Progression

This week has passed slowly and painfully.  Ol' Abner had a procedure on Tuesday to insert a port for receiving oxygen directly into his airway.  Although we were sent home with more pain medication than we anticipated EVER needing, the ensuing pain was worse than expected.  As a result I have spent these alternating rainy and beautifully sunny days staying vigilantly indoors. Most of that time is spent watching him sleep or suggesting things that might make him more comfortable.  

I did venture out one evening to a knitting class.  My skills are still not yet formed to independent interpretation of a pattern, but with a bit of coaching I have enjoyed a modicum of success.  Simple one stitch scarves completed and incorporating additional stitches to make them more interesting gave me confidence.  Project progression to include felted oven mitts, a felted hat, cable cowl and socks, oh yes SOCKS, encouraged me to enroll in the class to make a simple sweater.  

As I viewed the finished product made as an example by our instructor, excitement welled up in my heart.  I was ready to actually make a garment for myself.  The week of enforced indoor solitude has been tolerable because I am on a mission to grow the front section of my sweater to approximately sixteen inches in preparation for next Wednesday's class.  The photo above shows ten inches of progress and in the next couple of days the additional six inches will be produced.  Today's dreary weather accompanied by Ol' Abners need for rest will be the perfect opportunity.

Patch it Up

It's been a busy month at our house and doesn't appear to be slowing anytime soon.  This new month holds several birthdays surrounded by medical visits with spring clearing and cleaning.  Life goes on in Dogpatch.
A few nights ago Digger Dude and Ol' Taxidermist were trading tales at Digger Dude's house when OT walked out across the dark yard and fell flat on his face in a pile of rocks.  Shedding light on the subject, these fellows were aghast at the huge bleeding gash on OT's right palm.  That much of the story, I heard from Digger Dude the following morning as he stopped to talk and share his hope that our friend had followed through and sought stitches in the morning light.  As Belle and I returned from our walk, we alerted Ol' Abner that his friend might be in need of some assistance.  He promptly hopped in the truck and headed over to the taxidermy shop where he heard a first hand account of pain, suffering, quick thinking and follow up medical care.  Meanwhile, Mountain Girl dropped by and explained that tough guy was in some pretty serious pain and was much relieved that she had arrived in time to take him to the doctor for stitches.  Apparently super glue was used just after the injury and only a couple of stitches were required.  A healthy dose of antibiotics and they were assured he would recover fully.  Good use of his paintin' hand is critical for the success of a taxidermist.  Old men in pain can revert back to childhood quite easily.  As I said, this whole tale has come to me through second or third accounts, but all stories contain the element that both men were stone cold sober.  Given the time of evening for the mishap, that is most unusual.  Perhaps the only explanation is a return to little boy clumsiness.