The next couple of days are about keeping my nerves in order by watching favorite Trollope productions with great actors
While sipping on the new favorite, oat milk with honey.
And future, winter, self care involves these
Artisan made, Somerset Designs, suede slipper soles, with fleece lining. You can get a pattern and knit socky things to attach, holes already punched. But I have another thought, which is to attach them to current handknit socks to make slippers a different way. If it works, it will probably cut down on darning. Either way, happy customer here.
She has a range of leather items, worth checking out. No, she isn't monetizing this shout-out, I just like the quality and prompt shipping and correct color, size, all that.
About Carol thee Cane, I have to admit it was bit difficult to acknowledge I needed to try it.
Our house is a testament to the gradual decline of Handsome Partner into almost total paralysis. From the portable ramp, often lent in recent years to people for visitors, to grab bars everywhere, bathrooms, entryway, staircase, the shower stool in both upstairs bathrooms, currently used to hold stacks of towels. Then there's Carol Cane, a walker and a transport wheelchair. I kept everything for lending where needed, and now I find I'm needing the cane to help me walk. I do use the bathroom grab bars though.
So, not an easy decision, because it may be the new normal. Then I found it helpful. And I thought well, this body is doing a terrific job, all these old parts still ticking over nicely, getting to do things I like. So it's okay to get a bit of help where needed. As for Ruth and Laura, the journey to actually saying okay I'll try this, was fairly long.
But considering how many of my contemporaries, those still around, that is, have all kinds of aftermarket parts installed, I'm doing fiiine!
And here's a great passage from Padraig O'Tuama, Irish poet, whose newsletter I read. That's exactly why I write about food in this blog, sometimes with recipes, often not, just to add a connection point with you, and invite yours in return. I think people who wouldn't dream of cooking what I do, especially the multi ingredient multi stage recipes, still like to know someone does.
I agree that it’s not easy to a accept a bit of assistance. Good to put it off but also good to embrace the freedom it continues to allow. Meanwhile, breathe. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat "embrace the freedom it continues to allow" is a great way of putting it, thank you.
DeleteFingers crossed for voting sanity.
ReplyDeleteYes to that.
DeleteThere are a lot of folks expressing anxiety for what happens over the next few days. I'm going to bury myself in some good reads while the rain falls outside and perhaps make a soup or a nice roast.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a cook, but I can do it in order to eat!
That food sounds good. Reading while it's raining is a great plan.
DeleteIt isn't good to deny old age, nor what you can longer do or for what you need assistance. Who of us wants to ask for help? We should.
ReplyDeleteYes, hard to accept help. I've always been the doer and carer of everyone so this is new. I'll get there!
DeleteLove the quotation about evocative similarities between recipes and poetry!
ReplyDeleteIsn't he lovely? This is him all over. You might like his newsletter. It's pretty participatory.
DeleteI'll give it a try! I've signed up for the free subscription, thanks.
DeleteI look at it this way- if there are things we can add to our life that assist us so that we can continue to be mobile and engaged, we should use them. I know it's not easy. Nothing about aging is.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is first comes the nasty realization that we can't do today what we did easily yesterday, then we have to process a bit of grief about that, and only then can we plan the workaround. So by the time you're using the assist, you've already completed that journey. It can take a while.
DeleteAnd longer for some than others.
DeleteSelf care -- essential. I remember the Pallisers -- I loved that series! And I'm all for grab bars. I don't have them but have thought of them often. I don't use my cane much anymore (not at all in England, even with all the walking) but I'm glad I have it.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to install grab bars before you really need them. They might prevent that first bad fall that makes people decide to get them!
DeleteI meant to and should have installed a grab bar in the tub/shower when we remodeled it a couple of years ago but it didn't get done when the ceramic tile was going up, slipped my mind, and now I'm afraid putting them in will crack the tile. don't need one yet but I did get a non slip mat for in the tub, my first concession to aging. if Carol helps with stability, by all means utilize her.
ReplyDeleteI got my bars installed into ceramic tiles. The ADA approved come with a gasket to avoid damage. That and a contractor who knows what they're doing, will work fine.
DeleteThe cane is about pain, not stability. My balance is fine, but the support of the cane when I advance the hurting side as I walk relieves some of the pain, less pressure on the hip.
I think I may need something stronger to get through the next few days. Oat milk and honey just won’t do it!
ReplyDeleteYou do you!
DeleteI think if Carol is available, it only makes sense to put her to use!
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly a good point.
DeleteI understand your feelings. I have mourned the loss of who I was and who I am now. It does take time to grieve that loss. I used a cane for 3.5 years, now I don't need it. So, I'm concentrating on the positive of that. You are an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteI thought you'd get it, because your losses were significant. But you seem to be getting back again, that's good.
DeletePoor HP must have had a difficult time of it, and you too, I imagine. We had a grab bar installed, but I tend not to use it. Mind you, if I were to have a bath instead of a shower . . .
ReplyDeleteIt was a difficult period for us, yet we still had a life!
DeleteSince you asked about Sue after my previous comment, I will say that she is okay-ish.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping for better!
DeleteI have never been so invested in the US election. The outcome will be so important to the whole world. And I love those slipper soles.
ReplyDeleteTrue about the election. I hear Brits complaining they're hearing too much about it though!
DeleteI am all in for self-care this week and next. Trollope sounds like an excellent antidote. Thanks for the slipper sole info - I'm going to look into that.
ReplyDeleteI saw my parents reluctantly and then appreciatively adopt various assistive devices, and swore to myself that I would embrace them when the time came. We'll see how that goes...as we haven't yet installed grab bars 'before the fall', I suspect I may have more resistance than I care to admit. This is a good nudge.
Breathing, Chris from Boise
Yes, consider being one of the pre-Lapsarian installers! The slipper soles feel like nice quality. I'll let you know how they go.
DeleteWishing you less stress and/or more bounce back. Huggs, Me.
ReplyDeleteThank you. At least by midweek we'll know.
DeleteStress will always be. It's how we navigate and bounce back. Both within your control. Here's to making the choice to get past your stresses and enjoying the days.
DeleteI am glad you have the help of a cane and no aftermarket parts. You are doing well.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Looks like Lukas is still your avatar there?
DeleteWhen I first needed the walking stick I didn’t use it. Vanity. My friends always would ask where is your cane? I told them I’m embarrassed to use it.
ReplyDeleteThen they told me I’d be more embarrassed to fall. That did it.
I always use the cane now. When it’s needed
Yes it always good to use the help when it’s needed
It takes a while to accept you need it, I definitely get that.
DeleteI wish I needed fewer assistive devices, but am grateful to remain mobile.
ReplyDeleteYes to that! I'd love to leap about, but I settle for what I can do. Mobile is great.
Delete