3/23/21

Shoulder to the Wheel

The news from yesterday's doctor visit to recheck my shoulder was as good as can be expected under the circumstances. X-rays showed new bone growth, and it's settled: no surgery. The doctor prescribed physical therapy and a return visit in six months. Now I'm set up for the first PT appointment next Monday. I really hate PT for so many reasons, but it's probably the best chance I have of regaining strength and full range of motion. So, I'll set my jaw, gird up my loins and go...but I won't be happy about it. In fact, nothing about having a broken shoulder has made me happy...except a good excuse to take a months-long vacation from housework. So there's that.

Taking off so early (like 8:45...which is early to be out of my pajamas), there was no time for slow stitching. I indulged my addiction when I returned home. This was my view during my stitching session.


A cat's lap-warming duties are never finished. 

The sun was shining for a few minutes, and I happened to notice the water droplets on the dappled willow tree outside the window. They were sparkling like diamonds. So I grabbed my DSLR camera with a macro lens to try to capture some of the magic.


When I took the images off the camera, I was wishing I'd focused in more closely on a single droplet. If you look at these closely, you can see the landscape inside the droplets.


By then, it was raining again. When it stopped, I went outside for another try, this time facing in the opposite direction.


And as long as I was out, I captured some of these mosses and lichens growing on our Japanese maple tree. In our wet climate, anything that doesn't move gets a coating of this stuff.


Also, I grabbed a close-up of the blooming heather.


Back inside, I wanted to get going on my challenge piece. But first, I decided to take a few minutes to add borders and cut a back and binding for the Bee Brave piece.


You might remember these fabrics as leftovers from when I made the Bee Loving quilt.


Several months ago, this quilt was rehomed to my friend Irina in Ireland. I'll use that same bee fabric on the back, and I'll use the honeycomb fabric for the binding.

From there I went to work on my "Color Theory" challenge piece. I made more progress than expected yesterday, and so I'm hoping to get it finished before the week is out. Reveal is May 1st. For now, you only get little peeks.


And that brought me to the end of my sewing day. As we watched the news, Smitty made a little nest for himself among the quilts.


We have a single day of sunshine today, and I'm determined to get out and pull some weeds. It's clouding up a little just as I'm writing this, and so I might get discouraged if it starts raining. Fingers crossed it stays clear because I *really* want to get out and pull up that blooming hairy bittercress. Last year, I worked hard to get it all pulled up before it went to seed, and I'm noticing a lot less of it this year. It's doubtful it could ever be eradicated, but every little bit helps.

First though...slow stitching. The day has to get started right.

11 comments:

Barbara said...

Brushing the clouds away from my eyes, I see clarity in the raindrop and beauty in the first ray of morning sun...Life is strange and wondrous... ~ Virginia Alison

Julierose said...

Happy to hear that you will not need surgery--I also dislike (intensely!) PT--but it does help so much I have to admit...
I love your Bee Loving stitcheries --you've made a lot of beautiful embroidery/quilt projects. Nice fabric choices...
Take care and don't overdo hugs, Julierose

Jenny said...

Pleased you dont need surgery, just exercises to get your shoulder and surrounding muscles stronger. It's been such a long journey for you since your fall from the bike. So pleased you have your stitching to keep you busy, kitties and hubby for company, and the camper trips every now and again so you can travel around your country.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

So glad to hear no surgery is required. I hated PT as well, but sometimes it is the necessary evil.

piecefulwendy said...

We have rain today, so I should sneak out with my camera to try some of those shots. However, our backyard is a mudpit thanks to the septic work from last fall, so maybe I'll just stay in and sew. Good news about your shoulder; hope PT goes better than anticipated. Your bee quilt is pretty. I'm wondering what you are making. Mine is done, photos are done, and all that's left is to write a post which I'll do later.

MissPat said...

Having spent two days doing little else but pull out hairy bittercress, I've concluded it's an impossible job. Raining today, so I'll console myself by finishing my table runner for the Table Scraps challenge.
Good news on the shoulder not needing surgery. PT is (literally) a pain, but you'll be glad later.
Pat

SJSM said...

Good news from the doc. Hope the PT is better than expected. Girding up the loins in preparation will get you through it. Better range of motion and more strength goals may make a difference. It’s a good time to put the stubborn determination to work.

Marti M said...

Glad your shoulders is doing better. My thought about PT is that it is physical torture :) How is you thumb doing?

Tammy Hutchinson said...

Great news not to need surgery, sorry about the PT. I weeded hairy bittercress today also, with a small pick because I want the roots. But we know that's not enough because we've seen the seed explosions!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

That PT will help. Just sing "We Will Survive" as you do the workouts.

Kate said...

PT is no fun at all, but it does help you get back to normal. The last round of PT in this house was for My Guy after heart surgery. He wasn't a fan either. Hopefully it will have you back in fine form soon. Are you seeing someone else for the continued thumb issues?