a shoe, a shoe

Ah, what is that unusual thing on my right foot???? It is a shoe! It feels really, really weird and I can't put on a "normal" shoe yet, but I have a Croc on my right foot. The bottom of the foot feels prickly which is strange but if I had to look at that lovely black boot one more day, I was going to scream. Besides which, walking or standing in the boot was starting to cause my hip to hurt so changes needed to be made.
Naturally my first trip was to the Dollar Store where I found 5 more skeins of Fun Fur that I "needed". 3 were black and white and 2 were pale green/blue with a touch of peach. I'll use the black and white to make a tube type scarf as a Christmas present. If you are reading this and you get this present, please have the kindness to at least look surprised and try to forget what I paid for the yarn.
The blue/green will be used for freeform for whatever I am currently making. I haven't decided yet. Right now I am just happily making shapes. All of the shapes have something of a curve to them and they are all in the blue range but that's as far as the decision making process has progressed. Possiblities are vest, jacket, shawl. Scarf is out as I have enough of those to clothe a giraffe.

Balloons and friends

Sunday was the last day of the balloon festival. Unbelievably hot--as is the usual right now...record breaking heat. I mean there are some records you don't care if they are ever broken, but our weather is doing it now--consistently!!!
Lois came over to watch the balloons and we put the chairs in the shade on the sidewalk in front of the house. (Balloon watching has become a fun, family tradition for us.)
The balloons came right over the house as they were landing and one even landed on my street. I called to one balloonist as he was going over and said he was welcome to set down as we had plenty of room. He thanked me but said he was headed for the next street over. He asked if I was enjoying the balloons and I responded that I always did. I asked if he had had a good weekend and he replied that he had. An altogether very pleasant exchange. I love little bright spots in the day like that.
Friends are truly a blessing!!! I don't know how people function without them. They go above and beyond the ordinary. I wouldn't have made it the past 5 weeks without JJ, Lois, and friends. They have carted me around, gone grocery shopping for me, taken me grocery shopping, brought food, called to check on me and offered help in many forms, and sent cards. The latest gift was Martha coming over to bathe Conner and Allie. Can you believe that? I have been humbled by the many kindnesses I have received. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such caring people.
Not only do my blessings offer to help, and do it repeatedly, they follow up with action. It reminds me once again that is what we are supposed to be doing in this life. Looking out for others. It's why I love them. They "get it". AND, they all bring great joy and laughter to my life even when I am able to safely drive myself around.
Ok, now I am off to plant myself in front of a fan and think very grateful thoughts about the people who invented electricity, fans, and central air conditioning....and of course, sweettea. (Which as any true southerner knows, is one word!) and no, contrary to what some in other parts of the USA believe, it is NOT the same when you just add sugar to cold unsweetened tea. not the same animal at all, at all!

Hot air balloons

Well, the term hot air balloons is full of redundancy when it is summer in Louisiana. However, they are beautiful to watch especially early in the morning as they come over the horizon. It is such an art (ok, maybe a science) to figure out where to lift off and then what altitude is best to make it over the target for the drop.
This morning there were several over the drop area at the same time which is always exciting.
They would come in from the NW and would be hidden by trees when they were flying low and then suddenly just pop into sight.
The colors and designs made them look like Easter eggs just sailing along in the morning sky. I think I like the morning contest better than the ascension in the late afternoon or even the "glow" which is held at night. Fewer people and therefore quieter and you can really concentrate on the balloons.
I decided not to go to the glow tonight as it's just too hot!!! I did watch the ascension. Finally got a bright idea and took a chair outside and also brought out a floor fan which I plugged in and turned on high. Not only kept me cool: it also kept the mosquitoes away. I think I will use the same system for the fireworks tonight. Boy, are the dogs going to love the fireworks! Definitely the comfort and security of their crates for them.

The productive boot

Ok, I have been reduced to actually doing something other than knitting while lying around with my foot up in the air. Yuck! I mean, I love to knit but after a while the fingers begin to rebel and the eyes start to cross.
So, I am now dragging stacks of old magazines over to the couch and going through them. Can you believe some of them are 12 years old???? Well, if you are one of my crafty friends, of course you can believe it--you have your own stash. Anyway, the stash is diminishing which is a good thing. ...except that now there will be more floor area that needs to be cleaned.
I have discovered that it is good to go through the Rubber Stamp magazines while I am in a knitting mood. When I get back to the paper making/rubber stamping marathon, then I will throw out some of the fiber mags. ...maybe. I would hate for you to have expectations of nauseating cleanliness--but then, most of my friends understand vertical files.
Well, I have procrastinated enough---time to elevate the foot and sort, and sort, and sort.......

Conner can jump

I have mentioned previously that Conner could jump on and off the couches on one end only. He has had another jumping break through however. When we got ready to go to FL this weekend, Allie jumped in the back of the car and into her crate. SO DID CONNER! I mean, this is huge!!!!!
I'm not totally sure he realized what he had done until he was up there but we were amazed and really, really praised him. He managed this feat several more times over the weekend. Apparently this ability still hasn't transferred to the other end of the couches as evidenced by his performance last night when we got home. Oh, well, I am thrilled with any and all progress.
The workshop went well and the participants were great. All except one had been to the January Spin-in and I think she will probably come next year. I tried to stay in the chair with my foot propped up as much as I could but the foot/ankle was still swollen by the end of the day.
Got to visit with lots of friends while we were there and that was great fun. Waaaaay too short a time but better than not getting there at all.

The foot and crochet

Went to the doctor yesterday. Looks like 4-6 weeks more of THE BOOT, hereafter referred to as Bootie. Seemed like a good idea to name it since it will be with me for a while. Bootie needs decorating in the worst way. Glitter is out as it is entirely too messy and besides, if I ever get out, I'd hate to be over dressed.
A glue gun and some beads are a possibility. The only problem is the summer heat which could melt the glue and there I would be, hobbling down the street dripping various colored beads behind me. Kind of like throwing rose petals in reverse. I may give it a try anyway. Since I have now started using a cane instead of crutches I am trying to figure out how to decorate it also. Should the cane and boot match? Ah, such decisions to be made.
Many thanks to all my well meaning friends who suggested a walker. I gratefully decline. Now be truthful, if you see a cane or crutch, you think injury. If you see a walker, you think nursing home. Since I am within a few decades (ok maybe less than a few) of assisted living/nursing home status, I prefer not to give people any doubts about my condition. Crutches or a cane get sympathy, a walker gets people moving out of your way and talking to you slowly.
Watched Uncommon Threads on tv this morning and there was a great scarf idea. (How many scarves does one person need anyway?).
Anyway, crochet a chain however wide you want your scarf. Single crochet across. At each end, chain 5 , or 10, or however many you want and crochet 2 single crochets into each chain. When you get back to the base row of sc, single crochet across and repeat ch/2sc on the other side. This make a plain body of the scarf and some awesome curly stuff along the sides of the scarf. Really great looking. On the progam they used a multicolored yarn and it was beautiful.
JJ is coming today. Yeah!!! Must go hobble around the guest room making up the bed. Really, really need to teach Allie and Conner some useful tricks!