Last night was the full moon, and now we're in Solstice week!
Winter Solstice is this Saturday, Dec. 21 (3:20 a.m. Central; 9:20 a.m. Greenwich).
I love this magic dark time for reflection and stock-taking––I've certainly been feeling that ––("Who were you and I to each other, in our previous incarnations?")––and, in astrology we are entering the cardinal [active initiator] sign of Capricorn, the sure-footed goat = a good time for setting intentions.
We can scamper up sheer cliffs!
And pain is a great motivator, eh? Work is a lot of standing and lifting on concrete, and my lower back has gone into crunch-freeze mode.
Thank you, Back, for alerting me that I must attend to you and your (my) musculoskeletal friends.
I remember a physical therapist explaining to me, spelling it out like he was amazed I didn't know this:
"You have to take care of your body."
Sure, ha, yeah, doc, I knew that! (In theory.)
So, after waking up again with a locked back, this weekend I started stretching. It was an eye opener:
stretches that had felt like literally nothing when I was younger are now like trying to open a frozen lock.
Except, of course, I am not metal.
I am living flesh, and gentleness unlocks me.
_________________
Here is a metal object that needs my attention:
I brought home this little Underwood typewriter to test, and it almost works... I think its only problem is a build-up of greasy dust.
I will start with odorless mineral spirits and a toothbrush on the type bars, which stick.
L & M & Annette came over yesterday afternoon for banana-oat pancakes (these are so good, even with no-added-sugar, people asked for the recipe (I add 1/2 cup flour because it's too liquidy)), served with Gala apples baked with cinnamon and plant-butter.
As Penny Cooper (in my right hand, below) had hoped, we decorated the Girlettes' tree again this year. (Another use for a towel woven by Joanne: tree skirt!)
As I was cleaning my apartment, I became fed up with all the LONG hairs I shed, so I took my pinking shears and cut my hair.
It's even a little shorter than this now:
The Girlette calendars arrived Saturday--I am going to take them to the post office this morning on the way to work. (Again, warm enough to bike--in the mid-30s!)
I'll mail them media mail-- hopefully they'll arrive by the weekend.
Enjoy the descent into the dark, everyone. . . It's velvet!
Happy Solstice! I love the blast-from-the-past typewriter. Whatcha gonna do with it?
ReplyDeleteHappy Solstice to you too, Abby! Well, first I have to get the typewriter working--that will take a little doing. Then I will type letters or cards on it.
Deleteyou have magnificent hair.
ReplyDeleteGirlette's tree is adorable such tiny decor! Also magnificent!
Type writer is so cool- I hope that you can save it! If not it would be grand for making a sculpture out of- or something.
My friend, my age, went skiing the other day- broke his damned leg! Elderly on skis maybe not a great idea, I think that I am quite aware of my limitations...pain is not fun these days.
Eek, breaking a leg while skiing---yeah, I don't want to do high-risk things, knowing how LONG it takes for me to heal now. And pain is not fun, no!
DeleteI like the typewriter. Looks like the family typewriter we all used. The tree skirt looks nice.
ReplyDeleteThe tree skirt was made my a Real Weaver!!!
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