I'm looking on the recent surgery interlude and the current recovery period as a crossroads. It's a useful time to consider things to change or move on from or continue.
I'm considering what continues to work for me and what I need to move on from. Just small stuff at this point. But the whole adventure and the encounters with much younger people, reminded me how old I am, something that doesn't cross my mind often when I'm planning projects.
One thing I decided could go was the dusty old dried flower arrangement in the downstairs bathroom.
Statice, lavender from my plant, roses from the last birthday bouquet from my now long late sister. They were years old and disintegrating, aren't we all, so I decided they'd done their bit.
They were in a lovely porcelain container which led to another small decision.
My teaspoons, on top of the stove for tasting when I cook, have been in this old metal can for years.
Now they've got an upgrade
And today I'm going through my sewing stuff to pick out useful items for my friends at Pine Ridge.
I'm looking for multiples, tape measures, scissors, that kind of thing, also I have tons of sewing needles for hand stitchers.
So this will be the next winnowing. It might include hexies I've stitched and other stitched motifs I really am not going to use, I have to be realistic here. They might work on projects under way at Pine Ridge. There may be sewing plans I won't go on with.
About what to continue, the knitting ministry is definitely to continue soon. And I'll complete the fabric book that's been waiting. And I'll do a bit of spinning. And pinloom weaving. And maybe socks for me, even.
I just need to take this opportunity to rethink a few making-related plans, and how realistic they are.
I delivered a couple of treats across the street as a thank you for various reasons, including crisp tofu sticks with heating and eating instructions, and chocolate cherries. It was a visit as well as a walking expedition. I reunited with their two Cav King Charles dogs, who were wildly excited!
It's nice to be a giver again, after being dependent for a couple of weeks.
Happy day everyone, take an expedition of some kind, including in your mind.
I think you are being very wise. It is a good thing to have had a moment in time giving you time to reconsider and consider what comes next. One thing I know for sure- you will always be a giver. And a doer.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I thought of this as a pause to think. Up to now it's been all about the hip and recovery and that was surprisingly engrossing. So this is good. Catching my breath.
DeleteI've been considering some things along the same line. So far it's just at the considering stage. Those who assisted you were surely pleased to do it, but it does feel good to repay the kindness in some way.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to visit and enquire about his mom after recent back surgery, seemed to right the balance.
DeleteYour magnificent when it comes to winnowing. Because of you I have been inspired to do a good clean out.
ReplyDeleteI really should do it with all the jars I’ve kept.
I cannot throw out a jar, it’s too good and it might come in useful one day
But honestly I’ll never use them all
I’m sure your friends and family were more than happy to help you.
Glass jars are very tempting. But they're also good to recycle. Yes, I think people were glad to help. And I think it's nice for them to know I appreciated it.
DeleteYes! Nice feeling to be doing for someone else.
ReplyDeleteAll the downsizing I have done over here has felt very good. It will continue after I move, too, I'm sure.
It has to feel marvelous to be out and about again!! :)
Downsizing really lightens your spirits. Less to clean, move, be concerned with. It's starting to feel pretty good, yes
DeleteYour winnowing continues. Well done! I have started on my closet!
ReplyDeleteMost of us have a lot of clothes to reconsider. Closets tend to get filled.
DeleteMy mother always refused to have artificial flowers in the house. She said they were nothing but dust traps.
ReplyDeleteI don't like artificial flowers. But these were real. However, they'd passed their best.
DeleteI love to clean and organize (I am 68), and I agree that less is better. Less to worry about, less to take care of! Very nice post.
ReplyDeleteCleaning, not so much, but organizing is my thing! I love the peacefulness of cleared furniture and counters.
DeleteWe, or I at least, tend not to notice things that have been around for a long time and are getting worn out.
ReplyDeleteI only noticed these flowers when they started falling apart! Clearly their time was up.
DeleteBelatedly, I did solve the HH puzzle before you posted the answer :-) Keep 'em coming.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to be so caught up in our busy lives that we don't take the time to consider how we live. This forced pause has served you well. The teaspoons are looking very elegant in their new container. Our pencils live in an old orange juice can...hmmm...
Glad you had a reunion with the Cavs (and their people).
Chris from Boise
I hoped I hadn't posted too soon. I liked that puzzle, a bit different. Yes, I'll resume them. They got left behind because of other issues.
DeleteMy problem is finding people to take stuff to be donated...I cannot leave it outside. Good decisions for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's tricky. Here some charities will do home pickups. That might be worth checking into.
DeleteIt's good to see that you're becoming ever more mobile and stronger. Re-evaluation is an ongoing process in life, it seems.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a forced stop can be useful. I wonder if your own recent health needs worked that way for you?
DeleteHaving just done another reorganise and declutter at my parents, I agree to making decisions while you are able is a very smart thing to do - may just do some of that myself!! Glad you are able to "give" again.
ReplyDeleteI really don't want to add to the burdens of my survivors, as well as wanting an ever simpler home. For some people it's hard to stop acquiring, though. For me, not so much.
DeleteYou are definitely on the mend -- and well done. I love how you repurposed the porcelain pot into the kitchen. I need to sort through all the crafty stuff and find a good spot to donate it. I have lots of things I'm pretty sure I'll never do again -- at least not in that quantity!
ReplyDeleteI find our local free cycle is great for rehoming all kinds of craft and art supplies. There are teachers and crafters who compete for supplies.
DeleteA big surgical event like that does make you stop and think. Glad you came through so well and you are busy again. I'm not sure what to do next - the weeks fly by and my routine stays about the same. Sometimes I feel guilty for not being busier while other times I feel I deserve to relax now that I'm retired.
ReplyDeleteI think that urgency to be doing gets ingrained over years of a busy working life. It takes some doing to move out of high alert.
DeleteIt's encouraging to carry on with winnowing if you have a good place to donate your excess and it sounds as though you have found several outlets for that. I've been trying very hard to use up some of my stash (rusty fabrics being case in point) but ended up having to order some new pieces to make some Christmas gifts. I don't mind that so much because I have a purpose for them but I know that I will end up with scraps leftover and that just gets added to the stash. Perhaps I won't let it get that far and will donate them first.
ReplyDeleteI think when you already have a destination for new materials, that's a self solving issue!
DeleteGreat to appreciate this as a crossroads. It’s admirable that you were able to accept help when you needed it. Not everyone can, while others demand it. Great new life for the porcelain container. Classier than the Twinings tin.
ReplyDeleteThe tin was nice for a while, because it had associations with a long gone friend, but it felt okay to recycle it now.
DeleteOh, I’ve got things like that, too. Sometimes, it just feels like time. That friend was so much more than the tin. (Still...)
DeleteThe cup looks bigger, so you be able to fit in another spoon.
ReplyDeleteIt's a constantly changing group, heavy rotation because of cooking.
DeleteI do hope you are healing well. It sounds like you are taking care of yourself. You have such lovely things in your house. I love the flower arrangement and the spoons. Thank you for commenting on lupus awareness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming in. I'm happy to follow your month of lupus education, and thank you for doing it.
DeleteI wish you continued healing. It came as a bit of a shock a while ago when though I still felt the same person inside my head, my body doesn't work quite as well as it used to. I enjoyed the peak into your tidying up drawers. I need to do that badly. Wishing you all the best in everything.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the good wishes. Yes, we feel the same inside even when the body isn't responding.
DeleteA good opportunity to reset life. How kind to repay your neighbours in that way.
ReplyDelete