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







Friday, June 19, 2020

The Longest Day ~ First Day of Summer


Hello on this first day of summer, a summer like none we have ever had before. Yet--is there hope on the horizon? My area begins opening for Stage Three probably by Wednesday of the coming week. I am assured that if I wear a mask and ''sanitize'' I am safe to go out to the grocery store and possibly to visit my best friend L, if we sit in her lovely quiet garden.

I have become such a frightened miserable person during this time. I try so hard to keep a good face on things, but a sudden flare up of my pain issues has laid me low. I was so terrified at the doctor's office this week I was shaking, blood pressure soared. Of course he responded by Rxing massive amounts of pills, just one more upsetting hurdle to deal with. Surely one doesn't need two different blood pressure meds in large doses?



I don't have much to share: I'm having design problems with the two large scale applique projects that were options for this summer, and due to making masks, the commissioned baby quilt grown large, and thank you gifts,




Silent Night is not ready for its applique either. I did have the FG collage [ugh?]. Almost done with embellishing. It is tobe a throw pillow, but it really doesn't go, does it?



 and I'm working on my Tiny Baskets. I plan to at least attempt the darling tiny blessings embroideries this weekend.




I had to stop sewing on my friends' thank you gifts and Baby Pineapples, as machine sewing exacerbates the hip pain. My dog walker, reinstated now, with caution, has let me down repeatedly and other Mo helpers are getting testy--even annoyed. "You need to get a grip on the pain, you have to be strong,; be independent, go to the store too..." and so on. Mo deserves better.


So anyway instead I'll tell you about the most beautiful Midsummer celebration I witnessed many years ago.It took place on the beach, the open beach before the dunes were formed.


My friend and neighbor, a middle-aged woman, invited all her female New Age/ Wiccan friends to celebrate the festival of the Summer Solstice.


There was a big white tent, garlands of flowers, lovely foods and much wine served.  [I was invited to drop by, though not encouraged to stay.]


As the long evening approached some of the woman created a very large spiral walkway in the sand, perhaps, 50 feet in diameter--a path in, a path out. As sunset began falling finally the drumming began, so joyful, in an odd way. The women wore the flower garlands and chanting, singing slowly spiraled through the circle, in, out. Again, again. As night fell.


It was very beautiful.






love

lizzy

gone to the beach......






11 comments:

  1. I'm glad things are improving in your area, even if slowly. I know you were going a little stir crazy. Still pays to be careful, though.

    Sorry to hear your dogwalkers - paid and unpaid - are falling down on the job! And anyone who says you just need to deal with the pain obviously hasn't felt that kind of pain!

    The Wiccan summer solstice 'party' sounds like it would have been pretty interesting to watch!

    Your doctors! I think you need to find a 'normal' general practitioner to ride herd on your specialists and their prescriptions! Someone who makes you feel comfortable, and who actually listens to you. Hard to find nowadays, but they are worth it!

    I like the 'seaweed' and 'sand dollar' fabrics. I was thinking if you painted a shell to leave on the beach maybe it would be fun to paint it like a sand dollar, lol. Did you get one painted? What did you paint?

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  2. So sorry about your pain - it just casts stress onto an already stressful situation. I hope you can meet your friend and feel comfortable doing so. I'm sort of stalled out on projects too. It's just a worrying stressful time which takes a toll on concentration and creativity. I think your throw pillow will be just lovely!

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  3. You need to tell your dogwalker that they are there to walk the dog not to tell you what they think you need.
    I see my sewing friends on a FRiday, we meet in a park, bring a chair and our lunch and sewing. Weather permitting, but the last four Fridays have been dry and sunny but cool. Lovely for 2-3 hours midday. Seeing your friend will be good.

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  4. I agree with Melody--they haven't felt the pain you are having if they say that to you--also not very empathetic either..(my opinion) ...

    It has been and still is a scarey time for us here, too; I don't sleep the night before grocery runs and am exhausted when I get home...very nerve wracking being in this susceptible group...
    I am stalled out on all my projects right now and am just letting them sit...

    I think meeting your friend and chatting will be good medicine for you..take care and hang in there...hugs from afar Julierose

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  5. Of course I got my medical degree from Holiday Inn last night. But long walks on your beach will probably be better than all the medicine the other doctor prescribed. (Actually I stayed home last night). I feel your pain I too am not comfortable with covid. I am 80 years old but in good health. Some days I don't worry other days I do. And the news doesn't help. Try not to listen but it seems to pull me in, can't change a pattern of a lifetime in a few days. Good wishes to you and good health. 2020 will be the year that wasn't!

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  6. I’m sorry about your pain. I hope it improves soon. I’m also sorry about the unreliable dog walkers. My pug is a rescue and quite old. She doesn’t seem to know what to do on a walk anymore.
    JoAnna in FL

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear of your increasing pain, both the physical and emotional toll this is taking on you is awful. Do you have your own blood pressure monitor? That will be extremely helpful in evaluating whether your episode at the doctor's office is a sign that you really need the large doses of BP medicines or if it was just the trauma of going out in public again after all this time. If you monitor yourself you can let the doctor know if you're getting consistently low readings, and that might also set your mind at ease. We have a monitor here and I check mine (when I remember) as I've had high blood pressure for quite a few years. Taking two meds for that at the moment so I can relate. I wish your dog walker was a bit more reliable. I hope you are able to spend some time at your beach very soon.

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  8. You are not alone in this barmy, anxious-making time. Plan something to look forward to, like joining your friend in her garden. That sounds like the therapy you need.
    Your tiny baskets are so jolly with the dotty background. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them. Look after yourself and little Mo. Penny

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  9. Don't let anyone Bully you!! You know what you can and can't do. Some days I feel like I can take on the world and others I just want to sit and read. Mo will be fine. I have started to visit more places but with mask and gel. So many people are not wearing masks and that troubles me. You take care. Love,Kit

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  10. Start slow Lizzy. Only do what you feel comfortable with. Seems like visiting with your friend outdoors would be a nice way to start.

    I really do hope the blood pressure issue resolves itself. Looks like you got some good advice here, from your friends.

    Take care, try to keep calm :)

    Kel

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  11. I think it is awfully mean for people to tell you to get a grip on the pain when they have no idea what you're feeling. It's so easy for people to imagine they would do it differently. I hope the people near you become more supportive.

    Can you by a blood pressure cuff for yourself to take your blood pressure at home? I know they have ones you can put on your wrist that take it pretty much automatically. They're about $10.00. One of my doctors was concerned about my BP because it was always high when I went to see her, and only then. I finally started taking it at home and I keep a record so she can see it's only in her office that it's high.

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