Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Voicelessness and Emotional Survival => Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board => Topic started by: Hopalong on July 23, 2022, 10:07:11 AM
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Morning, y'all --
Missed you this week but figure you are baking like sleepy iguanas in this heat.
I wanted to describe my new patio and realized I've been mostly jamming updates into other threads. Maybe this one will get my head back in better order.
Patio finished. And it's beautiful. Whole process was an absolute dream compared to previous ones. I went out the night after he said they were done but would be back to wash it down the next morning, just to peek, and it is so lovely I cried. They'd covered the windows with quilts in case of flying stone chips so I'd had only glimpses of the process but basically stayed indoors for nearly 2 weeks. It has a wide new bluestone border that glams it up. He re-used a lot of the soapstone and added new pieces as well. The grout is somehow even-width throughout even with completely irregular shapes -- amazing, and the arrangement of the stones is lovely. Just makes your eyes happy. They dug way down, took out everything and rebuilt it in the proper layers, including a rebar-reinforced concrete pad, then the stones on top. They regraded it to drain away from the house, and used extra stones to make a fairy-looking path to the back gate. Regraded the top third of the driveway and created a pattern at the upper and lower patio ends to create drainage there. Tore off the old concrete steps and made a wide, lovely new one from bluestone. It's lower rise and also big enough to set grocery bags on, etc. So much easier coming in that door now. Speaking of which, a new storm/screen door is on the list. Old one's ERRRgly. One thing at a time!
One thing I loved best about the guy is how respectful and appreciative he is of his crew -- especially a Mexican stone mason who did much of the finishing. He treated them with respect and dignity all the way through. I'm smitten with this young man and would probably add a patio or terrace every year if I could just to interact with him again! Wrote him a glowing review online that he really appreciated. All in all it was a GOOD experience, and even though the $$$$$ has been anxiety provoking and emptied my emergency fund, I learned how to transfer funds from my retirement funds to do what needed to be done. No regrets. And giving up the two vacays I'd planned was the right thing -- this patio will feel like a vacay at home and make inviting friends over much much more pleasant.
Other news -- well, I'll put friend update on that thread. Home-wise, I rallied this morning after a few days where I had zero energy and let things get messier again. Been talking to myself a lot about my stasis, and trying to think about it, and about ADD, in new ways. Not much progress yet, but some, and I know that clutter isn't character despite appearances. My home still has its lovely bones and I do make progress. It's just in spurts rather than in an even, organized-adult way.
I'm reflecting on T work as well but will find or found another thread for that. Misss all of you, including those who rarely post, and still think about Tupp and Son every time I'm on -- now worrying about them in the heat emergency there. Hoping Scotland is cooler than where they were.
Big hugs,
Hops
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Oh, Hops I'm absolutely swooning over your blue stone steps!
I so agree that investment was worth 2 vacations and I would have cried too!
Hopefully, everything is as it seems and this is further validation of good people in the world doing good things.
Just so happy for you!
Lighter
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Thank you, (((((Lighter)))))). I appreciate you seeing how much it means. I really love my home and often feel frustrated at not being able to do many improvements. This time I said to myself, screw the savings for hourly home aides 15 years from now. Don't plan to do that again but I've made my peace with the bite out of the nest egg.
I truly don't doubt this man. His attitude, communication and respect for his skilled workers, as well as his design and obvious technical expertise...seemed completely real. I saw his work at my affluent friend's place, and don't think there's any reason to fear a bad outcome later. He gave me much more than I expected.
I think it IS as it seems, a really wonderful job. And it's had a great effect on my morale.
Mentally offering you an icy brew out there, once the temp drops enough!
hugs
Hops
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Sounds like a wise decision Hops! Looks like all of us are going to be homebodies more often in the coming years. Lots of pot-luck cookouts, etc. Maybe jello & cool whip will make a comeback? LOLOLOLOL. I don't know anyone who isn't feeling the pinch of the economic slowdown, inflation & high gas prices.
You can even do some container gardening on your new patio!
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Thanks, Amber! Got some tomatoes chugging on it already. My wacky-Brit neighbor brought over some extras and planted them for me.
Yesterday ran the 3 birdbaths run through the dishwasher (ALONE, then disinfected after) and refilled. I had no idea it was safe to do that, but found it on the interwebs. Going out in a few min to dump and refill them. This heat's too brutal on the poor birds. Something else is drinking from the one on the ground, dunno what yet, but it's nice thinking of how during the night various critters come by.
Once the heatwave passes it really will be wonderful to have human friends by, too.
hugs
Hops
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Massive dejunglification got done today.
Everything was so overgrown I couldn't even access parts of the yard.
Wild grape, wild everything, volunteer mulberries...a nice little crepe myrtle got unveiled though; happy about that.
Anyhow, costly but worth it. Mulching, irises thinned and spread, hostas to be done likewise shortly.
Took three men all day. Rebuilt compost bins with new pallets. Unearthed my pleasantly shaded mini-patio in back corner up the hill. Cut tree branches back that were low enough to take out an eye. Were about to trim shrubs wrong (reverse gumdrop) but I finally got that idea through. (Sides and bottoms must always be wider than the top and slope outward, or sunlight doesn't get through the lowest parts and you wind up with lollipops on sticks.) Flat-topped buzz-cut shrubs? Spare me the tragedy.
It was like a facelift for the yard and feels very good.
hugs
Hops
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What a great update, Hops! You sound really pleased with your yard progress. Givng the birds and all manner of creatures something to drink in this heat is SO you, my dear. Getting your yard ready for fall company gives you more joy: )
Lighter
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Thanks, Lighter.
I hope the company will be coming.
Meanwhile, I'm hoping I can find a replacement top for an ancient concrete birdbath pedestal. Some cute critter knocked it over (it was an old quiche dish with a heavy rock in the center, still destined to fall).
It means I have to go to the big box store, which I'll hate.
Also need to find a couple dwarf native shrubs to plant in front. Clethra looks right; ain't cheap.
hugs
Hops
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I love plant shopping, Hops. I used to pick the brains of people who knew what they were doing at the expensive nurseries during slow times.
Let me know what you find for the birdbath. I have a pedestal growing ivy out back.... pulled from the depths behind the Hemlocks. I'd like to find a topper for it too.
Lighter
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Either of you want a fountain? It's concrete; has 3 graduated bowls... and could be repurposed into bird baths. Right now it's only breeding mosquitos. It was here when I bought the place and I've had bigger things on my radar than removing this affront to Appalachian sensitivities.
We need to clear a lot of trees from that are to create a fire break - just in case some random wildfire occurs. It has happened here decades & decades ago.
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I have no electric outlets outside.
If it's solar powered, absolutely!
I still haven't been to a big box store to look for replacement
concrete bath-bowls. Moving like a snail lately.
hugs
Hops
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I have way more on my plate that I can handle now, much less finding ways to repurpose that big fountain, Amber, but thanks for offering.
I wonder if you could find the top of an old birdbath at a garage sale or Goodwill, Hops. I don't think I found anything I wanted in the big box stores.
If you guys ever see a concrete planter of a bunny's backside, burrowing..... I WANT IT. They're so adorable and I haven't seen one in the last 20 years.
Lighter
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Ah, too bad! The fountain is electric. I've not seen it run though so who knows where the switch is for it? Maybe there isn't one.
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CROWS came back today!
They'd abandoned me for a while and I was all...was it something I said?
So tickled. I just noticed one walking in the street out front and raced to toss out a cup of stale raw peanuts. They immediately started calling each other. Next time I peeked, they were strolling around like they were visiting a cafeteria they hadn't been to in months.
Yay. Keeping up the crow campaign will really cheer me this winter.
hugs
Hops
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One more big home-improvement decision I may regret financially, but not otherwise. I figure with Putin-prices hitting us all, I should finally get my attic properly insulated (and two drafty exterior doors weather-stripped). Got a good reference and it should be happening in the next week or so. He was very biased toward fiberglass but I stuck to my guns for cellulose, blown in. There'd just been a very old layer of the fiberglass batts. I wanted to have all the old removed and all-new blown in, but the first quote nearly took my hair off, so I decided to have him blow it in on top of the old stuff. Not quite as high an R-value will result, but it's still going to cut down the fossil fuel and the bills. Plus, getting those doors off the back room weatherstripped will make that area a lot more pleasant to spend time in.
hugs
Hops
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There's a couple months' pipeline backup on cellulose, so wound up with blown-in fiberglass. I think it feels warmer in here already. Done and dusted.
Crow procedures update:
1. I am not on a schedule.
2. Crows are not on a schedule.
3. Crows come in the yard and march around impatiently.
4. A couple who seem to like me best add caws to get my attention and perch fairly near. We chat a little bit. (Some still spook when I suddenly walk across living room.)
5. If I'm wandering through adquately caffeinated and spot them thru the big window, I come out and toss the peanuts. They wait until I go back in.
6. Then they swoop right in and gobble. Sometimes a few spat with squirrels who are waiting too.
It works fine and always feels happy. Trying to be scheduled just didn't.
hugs and caws,
Hops
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Nice to read your update, Hops. The crows are lovely birds. So big, black and healthy looking.
We're fighting a bug of some sort. Testing Neg 3 nights in a row, but that might change tonight. All 3 if us voted in masks today. Done and dusted.
Lighter
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Awww, Lighter. I hope it's not one of the damn variants. Keep testing!
This week I went 3 times to cardio PT, for which I'm verrry grateful. Same time, I was gobsmacked by the giant hole in their precautions. They're really good at limiting the number of people (no drop ins, fixed exercise times) and disinfecting everything, but the mask requirement is a joke. Low-ceilinged sealed space, zero fresh air (some comment about "upgraded ventilation" but you can't detect it). Folks huffing and puffing on machines (I always ask for the more isolated ones.)
Both staff and 90% of the (older) recovering heart patients are wearing only those little blue paper surgical masks -- big gaps at the sides -- which were months ago deemed totally inadequate against the virile variants that zip through the air. (And there's no vaccination requirement.) They should be wearing N95s and at least educating folks about them! They also all cluster together at the monitoring counter ....so forget distancing.
Oh, right. It's a health-care corporation. I rest my case.
I use a KN95 covered by a cloth mask, because that combo is equivalent to an N95. Exercising in a double mask is weird (gasp) but I'm adapting. Had a big argument with myself about it and decided I have to risk it because it'll save my life, basically. I used sanitizer so often I'll need a hand transplant before I'm done.
I'm tedious about it, but consistently tedious! Heard an encouraging report about the possibilities of future vaxs that will eventually get us past the scramble-and-boost that's the best science can do right now. They're working SO hard on it. This virus is different; people forget the "novel" part. Apologies for the rant!
And GOOD on you and your Ds for voting early.
hugs
Hops
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The masks and distancing and testing don't add up to make much sense to me, Hops. Everyone in my circle has had Covid. Some very serious and some less so, but everyone.
You do what you can,then stop worrying.....good on'ya for getting to your appointments and getting the most out of them.
We had another night or Neg Covid tests, so I think it's just allergies and regular colds. I swear by the xylitol nose spray to stop secondary infections, I usually get. I travel with it in my purse, daily,bc self care usually goes down the tubes when I'm layed low. I can at least do THAT one thing, if nothing else.
Lighter
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Most people in my circle (more elderly I'm sure than yours, and mostly highly-educated because my church is my main orbit and the denomination draws more than average advanced-degreed folks) have not gotten covid. Most are quietly (unlike me) going about wearing N95s, minimal mingling, social distancing consistently, using delivery or curbside, trying not to expose others or themselves. Some (like me) haven't eaten indoors at a restaurant once in three years. For me, the various deprivations aren't really that, they just feel like necessary adaptations if I want to go on. I squawk but I do it.
It's all tedious but in purely rational terms, it does make sense to me. I yak about it a lot because I'm so determined not to get it if I can avoid it since it could upend my life with permanent bad consequences (not just the short-term illness). Those consequences would be worse than present worrying (for me). I believe one can avoid it. Everyone I know who did get it took a specific, proven extra risk. Freedom. A misunderstanding of nature-consequences has dominated the country for emotional herd-behavior reasons, unfortunately. Despite all the opinion and hysteria (in either direction) ginned up online and in media, which has led to a societal meltdown in so many tragic ways)--the virus doesn't care if we declare our own reality. (We all do, in different ways.) Evolution don't care either. Honey Badger.
Anyway, I'll try not to rant too much more about it here, and I'm sorry. Anxiety over friends gets me hyped up I think because friends are my (only) phamily. One dear one has recently been exposed and it's been a heartache to watch her host a houseful of young people who just flew across the country and aren't wearing masks in her home in common areas because as an old-school -- and old at 80 -- hostess, she just can't bring herself to ask them to. She whispered it to me over the phone, sounding scared.
I'm glad your approach is working for you, Light, mentally and physically. And I learn a lot of good from your examples and ways of thinking that has often changed my direction!
hugs
Hops
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My apologies to all for a bit of ranting in this thread. I'm done, promise.
I read an article that smacked me in the soul, and it jangled me up. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/06/how-close-is-the-us-to-civil-war-barbara-f-walter-stephen-march-christopher-parker (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/06/how-close-is-the-us-to-civil-war-barbara-f-walter-stephen-march-christopher-parker)
Got a grip, now. It'll need renewing. Whew.
hugs
Hops
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Home is community too, I figure.
So some difficult times locally have hit hard.
A terrible shooting and lives lost battered the heart.
I didn't react much at first out of numbness, but it sank in.
Otherwise, the cold is creeping in. No snow yet but it'll come.
Crows continue to make me happy. So fat and confident and
beautiful. Love the way a few familiars talk at me without
taking flight, and how much more quickly they come to the
feast as I go in or out and move around (they can spot me
through the window but don't take off as often). Pooch
doesn't bark at them though they know she's here too.
The yard's in good shape for winter, except for the ruined
hostas. Hope some of them come back anyway. All is well
in the house, which may be a bit warmer because of the
new insulation. Sure hope so!
hugs
Hops
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My apologies to all for a bit of ranting in this thread. I'm done, promise.
I read an article that smacked me in the soul, and it jangled me up. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/06/how-close-is-the-us-to-civil-war-barbara-f-walter-stephen-march-christopher-parker (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/06/how-close-is-the-us-to-civil-war-barbara-f-walter-stephen-march-christopher-parker)
Got a grip, now. It'll need renewing. Whew.
hugs
Hops
Facebook censorship doesn't quite jive with a free thinking society.
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-59486397
The whacky singing Nina put an emphasis on voting.
Nina Jankowicz: "and not support their lies with our wallet voice or VOTE"
Twitter's ex CEO Parang said: "Why should I differentiate between whites and racists."
Parang's Twitter had been meeting with the FBI already.
A group connected with a recent beheading is still on Twitter that was never taken down by the Agrawal team.
"But there is a potentially easy fix. Regulate social media, and in particular the algorithms that disproportionately push the more incendiary, extreme, threatening and fear-inducing information into people’s feeds."
Is censorship easy?
National Victims of Communism Day is on November 7th.
Watched the Sialkot lynching live on Twitter. It was a blasphemy killing people acting in barbaric ways and recording it with their technology smart phones. They have a ritualized way of killing people that ends with burning the body. I think the US just agreed to send more money there for "climate reparations."
People say there is a civil war looming though don't you think the govt would step in and stop something like that. The military certainly can.
Iran has already set up systems to ration food with biometrics and are also using it to monitor Sharia Law hair criminals, you know women who don't have their scarfs on are breaking the law. Hair censorship.
There is certainly a cognitive war. What do they call us now 'neural infrastructure' I believe.
When things really go to hell they can use the white people as scapegoats for everything. They have already amplifed that particular narrative.
Testosterone is on the decline so the civil war will be a cyber war?
https://www.urologytimes.com/view/testosterone-levels-show-steady-decrease-among-young-us-men
So many issues. Anything could happen. More mid-level violence and stochastic terrorism.
Meh. I can't help myself. I have to respond to the constant narrative of white supremacism I'm tired of hearing it.
And last but not least.... What is a woman? Nobody knows.
People with vulvas.
Chest Feeders.
Front Holes.
And if a person doesn't like those terms it means one is a 'Nazi' apparently. Yep, if you think people with vulvas are women you might be a white supremacist.
Okay, Yawn. Enough about the collapse of civilization I'm gonna sleep. Everybody just has to find their affinity groups, allies, tribes and klans and religions, cults etc.
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I won't dip into all that, Mouse.
But I hope you're doing okay. Or maybe "well enough" will do these days.
Read your other thread and see you're not looking for comment there.
Hope nature is sending you some good messages.
Hugs,
Hops
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You dipped into it when you posted an article about the supposed ever present looming specter of white supremacism. It's been a constant marketing method of Democrats...
Racism has been redefined as an inherent quality of all white-skinned people AND only white people. The wonderful left has created different rules for different categories of people based on their skin color. They even claim that babies are racist now.
Anybody who doesn't vote Democrat is deemed to be the Kay kay kay these days.
The censorship they are calling for is the censorship of their political opposition; they claim that is the path to Democracy.
Women's rights activists now get death threats from Antifa the 'anti-fascists.' The SPL org has never marked Antifa as a hate group.
I won't dip into all that, Mouse.
But I hope you're doing okay. Or maybe "well enough" will do these days.
Read your other thread and see you're not looking for comment there.
Hope nature is sending you some good messages.
Hugs,
Hops
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Fair enough. You're right.
I'm sorry I slipped sideways into the political stuff, Mouse.
My bad.
hugs,
Hops
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Not sure where your Birthday petting zoo extravaganza farm trip post went but I'm so excited about it for you, ((Hops.))
You go get'cha lots of joyful hugs, rubs, holds and muffed up fur! Our pug is an emotional support pug, very used to being flopped over, squished and rolled about with her chubs manipulated (at the top of her tail, back, neck and arms particularly)and ears pulled back (baby seal pug) or forehead furrows petted over her eyes or pulled back in mock surprise.
You'll learn which animal likes back, ear or neck scratches and choose your favorites, what fun!!!!
I'm so happy to read your travel plan!!! You have a big cuddly heart and that's so you!!
Lighter
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Thanks, Lighter.
I'll totally love it and have invited quite a few people to save the weekend.
I'll be happy if it's two people or 10, don't care! And Poet's coming from Michigan.
In my past I've spent quite a lot of time around animals, on farms, in the Appalachian area where I worked, and used to ride (don't sit on horses any more). I've milked goats and cows, played with baby goats, helped shear a sheep, etc.
I always miss that pure happiness I'd feel around them, so the animal-sanctuary bday idea just popped into my head. It's about an hour from here, lovely drive.
Asked any friends who come to just give them a donation, since although they're not normally open to the public the owner was very pleased at the idea of a group coming. It's 400 acres of gorgeous mountains, woods and pastures and they have all sorts of rescued animals, for their lifetimes.
I will have happy moments thinking about it during the winter, since my bday comes just as spring gets serious. Can't wait. (One of my ways to care for myself minus family is to every so many years, plan a really fun time for my own bday.) I love seeing my friends meet those they don't know and just have a good time themselves.
hugs
Hops
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I'm grinning ear to ear.....there's so much joy in that post, Hops. Will pooch go along, or just your human friends?
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Thanks, Lighter.
I think since I've never been with Pooch around farm animals, I'll leave her home.
She's getting on and though she'd love being around the people, I don't know how she'd respond to the critters, so I'd be watching her like a hawk instead of indulging myself in animal-snuggling bliss. I'd take her if I were going on my own or with just one friend, but with a group, I think it's best to let her do her old-lady snoozing at home and just come back wearing VIS.
Very Interesting Smells.
She'll forgive me, I hope.
hugs
Hops
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Reporting on ordinary life stuff these days. I think because I'd let go of so much functioning and progress for so long. Now, I'm coming back into my life just as it is, and doing better.
I make the huge vat of soup again. It's a "base" meal for me, which is super healthful since I'm not a fancy cook but really focused on the nutrition. It's stacked in the freezer and it'll nourish me a lot for about three weeks. I can add any protein (even tuna, or soy "ground" like meat or tofu or beans or lentils) or grain (mine's mainly brown rice) or veg (whatever's leftover or maybe frozen) and it's REALLY healthy and satisfying. This is my fourth batch. First two I gave away so much I didn't leave myself more than a few bowls. Third batch, I hogged the whole thing. This batch, I'll give some to neighbors but not before asking first (my English neighbor-friend cooks so much that she's polite about it but I don't think enjoys it too much). I think I'll take a large jar and leave it for the neighbors who've been gone all month, the day they're scheduled to get back.
I've lost a couple pounds, too. I'm back in the saddle on cardio and going faithfully and working harder. I did notice that in hour two of the soup work, angina began in my chest. It didn't get extremely painful, I was just aware of it. I did a ton of chopping: onion, pound of carrots, cabbage and a half, garlic and peppers. But I finished the job and went and relaxed a while for it to cool enough to put in freezer jars. I do feel surprised and happy.
My house got cleaned today and I paid her more than double, since I'd cancelled the last time. I think she put in some real extra effort and it made me happy. Fed crows a bit too late (I think they roost earlier) but noticed a sweet kitty discovered the kitten chow in the grass...she was out there a while.
Funny how doing something that feels like grabbing life again (planning my bday animals celebration) has turned on a little thread of light and happiness in me!
hugs
Hops
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For me, focusing on the little things of daily life is like a refuge or sanctuary Hops. The drama, politics, unexpected disasters & delights of living life in the fast lane is, as far as I'm concerned, for younger people who feel more alive as a result. I did that too... and then just started taking time outs which turned into a slower more intentional - and consequently more peaceful - way to live.
Hol isn't quite there yet and doesn't quite appreciate the freedom in having all that extra space and time. But she's getting there her way.
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I love the "slower, more intentional" pace idea, Amber.
Now and then I get there but even when I was just making soup, there's a bunch of tension in my body. Something anxious and perfectionistic kicks in. I don't know if that directly caused the angina but it distressed me that it was happening.
I also don't know which is chicken and which egg, when it comes to ADD and/or anxiety. Hard to tell but I'm going forward anyway.
I'm flooded with thinking about my life feeling upended since the diagnosis, and I'm also trying to let those feelings go through and recede and then change my own channel. There is so much I'd like to get done, so much.
Just don't feel as sure of all that as I used to imagine almost unlimited time (which in your 70s is silly regardless of any diagnosis). So I'd say it's just a big wakeup call, but I want to wake up as you're describing: slowly and intentionally. I tend to go from neutral to 4th gear and miss the sensible gradients in between.
Really glad you're being good to yourself. It's not always easy and it's nice that you're willing to drive yourself less hard these days. We are not production machines and we deserve a balance of peace and productivity. I'm glad you're finding peace.
hugs
Hops
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Hops, B brought me some more things that might can be mended. Old favorites he really isn't ready to part with. One is a Navy-issue wool sweater that needed some holes repaired. So when the light is good, I've been sitting by the west windows with my needle & leftover needlepoint wool, recreating the knit fabric. (It ain't pretty, but he doesn't care.)
It's reminded me how much I relied on needlepoint to get through the worst of my anxiety fits. It's slow, deliberate, you need to focus attention on your fingers to separate wool strands, organize colors... read the pattern color code, count... and then, most of the stitching is repetitive. Which provides a serence version of "flow". Only problem is, the gradual disappearance of good sewing shops for finding supplies & kits. The hobby store have some small ones - but the images aren't that great.
I've been watching historical sewing channels on youtube... and one woman's project is to recreate a Victorian velvet, embroidered coat. She doesn't do much handwork, so one vid was her consultation with the Royal Society for Needlework. (YES... they have a website with supplies, tools, and instruction available!!) I'm saving that online window shopping trip till after Christmas. The other wildfire idea in my head lately has been making rag rugs - but with soft worn out blue jeans. The weaving frame could be a stout picture frame large enough for the size rug you want or any simple wood rectangle with nails spaced evenly around for the warping... then just cut fabric in strips and weave over/under the warp strings.
I also have the hooked rug frame my grandpa made gramma. It's adjustable for length, so I can make larger rugs. I need a little B help with it though.
Anyway, needlepoint is super easy and relaxing. You might try a smaller kit over the gray months. Maybe a pretty floral or some birds?
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That sounds wonderful!
I can just see you set up by a window, weaving with a view of the mountains.
Fantastic.
I lived (in a group house) with a weaver once. Her work was so beautiful. She made me an amazing vest once. Full of different textures and "tied" on the sides with long strands. Dunno how to describe it but you couldn't stop touching the shoulders, which had big patchese of a soft nubby wool. Whole thing was soft, and so warm.
Embroidery is not for me, but I hear you about the connection between handwork and something essentially healing. I know it's true. I think after the clutter's been dealt with, then hand-creativity would be a pleasure. For me, it's most likely to be painting.
My mother did needlepoint, really beautifully, when I was young. The first one she gave me is a prized pillow with a Welsh dragon. Gorgeous, and somehow even prettier with age. Her other work was not as appealing, color wise.
hugs
Hops
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I think I'd really enjoy "official" weaving - there's a lot of planning in the patterns & colors & textures but I still haven't dipped a toe in that medium yet. The handwork I've done since I was six. Hol has a pair of crewel pillows I stitched when I was carrying her - she heard the story years later when I rediscovered them in my "stash". Then I finished them. She's hauled them around - packed - to various places she's lived and now that she's in the Hut finally unpacked them.
Painting would work too Hops. Anything to put the life "'pause" button for you lose yourself in.