Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Feather in my hat

Monday's fitness was about doing 20 sit to stands, not difficult at all now, ten minutes visualizing, and a walk to the pond, that's about half an hour round trip not counting stopping to visit with ducks. Later a five minute HIIT.

There were half a dozen ducks, turtles lying about and frogs jumping. It's a whole small world there.


Coming home there were clumps of fleabane.  

I wonder if botanists don't like their work. The miserable names they give beautiful plants, I ask you. Fleabane, hogweed, lungwort, henbit! 

Notice the hobnail boot rhythm - - BANG pop, BANG pop, TIN ear,  need I go on. No wonder people learn the Latin, at least it's presentable.

And I found what I think is a redtail hawk feather, now home with its friends in a Shelley cream pitcher, Stocks pattern. 


The downy part is so soft you can't feel it. It may end in my hatband.

Speaking of which, I cut out the two layers of the crown and found silk thread and a fine needle to stitch them together. That's the next stage. 


Brown inside, yellow outside. Or possibly a reversible hat, then it could be brown outside. We'll see.

And I read this brief book 

more of a long essay, about allowing yourself grace as you handle life and illness, balancing rest and activity, indoors and out. 

I'm still recovering from the accident, very nervous about driving, forcing myself to do it so as to keep my nerve. Monday I went to the food pantry with a donation and to the library to return and pick up. I find if I add in something like the food pantry, thinking about other people, I can get to the other errands. It seems to work. That and it was the last day I could pick up the Recovery book.

It occurred to me that I'm really convalescing emotionally and physically from all the events of the year, major events to my body, house, car, savings, so I thought I could get some advice here.

He's the same doctor who wrote the book I loved about being human, a compassionate man.   I think what I'm doing is pretty balanced, so I'll keep doing it.  I don't want to medicate if I can manage not to. We'll see.

 Francis likes people to let themselves recover as they need to, without feeling they have to meet a deadline. And he makes the point that the doctor's work is done long before healing has got underway. 

In other news, Amazon has made a huge settlement because of deceptive enrolling practices in Prime.  Like the way they caught me. Maybe they'll  owe me??

Happy day everyone, chances are you're doing the right thing already so we can stop trying to improve! Me, I can't take much more character building. 


You got that right, sez Mme. Fluffinaire





43 comments:

  1. A good walk.
    Most of those names are older than botanists and refer to older uses, I should think

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    1. It was a joke. They're ancient names and refer usually to medical uses. It's just an old idea, teasing botanists at every chance.

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  2. You're right about plant names: Fleabane does not lead one to expect something attractive. It sounds as if it's something I would put on Princess to get rid of fleas or maybe it would be a natural cure for people who have a fear of fleas. The instructions to apply for money from the Amazon settlement are online. https://www.bing.com/search?q=how+to+claim+amazon+lawsuit+settlement&form=WSBEDG&qs=SSA&cvid=a96f910b6d7745f7b1e5128716d0f8cb&pq=instructions+to+apply+for+amazon+settlement&cc=US&setlang=en-US&nclid=B58DD8EBE1E2B9D998E586B2C528E167&ts=1759212138834&wsso=Moderate&PC=WSBQUF

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I expect fleabane dates back to the Plague, transmitted by fleas, maybe used to deter them. Thanks for the settlement info!

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  3. A reversible hat sounds excellent.

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    1. As long as I can make up my mind which way to wear it. Decisions, decisions!

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  4. Yeah, character building! They say it as if it’s a good thing. The book sounds interesting to me. Maybe helpful.

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    1. The book is okay, spent more time than I found useful on critiquing the current state of the NHS. But overall, worth a look if you can get it other than buying.

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  5. It's so true that people when healing shouldn't have to try and meet a deadline. There's no 'should' about it.

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    1. Doctors and the literature often do suggest timetables, particularly after surgery, and they're seen as instructions rather than guidelines. And surgeons are guilty of telling one patient another one is healing faster as if it's a race. I've experienced that.

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  6. Interesting musing about botanists and then about the use of Latin.

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    1. I was amused at how seriously it was taken! New readers, I think.

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  7. You have a caring son, a good friend neighbour and other good neighbours. Some things in your life might hard, but you are a privileged person. There, I've just written a note to myself. Yet, I wonder why I make the effort. I feel like I go through the motions of living.

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    1. Some days I think we all do. The thing about privilege is that we aren't aware of it.

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  8. The whole "timeline" thing got me thinking about childbirth these days. It's been so medicalized and there are definite timelines on how long different stages of labor should take according to them and if they go on "too long" then medical intervention is often seen as necessary which then can cause it's own problems, leading to more intervention and so forth. Childbirth, grief, recovery from illness or surgery or injury- these things take the time they take. Of course we can take steps to help the process along but patience and recognizing slow progress as the progress it is is becoming a lost art.

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    1. Exactly so. When my son was born, there was a sudden need to induce labor early. I was told it often took only a couple of hours. After fourteen hours of full on labor with the baby jammed in the birth canal, the attending nurses acted as if I was somehow doing it wrong. We survived and thrived, though.

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    2. Right? You obviously hadn't read the instruction handbook and weren't following regulated timeline rules. You can't believe how many women are induced these days. Jessie despairs.

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  9. That was the first Gavin Francis book I read, a while ago now. I found it humane, and gentle and helpful; I know I'm not going to recover from PF and l found his observations on listening to, and being guided by your body helpful.
    I'm heading for a dozen sit to stands... who knows where that will lead!
    Inspired by you, I intend to make my next ' follow a tree for a year' a short walk away by our duck pond, instead of 'following ' the big oak at the bottom of our garden, which I can photograph without leaving the house!

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    1. That idea of adding in a little walk is great. I bet it helps your spirits, particularly since you're so restricted by your health issues. Sit to stand will save you from falling, go for it!

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  10. You have been through a lot but you are doing a good job of taking one day at a time and listening to your body and your mind. Take all the time you need! All the terrible things going on in the world have put such stress on my state of mind and I find many around me who are feeling the same. It's hard to keep calm but we are all trying to carry on...

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    1. Yes, all our personal issues are happening against such a backdrop of crisis, it's hard to keep on keeping on.

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  11. I did get a laugh out of the various plant names you listed! Keep doing whatever you are doing. It's working.

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    1. Plant names are pretty dire. Then butterfly names are title crazy --monarch, admiral, skipper, commander, when they aren't grammar bound -- comma, question mark. Hopeless, I tell you!

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  12. You have had a year full of trauma, both physical and emotional. I can see why driving is a worry. I think time will ease it but yes, things like that take time. It's much like grief and loss, cyclical and not linear, with things that pop up to remind us. You've taken things head on (no pun intended) and mastered your hip situation. Well done, my friend.

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    1. Thank you. That's timely validation of what I'm just now realizing.

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  13. Catching up again. I can't believe you didn't enjoy Still Life! Although I've now read others from the author and haven't been impressed.
    I was thinking only the other day that there used to be convalescent homes for that bit in between hospital and home. And women were kept in after childbirth to rest and recover. Now you can be out in hours.

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    1. I was sent to convalescent home in the country after a bad winter of asthma and bronchitis, as a kid. It was a break for my mom as well as great country air. My dad's trade union paid for it as part of their social support for workers and families.

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  14. I am happy you are keeping on despite the craziness. Thanks for your kind thoughts today.

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  15. It's recovery and I think it's grief as well. We grieve many things, some big and some small, but still it's grief. Things change and that hurts, me at least. I have a hard time with change.
    You though seem extraordinarily well balanced. Like that song, I fall down, but I get back up again. Me too, but there is a lot of bitter complaining and knashing of teeth as I get back up again. I'm also done with character building. My character seems set, and not so pleasing to everyone, but it is mine.
    Can't wait to see the hat.

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    1. Yes, I think you put your finger right on it. Thank you.
      I think we both have quite enough character to be going on with, thank you!

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  16. Yes, even if you are nervous you should drive. You are strong and determined so I have no doubts. Love the photos too.

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    1. I think it's important not to give in to fear. Any kind of fear. Easier said than done.

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  17. Sounds like a book we should all read. So good to know you have loving people around you to help you through this year. Getting out for a good walk is also good medicine in its own way I think. Like other people I have met in blogland, you are an inspiration. Wishing you only the very best of things from now on.

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    1. That's a lovely comment, thank you, very helpful.

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  18. I’ve had an interest in healing plants and I think those name tell you what that plant is good for. Fleabane must repeal fleas , and things like that.
    These days I know we don’t have to heal before a deadline. We all get through things differently and at our own time.
    I agree with you. I’ve had enough of character building. I just want to be left in peace

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    1. Yed, I think the unattractive names are about function or body part.
      Our characters are very built!

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  19. Love feathers! And the hat is going to be so cute!
    I am most definitely "convalescing emotionally and physically from all the events of the year", also. Be kind to yourself! :)

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    1. You definitely are, you and Allie. But I think you're doing better now

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  20. Yes, you've had more than your share of character building over the past while. You're due for a few months of peace.

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