Yeah. Life has been busy lately. Last week I managed three appointments for testing and office visits, and then I visited three different Kaiser facilities to acquire the new prescriptions. All of this was done while keeping an eye on the barometric pressure; for half of the visits I had to wear my oxygen. I’m a little sad, more than a little exhausted, and somewhat concerned that all the test results are pointing at my heart. Bad heart, bad. It isn’t quite clear what is going on, so my cardiologist is systemically eliminating possibilities as we edge closer and closer to a return to the cath lab. Oh, boy.
Here is the thing about going back on oxygen. My portable oxygen concentrator only supports me for about three hours. For the most part, I am now homebound. Sounds sad, right. I have been loading up on happy crafting projects that I can do at home, but it is hard to face the isolation of going back into virtual lockdown again.
Then my niece contacted me to ask if I would like to join her is a collaborative writing project online. Yes!! Yes, I would. You guys, we will be writing a collaborative book in the epistolary novel format. What a gift that she came up with this right now!
Then a friend asked me if I would like to join her in a shawl KAL being sponsored by a local yarn shop in town. Yes. Yes, I would love to do that with you!!
Then my cousin, the fabulous quilter who produced this Rainbow Zebra Quilt for my support group mentioned that she has the patterns for the quilt that I just ordered to start working on. She is considering joining me in the sewing of the quilt. How fun! We will be doing it together even though we live at different sides of the state I live in.
The Wind in the Whiskers Quilt Kit is from Stitchin’ Heaven, and the package is out for delivery as I type this post. My cousin is still considering hunting through her fabric stash, or if she should order the identical fabrics from the shop where I bought the kit, but we are almost certainly going to launch the joint sew a quilt together project. Isn’t that great?
So here I am, stuck at home connected to my oxygen concentrator machine, waiting for my cardiologist to contact me about the results of the emergency echocardiogram that I had last Friday, chilling out with the cats, working on my computer, and knitting on my sweater that uses the happiest color yarn out there. Alone, but connected to other people who reached out to me, connecting to me though things that I love to do, keeping me in the world that they still are able to move about freely in.
That that, scleroderma!!
PS: How lucky am I? I have already been contacted by three people who are offering to drive me to the cath lab appointment if it happens, and another person is going to go with me to my next cardiologist appointment if things don’t sort themselves out soon.
PPS: Just as I was unboxing my new overlock machine, getting ready to sew fabric tote bags, the mayor of my city posted on Facebook that he was spending Friday nights at an innovative center that is designed to move people from homelessness to employed (and housed) independence. Here is an article about what he wrote. I contacted the head of my community service crafting group, and she is setting up a meeting to see what we can do to help. I’m pretty sure that they can use some of the fabric totes with matching zipper pouches…
Did I mention that I am happy these days?
No matter what, choose to be happy!!
Yarn, Books & Roses 
how wonderful that people have reached out to you, connections and compassion in play
It’s great! I’m also reading the same books with another person.
Your happy makes me happy, Marilyn. I’m sorry you are feeling housebound due to your oxygen needs, but I’m pleased to hear that your friends have rallied around you. Your upcoming projects sound like fun.
My friends are the best!! All of these projects are fun and the type of thing that can be done a little bit at a time.
Nice.
You are responding well to those who are reaching out to you in your sadness. You deserve the lift. I wish you well, as always.
Thank you.
Here’s what I’ve gleaned we need to do:what kind of document should we use? I imagine a google doc should work, and we ping each other maybe through text when it’s the next person’s turn. Obviously your blog is my inspiration: entire blogs can be plopped right into the document. As far as rules go, this format is very forgiving. I’ve never really used a google doc like the kids do where they work on a project simultaneously so I’ll have a little learning curve. We start from now. It sounds like lots of good writers always know where they are on the timeline while still being able to wander back to the past and comfortably land back in the now.The dialogic form is probably the most obvious. I only say probably because I have absolutely no problem having a cat weigh in.. thus we would be polyphonic. It never occured to me before that “polyphonic” was used anywhere besides music– gave me a chuckle.My goal is getting a chance to know you better, and through you know my family better without it being forced and formal. I have a tendency towards “magical thinking” that I suspect I should have outgrown but never did. I am afraid to act as if you are dying, because I don’t want to make it happen by acknowledging the possibility. Thus, I never ask too much lest my magic go rogue. But a conversation and stories sounds fabulous! My new Passport showed up! I can fly to you now. Research:An epistolary novel tells a story entirely through documents like letters, diary entries, emails, or newspaper clippings. While it allows for high intimacy and multiple perspectives, the format requires careful balancing of pacing and timeline to keep the narrative engaging [1, 2, 3, 4].1. Establish the Formats and Voices – Lean into varied formats: Mix traditional letters and diaries with modern communication like texts, voicemails, and social media feeds. [1] – Define distinct voices: Every writer must have a recognizable vocabulary, rhythm, and tone. A skeptical character will sound markedly different from a romantic. [1, 2] – Show, don’t tell: The formatting itself—like un-sent drafts or sudden changes in grammar—should reflect the character’s emotional state. [1, 2] 2. Maintain a Clear Timeline – Anchor the emotional timeline: Chronology matters. Make sure the order of messages builds tension and clarifies the plot rather than confusing the reader. [1] – Start in the present: It is most natural to ground the reader in the “now,” recount past events, and then transition back to present circumstances. [1] – Account for natural limitations: Because characters write after an event happens, avoid putting them in life-threatening scenarios where they somehow pause to write a diary entry. [1, 2, 3] 3. Use the Medium as a Metaphor – Reflect distance or intimacy: The type of correspondence dictates the relationship. A formal letter shows distance; a frantic text message builds instant urgency. [1, 2] – Control the omissions: What is left unsaid can be just as powerful as what is written. Intercepted letters, deleted messages, or ignored emails heighten mystery. [1] 4. Structure Your Perspectives – Monologic: Told exclusively through the journal or letters of a single main character. – Dialogic: A back-and-forth correspondence between two key figures. – Polyphonic: Correspondence and documents from three or more characters. This allows for discrepant awareness, where the reader can piece together clues that individual characters miss. [1, 2] If you’re planning your own epistolary story, tell me: – What mediums (letters, texts, interview transcripts) do you want to use? – Is the story about romance, mystery, or horror? – Are you writing from one perspective or multiple?
Wow! I just popped all of this into a word document, and I will get to work! I will email back to you on my other account.
How wonderful that so many people have reached out just when you need them. All those projects will certainly keep you busy and out of the doldrums. But I have a forvorite. I was struck by the Rainbow Zebra poster, but a quilt/wall hanging … wow! I would love to have one of those. What a dynamite project. Depending on the subject, fabric wall hangings really float my boat. That Zebra is magnificent!!
(By the way, my bunnies are back. Two of them, now in the front yard. Smart move, considering the 65-pound pup that could appear at any time in the back yard.)
Oh, I bet that I can set you up for a Zebra quilt. The zebra itself is a panel from e-quilter online, and my cousin dived into her stash to find the other fabrics for edging around it. We picked colors that would pick up colors in the zebra. She makes and sells quilts; I will send you more info by email.
My cat would, in time, destroy any quilt. But wall hangings … there was one down at the Cancer Center, a mountain scene, that I stopped to admire every time I was down there.
The quilt that I am starting now is going to be a big wall handing. I have them all over the house, but I’m pretty sure I can fit one more in…
Aurora!!! My friend grew up there! How encouraging to have a mayor that actually follows up on if a program is actually working instead of only showing up for a photo up at the program kick-off. Your top looks great. Wow, lots of fun projects and beautiful yarns. Best wishes as you deal with your current hurdle.
Yes, Aurora!!! I have been disappointed in the mayor in the past, but I am very impressed with what he is doing now.
I am coming to the bottom of the body of the sweater and hope to have it cast off tonight. Then… sleeve island!! I plan to start working on the new quilt and working out the workings of the overlock tomorrow.
All testing is now done, and I am waiting on the doctors to get back to me. Good thing I have stuff to keep me busy so I’m not waiting around on them…
I’m so sorry that you’re having a rough time. And the uncertainty is definitely not helping! I’m glad you have friends reaching out to you, keeping you in the loop.
It is at times like this that I learn to value all the glimmers, friends, and chocolate that life sends my way.
I really is wonderful that technology allows us all to stay connected even when we’re apart! I’m glad you have such great people in your life that you can be “with” even when you’re apart.
Marilyn, I am so sorry that your condition is keeping you somewhat locked down, but glad you have so many loving connections keeping you company even if it is remotely! It sounds like you have some wonderful activities going on – knitting and quilting and writing! And how wonderful are you that even in the middle of all this you are working on giving to others. Hope you and Hannah and Matteo are taking care of each other and having fun 🙂
I am very lucky. I have several circles of friends who are keeping tabs on me, and I have all of these modern conveniences to help me out. As a crafter, staying home to work on beautiful fiber things is never a burden, and then there are the books and the garden. Oh yeah, there is also the cats!!!
You’ve got some good supports in place to make the best of a not-great situation 🙂 And of course there’s the cats!
My friends are the best!!