first trip

I had a great first outting.... sent to Vermont and New Hampshire and saw 8 customers in 2 days.... that really felt great.

My first instincts on the market are good. Although sales are not huge, there is still a lot of interest in knitting. perhaps it's one of those things that do well in recession. And why not? It's not all that expensive, even with beautiful fibers. What could bemore relaxing? A great method to contemplate. Something you can get involved in mentally and enjoy the repetitiveness and rhythm of it. Especially when one uses really fine fibers - the tactile pleasure is enormous. Makes sense to me. And I am acutally seeing it in the yarns stores.

Here are some pictures, to show you what I do. This is outside our hotel in White River Junction, Vermont the night before our "hotel show." My little mini, great on gas but not so much on space.... but all of that luggage AND Gracie fit in with me! Even Gracie is amazed that it will all fit. I set up all of my samples and yarn cards and welcomed peopel from 7 stores during the day. At one point is was so crowded it was hard to find a place to sit down. I was almost thinking of taking appointments the next time I do this.

I also spent time with another customer and feel that my first outting was a total success. I scheduled more appointments next week. It feels great to be back.

On the Road Again...

It's been almost 5 weeks since my back surgery!!! and I am feeling GREAT! The surgery went well. They removed 80% of my herniated disc and I have no pain... NO PAIN. I am trying to take it easy as recommended but the road is calling.

The car is full - already, and I still have more to go. I have lots of samples to show the customers. Then I need my stuff and, of course, Gracie.

I will be doing a hotel show with my fibers on Monday and making a customer call on Tuesday (they have offered to unload my car!). I have been knitting and computer networking but it's time for some face to face. In one more week I should be pretty free to lift most of my stuff although I will be easy on myself.

It will be good to be back out there and hopefully catching up with my friends in the business, in person.

To the left is the Baby Surprise Sweater that I finished. This is a pattern by Elizabeth Zimmerman from 1968. I made it with one skein of Fiesta Boomerang - a beautiful washable sofgt merino. It is all one single piece and the only seams are across the top of the arms - a topological delight.

I guess I need to make another Moebius Strip.

I am blessed with amazing friends

Saturday I drove down to Greenwich with my skydiving friend to spend time with two of the most remarkable people in my life. John and Estelle have been dear friends for over... well - 40 years. That's about the longest I have known anyone outside of family. This couple has been married for 63 or more years - pretty amazing. And they are cuter than ever with each other. The little things they do to support each other is a marvelous example of the importance of sharing your life with another - each one making the other look and be as great as they can be.

















Left is a picture of the two of them, on our return from dinner at the their favorite restaurant. Amazingly, the was full of black tied men and gowned women enjoying a formal evening of dinner and dancing. No indication that the stock market had been in a freefall the previous week and panic is settling into many households around the country.

Our dinner was less formal but the most enjoyable of an evening sharing stories of life experiences and an incredibly close friendship and understanding.




















To the right is a picture I took from their dining room with a vision to the west of a bright sunset over New York City. What you can't see, but I could were the lights of the Triboro and Whitestone Bridges sparkling and a vague outline of the city skyscape. It was from this point that John actually witnessed the second plane flying into the World Trade Center on that fateful day September 11, 2001. He could see the explosion, flames and distruction from 35 miles away.




My heart is still singing with the pleasure of the afternoon/evening. As always, I wasn't sure where the conversations would go - I knew we would cover subjects of catching up on the wherabouts of others and knew politics and economy would be included. We also, as always included a little religion (John told Bob of his meeting of the Pope (the last one) - a very comical and serious story). My brain was in full gear just keeping up with these two people. Humor, thoughtfulness, opportunities, talents, incredible sensitivity and honesty - that's what makes a true friendship like this last that long.


As we were leaving out the drive, John insisted on loading us up with the dahlias he grew this summer, in his newest venture in the world of horticulture. A man of great patience and understanding who has many varied talents of gentleness and nurture. These are two of the most incredible people I will ever be blessed to know in my life. I honor them here.

Moving Forward after a Setback

It's been awhile since I have updated this but now is the time. I need to record the progress of the "back" lest it becomes a blur.

I left you last with the hopes of the steroid shot working.... and the answer is - yes and no. Oh the paradoxes of life. Here's how it went. I got progressively better - a great thing. I could walk a bit farther, sleep a lot better, and move more easily. So - I went to work. The next week found me in Vermont making calls and enjoying being out on the road again. My left leg got tired and a little weak - and I was really happy to get home.

Here comes the NO part. Friday morning I woke up, showered, walked the dog.... leaned over for something and BOOM - I couldn't stand. Excruciating pain. Fortunately I had my phone in my back pocket... a word to the wise - have a back pocket for your phone. I called Christina who rushed over and somehow got me, eventually to the emergency room. This time when they asked pain level between 1 to 10 - no thought needed - it was a 10. Worse than childbirth. They gave me morphine and many many other drugs - bottom line - knocked out for 5 days - truly. And surgery scheduled for October 13th. Yep - this Monday in the morning and should be home Tuesday - and them for some time. Maybe a month.

And more good news is that - after that painful Friday, I have had little pain, am off of pain pills and stronger than in the last 6 months. Numbness in my foot and fear of a repeat of that Friday indicate that I need to follow through with the surgery. I am looking forward to having it over.

I have been working all week on the computer and phone, trying to contact customers and sell what little I can over the phone and net, but I actually think that the buying this week would have been slight had I been driving around the country. What a week!

I am trying to figure out some of the networking groups and connections on the net that might provide a way to encourage sales in the companies I represent. I sure would like to find some ways to do a little less driving.

That's the update - not too exciting but I felt I needed to document the moves forward so that I can complete the story next week and be done with it!

Happy Columbus Day - I hope you go out for a walk in the woods to celebrate - that's what I want to do.

J

Another Leap of Faith

Before I jumped out of the air plane, I had been dealing with a lot of back pain, hip pain yada yada.  I had been going to a physical therapist, a Michael Fall in Suffield who has worked wonders for friends.  We both thought it was something called and SI problem, which I had had before and had cured by PT some years ago.  Michael wasn’t concerned about the plane jump – and truthfully there is no connection.  However, continued therapy only made the pain worse until I was restricted to 40 steps!  40 steps barely made it to the mail box. 40 steps is less than almost any doctor’s office is from a place to park the car.  40 steps worked ok for my many business calls because I could park outside. Unfortunately, my motivation to work was hindered by continued pain. 

Walking Gracie with the limit of 40 steps led me to pull out my bicycle.  Gracie, being the super dog that she is, learned quickly to avoid the tires and run alongside.  We do our best to make due, but this isn’t going to last too long. 

From my GP to and MRI on August 27^th, and back the GP, the quest for relief continued.  When I went back to the GP – Mary Anne Webster, women I highly respect and feel very comfortable talking with, she entered the examining room with a very sad face.  This caused the blood to rush from my face and I felt faint.  This was not a good sign.  There seemed to be a number of potential issues but the one that was causing the problem was identified between L4 and L5.   She referred me to a neuro surgeon.  I made an appointment with a Dr. Wakefield, and had one in three weeks.  Yuck.  Waiting was painful.  I picked up the actual MRI CD and took it to Wakefield’s office to try to get an earlier appointment.  49 steps to the elevator from the car and another 52 to the office door.  I delivered the CD and sat; I couldn’t walk, but also hoped that I could get in right away!  That didn’t work but I did get the appointment moved up.  

On Tuesday the 9^th I went to see Sean Brennan, Wakefield’s partner who was very thorough and straightforward.  He referred me to a Dr Lucier who would give me an injection of steroids that would have an 80% chance of relief.  At least I had a plan!  The cure to anxiety is a plan!  But the cure for the pain in the meantime was more drugs.  So – vicadin, a muscle relaxer….  And then I found my yoga bolster which became my intimate sleeping partner. 

Monday, Sept. 15^th I got a call from the steroid man and I could get in on Tuesday – that was the leap – oh, please let’s keep the faith.  Nerves, fear, pain – this is exhausting. I made the appointment for noon.  Arriving full of trepidation and anticipation I was issues a penoir set – not very attractive although the gown and robe did match.  After signing many papers for many people to bill my insurance company and agreeing to take the leap, I was escorted into the operating room.  Two nurses assisted getting me comfortable and situating the x-ray machine for the good Doctor to view his destination.  Twenty minutes later it was done!  No burning sensation, just some pinching and pulling.  I still felt the pain, had trouble walking any distance.  Given my exit papers and my clothes, I exited and returned home – for yet another nap!  No relief.  I had hoped that I would wake up cured, and continue to do so. 

It’s now Wednesday, and I am pleased to say that there IS relief.  Not total but I can walk farther and rest better.  I am still exhausted and napping but each time I awake it is with a bit more strength and less pain.  May the next nine days continue with this progress! 

I’ll keep you posted!

Lake George Revisited

Last weekend the time traveling machine was in motion as all four of the boys came back east, enticed by the invitation from great friends, the Adlers, to spend a long weekend at their home in Lake George. Since we all have fond memories of "summering" with the Adlers for about 10 years of the growing up period, no one could resist. Davey with Sarah Smith, Tyler, John Will and I drove up on Thursday and spent 4 glorious days totally enjoying the lake at good friendships. The Adlers and Andersons had not reunited like this since mid 90's.

You know you are getting older when your kids are experiencing that wonder of friendships of being able to pick up right where they left off.... after 10 years on not seeing each other! Ah- the bitter with the sweet.

The Adler hospitality was stupendous. Only Anne could be organized enough to seamlessly feed and direct 20 plus adults through a weekend of water fun, hiking, great eatting and the best fresh air ever. She wasn't at all flustered when the numbers for dinner inched over the 20 mark as was counting plates. A bit perplexed on the bed arrangement but it all worked well.

Here are some pictures of the fun.

This is our crew checking out the flotilla collection. John is in "the AMY" which has been around as long as he has and has many adventures to tell from their childhood. Davey, Sarah and Tyler are testing the Hobie. Will is swimming and I am in the Kayak with my buddy Gracie who enjoys going along even if she has to balance in a Kayak.

This is looking north from the Adler's property.

Here's a shot of the Anderson boys and Sarah on a boat ride - this is essentially the view looking south down the lake. Davey grabbed the alpha dog seat quickly on this trip.

John and Will hiked up the Black Mountain and were rewarded with this incredible view. The islands you see in the distance are the scene for our picnic on Saturday - as Davey rented an island to have a repeat of the picnic opportunities Anne and I took the kids on almost daily while we were running our "family camp".

This is our group - which was only a third of the total picnicers. No one seemed too anxious to spend the night there - although the afternoon was just right. A crew of kids went to the jumping rock down the lake a bit and apparently Will took alpha dog status in jumping off the high rocks reserved for crazy college students. I have no pictures - they wouldn't share- Will did admit that his toes split a little on the landing and he is still recovering.

After a full day of water play and hiking, repairing and firing up the sauna was the perfect thing to do. Tyler moved to alpha dog status when he repaired the ceiling of the sauna which seemed to have run into some candle accident the weekend before. Sauna building ready - a bondfire was build and guitars were made ready for after dinner campfire and sauna. the music was quite phenomenal as four musicians joined voices and instruments. John moved up in alpha dog status as he joined in the entertainment.

Tyler, the newly christened "arbor Barber" was called into service more than once during his visit - as a professional, he alone was qualified to stand on this ladder with a saw. He would have been the one to try is 10 years and more ago, but we all felt a bit more confidence in his doing it now. Although, there are still more pictures I have not been shown of some incredible tree climbing of this same man when the rest were berry picking. Some things just don't change.

It was an awesome weekend of family - families together. All the boys are headed back to their homes and I am savoring the memories and sharing them here- so we can return to them when we choose.

the wonders of blogging!

One more thing - for those who might be interested.... Lake George is big on recycling but since even before that, while islands were available for rent, the garbage needed to be picked up by park services. We always enjoyed seeing the garbage barge with it's elongated bow. The driver steers the bow over rocks at a point on the island as the partner garbage controller walks onto the island to collect the trash - no tying up, messing with docks - just efficient and you never could mistake the garbage barge! This picture was taken on the fly as we were on our way to get out 'island permit' and this vision pleasantly surprised us all. Little boys and big ones somehow are fascinated with garbage.

The Fall Out

I entered the world of story telling on the net. It's not going to be easy with a follow up dramatic story like the first, but I hope to offer some interesting thoughts as well as experiences to my friends. The reaction of you to my "leap" offers encouragement. I have reconnected with friends and brought new conversations to our interactions. It's similar to the annual responses I used to get from sending the Christmas photo and newsletter, but more specific and less time sensitive. A wonderful feeling of connectedness. thank you each for your interest. I was encouraged to activate my accounts of FACEBOOK and MYSPACE where I reconnected with more friends - mostly young people - what a gift! I have yet to update information on RAVELRY - a network for fiber freak - aka knitters, spinners etc. There is something for everyone - and they are all interconnected.

Individual stories are inspiring, especially when we know the characters involved. There are paradigms to be shared. I seem to have encouraged a few of you to think about jumping out an airplane, if only a momentary contemplation.

Let me now encourage you to take a more Global view of story telling from a person I have only met on TED talks. If you aren't familiar with these talks, you have an intellectual treat in store for you.

Jonathan Harris's talk at TED conference in Monterey California presents a "passive" view of stories on the internet at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jonathan_harris_tells_the_web_s_secret_stories.html
trying to make sense of the emotions of stories on the net. He concludes with an amazing view of the news and the universe which could be the way we will be able to study and learn in the future. His realization of going from feeling like a small fish in a big pond to "feeling bigger again." The many paradoxes (appropriate?) of life are rife in his presentation. Another paradox is stated as our "need to express ourselves and number of sympathetic friends willing to sit around and listen. "We feel fine" is a timely visualization of feelings expressed on blogs. I hope you will take 20 minutes to look at this. You will be amazed.

Thanks for taking a moment away from the dailiness of your life for a mental exercise which may bring you a different perspective of our stories. Maybe encourage you to do your own, in a leap for you. Let me know what you think, leave a comment or email me...... then get back to what you are supposed to be doing. I am returning to selling and telling yarns.

Happy Tales