No sling!

 

Marybeth commented on my last post that I'm not wearing a sling and asked for a shoulder update, so here it is. 

A couple of weeks ago my surgeon said I could ditch the sling, start driving if I felt safe, and begin 6-8 weeks of physical therapy, 2-3 times a week. I'm getting to know my therapist quite well and love the view (above) from the waiting room.

It's going slowly but surely. Lots of Ibuprofen, ice and homework twice a day. She said it would be about a year before I feel fully recovered, which would be just before New Year's Eve. Something to celebrate then!

I can't use a rotary cutter because I don't have much strength in my right arm, and I can't stretch my arm out to sew anything big at the machine, but there are little projects I can work on. So I'll just keep on keeping on!

Have a colorful day

Fun with Linda!

My friend Linda from Washington state just left after five days of fun -- hiking, gardens, art, quilts and Mexican food! Here she is in a fabulous wrap that I badly wanted her to accidentally leave at my house. We were wrapped up against the cold at Agua Caliente Park, which has a palm oasis and ponds fed by hot and cold springs. But it was so cold and windy that we just took a few pictures and got back in the car.

We also went to two quilt shops that day and each bought a Laura Heine collage pattern. I bought the Cactus Queen and Linda bought the reindeer pattern. I've never made a Laura Heine quilt, and I'm eager to dive into my stash and pull out lots of colorful fabric.

After the quilt shops, we had our second Mexican meal of her visit, at my favorite, the Eclectic Cafe. The night before, after she arrived, we went to Guadalahara's but I forgot to get pictures. That's the restaurant where they wheel a cart of salsa fixings up to your table and make a huge bowl for you with as much or as little spice as you want. We asked for medium but it was closer to hot!

The next day the weather improved, so we hiked in the morning at Catalina State Park (look at little Linda next to that saguaro) and went to Tohono Chul Park in the afternoon.

There was an exhibit of Oaxacan rugs at Tohono Chul, and we feasted on the colors. The wool is colored with natural dyes, and two of the weavers were there for us to talk to. The rugs were a little out of my price range, but I'd love to have some in my home.

Tohono Chul has some beautiful architectural elements, like this wall below.

The next day, we saw an exhibit of Mata Ortiz pottery, also from Mexico. It was at the National Parks Store in Oro Valley, where I take a lot of my visitors because it has beautiful native crafts and art. Mata Ortiz is a town of more than 480 professional artists who dig local clay, create mineral-based pigments from local materials, and use paintbrushes of human hair. The details are exquisite! We watched one of the artists carve intricate patterns in the vessel below.

We also went to a quilt show that day with our friend Nancy. It was at Sun City in Oro Valley and had some beautiful quilts as well as smaller quilted gifts, books, magazines and patterns for sale. I had to get their picture in front of this particular quilt because it matched their clothes.

I love that there were little displays of old sewing items scattered among the quilts.

I almost bought one of these Japanese rice bags with boro stitching then decided I should just make one myself.

And, of course, we were out front watching the sunsets at 6:15. It was a really fun visit!!!

Have a colorful day

Hiking, hail, PT and cake!

We have a winter storm today, but yesterday was 76 and sunny so I went hiking at Catalina State Park. I went by myself because all of my hiking friends were busy. The giant saguaros never cease to amaze me! These ones have probably been alive at least 100 years because of their size and all those arms.

The stream on the lower side of Canyon Loop Trail was running clear and loud, and Sunday it was dotted with people and dogs enjoying it in the warm sunshine. I had to wade through water several times, but my sneakers and wool socks dried within minutes in the desert air.

One thing I love most about this particular trail is its variety of scenery. The grass above was to my left, and to the right were the saguaros (below), and water was just behind me.

But today is a different story. We had hail this morning and the mountains were obscured by low clouds. The high will only be 49. It's a good day to stay inside and sew except that I don't have any projects going. I'm craving working with color and need to get started on something soon!

This afternoon I have physical therapy for the shoulder. The last time I was there I snapped this glorious view from the waiting room. I still can't believe that I live here!

And last but not least, our book club celebrated Sandy's birthday with this gorgeous German chocolate cake baked by Beth! Four layers of deliciousness!

My friends are like sunshine!

Have a colorful day

Gourd festival color

I've seen decorated gourds before, but nothing like these elaborate colorful ones that I saw last weekend at the "Running of the Gourds" festival at the fairgrounds in Casa Grande, AZ. It was organized by the Wuertz Farm.

My favorites were the masks, 

but there were also some fun quirky creatures.

Besides the decorated gourd exhibit, there were vendors to sell you those paints, inks, feathers and other items used to decorate them ... and classes to teach you how to use them.

There were thousands of gourds in all shapes and sizes from Wuertz Farm to get you started. Here are Nancy and Paula in front of the welcome sign.

There was fairground food and this running gourd powered by bicycle. And yes, we shared a big funnel cake!

These next few are from an amazing display of the Sonoran Desert with all of the animals and plants made from gourds by artist Marilu Savage from Marana, AZ.

The festival was over an hour from Tucson, and here's the scenery that we passed, mile after mile. It was a warm, sunny day. We passed a lot of cotton fields, which is one of Arizona's major crops.

And just for laughs, 

this came across Facebook the other day:

I've linked to: homeward-bound-bom-month-2-on-off-wall.html

Have a colorful day

Enjoying the sun

 

We've had really nice weather the last few days, so I've been soaking up the sun. The geraniums on my front porch are also loving it!

Last night's sunset from my front porch was spectacular. Those are the Tucson Mountains on the horizon, and I was hiking there earlier in the day.

Here are some photos from that hike. There are a LOT of saguaros in the Tucson Mountains, and I think they each have a unique personality. The short one in the center looks like he's lecturing the others. 

It was windy but brisk and sunny, perfect for hiking because we didn't get too sweaty. We had a lot of mountain bikers pass us on this hike, which was at Sweetwater Preserve by Saguaro National Park West. I've noticed that mountain bikers usually have big, big smiles even if they're on a steep uphill stretch.

I posed in my sling under this saguaro 

because it looks like its arm could be in a sling.

The saguaros in this last photo are in Catalina State Park, where I hiked earlier in the week. I still can't drive because of the arm, but I can hike as long as I don't have to jump or scramble.

Habits -- I'm still struggling to lose weight and to make healthy eating a habit. I just need to lose my sweet tooth, which is REALLY hard for me. Have any of you overcome that habit, and how did you do it?

Have a colorful day