It has been more than a minute since I sat down and pulled together a snapshot of my life currently and this week seems like the perfect time to do that! For a short month, February is full (and feeling achingly long!)
Knitting — the button band on my Bolin Cardigan… after several fits and starts, I have both buttonholes but still have miles to go before I reach the neck…(Note to self… the button band goes up the front, not around the bottom!) Just a note, the directions are clear but the knitter should not watch a foreign police procedural that requires the reading of subtitles! I have thoughts about buttons… and it appears I better get to Joann’s quickly before they vanish into the void…sigh.
Scheduling — more tests. I saw the Most Awesome ENT doctor this week… the same ENT I saw roughly a year ago for my hearing. He was happy to see me (although not happy I was having issues) and we talked about my hearing aids a bit. He was so happy that I was having such success with them and we both sang the praises of Kara, my beloved audiologist! It was nice to see a physician who listened and believed me. I likely have LPR but won’t have a diagnosis until I have completed a swallow test. In the interim, I have started a new medication and (fingers crossed) it seems to be helping…at least with part of the problem!
Reading — slower! I confess, I am loving giving myself some “space” after finishing a book. I look forward to sitting down with my “book journal” and writing down my “finish” thoughts. And this slow down has not diminished the number of books I am reading! I read a dozen books in January! This rethink of how to approach books has really opened my eyes… as has the reread of The Secret History! I am picking up so many things I don’t remember at all from my first read! So, of course, I have a few books that I have added to my “reread” list! This really takes the pressure off the Library Hold List as well.
Researching — the dreaded Medicare and all its companion options! Yes, this year I turn 65 and who knew that would mean going to school to learn about the plethora of options with a plethora of prices. It is enough to give a person a headache and (more) indigestion! Of course, you know because I am doing all this research… Medicare will likely be axed, right? At least with all my research, I will really know what I am missing! Ha! But all joking aside, this is really not fun… there is this fear like a Damocles sword hanging over me as I worry about making a bad choice! Whoever thought adulting was fun… Medicare and all its cohorts want you to think again!!
Listening — to more silence every day… this is my focus this month as I settle in with Yutori. As I moved from January into February… the quiet was a bit discomforting. I have been “trying on” different quiet times and have begun to settle back into my morning meditation rhythm and it feels so good! Quiet… just the sound of a pen on paper as I jot a few things down… or the sound of the turning of a page as I read some poetry. I can feel the stress evaporate in the quiet. I have even expanded my morning meditation time to include painting (thank you, Frankie!!) and while I am not painting every day, I am painting MORE and having fun doodling with watercolors! I have even done a bit of “silent knitting”… not much, but some!
Finding — new social groups! Way back when I first moved to Pittsburgh, I discovered a LYS that had a “knit night” with some really delightful ladies. When the owner of said LYS decided she did not want us gathering there we went to the library and gathered there. We were steadfast as some members moved far away, some members died… and then came COVID and it all sort of fell apart. Now more members have moved away and the couple that I got a hold of are now in the “snowbird” category and won’t be back until April. So I have been on the hunt for a new knitting group… and taking a bit of sage advice from Carole, I expanded my search to other nearby libraries. The Andrew Carnegie Free Library has a knit group that meets once a month… but they also have a plethora of other groups that meet as well! My first new group foray is the 20th when I will go to their knit group! I am thinking about visiting some of their history talks as well!
Outfitting — myself! In the most recent reorganization of my closet, I spent some time really looking at the shape my wardrobe was in… the condition of my most worn (and most beloved) items. Some of them are wearing very well… while others, not so much. So I have crafted a bit of a list of things that need replacing, things that need some tiny bits of repair, and things that need to be repurposed into something else. This list brought about a companion list of things I wish I had in my wardrobe (or things I wish I had more of!) A few of the things are on my list to make… and soon! I have a vest… but I’d like another with a bit more ease and perhaps a v-neck… Sarah shared a pattern this week that might be perfect! The other urgent thing is that I need to get some linen to make another pair of Free Range Slacks. My beloved pair, with a heavier weight linen that I got at IKEA (of all places) are still wearable, but they won’t be forever… so I need to get going on a replacement pair. I’d also like to try my hand at making this pattern to add a couple of shirts to my wardrobe!
Training — Franklin ourselves… sigh. We are well into the “teenage” days with Frankie and while it is hard not to laugh at his antics, he has some behaviors that need to be curbed… biting being at the top of the list! (Or should I say jumping and biting at the same time) Couple the jumping/biting with warp speed zoomies and you have the makings of one very naughty pup! All of this is taking all my patience (which is on the thin side most days) so I am trying to find those patience reserves that I know I had when my kids were growing up! What really amazes me how good Frankie is with me during the day and how bad Frankie is when Steve gets home… it is a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Anyways… if you all could send me a bit of patience, I sure could use it!
and finally….
Calling — and calling and calling and calling and calling! Yep, I am making very good use of 5Calls! I absolutely call, or try to call, my two senators daily. I also am calling my state AG, who has an (r) behind their name, encouraging them to stand up for us constituents! Is this helping? I think it might be… the volume of calls from all of us is getting noticed! (Why even my senator who has a (d) behind their name has complained about the call volumes! Ha!) But the most important thing these calls are doing for me is that I am making my voice heard, I am speaking up, I am not silently letting democracy die. And I am watching Michael Sheen frequently… his reading of Dylan Thomas’ poem is inspiring… perhaps it will be for you all too!
And there you have it, gentle readers… the state of my life currently! Happy Friday all… and Happy Valentine’s Day!
See you all back here on Monday!
I love reading about how much you’re enjoying your reading journal! And I giggled at your button band placement thanks to distracted television watching — I am sorry! But I’m glad that you’re headed in the right direction now.
Re: Medicare. We have a service in NH that is state funded called ServiceLink, which helps people understand their Medicare options. A meeting with a Medicare Navigator doesn’t cost the consumer anything and they can help narrow down the plethora of options out there. A quick search of ServiceLink in PA tells me that it’s a mortgage company, so I’m not sure what services are available in your area. But one of my good friends is a Medicare Navigator and she does amazing work!
Thank you for all of your calls to our government! It’s really scary what’s happening right now and people like you ARE making a difference!
Happy Valentine’s Day Kat! You’ve got a lot going on…glad you are on the right track with your button band now. My friend told me yesterday about Joann’s closing a bunch of stores. Sign of the times, I guess. Good to hear that you have seen the ENT doc and are on the path of dealing with your throat issues. Figuring out Medicare options can be rather daunting. We had someone help us (free). We are very happy with the Medicare Advantage plan we chose (free!!). The main thing is to be sure your doctors and prescriptions are covered by whatever plan you choose. I’d be happy to share the name and phone number of the individual who helped us if you like – just let me know. Hoping your new knit group proves to be a good one – have fun!
Hooray for correct button band placement, and I hope you can find buttons you like before Joann’s closes for good. I hadn’t heard about LPR and I’m sorry you have to educate me with first hand experience. Don’t be too afraid of Medicare. I’m not sure there is a wrong decision, just make sure that if you choose “traditional” that you sign up for a Part D prescription plan at the same time. My SiL is a family practice dr. in northern PA and she consulted her county Office on Aging for more info. I don’t know if your county has a similar office but you could check. I’m reasonably happy with my traditional Medicare, a Medigap insurance plan to pay the extra 20% just in case, and my Rx plan, but I know Vera is also happy with her Medicare Advantage plan. I’m starting to halfway enjoy my calls, especially because I feel like I’m doing something. It may just be marks on a tally sheet but somebody still knows how we feel! Best of luck with Frankie and may you discover oodles of patience!
have fun at the library! I have schedule conflicts with my local library meetups (for now). I am so glad you had a good doctor visit with the ENT, and so happy a med will solve the problem. I’ve been praying.Good luck with the medicare stuff! Have fun with Frankie and his teenage moods, gotta love a pup!!
I’m so impressed by all of your activities. Katie, Vera and Bonnie have all given you enough advice about signing up for Medicare. I have been on it for almost seven years and am pretty satisfied with my experience so far. Just two little pieces of advice: If you can’t locate a Medicare Navigator in your area, ask your health insurance agent for advice. Secondly, consider whether you travel often in deciding on the advantage plan vs. traditional. To my knowledge, advantage plans have networks of providers limited geographically. In traditional Medicare, you can see any provider across the country, as long as he/she accepts Medicare patients.
I’m so glad to hear you’re reconnecting—well, actually making NEW connections—in-person. I know it can take some ‘trying on’ to find the right group, location, fit. And there will probably be more new faces after April when the snowbirds return.
Speaking of connections, you’re fortunate to have such good ones with your health care providers! I’d never heard of LPR so clicked on your link—and, oh, I hope you see some progress.
This is such a positive, energizing post. Just the little push we need, mid-February!!
I had not idea there was a Carnegie Library in Carnegie — and I love that they call it the Carnegie Carnegie! Hope the gathering there is delightful. I have a feeling that Frankie’s current stage is much like the stage my toddler nephews are in, but this too shall pass! Thank you for all the calls you are making to our senators and AG!
Thank you for all the calls you are making to register your opinions. How wonderful that you have an ENT that is so helpful. Best of luck with sorting out the Medicare options. It is tricky. Our state has a free agency that helps people with insurance questions (SHIP). We found them helpful. It sounds as if your current life is full of necessary and good things. Happy Valentine’s Day.
I don’t know if this is available in PA but in MA we have a Council on Aging in every city/town and they have someone on staff who can help to explain and navigate Medicare options. You might want to look to them for help if it’s available. I’m really glad you took my suggestion to check out the library to heart and I hope this new knit group is awesome!