Thursday, August 20, 2020

My Week So Far

 On Sunday, I wound an 8-yard warp of yellow 8/2(?) cotton on my warping board.

On Monday, I tied that warp onto the end of the last warp - 50 square knots, and wound it onto the warp beam of the loom. Then I tied it onto the cloth beam apron and started weaving mini-rugs. The rugs are approximately 5 inches square, with 1/2 inch of fringe on each end. They are for kids to 'buy' with the 'shekels' they are given when they enter the village at the Walk through Bethlehem in December. I'm assuming the Walk will go ahead. If not, they'll be ready for next year. I have 93 pieces completely finished and 70 on the sewing machine table to be zig-zagged across the ends (so they don't unravel). My goal is 500.

On Tuesday, I had my 6-month oncology visit. Dr E, whom I've seen for the past two years, has left the practice, so I've been assigned to Dr Concepcion. Everything seems to be OK, but he wants a 'bone survey' since I haven't had one for several years. That is 2 or 3 dozen x-rays showing every bone in my body. One thing Myeloma does is eat bone. That's the reason I have a metal rod in my right femur. The bone survey will show if any more bones have been damaged. They have set that up for me on September 2.

Yesterday (Wednesday) when I woke up, I realized that the air coming in my bedroom window was so fresh and cool that it would be a good day to do some yard work. So I dressed in shorts and a sleeveless shirt. After I had breakfast, in front of the computer, while I checked e-mail and FaceBook, I put on my gardening shoes and put a battery in the weed-eater. I have three batteries, which last 15 to 20 minutes each. I used all three of them, taking breaks between (and sometimes in the middle). I usually keep my rollator (walker with a seat) nearby in case I need to sit down. However, when I took my last break, I was in front (east side) of the house and the walker was around on the south end, so I sat down on the front steps. When I tried to stand up, I couldn't quite do it. I had to telephone Dominic (he was napping in the house) to come out and help me. (Carmen and Alyssa insist that I have my cellphone on me when I do yard work.) I think the work I did was a lot, especially considering that a year ago I was trying to learn to walk again after my fall and my surgery.

Today is also cool, so I may go back outside and cut down (with the long-handled pruners) some volunteer trees that are too big for the weed-eater to handle. I'll also do some weaving.