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Friday, February 14, 2020

Back in the saddle


Sock knitting at lunch

Cup and coaster from my sis.
After vowing that I would not pick up knitting needles for a month, I caved and started a pair of socks.  Since I have more sock yarn (or yarn, in general) that is decent, I have no excuse for not knitting from now until doomsday.

Thinking that I could sneak in some knitting while waiting for my annual physical, I discovered that my doctor's office - the entire medical complex - is way too streamlined for the usual waiting room shenanigans.  No sooner had I sat down to fill out the inevitable yearly paperwork, I was called to the examining room.  Thinking that this was the usual Stage Two of waiting, I started filling out my paperwork when in swept the nurse who ushered me to the scale (oh, just shoot me), pumped up the blood pressure cuff, ran the thermometer across my forehead (it's so COOL) and snapped the oxygen measuring clip on my finger tip.  Then I was left for another nanosecond before my doctor entered.  I really just adore him - he's 12 (kidding, but he's probably in his 30s, which is the new 12), has a wicked sense of humor, is open to alternatives, listens, and doesn't spend all his time talking about himself.  Everything was shipshape except for blocked ears and a gimpy left hip.  So, out goes the doctor and in comes the nurse to flush my ears out.  She was a hoot.  When she left, I had gained a new Super Power - Extreme Hearing!  I also had gotten the pneumonia vaccine and more paperwork to tote with me to the department of vampires and x-rays.

Once again, I was prepared for a decent spell of waiting/knitting.  Which lasted about three stitches in.  I was whisked away to have blood drawn, whisked back - I didn't even bother to sit this time - and then whisked down the maze of hospital hallways for my hip x-ray.  Zip out of my pants (TMI?), click, click, back in my pants and out the door.  Whizzbang.  I immediately headed for Marianne's to 'help' her with a cheese test and have two much-needed cups of excellent coffee.

I motored home in the rain (and woke up this morning to a -11 windchill!!!), did my chores early, marveled at all the white noise of my house, and made some cheese sliders in my air fryer, served on lettuce 'buns'. 

Speaking of food, I have been focusing on plant-based meals for at least 5 of 7 days, which has led to some gems.  Earlier in the week, I made butternut squash fritters which were delish!  However, the fact that I had to grate an entire butternut squash puts the likelihood of me making them again in the lowest possible percentile.  I've been pretty much living on soups and salads and have been slowly, but surely, reducing the meat stocked in the freezer.

Tonight it is supposed to drop below 0, and tomorrow will be frigid.  That means all outdoor chores will be done on sheet ice.  Back to Yak-Traks and felted mittens.

14 comments:

AnnieK said...

And I thought our 46 degree walk on the beach was cold......... happy valentines day to you and all the critters xoxoxo

Susan said...

Gee that was quite a process. Darn that hip. I have also embraced less meat but certainly not grating squash.

Buttons alias Grace said...

I so dislike ice. It was minus 30 degrees Celsius here this morning and I have no idea what that means for you :)
I hope all is well with those Xrays. "the new twelve" loved that line. hugs B

Mama Pea said...

I'm betting there are many, MANY readers of yours wanting to know just where (and how they can get enrolled) they can access your medical program and staff. Holy moley, can't believe how fast you got in and out for your annual physical. I personally think you look like such a healthy specimen that they knew they didn't have to waste their time on you. Maybe that plant based diet is a miracle way to go that we all need to try. Maybe it's that all of us sock knitters are needed so the powers that be are keeping us healthy to knit more. And more. And more. ;o)

ellen abbott said...

not to taunt or anything but it's spring here even if it is in the 40s and 50s. your doctor sounds great. I've been going to an osteopath but haven't seen much difference between her and an MD.

Ed said...

Speaking as the spouse of a physician, things have changed. Gone are the days of small groups or practices where the doctors just received a percentage of the total take as compensation. These days, huge conglomerates do the paying and it is based upon units of care provided to patients so the more patients and the more complex cases you see, the more money you get paid. As a result, many doctors push for more efficient operations so they can maximize their patient time. My wife's rooming nurse is an angel from above and helps my wife see patients like a finely tuned Swiss watch.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

"The department of vampires and x-rays," LOL! Sounds like you're healthy enough to knit non-stop for another year.

Michelle said...

I would have been seriously bummed by the lack of knitting (or spindling) time! I feel guilty doing it at home because there's always so much else that NEEDS attention, so now I look forward with glee to those times that I used to "just get through" – riding in the car or on the plane, waiting for appts or for my husband to finish talking, etc.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

zap the squash in the microwave, easy peel, super easy to grate. easy peasy!

Joanne Noragon said...

You cannot have too many hand knit wool socks. Unless you live in Florida.
I eat plant based meals so often I no longer like the smell of meat cooking.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Wow. I just spent three quality hours sitting in the emerg. department of our local hospital waiting to see a dr. because it would take three weeks to see mine. Sounds like a well-oiled machine there! -Jenn

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

That's usually how it goes for me. If I take something to work on in a waiting room, I get right in. Go figure. I'm just glad I had a book on Friday in my purse. It was a doctor appt. but we sat and sat and I was so glad I at least had that.

Retired Knitter said...

I really need to schedule one of those physicals. I can't remember the last time I had a physical.

DFW said...

Glad your physicals were expedient. What I really want is the difficult butternut squash fritters since I have way too much squash to use. Note: Hubby doesn't care for winter squash soup ... boo hiss, since I love it only make enough for me for a couple days, then freeze the rest.