Wednesday, February 20, 2019

winter does not give way gracefully


I woke up yesterday morning to discover that the sidebar on my blog had mysteriously migrated to the bottom of my post. WTF Blogger? When I looked at my layout on the Dashboard, everything was in its proper place so I have no idea what was happening. Back to the blog I clicked on the 'edit' pencil, changed nothing, refreshed the page and voila, everything is back in its place.

I also woke up yesterday morning to winter, again...cold, overcast, and due to be wet with drizzle all day. Another delay in getting my raised beds ready for the spring garden. I got the small white one finished Monday and all the surface weeds and a little more than half of digging out the johnson grass in the small metal one, which is already falling apart, the 2x4s that the metal walls are nailed to having rotted away.

It was so dreary out there the dog didn't even want to go out. Me either. I had several options for indoor activity...sit on the couch under a blanket and read, sew the patch pockets on my skirt, play around with the modeling glass. I could fill the big drowned feather mold that's been sitting here since December but to do that I would have to clear off the folding table the sewing machine is set up on.

I opted for sewing on the pockets, which is now accomplished and the sewing machine and paraphernalia is put away, and then snuggled on the couch with a blanket, the dog, and book the rest of the day.


This morning was my follow-up appointment with the cardiac RNP. Episodes are down by half or more, no side effects from the meds so far, feeling good but then I never really felt bad. She didn't increase the beta blocker dose, fearing it would lower my pulse rate which was at 62. So, stick with the status quo, let my body continue to acclimate to the drugs and come back in a month, call if I get concerned. And thanks to everyone who commented about dealing with, living with afib. It helped.

It cleared up outside during my appointment and it turned into an unexpected pretty day. Coldish in the shade and wind. I got out there and worked on the raised beds, once again my last opportunity before the next three days which are supposed to be overcast and wet though not quite so cold. I got the small metal bed finished except for one corner where the fire ants moved in so  I gave them the 'treatment' and started getting the surface weeds out of the big metal bed and then it was time to walk the dog and get ready for yoga

I do like to dig. I like to smell the dirt, I like to crumble it through my fingers. I like the satisfaction of seeing a bed devoid of weeds ready to plant (though these aren't quite there yet).

Still being mobbed by goldfinches which I thought would have migrated through long ago. I'm having to fill the teacup and the bird feeder every other day or so. Lots of little volunteer sunflowers underneath.


I'll just close here with some spring porn...





15 comments:

  1. OK, a good, neat pocket job. My hands don't hold that well these days. And good for the frontal attack on afib. Important to be in charge of. We had three inches of heavy, wet snow overnight. I had Donny shovel it so I could get out at 11, but all afternoon it rained and melted. It will be even warmer the rest of the week. However, I have quit anticipating anything! Keep reading.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am glad to read that your doctor appointment went well. There is so much body maintenance needed when we get older.

    Your beds are looking great. That is a lot of work, but I, who also likes to put my hands in the dirt, knows how satisfying it is to get all that accomplished.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I’m glad you got in some blanket swaddled reading time. This too is good for the heart.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love spring porn, and good heart news.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the volunteer sunflowers! (And all the flowers.) Glad the medication is getting sorted out and you got some things accomplished on a dreary day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I very much enjoyed your spring porn. And nice pockets!

    Good news about the no side effects. Here is hoping you'll stay on top of it.
    I had a fairly massive afib episode last week while driving and it scared the shits out of me. As I was on my way to work, my superiors insisted on the whole A&E procedure (handy when your place of work is at a uni clinic) and got the all clear. I crawled back home on the slow lane nevertheless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had that happen, a bad episode while driving on the highway and it is scary. took the next exit and sat on the shoulder til it subsided a bit.

      Delete
  7. I've had tiny afib incidents but they last only a few seconds. Literally. I think I would be scared to death if I had one that lasted an hour. It makes ME feel better that you are having less of them.
    My friend Lon showed me pictures of how he's doing some of his gardening this year- in containers. It's working beautifully! Work smarter, not harder!
    Love the pockets. You did a good job on those skirts, Ellen. And now you have most of your summer wardrobe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had those too. it's very common. I really don't know why I started having sustained episodes just about every day. maybe I need to go to the chiropractor and get an adjustment. I tried gardening in some large pots but didn't have much success at it though my neighbor down the street does all right. it will be at least another month or two before the weather becomes skirt weather.

      Delete
  8. Great looking pockets! And spring porn! It's making my yearning for spring even worse (it is FEBRUARY Dana, even in the south there is still a bit of a slog before you get to true spring).

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glad to hear your heart problems are under control, love to read about your gardens, my gardens are still undear snow here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great job on the skirt! I really do need to drag out my machine. I think I'll put it on The List and procrastinate for another month. Glad things are settling down, afib-wise. I feel the same way about dirt. I am so looking forward to spring here - April? May? June? - and really appreciate the porn.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good job on the porn. I miss the azaleas and rhodies we had in Seattle, but I DO NOT MISS THE WEATHER. Glad you're doing ok on the meds. They put me on beta blockers early on which I had to quit due to passing out when I would get out of a chair.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looks like your spring is far more advanced than ours. Then I saw you live in Texas so I suppose that figures. Here in London we are seeing crocuses, daffodils and some of the earlier tree blossoms. A little earlier than usual.

    ReplyDelete

I opened my big mouth, now it's your turn.