Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Earth Day, Textiles and Tea, and an important step

 Still Earth Day as I write, and here are some great Patrick O'Donnell Mutts takes, with Earl the dog and Mooch the cat.



That's all I need to say, said more eloquently than I could. Patrick is a NJ native, just sayin.

And Emil came this afternoon for a really strenuous time, involving testing my ability to stand up from sitting unaided, check, climb the full flight of stairs (!), check, get into my rather high bed, check with apostrophe, use the shower bench in the bathroom that's too narrow to admit the walker, check, come back downstairs, check, walk with only a cane, check, and, get this -- walk unaided at all. I managed all of it, yay. Checkity check. And the session ended with some test movements on the table, range of motion. 

So I still need caution, someone with me when I'm off Walker Twostep, but he may be retired after another week, yay.

Gary is figuring out building me a wood step to enable me to get into bed, in the next couple of days, using scrap wood 2x4 pieces. Then I'll be able to sleep on a real bed. The sofa's worked fine but I fancy being more comfortable. 

After Emil left I fell asleep quite abruptly and just missed sliding off the sofa, but all's well. This was a vintage afternoon.

Textiles and Tea featured Jennifer Williams, an inkle loom band weaver. They didn't show her loom, assuming their audience was familiar, but if you're not, look online. You warp a very long warp to create a long narrow band which can be cut and stitched into wider pieces of fabric. It's a tradition in quite a few cultures.





Happy day, everyone, I hope you have all the help you need when you need it.

I checked out Quinn's recommendation of Jam and Jerusalem, and kept thinking it was just like the Clatterford series I watched and loved and blogged about years ago. Turns out it's the same series with an American title. Joyful reunion!




46 comments:

  1. Your recovery is coming along really well. How kind of Gary to build you a step - especially as you nearly slipped off the couch! Methinks it's time to return to your own bed! The joy in achieving things we took for granted pre-op really does bring the importance of our health and fitness into perspective.

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    1. Too true, getting back to the old normal is really big. I'm very happy about today.

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  2. Beds are so high now that Sue uses a little stool to help her get up and into bed.

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    1. I do a little hop to get in, but a stool is more advisable right now.

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  3. I enjoyed those "Mutts" Earth Day comics very much, thank you!

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  4. You are progressing so well!!! You get a gold star!!! I really think that following the directions like you are is helping with your recovery.
    We ordered a new bedroom set from the Amish several years ago. I found I needed a stool to get into bed, too. A sturdy one with weight to it helps. It is wonderful when you can finally sleep in your own bed.

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    1. I think the time was coming when I'd need a stool anyway. This just hurried it up.

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  5. Happy Earth Day--and let's hope there's many more to come.

    SIDENOTE: Mutts was among Peanuts creator Charles M Schulz's favorite comic strips.

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    1. I didn't know he liked Mutts. Not surprised though.

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  6. I think you’ll find Clatterford was the name of the village. Maybe others wouldn’t know the link between the WI and ‘jam & Jerusalem’. All jolly good fun!

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    1. Yes, it's the village. Dawn French's verse mentions it in ep 1. It's so well acted.

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  7. Thanks for all the Mutts today! Your recovery has been amazing. So happy to read about your progress. Check!

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    1. I love mutts, so simple and exactly right. I'm doing pretty well, yes. Check back atcha. You doing better today?

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  8. Glad to read these were all positive checks for progress made, Boud, and no check ate for sure. A step for the bed would be a good thing.

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    1. Yes, I would like to sleep in an actual bed soon!

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  9. And it's only been a week since your surgery, right?
    Wow.
    You'll be ready to take on the world before you know it and the world will be better for it.

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    1. Not even a week! Thursday was the surgery.

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    2. You're pretty remarkable, you know.

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  10. That sounds like a strenuous workout. Bravo, Boud. No wonder you fell asleep afterwards!

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    1. It was like a half marathon equivalent! Complete with the self satisfaction.

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  11. I've visited friends where their beds in guest room were so high. I found I could crawl facing forward into the bed, then lie down. It was sometimes hard to turn over too, with the mattresses that kind of hugged you. Not the kind of bed I'd want for myself. So glad to hear you're doing so well.

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    1. I get into my own bed with a little backwards hop. But it's a bit early to do that hop routinely.

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  12. I was disappointed when 'Jam and Jerusalem' was discontinued. I thought it was really good and had legs enough to carry it forward for several series.

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    1. Maybe the actors had other commitments. They're all stars.

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    2. My understanding was that the BBC dropped it. The cast actually offered to take pay cuts to keep it going.

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  13. You are doing a terrific job with recovery! Congrats and keep up the great work!
    Thanks for the sweet Earth Day thoughts.

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    1. Thank you for the encouragement! You're a big part of the recovery. I love Patrick and his mutts. Pitch perfect.

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  14. I haven't been on top of blogging lately so all of your progress seems incredibly fast to me! I'm not surprised you are healing quickly, you take good care of yourself. Love the Mutts.

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    1. It's fast to me, too. But the six weeks PT before surgery have been a great help. Also I'm a reasonable weight, not too stressful on a new joint.

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  15. Wow! What a checking-off day! This is spectacular progress. All your planning and 'pre-hab' are paying off big-time.

    Thanks for the Earl and Mooch 'fix' for Earth Day!

    Chris from Boise

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    1. I'm particularly glad I made interesting food, too. That's good for your spirit when you're a bit tired. I'm happy with my progress for now

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  16. Checkity check, check, check. Good on, ya!

    As for beds. Why are they so high now? I don't get why soooo high.

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    1. Well, they're easier to get out of. But first you have to get in.

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    2. Years back now when we got our new bed I didn't like how high it was. I still don't. So when we move and I eventually build a platform it will likely be lower than this really, really high one.

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  17. Happy Earth Day! Mutts cartoons were so cute.
    OMGosh! Sounds like you will be graduating from PT in no time! That is amazing! But no wonder you fell asleep after he left. That was quite the workout!
    I do so enjoy British series, so I searched on all my streaming channels--no Jam and Jerusalem. But I found it on YouTube--LOL! Thanks!
    You are doing so well so fast. Just makes me smile. Happy for you! :)

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    1. I'm glad you found J and J. It's really fun.. I'm surprised at how well recovery is going. But yes, PT is work if you do it right. I'm glad I did the training ahead, though.

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  18. What a great "check" up!

    I'm with folks on the high bed issue (though I'd rather have a high bed than one that is too low). After I had my right knee ACL replaced a couple of years ago, I worked out a way to lean back on the edge of the bed, swing up the right leg onto the bed and then let the rest of me follow (not graceful, but it worked). Find myself still doing that when I get in bed. Happy to hear Gary has worked out a good solution for you to get in bed with a little more grace and a lot less angst.

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    1. Yes, I have a way to get on, but it's not advisable alone yet, so the step will be good. A high bed is a lot easier to get out of though.

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  19. So good to hear of helpers and naps, glad you did not slide off the couch!

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    1. So am I! That would have undone a lot of work.

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  20. You checked off a whole lot of boxes! It's no wonder you needed a good nap after all that activity. Very glad you didn't land on the floor though - that would not have been good.

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    1. I do agree. But I think Emil was testing my stamina and pain level, worth knowing.

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