I wiped away the weeds & foam. / I fetched my sea-born treasures home... Ralph Waldo Emerson







Thursday, March 2, 2017

Reinventing Oneself


Hi! There's been a number of mentions in Blogland---Like everyone got Fitbits for Christmas, lol---"Walk 1000 Miles This Year!" or more challengingly, "2017 Miles in 2017!".
Ah. If only.




A few years ago---ten maybe?--- I was very into walking. I worked my way up to 5 or 6 miles a day on the beach. East to the village, back home then west past the golf course to where the ice cream stand is a landmark; some days even further to the surfing beach. [No I never went in for ice cream; like many women I felt I didn't need or deserve such a treat.] In addition, I walked my elderly pug daily. I enjoyed these walks; I began my blog about walking on the beach. But then illness reared its ugly head and I was hospitalized for 2 months. Some of those days were in intensive care, I didn't so much as sit up, let alone put a foot on the ground. I walked nowhere.


A less than supportive family member told me my prognosis was hopeless:  I'd never recover.
But I did. It was hard. But I am nothing if not an optimist.
I never got  back to 5 or 6 miles a day, but I was getting there, maybe doing 3+?, when I again fell ill and was hospitalized, though for a shorter time. But again I worked my way back. Not so  much on the beach, but I acquired a very active pug puppy, [you all know Mo] and as he grew we were up to about four brisk miles a day! I now had an iPhone with Map My Walk and Map My Dog Walk apps to keep track. Things were hopeful. Maybe I'd start bike riding again!





As I was sewing the Dotty squares together last week, I looked in the accompanying diary. My hip inflammation and severe pain began one year ago. I shoveled snow--badly. As you know by May of last year I couldn't really walk. The pain was beyond imagining, so bad I would almost pass out. To slowly shuffle to the bathroom was like running a marathon in excruciating pain. By Fall my doctor finally got things under control and I slowly have recovered. The pain is held at bay with a cocktail of pills, but I am much better. [Thank you to those who ask!]


The reason I'm writing this is that this past week a milestone has been passed! I can now walk Mo every day! We only go around the block, to the beach bench and home, but we do walk! (I rely on my dog walker and children and friends to exercise Mo more fully.)


.For me that walk around the block is a huge accomplishment. Yes the doctor warns me that the pain/ inflammation can return at any time. He preaches caution and rest. But walking Mo means so much to me. And on very good days I now can even walk down to the beach. The beach is big right now. The walk to the ocean's edge is about a half mile each way. Small distances but huge for me.











Will I walk even 100 miles this year? Maybe not. But I'll keep trying.


Photos from this blustery early March week, 2017.






love

lizzy 

gone to the beach...









someone removed the seaglass wine glass, too bad.

sand grooming ruts

from the giant trucks

tiny footprints! Early arriving plovers?

nesting practice in tufts of seagrass and weeds




more giant tracks from the earthmover trucks,
so damaging and unsafe for the little arriving birds

no treasure today

I wish I had a tiny boat to sail here....










Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

12 comments:

  1. I feel so fortunate to have met you. I think of you often and always hope that you're having a great day.

    Hugs to you and Mo.

    Hunter

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    1. Thank you, Hunter. Maybe you can teach me to fold a tiny origami boat to set free on the wintery waves...

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  2. Magnificent photographs - magnificent progress with your health.

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  3. You are an inspiration...wishing you many pain free days. I always enjoy seeing the adventures of both you and Mo!! And your beautiful pictures.

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  4. Kind email from my friend Bonnie:
    Dearest lizzy,
    Every little bit counts and one step, 1 anything is better than none and being thankful for all!
    Hugs
    Bonnie

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  5. Tiny boat as in toy? Or as in big enough to ride in?

    I think you've done great, and getting back to walking as far as you have is wonderful! You probably walk a lot more than I do, even when my knee *isn't* being gimpy. I don't keep track, though. Daughter & bf were here last night and she was telling us how much bf's 'fitbit' thing registered him walking and it was crazy, because he doesn't walk for exercise - it's just lots of back and forth for work in a big welding shop!

    If I had a fitbit, it would probably be constantly telling me to get up and move...

    Love the beach pictures, the white waves coming in were beautiful. Probably a little COLD, though!

    Keep on walking, but don't push it. We all have our fingers crossed that you get to have a FUN summer this year!!

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  6. Glad to hear you are able to do some walking--I know Mo is probably ecstatic!

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  7. Anytime someone can get up and move is a good time! I'm so glad you are able to go a little more with Mo. I enjoy seeing your photos and am sad to hear when you are having a flare up or in pain.

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  8. Life is about changes. That is for sure. I am glad you can get out and enjoy what is your "new Normal". Like me after my surgery, I realized I was no longer the strongest woman on earth...LOL Now I have a "new Normal" and it is working just fine for me. Do I miss the woman who could pick up anything in the world and not flinch? Yes, sometimes. But I love the fact that now I am able to move about and enjoy my days. Enjoy your days my friend. I am sad that wine glass is gone. :( Kit

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  9. Such a moving post Lizzy. It's a reminder to be grateful for good health. For those fortunate enough to have always had it, I believe we take it for granted. Not because we're ungrateful or anything, I just don't think we can comprehend being in pain, or weak, or in some way debilitated because it hasn't happened. You are such a tough cookie, and when you are able again to walk as far as the ice cream shop, go inside, treat yourself.

    I just looked at my Etsy account to find out how long I've been following your blog. I believe the two went hand in hand. I purchased my first lavender hearts in May 2012 as a Mother's Day gift for my Mom. It's been lovely to mark the passing of seasons with you, and holidays, and your quilting accomplishments, and also the little things that make up life.

    I'll finish by saying that I pilfered one of the lavender hearts from my Mom, and I carry it with me when I expect to encounter trying times. It helps :) Also, I hope that whomever took the wine glass returns it at some point. And, I hope you are able to gain as much from us as we do from you.

    Keep on keepin' on girl!

    Kel

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  10. L, thanks for sharing your story. I am happy, happy that you are on the mend and working back to your walking, especially with little Mo. Yes, health is so very important - a gift. Just as your friendship is a gift to me. Love ya!

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  11. If Mo is like the Gorilla and Poh, the act of getting out of the house to smell 'wee-mail' is more important than the distance involved.

    Yes, you have always been an optimist. I've admired your strength and perseverance more than you know.

    Mo and the rest of us are lucky to have you!

    !Lisa

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Hi! I'm allowing comments from everyone, even anonymous for awhile, to see what happens. With comments moderation. Hopefully the awful porn spammer has gone elsewhere. Or you can always email me! I love to hear from everyone.