Currently | 2.14.25
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!
