PNewL PNewS
Volume 20! No. 1! “All the pnews that phits.” May 2012
Stretching
I started writing this in February, thinking I could beat the crunch I saw coming down the pike, and then the computer crashed, and then things got really busy, and then I started again and then lost it between platforms. Suffice it to say, The PNewS is 20 (and two months)!!! Woo-hoo!
This has been an interesting year already. (It was even interesting two months ago when I started and you can imagine how much more interesting it has become...can't you?) I have signed up for several things I've not done before, committed to some things I probably shouldn't have. I am stretching and hoping I don't break. (Though, as of this writing, I am feeling a bit broken. More about that later.)
First, there was Wood Turning (Spindles) where I was reminded that wood is not necessarily my medium. I enjoyed--really really did--learning the process but not being treated like the girl in the room. I realize that my experience with power tools is lacking and in that way, I am "the girl" in the room but that's changing. I made a wooden mallet I kinda like, and part of a finial.
Next stop, Blacksmithing for five days at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Jiminy! It was fab! Metal, unlike wood, CAN be forgiving. If you don't like what it looks like, you mess with the fire, heat it up just short of white-hot and pound on it again. And pounding on things is fun. So is messing with the fire. So is bending it into something that almost doesn't look like a 5-year-old made it. I came home with four hooks that don't match but hold things hanging in the garage, a few more hooks and a TP holder that are aimed for the bathroom, once I get a drill press (very handy machines), a pull handle for the shed, and a plant hook that looks a bit iffy, plus a few bits and pieces. Metal expense = $8.54. Experience? Well, priceless...sorta.
Then on to a class on Hypertufa Containers and Mosaics, both of which were good old fashioned crafty fun with moderate stretching involved. Highly useable and transferable skills there.
In the meantime, I forgot the lessons I have learned about saying No. When asked to be co-membership chair of the Asheville Quilt Guild (the supposed silent partner, doing database stuff), I said ok. When Katie sweetly asked if I would do Publicity for the Guild's show in September, I couldn't resist her kindness. By the time I realized I had bitten off a pretty big chunk, it was a wee bit late.
While readying the database for the membership directory, one of my computers crashed...the one that could run the program that I didn't know. I figured it would work out. Frankly, from my perspective it did, but Helen the Queen of Publisher, tightened it up and made it pretty. The "silent partner" part got left behind and I have actually gotten up in front of a couple hundred people, briefly, and didn't pass out or wet my pants, and I even made people laugh.
It has been a busy year. And isn't that what it's all about? Staying on top of it all, learning new things, stretching, and hopefully having fun in the process. Oh and doing good work. Yes.
This has been an interesting year already. (It was even interesting two months ago when I started and you can imagine how much more interesting it has become...can't you?) I have signed up for several things I've not done before, committed to some things I probably shouldn't have. I am stretching and hoping I don't break. (Though, as of this writing, I am feeling a bit broken. More about that later.)
First, there was Wood Turning (Spindles) where I was reminded that wood is not necessarily my medium. I enjoyed--really really did--learning the process but not being treated like the girl in the room. I realize that my experience with power tools is lacking and in that way, I am "the girl" in the room but that's changing. I made a wooden mallet I kinda like, and part of a finial.
Next stop, Blacksmithing for five days at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Jiminy! It was fab! Metal, unlike wood, CAN be forgiving. If you don't like what it looks like, you mess with the fire, heat it up just short of white-hot and pound on it again. And pounding on things is fun. So is messing with the fire. So is bending it into something that almost doesn't look like a 5-year-old made it. I came home with four hooks that don't match but hold things hanging in the garage, a few more hooks and a TP holder that are aimed for the bathroom, once I get a drill press (very handy machines), a pull handle for the shed, and a plant hook that looks a bit iffy, plus a few bits and pieces. Metal expense = $8.54. Experience? Well, priceless...sorta.
Then on to a class on Hypertufa Containers and Mosaics, both of which were good old fashioned crafty fun with moderate stretching involved. Highly useable and transferable skills there.
In the meantime, I forgot the lessons I have learned about saying No. When asked to be co-membership chair of the Asheville Quilt Guild (the supposed silent partner, doing database stuff), I said ok. When Katie sweetly asked if I would do Publicity for the Guild's show in September, I couldn't resist her kindness. By the time I realized I had bitten off a pretty big chunk, it was a wee bit late.
While readying the database for the membership directory, one of my computers crashed...the one that could run the program that I didn't know. I figured it would work out. Frankly, from my perspective it did, but Helen the Queen of Publisher, tightened it up and made it pretty. The "silent partner" part got left behind and I have actually gotten up in front of a couple hundred people, briefly, and didn't pass out or wet my pants, and I even made people laugh.
It has been a busy year. And isn't that what it's all about? Staying on top of it all, learning new things, stretching, and hopefully having fun in the process. Oh and doing good work. Yes.
Things I am Learning & Miscellaneous Observations
• So I spent a week at a forge pounding on hot metal and wound up with a couple kinda messy burns but they were small and healed quickly. After an absolutely gorgeous drive home, part of it through the Nantahala Gorge, I walked in the house, dropped all my stuff all over the house and headed to the shower. En route, I jammed my foot into my suitcase and did that hopping around man-that-hurts, swearing, stinging tears dance. I got into the shower, figuring that would help. It didn't. The baby toe started looking like a big fat creature. It changed colors and didn't move so well. This was not like all the other times I have abused my feet. Was it broken? Who knows, what does it matter. I hobbled. I thought I looked a little like Walter Brennan in The Real McCoys. Remember how he hitched his arms up as he limped? That was me. Three months later, it's healed. Injury #1 for 2012.
Then I found myself with the occasional pain in a molar. I have an appointment with my dentist and dear friend Roni in June. I can make it....can't I? Au contraire! Whilst eating a stuffed mushroom cap, fer crissakes, I lost the back of my rear molar. It only hurt a little until something was hot or cold. Someone said "You can't break your tooth at 5pm on a Friday when your dentist lives 3000 miles away." Oh but I can! (By the way, the nice dentist on Sanibel filled it full of some miracle mix and he says it will last for two months or two years...and I have a dentist closer to home now.) Injury #2
And finally, there is the rock that was bigger than my muscles. When I finally went to my chiropractor, I was declared "a mess." The pain has started to move which I understand is a good thing. I now have feeling in all but my pointer finger. The pain has moved from the knot in my shoulder (which could be seen through the skin) into this point below my shoulder blade. Too much information? Perhaps. Injury #3
The nice woman who administered ultra sound and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) suggested that my body was trying to tell me that I can't do the things I once could. Is that what this is all about? I get it--Enough!
• I equate my level of discombobulation with the number of emails in my inbox. Under 30 makes me feel very peaceful. It never happens any more. I am now settling for 60+.
• The Guild owns the best hole punch I have ever used and it is in my possession, at least til March. I am inspired. Should you need holes punched, I'm your gal.
• What about a sign that reads "Speed Limit 45" inspires people to drive 29-32?
• And on that same road, which by the way is not that wide and throws a few curves, what's going on that people are regularly veering into my lane? Texting?? The other day it was the woman who delivers the mail. Ack!
• I am going backward in technology. I realized that I had gotten lazy with my birthday calendar, relying on Facebook to remind me which is REALLY lazy and not all that accurate. Not to mention the folks who aren't on Facebook...so I asked for a hard copy, paper birthday calendar for my birthday and it feels much better. Next I am thinking about a hard copy address book. I may actually want to send snail mail while I am away. What a concept.
• Women Build at Asheville Habitat has concluded successfully yet again. A good time was had by all and we learned a lot while laughing a lot plus we built Rhonda's family a home! I miss it already.
• Recently, I received bits of news from friends that feel so big, and it reminded me that most times, other people have bigger news than the PNewS...but is that going to stop me? Probably not.
• In April, I took the extremely large dog to Florida for a vacation-->his. We actually took a brief vacation together, stopping to visit Carla and her partner on the "Space Coast." They were so accommodating, they located dog friendly restaurants so he could come to meals too.
Then we drove across the state along the top of Lake Okeechobee. That's a hard lake to see. We kept stopping and wandering around, trying to get to high ground to see it. Never did. Then to Sanibel where he is vacationing with our pal, Gini. Good visits all around.
It is interesting to me that no matter how devoted I am to Sir Baru Bear, his absence does not necessarily make my heart grow fonder, it is more out of sight out of mind. The first few days after I returned, I was never home. The 6-hour rule was no longer applied. Gotta be home in six hours to let the poor dog out (he's been asleep and probably not thinking about peeing but apparently I have). It's freeing.
I realized the other day that I was growing blubbery. I know I haven't been at the gym due to injury but more importantly I have not been walking 2-4 times a day. I miss it. And I miss him for that. I also missed him in the middle of the night when something went bang. But mostly, it's ok. And by all accounts (certainly not his--he never calls, he never writes), Gini and the hound are having way too much fun.
I was on the road yesterday and I saw a neighbor who always stops to say hello, mostly to Bear. I was so glad to see her because I had wanted to tell her why she wasn't seeing us every morning. She said she was so glad to see me too-she had been worried and kept meaning to ask a mutual friend what was up, to confirm that we were ok.
We are fine. Just different. When I return from Brazil and San Francisco (lucky me), Gini will bring him back and the 6-hour rule will be back in effect. And that's ok with me.
Then I found myself with the occasional pain in a molar. I have an appointment with my dentist and dear friend Roni in June. I can make it....can't I? Au contraire! Whilst eating a stuffed mushroom cap, fer crissakes, I lost the back of my rear molar. It only hurt a little until something was hot or cold. Someone said "You can't break your tooth at 5pm on a Friday when your dentist lives 3000 miles away." Oh but I can! (By the way, the nice dentist on Sanibel filled it full of some miracle mix and he says it will last for two months or two years...and I have a dentist closer to home now.) Injury #2
And finally, there is the rock that was bigger than my muscles. When I finally went to my chiropractor, I was declared "a mess." The pain has started to move which I understand is a good thing. I now have feeling in all but my pointer finger. The pain has moved from the knot in my shoulder (which could be seen through the skin) into this point below my shoulder blade. Too much information? Perhaps. Injury #3
The nice woman who administered ultra sound and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) suggested that my body was trying to tell me that I can't do the things I once could. Is that what this is all about? I get it--Enough!
• I equate my level of discombobulation with the number of emails in my inbox. Under 30 makes me feel very peaceful. It never happens any more. I am now settling for 60+.
• The Guild owns the best hole punch I have ever used and it is in my possession, at least til March. I am inspired. Should you need holes punched, I'm your gal.
• What about a sign that reads "Speed Limit 45" inspires people to drive 29-32?
• And on that same road, which by the way is not that wide and throws a few curves, what's going on that people are regularly veering into my lane? Texting?? The other day it was the woman who delivers the mail. Ack!
• I am going backward in technology. I realized that I had gotten lazy with my birthday calendar, relying on Facebook to remind me which is REALLY lazy and not all that accurate. Not to mention the folks who aren't on Facebook...so I asked for a hard copy, paper birthday calendar for my birthday and it feels much better. Next I am thinking about a hard copy address book. I may actually want to send snail mail while I am away. What a concept.
• Women Build at Asheville Habitat has concluded successfully yet again. A good time was had by all and we learned a lot while laughing a lot plus we built Rhonda's family a home! I miss it already.
• Recently, I received bits of news from friends that feel so big, and it reminded me that most times, other people have bigger news than the PNewS...but is that going to stop me? Probably not.
• In April, I took the extremely large dog to Florida for a vacation-->his. We actually took a brief vacation together, stopping to visit Carla and her partner on the "Space Coast." They were so accommodating, they located dog friendly restaurants so he could come to meals too.
Then we drove across the state along the top of Lake Okeechobee. That's a hard lake to see. We kept stopping and wandering around, trying to get to high ground to see it. Never did. Then to Sanibel where he is vacationing with our pal, Gini. Good visits all around.
It is interesting to me that no matter how devoted I am to Sir Baru Bear, his absence does not necessarily make my heart grow fonder, it is more out of sight out of mind. The first few days after I returned, I was never home. The 6-hour rule was no longer applied. Gotta be home in six hours to let the poor dog out (he's been asleep and probably not thinking about peeing but apparently I have). It's freeing.
I realized the other day that I was growing blubbery. I know I haven't been at the gym due to injury but more importantly I have not been walking 2-4 times a day. I miss it. And I miss him for that. I also missed him in the middle of the night when something went bang. But mostly, it's ok. And by all accounts (certainly not his--he never calls, he never writes), Gini and the hound are having way too much fun.
I was on the road yesterday and I saw a neighbor who always stops to say hello, mostly to Bear. I was so glad to see her because I had wanted to tell her why she wasn't seeing us every morning. She said she was so glad to see me too-she had been worried and kept meaning to ask a mutual friend what was up, to confirm that we were ok.
We are fine. Just different. When I return from Brazil and San Francisco (lucky me), Gini will bring him back and the 6-hour rule will be back in effect. And that's ok with me.
