldwell said it took her 46 years to write this book! I can believe it. She writes in the forward of the book "The first version was written when I was twelve years old , the second when I was twenty-two, the third when I was twenty-six, and through those years work did not cease on this book." Wow!
Caldwell was a prolific writer, publishing 35 books in her lifetime. She was born in Manchester, England in 1900 and died in 1985 in Greenwich, Connecticut. Caldwell had four husbands.
It's my second reading since the '60's. What a difference to read a book 50 years later with all the knowledge one thinks they have in their twenties. I've learned so much more in this second reading. Caldwell has always been one of my favorite authors. I think I'll be re-reading her books for a while.
As for knitting, I finished a number of projects since my last post, but have yet to finish the Wrap Me Up Shawl. I have 3 small sections to go plus the edging and finishing touches. Other projects have interfered with the complete of this shawl. Shawls for friends,and for the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Christening blankets and lap robes. I'm a slow knitter but seem to make quick progress when I sit down to do it.
At my age, my attention wanders and I make silly mistakes which means tinking back (for non-knitters that means taking out the stitches backwards one-by-one) or else just ripping rows to the error. This happens quite a lot. Know it is said that only God is perfect and that we must leave a mistake in all our creations. Well, believe me I leave more than one. But I can't help trying to do just one project perfect. Reminds me of my days in my twenties when I wished to type just one page without an error. Never made that goal. Now the computer makes this possible.
Speaking of spelling (Wasn't I?), I read many posts where the spelling is atrocious. (Note, after I published this post, I noticed all my spelling errors ::blushing:: I came back and edited it. Talk about red faces!) I wonder if they ever read over what they have typed. So many errors in both spelling and grammar. Makes one wonder what they learn in school. One they don't learn is penmanship. And I won't start on my feelings about what history is being taught in our schools. Just believing in history, we continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. Our Congress proves that every 4 to 6 years. Re-elections and new faces don't seem to change anything.
A congressman being interviewed recently (I've forgotten his name and the program...it's my age, sorry) said when asked if he read the bill just passed, replied, and I'm paraphrasing here,
"Of course I didn't read it. We never read these things. We just pass them and then send back to 'experts" to write the law." Reassuring, eh?
Time's wasting. See you all in a few days, weeks, months, years.
joaniecomelately
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy July Fourth Everyone!
Dramatic changes in the way the DH and I celebrate this holiday. Seven years ago, before downsizing to this apartment, we lived on a wooded acre, in a large house, 3600 square feet. Three outdoor decks surrounded the house, one at the bottom of the hill in the back yard, with a small deck (or landing) leading down to the lower deck.
Attached to the house, a large deck was situated outside the sliding door from the kitchen. Two steps down from the kitchen, we had put in a stone patio, with several small garden beds. The main deck was a step up from the patio. A large deck, under a canopy of beechwood trees. At one time a large, triple trunk dogwood tree covered one corner of the deck. We set up our table and chairs under the dogwood.
Many pleasant days and evenings were spent on this deck, many times with a large gathering of friends and relatives. July 4th was our big holiday gathering. I planned this party for months, gathering all sorts of patriotic paraphernalia, storing lists of patriotic facts in MSWord for use in the annual puzzle game for the guests. Other games, very simple, were included, most of them gone from memory now. The prizes were simple, little things like, pencils, stickers, or whatever I found in the dollar stores or similar places.
Everyone enjoyed the games, win or loose. But one couple took the game seriously. So much so, that to our shock and surprise, they would cheat to win the game. Cheat for a red, white, and blue pencil??? Why were surprised when this was the same couple who cheated on the golf course. Eventually, we dropped them as guests at our home.
Now, I miss planning this party and celebrating the Fourth of July. Sometimes, though, I drag the DH to fireworks that are launched at a small farm just down the road from us. If we get there early enough, we can nab a parking spot right along the field where they stage the entire production.
This farm is surrounded by all sorts of single home, most of them more than 50 years old. It an old community The residents near the farm all seem to have gatherings of their own and baby versions of fireworks on their lawns. So getting there early means you can enjoy their fireworks, too. But they all stop when the farm begins to load their pyrotechnics. People are parked along the street on the two sides of the field that have road access. Others are parked on the opposite side of the road, or along the community's side roads. No one in the community seems upset at outsiders invading their little village.
The traffic is horrendous after the firework spectacle. But everyone is polite and patient in this jam of cars. No way can we turn around and go back the way we come. We have not choice but to got straight ahead with the traffic flow. There is no two way traffic on this road after the show. So straight ahead we go, knowing we will eventually get to a road where, if we turn left, we will eventually find out way back home. For some unknown reason, we've never turned right. Perhaps this year, I'll take this road. (I'm the one driving at night...all the time) I'll have to bear with the objections of the DH and all his expletives directed my way. "Why the #%^ are we going this way?" Etc., etc., etc.
This year, with no plans to do anything and no invitations, I emailed several friends and asked then if they wished to join us for dinner at some lively place, give me a call. Two of them answered, so for two nights in a row, we will go out with friends, to down a bottle or two of wine and toast our freedom.
Freedom??? Will we be losing this soon? It appears that our Congress might be leading us this way. So far now, they are running the automotive business, they've taken over financial companies, and are attempting to absorb the insurance and medical institutions in our country. Why? They want to be like Canada and Europe. WHAT? In Canada, one has to get in line for serious medical concerns such as breast cancer operations, heart bypasses, etc. It's so bad, Canadian citizens come to the USA for treatment. They know they will get treatment immediately on all serious health problems and fast help for other medical concerns. And Europe? Heck, if it wasn't for the USA, they would all be speaking German, including Great Britain.
So why do our reps think we want their systems. Two hundred years plus, our ancestors proved to England and the rest of the world that they had a better idea on how to live in and run a country. Sure, we're a young country compared to Europe, and our Republic's democratic system is still evolving. It's a work in progress and always will be. So why change to Socialism or, Lord forbid, Communism? I learned in college that any system or belief that ended in "ism" is to be questioned and avoided.
I'm afraid for this country. I know there are folks out there who are actively working to keep this from happening. But is that enough? Should I get involved in local groups of the TCUnation? At my age, adding another event to my schedule will only result in anxiety attacks. So what should I do?
Well, I'm here, telling the world how I feel, what I believe. I'm a practicing Roman Catholic and proud of it. I believe in God and know that He is always with me. I pray for our Congress to be circumspect and consider the consequences of their actions. Seems like they don't understand the law of unintended consequences.
I won't get into Global warming today. Much to much to think about. I'd rather be knitting. Plus I have friends to get in touch with. I've neglected them recently.
I know this post comes on the heels of my last one...but I'm full of surprises. Seems I don't' always procrastinate. Well, that's not true...I procrastinate on my knitting time. Seems it's fun to do and I was taught that all the hard work was to be done before you had fun. Interesting, how this stuff stays in your psychic forever. And it's hard to fight. So I procrastinate.
Attached to the house, a large deck was situated outside the sliding door from the kitchen. Two steps down from the kitchen, we had put in a stone patio, with several small garden beds. The main deck was a step up from the patio. A large deck, under a canopy of beechwood trees. At one time a large, triple trunk dogwood tree covered one corner of the deck. We set up our table and chairs under the dogwood.
Many pleasant days and evenings were spent on this deck, many times with a large gathering of friends and relatives. July 4th was our big holiday gathering. I planned this party for months, gathering all sorts of patriotic paraphernalia, storing lists of patriotic facts in MSWord for use in the annual puzzle game for the guests. Other games, very simple, were included, most of them gone from memory now. The prizes were simple, little things like, pencils, stickers, or whatever I found in the dollar stores or similar places.
Everyone enjoyed the games, win or loose. But one couple took the game seriously. So much so, that to our shock and surprise, they would cheat to win the game. Cheat for a red, white, and blue pencil??? Why were surprised when this was the same couple who cheated on the golf course. Eventually, we dropped them as guests at our home.
Now, I miss planning this party and celebrating the Fourth of July. Sometimes, though, I drag the DH to fireworks that are launched at a small farm just down the road from us. If we get there early enough, we can nab a parking spot right along the field where they stage the entire production.
This farm is surrounded by all sorts of single home, most of them more than 50 years old. It an old community The residents near the farm all seem to have gatherings of their own and baby versions of fireworks on their lawns. So getting there early means you can enjoy their fireworks, too. But they all stop when the farm begins to load their pyrotechnics. People are parked along the street on the two sides of the field that have road access. Others are parked on the opposite side of the road, or along the community's side roads. No one in the community seems upset at outsiders invading their little village.
The traffic is horrendous after the firework spectacle. But everyone is polite and patient in this jam of cars. No way can we turn around and go back the way we come. We have not choice but to got straight ahead with the traffic flow. There is no two way traffic on this road after the show. So straight ahead we go, knowing we will eventually get to a road where, if we turn left, we will eventually find out way back home. For some unknown reason, we've never turned right. Perhaps this year, I'll take this road. (I'm the one driving at night...all the time) I'll have to bear with the objections of the DH and all his expletives directed my way. "Why the #%^ are we going this way?" Etc., etc., etc.
This year, with no plans to do anything and no invitations, I emailed several friends and asked then if they wished to join us for dinner at some lively place, give me a call. Two of them answered, so for two nights in a row, we will go out with friends, to down a bottle or two of wine and toast our freedom.
Freedom??? Will we be losing this soon? It appears that our Congress might be leading us this way. So far now, they are running the automotive business, they've taken over financial companies, and are attempting to absorb the insurance and medical institutions in our country. Why? They want to be like Canada and Europe. WHAT? In Canada, one has to get in line for serious medical concerns such as breast cancer operations, heart bypasses, etc. It's so bad, Canadian citizens come to the USA for treatment. They know they will get treatment immediately on all serious health problems and fast help for other medical concerns. And Europe? Heck, if it wasn't for the USA, they would all be speaking German, including Great Britain.
So why do our reps think we want their systems. Two hundred years plus, our ancestors proved to England and the rest of the world that they had a better idea on how to live in and run a country. Sure, we're a young country compared to Europe, and our Republic's democratic system is still evolving. It's a work in progress and always will be. So why change to Socialism or, Lord forbid, Communism? I learned in college that any system or belief that ended in "ism" is to be questioned and avoided.
I'm afraid for this country. I know there are folks out there who are actively working to keep this from happening. But is that enough? Should I get involved in local groups of the TCUnation? At my age, adding another event to my schedule will only result in anxiety attacks. So what should I do?
Well, I'm here, telling the world how I feel, what I believe. I'm a practicing Roman Catholic and proud of it. I believe in God and know that He is always with me. I pray for our Congress to be circumspect and consider the consequences of their actions. Seems like they don't understand the law of unintended consequences.
I won't get into Global warming today. Much to much to think about. I'd rather be knitting. Plus I have friends to get in touch with. I've neglected them recently.
I know this post comes on the heels of my last one...but I'm full of surprises. Seems I don't' always procrastinate. Well, that's not true...I procrastinate on my knitting time. Seems it's fun to do and I was taught that all the hard work was to be done before you had fun. Interesting, how this stuff stays in your psychic forever. And it's hard to fight. So I procrastinate.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Finally...another post...just where I've been
Finally...another post
When I said I procrastinate, I wasn't lying, was I? I do excel at this!
We're in the midst of summer and the humid, sticky weather is upon us. Sitting on the patio is out of the question on most days. It's sticky. It's hot. Even with the new umbrella in place, it can be too warm. Sometimes, however, we do have a neat breeze flowing down between the buildings here. That makes it pleasant.
I've continued on my Wrap Me Shawl...to block 14 out of 21. Block 14 almost undid me. It's been a stumbling block. It's a close knitted pattern called cross stitch by the designer. Only a two row pattern but somehow I manage to make errors even when I'm being extra attentive. I'm about 1/3 of the way through and I can't wait to finish it. So why don't I forge ahead with it?
Thank you notes are holding me up. Had a one of big O birthday's on June 23rd. My husband hosted a family party at a local restaurant. My brother and his wife, from Cleveland, Ohio, and sister and husband, from Reading, PA came in for the event. Also, the DH's daugthers and significant others came to the party, too. They traveled from Hartford, CT, Denville, NJ, and Hockessin, DE.
It was a wonderful party. The DH gave a spectacular speech, all about me and my activities and how proud he is of me. He also praised the women in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. He thinks this is a wonderful thing I did...starting up the ministry at my church.
Then his daughter stood up and thanked me for being so nice to her mother and that she was so happy I married her father. Can't ask for more than this.
The DH's daughters are highly creative and super intelligent...along with being attractive women. The gift they had prepared didn't come in on time, so the graphic artist in the group hurriedly put together another. She did an ad campaign, using ad campaign posters from yesteryear, substituting my face for the original face in the ad. When I saw the first one, I was taken aback. Where on earth did she get my HS graduation picture? Even I can't find that! It was really spooky, seeing me at 18 again. Turns out the original face in the ad had her hair fixed as I wore mine back in the day. Later on, this same daughter brought the original project she and her sisters dreamt up for me. It is a booklet, about 12 x 15, a memory lane trip. Pictures from the beginning of our relationships 40 years a go to the present. What a wonderful gift! On the back cover, there is a picture of the three of them with me and the caption reads "A Three Wicked Stepdaughters Production." Only these three...I can imagine them dreaming this up and the myriad phone calls back and forth.
Today is Prayer Shawl Meeting day at the local B&N. Got a gift certificate, a dollar for every year, from my sister and brother. It's burning a hole in my pocket. I want to make sure I make the best use of it. Now what books do I want that will amuse and entertain and educate me forever? My cat just shook her head and said, "Don't ask me. I can never understand you." Smart cat.
We are happy in this house lately. Our favorite team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, won the Stanley Cup. Pittsburgh,m, PA, where, alas and alack, we no longer live, is once again the City of Champions. Three Stanly Cups and Five Super Bowl trophies! What a town. I could move back there in a New York minute!
Off to do some more thank you notes. Next time...the Wrap Me Up shawl will be done. Meanwhile, I've posted some pictures of the work in progress.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wrap Me Up Shawl Progress
Today finds me rushing, once again, to another meeting. This is with friends, at a friend's home. Yesterday, our Prayer Shawl ministry met at the local B&N for the afternoon. Small turnout, a good thing, since B&N's large library tables were covered with books and the reading nook was completely filled. So we sat at the tables along the cafe, not a good arrangement. It doesn't promote networking with all of the ladies there. Not the intimacy that works at the library tables. I'm going to call the store manager and reserve the reading nook. Just found out this is possible. Networking is good. A writer friend employed at the store filled me on this.
Working on the fifth block of the 21 block Wrap Me Up Shawl. This block is the ruffle, a first for me. I took this class learn all the different stitches and techniques in advanced knitting. The ruffle is fun to do. I hope to finish it tonight.
This afternoon, at Tina's, I'll be working on my Yoga wrap, a luscious wrap using Plymouth's Bristol Saint George yarn, a cashmere combination in a soft pink. These two projects are for me.
Being in the Prayer Shawl ministry means knitting for strangers and giving away our work for those in need. Lately, I've not contributed much but do have two projects going for the ministry. A baby shawl, in a pretty draped pattern that taking a long time to finish up. Also started another in Simply Soft that looks like sets of chains between garter stitch rows. But I confused all the purl yarn overs - not used to doing yarn overs on purl stitches and kept switching to the knit stitch. Have to frog.
Someday I'll get around to taking pictures and posting my ongoing projects. Right now, it's off to Tina's for the afternoon.
Working on the fifth block of the 21 block Wrap Me Up Shawl. This block is the ruffle, a first for me. I took this class learn all the different stitches and techniques in advanced knitting. The ruffle is fun to do. I hope to finish it tonight.
This afternoon, at Tina's, I'll be working on my Yoga wrap, a luscious wrap using Plymouth's Bristol Saint George yarn, a cashmere combination in a soft pink. These two projects are for me.
Being in the Prayer Shawl ministry means knitting for strangers and giving away our work for those in need. Lately, I've not contributed much but do have two projects going for the ministry. A baby shawl, in a pretty draped pattern that taking a long time to finish up. Also started another in Simply Soft that looks like sets of chains between garter stitch rows. But I confused all the purl yarn overs - not used to doing yarn overs on purl stitches and kept switching to the knit stitch. Have to frog.
Someday I'll get around to taking pictures and posting my ongoing projects. Right now, it's off to Tina's for the afternoon.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Quick catch up & Wrap Me Up Shawl
As usual, it's been a long time between entries. So much time has passed.
November, 2008, I finally got the transmitter for my BAHA implant to help correct my single-sided deafness. Taking a while for my brain to "triangulate", as the doc says. This means that after all these years of life, my brain needs to recognize it's hearing on the right side. This is a first in my life, and it's been a great long life. Just lately I'm beginning to notice sound on my right side. Unique experience for me.
My Prayer Shawl Ministry gave away all the shawls, etc., we made in 2008. After the 11 a.m. Mass on a Sunday in November, a fellow standing at the table told me he was waiting until everyone was gone so he could buy all that was left. We did have a number of items left. For this he gave the ministry $500. Talk about generosity. In addition to this donation, the people of the parish donate over $500 more, giving us a grand total of $1200.
Now we don't encourage donations. We offer the items we make for free. They are for folks in need of comfort, solace and prayers. This is our gift to the parish and our work for God. However, the parishioners refuse to take them for free. Hence, the donations. So far, in 2009, we've given away 71 items.
My contributions to this ministry are scant. However, I do all the administration work, etc. But this doesn't satisfy my soul. I have a shawl on the needle, actually a christening blanket. Monsignor upped the ante for us this year. Instead of doing shawls, etc., for the sick and infirm, he asked us to make christening blankets for the parish. This doubled our output from last year. So far, we've managed to get two months ahead in baptismal blankets.
I'm busy doing several other knitting projects, a yoga wrap, and a Wrap Me Up Shawl (21 different blocks, knitted continuously in different stitches. The challenge is interesting. I'm anxious to get this down in the time allotted for lessons. (This shawl is a class at my local LYS). That's six weeks and already two weeks have passed and I only have 3 blocks done. The blocks go fast once you figure out where to start the next block and learn the new stitch. I'm almost ready for the ruffle.
Have to scoot, now and work on the WMEU shawl.
Joan
November, 2008, I finally got the transmitter for my BAHA implant to help correct my single-sided deafness. Taking a while for my brain to "triangulate", as the doc says. This means that after all these years of life, my brain needs to recognize it's hearing on the right side. This is a first in my life, and it's been a great long life. Just lately I'm beginning to notice sound on my right side. Unique experience for me.
My Prayer Shawl Ministry gave away all the shawls, etc., we made in 2008. After the 11 a.m. Mass on a Sunday in November, a fellow standing at the table told me he was waiting until everyone was gone so he could buy all that was left. We did have a number of items left. For this he gave the ministry $500. Talk about generosity. In addition to this donation, the people of the parish donate over $500 more, giving us a grand total of $1200.
Now we don't encourage donations. We offer the items we make for free. They are for folks in need of comfort, solace and prayers. This is our gift to the parish and our work for God. However, the parishioners refuse to take them for free. Hence, the donations. So far, in 2009, we've given away 71 items.
My contributions to this ministry are scant. However, I do all the administration work, etc. But this doesn't satisfy my soul. I have a shawl on the needle, actually a christening blanket. Monsignor upped the ante for us this year. Instead of doing shawls, etc., for the sick and infirm, he asked us to make christening blankets for the parish. This doubled our output from last year. So far, we've managed to get two months ahead in baptismal blankets.
I'm busy doing several other knitting projects, a yoga wrap, and a Wrap Me Up Shawl (21 different blocks, knitted continuously in different stitches. The challenge is interesting. I'm anxious to get this down in the time allotted for lessons. (This shawl is a class at my local LYS). That's six weeks and already two weeks have passed and I only have 3 blocks done. The blocks go fast once you figure out where to start the next block and learn the new stitch. I'm almost ready for the ruffle.
Have to scoot, now and work on the WMEU shawl.
Joan
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Summer of 2008
Ahhh...summertime. It goes all too fast. Sure, we have two months until September 21, 2008 (assuming that is the date for Vernal Equinox), but trees will start to drop their leaves in August. Kids go back to school before August is over.
Lately, July 4th seems to signal the start of the end of summer. And summer didn't officially start until June 22nd. Perhaps this feeling occurs because since May, here in the northeast temperatures exceeded the norms for weeks. June saw high temperatures that usually don't occur until August.
No, I don't believe in global warming. I think it is arrogant of man to think he can contain and control this planet. Planet Earth is far stronger than man. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods change our landscape yearly...daily, perhaps. Man cannot stop these natural occurring events. Nature is a force far beyond our control. We can only sit in awe of Mother Nature as she quakes the earth, floods the plains, smashes the coast line to smithereens, and pours molten lava down mountainsides. Our feeble actions to destroy this planet or our beliefs that we can save the earth surely causes her amusement.
Now this doesn't mean I think we should treat the wonderful globe with disdain, spilling chemicals, spewing trash, and knowingly push out known pollutants into our air. Nope, not at all.
We were granted life on this beautiful planet by God, Mother Nature, whatever you choose to call this force that is behind this wonderful life we were given. We are responsible to be good housekeepers. Yes, the streams, rivers, and oceans need to be kept clean for the creatures that inhabit these waters. Forests need to be kept free of trash and pollutants and good husbandry practice in maintaining these forests for the well being of all the flora and fauna that reside within its limits.
Forests replenish the trees in less time than we realize. We have more and thicker forests in my area than in 1777 during the Battle of the Brandywine. It's up to us to be judicious in our use of trees. I believe God provided the means for us to keep warm, the wood, coal, natural gas, etc.
Since I got on my soap box rather than bemoan the passing of Summer 2008, I'll get back on track. This summer brought changes for me. I've developed lumbar stenosis (it's been on the back burner since the '80's). This year, the pain became excruciating, causes numbness in my legs and feet if I stand for just a few moments or walked for too long a time. Dr. Fine has administered two epidural injections, with one more scheduled for tomorrow. The first injection worked so well, I almost forgot my lumbar spine was deteriorating... a process of aging, a process I hate to admit is occur in my body. After the second epidural, the pain returned. The pain was especially debilitating during our vacation in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
I was scheduled to have surgery on July 24, 2008 for a BAHA hearing implant device to end my life-long single sided deafness. I suspected that this pending surgery was unconsciously on my mind, causing anxiety and tenseness. I was right about this. After the surgery, the pain essentially disappeared.
Our bodies and mind are amazing works of nature. I didn't feel anxious, in fact, I hardly thought about the operation.Yet, underneath it all, I was under stress.one.
When this occurs, I will be given a small, bronze colored (to match my hair) device, approximately 1"square that will snap into the titanium plug and presto! stereo hearing for the first time in my life! Bone is a sound conductor and along with the titanium plug and the BAHA Divino device, sound will conducted to my right ear, making it seem like the sound is coming into both ears. Talk about stress. Now I have 2-3 month this to worry about how I will like/hate hearing more noise than I ever heard in my life.
As a kid, I just thought everyone had a side that didn't hear so they could sleep without noise. Not so. I've learned that I've been putting people off all my life, ignoring them since I had no idea they were even on my right side, let alone hear them. People just assumed I was snobby and aloof and non-caring. Folks don't react to deaf people as they do to blind people. How can they? They can't replicate the experience and deafness is invisible and unless one carries a sign saying "I'm Deaf...Be Nice", no one knows unless they are extraordinary observant and caring folks.
NMB is a nice, fun vacation spot. Introduced to"shag dancing...took me back to my teens and twenties. This is the same dance we did all those years ago. Only difference is the upper body remains still during the shag. My companions laughed at me when I said I could do the shag, that I did it as a teenager. HAH! One of the best shag dancers in the place asked me to dance and I showed them. Danced without a flaw. Just like I was born to it!
The leg and back pain doesn't bother me dancing. I sort of figured out it is the different movements we make when dancing as opposed to walking or standing. Dancing doesn't hurt. Perhaps I should dance my way through the malls, eh?
My knitting is on a holiday it seems. Four different projects on four different sets of needles along with a Knifty Knitter project...wait, make that two Knifty Knitter projects. It's my fascination with lace knitting that has been distracting me. That and the belief I have that I can only knit while watching TV. Gotta drop that thought. I need to knit silently, without distractions. Starting tomorrow....
Lately, July 4th seems to signal the start of the end of summer. And summer didn't officially start until June 22nd. Perhaps this feeling occurs because since May, here in the northeast temperatures exceeded the norms for weeks. June saw high temperatures that usually don't occur until August.
No, I don't believe in global warming. I think it is arrogant of man to think he can contain and control this planet. Planet Earth is far stronger than man. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes and floods change our landscape yearly...daily, perhaps. Man cannot stop these natural occurring events. Nature is a force far beyond our control. We can only sit in awe of Mother Nature as she quakes the earth, floods the plains, smashes the coast line to smithereens, and pours molten lava down mountainsides. Our feeble actions to destroy this planet or our beliefs that we can save the earth surely causes her amusement.
Now this doesn't mean I think we should treat the wonderful globe with disdain, spilling chemicals, spewing trash, and knowingly push out known pollutants into our air. Nope, not at all.
We were granted life on this beautiful planet by God, Mother Nature, whatever you choose to call this force that is behind this wonderful life we were given. We are responsible to be good housekeepers. Yes, the streams, rivers, and oceans need to be kept clean for the creatures that inhabit these waters. Forests need to be kept free of trash and pollutants and good husbandry practice in maintaining these forests for the well being of all the flora and fauna that reside within its limits.
Forests replenish the trees in less time than we realize. We have more and thicker forests in my area than in 1777 during the Battle of the Brandywine. It's up to us to be judicious in our use of trees. I believe God provided the means for us to keep warm, the wood, coal, natural gas, etc.
Since I got on my soap box rather than bemoan the passing of Summer 2008, I'll get back on track. This summer brought changes for me. I've developed lumbar stenosis (it's been on the back burner since the '80's). This year, the pain became excruciating, causes numbness in my legs and feet if I stand for just a few moments or walked for too long a time. Dr. Fine has administered two epidural injections, with one more scheduled for tomorrow. The first injection worked so well, I almost forgot my lumbar spine was deteriorating... a process of aging, a process I hate to admit is occur in my body. After the second epidural, the pain returned. The pain was especially debilitating during our vacation in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
I was scheduled to have surgery on July 24, 2008 for a BAHA hearing implant device to end my life-long single sided deafness. I suspected that this pending surgery was unconsciously on my mind, causing anxiety and tenseness. I was right about this. After the surgery, the pain essentially disappeared.
Our bodies and mind are amazing works of nature. I didn't feel anxious, in fact, I hardly thought about the operation.Yet, underneath it all, I was under stress.one.
When this occurs, I will be given a small, bronze colored (to match my hair) device, approximately 1"square that will snap into the titanium plug and presto! stereo hearing for the first time in my life! Bone is a sound conductor and along with the titanium plug and the BAHA Divino device, sound will conducted to my right ear, making it seem like the sound is coming into both ears. Talk about stress. Now I have 2-3 month this to worry about how I will like/hate hearing more noise than I ever heard in my life.
As a kid, I just thought everyone had a side that didn't hear so they could sleep without noise. Not so. I've learned that I've been putting people off all my life, ignoring them since I had no idea they were even on my right side, let alone hear them. People just assumed I was snobby and aloof and non-caring. Folks don't react to deaf people as they do to blind people. How can they? They can't replicate the experience and deafness is invisible and unless one carries a sign saying "I'm Deaf...Be Nice", no one knows unless they are extraordinary observant and caring folks.
NMB is a nice, fun vacation spot. Introduced to"shag dancing...took me back to my teens and twenties. This is the same dance we did all those years ago. Only difference is the upper body remains still during the shag. My companions laughed at me when I said I could do the shag, that I did it as a teenager. HAH! One of the best shag dancers in the place asked me to dance and I showed them. Danced without a flaw. Just like I was born to it!
The leg and back pain doesn't bother me dancing. I sort of figured out it is the different movements we make when dancing as opposed to walking or standing. Dancing doesn't hurt. Perhaps I should dance my way through the malls, eh?
My knitting is on a holiday it seems. Four different projects on four different sets of needles along with a Knifty Knitter project...wait, make that two Knifty Knitter projects. It's my fascination with lace knitting that has been distracting me. That and the belief I have that I can only knit while watching TV. Gotta drop that thought. I need to knit silently, without distractions. Starting tomorrow....
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