Still Kicking

Although not as high as I once did. I’ll be 73 in less than a week. When I started blogging ififteen-plus years ago the topic was all about quilting and techniques. It was never to be a treatise on aging, although it seems that is what it is morphing into.

My quilting studio has become an exercise studio. The exercises I do are for strengthening my shoulder and neck muscles. I had/have an impingement that makes golf painful and, as anyone who knows me will tell you, golf is an essential part of my life. So I went to physical therapy, and when I got tired of getting up at 7am I started doing it myself at home, adding a few things I learned from the internet. I’d say I’m 99% better. What are the golf clubs for? Weights. 

With my new and improved strength I was really looking forward to getting out there and crushing the ball again, like I used to back in the day. But then…

It was July 4 and we had our next door neighbors over for wine & apps—it has become our annual tradition since we moved here seven years ago. Can it really be seven? Anyway, it was late in the evening and we heard some fireworks (which are forbidden in these parts) so we went over to the fence to see if we could see anything—sometimes we can see fireworks over San Clemente pier if it’s clear. I was standing in front of Barbara, who is 4’10 on a good day, so I stepped to the side to get out of her way and the edge of my flip-flop caught on the paver. I went flying. Good thing I have good balance—another thing I work on—I was able to ‘right the ship’ and I only stumbled, I did not fall. Oh, this could have been so much worse. 

But my big toe was cocked 30° to the right and it was very painful to walk. I awoke the next morning to purple toes. It’s not broken but it’s definitely sprung. (The sandal was unscathed.) If I tie my toe to the others to secure it in place it just feels better. The good news is it’s a little better every day. The bad news is golf and my morning walk have been halted and I’m bored sitting around. It’s hard to be patient. The weather has been rather cool, which make both golf and walking mo’bettah. Instead I sit and watch the number on the scale inch up. Arrrrrgh! 

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With my sewing table folded up I can sit in front of the window. It’s pleasant and quiet here in the morning. The morning air is cool and birds provide the soundtrack. But I want to be outside.

Well, I did sew something. A neighbor we play bridge with is an artist who works in glass. He gave me a little glass box that he had made that I admired. I told him I’d make him a little piece. It would have to be very small, because I didn’t know how my neck would react. I had noticed he had an hibiscus plant in his yard, so I used that as inspiration. I lowered my seat and fashioned a tilted drawing board so I didn’t have to look down. 

Here is the drawing and the pieced background. The flower will be fused on.

And here is the finished piece; 6x9-ish.

It was fun, it was fast, and it didn’t hurt my neck. It also woke up the muse, so I am going to do another little piece. I really like this small format. 

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Around here, we babysat Sally the granddog while the kiddos were in Italy. She’s a sweet girl but we are glad when she goes home! 

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Lastly, we went to brunch with our friends Alan and Cheryl from Los Angeles. I swear, Cheryl never ages. 

Annnd, on the other side of the table…