Community Chat

[PamfromCT]

@Enufstuff, Welcome back from your trip to lovely Maine!

It’s so nice to meet another kindred spirit.  

I think it’s wonderful your DD is interested in stenciling.  I highly recommend MB Historic Decor (mbhistoricdecor) as a source for historic patterns and supplies.  It might make sense for your DD to work on a wall, rather than a floor for her first work.  

I recommend getting a large piece of cardboard to practice on.  You can paint the cardboard the color of your wall first.  then attach the stencil with a type of masking tape that doesn’t take off wall paint when removed.  The trick is to use a fairly large round stencil brush and paint that is more “gel like” that comes in little pots.  Just for stenciling, no liquid paint that would run.  Once you have some paint on your brush, you start painting in a circular motion outside of the cut area, moving into the cut out area of the stencil.  Keep the paint light, as you can always work more color in if you want a deeper color.  Then carefully remove your stencil, and pat any paint dry that may be left on the underside of your stencil.  I found this is key.  

It won’t be perfect, so make sure you have some wall paint to touch any obvious “blip” on your wall.  I hope this helps!  Once you get the hang of it, it is addictive!

If I may, I would like to offer you something to consider re the arthritis in your hands.  Several years back, I started suffering with a great deal of pain in my lower back.  Mainly arthritis - I tried everything to fight this.  Many doctor visits, visit to a pain clinic for injections, etc. etc.  It was a miserable time, even with a pain pill.

I finally tried Andrew Lessman’s “Turmeric 400 Curcumin” out of desperation.  After a few weeks, it really helped my back, and I continue two capsules a day as I have for several years now.  It is based on old herbal remedies.  Gotten more accepted in western medicine, and even my internal medicine PCP has told me he recommends it.  There are other brands out there, but I am partial to Lessman’s vitamins.  They are available on his website, on Amazon, and on HSN.  They are expensive, but I stock up when he has sales.  He manufactures his vitamins in the US, so not the huge quantities available as in some big brands.  You might want to talk with your doc re all this?

Nothing is much fun when you are in pain.  And, like you, once you have done so much, it kind of leaves you with burnout.  And then, what to do with all you create?  I really get it.  So I do read, and like to watch PBS and then follow some of the British shows (Netflix and Britbox).  I am a news junkie, but I tend to watch too much, and it is so depressing.

I hope this all helps a bit.  Please let me know your thoughts and what you are up to!  I bet you rarely sit still!

Take care dear and be well!

Pam

[Enufstuff]

@PamfromCT  Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a lovely post. I will tell my daughter about MB Historic Decor. What she is really into is Primitive Early American. I mean rustic. She has materials to do what she calls a painted floor cloth. Thank you for the tips on stenciling. I will forward that information to my daughter. I'm sure that she will appreciate it.

    On her kitchen windows, she hung what looks like worn out pieces of cheesecloth. She saw it in a primitive decor magazine. I can't say that I think it is attractive. It's her house.

She has a lot of primitive accessories and has made things with dried apples, cinnamon sticks and other botanicals. I have bought a few antique firkins for her. I also like antiques and had a shop years ago. My taste is more of Victorian and early 1900's.

  Thank you for the information on turmeric. A co- worker told me about it years ago. The arthritis in my fingers started about 30 years ago, one finger at a time. Then knees and feet.I never really took anything for pain because I have kidney issues and

most pain medications can cause more kidney damage.

    I only have a pain in fingers occasionally now. It is just the stiffness, swollen knuckles and loss of dexterity that makes it more difficult to work on tiny things. It is also the loss of fingerprints that make it difficult to hold on to things.

    Years ago I took several vitamins and supplements. Now I only take D3. I take several medications and I'm cautious about interactions with supplements. I'm glad that the turmeric has helped you.

    Like you I enjoy reading, always have. In Maine, I went to my favorite bookstore and bought three books. I've finished one and and half way through the second. They are both written by authors from Maine and take place in the lovely little town on Damariscotta. (where the bookstore is) The third book is by Stanley Tucci. Have you seen his shows on CNN

on Italy and the regional foods? We really enjoy his shows.

   Did you watch Downton Abby? We watched all the episodes

and saw both movies at the theater. Last month we saw the newest release. If you have Amazon Prime, it is already available to watch at home. We enjoy PBS, Smithsonian, Travel and History chanels. (When they actually are about travel and history). Cable is so pricey now, I won't pay extra for Netflix or other streaming. I can watch a lot of movies free

with Amazon Prime. The Mrs. Mazel series is great.

   My husband watches CNN all the time. I had to stop after 2 years watching it. I was getting so stressed and depressed with all about covid and all the violence and horrible current events.

I watch enough news to know what is going on, but I can't all day. I need to focus on more uplifting things.

   I like entertainment and will watch old shows on TV land and other shows like Mysteries at The Museum, William Shatner's Unexplained and Escape to the Chateau. I love shows about Archeology, Ancient History,  especially Egypt , Rome, Greece and the Middle East.

  The problem is I sit too much, but I love to read more than anything else. In addition to arthritis in knees and feet, I have atorn meniscus in my right knee. With bone on bone in that knee, the doctor said I need a knee replacement. I don't want to do that. So, I mostly sit. I can walk somewhat, but one of the days in Maine, I did too much walking and then  I had to rest the next day. Maybe I'll try getting an injection in my knee and

also in my shoulder that I injured 8 years ago and that pain has gotten worse and I've lost some mobility with my arm.

  Before arthritis and fibromyalgia, I was active. I danced, did yoga, taught aerobics, used my Pilates machine and stationary bike and went walking for exercise. I never had a weight problem until these painful things changed my life. After 5 children, I weighed 96 pounds. Now, I'd be happy if I weighed

120-130. I cut carbs for a couple of months and lost 7 pounds,

but I probably gained back 5, on vacation. Oh, well! I'll just have to start eating healthy again.

              Take care and thanks again for the information that you posted.

[PamfromCT]

Hello @Enufstuff!

Thank you for your lovely message.  You are such a well versed and interesting person, have a great spirit, and so much to care about and fields to discover.  I also try to keep interested in the world around me, as it certainly adds joy to our lives.  

I can bet your daughter’s home is lovely.  I am, like you, not Into the more primitive, but it is charming.  I had a painting teacher years ago who made floor cloths for her home.  They were really beautiful, as was the rest of her Cape Cod style home.  She was so talented and a dynamo, and she inspired me to decorate to tastes, not to the expectations of current fads.  I give you credit for your own antique shop.  You are a dynamo still.  Bet it was a great shop.

I am sorry for your physical challenges and agree that adding Turmeric to the mix is not a good idea. Glad you take D3, as it is so important to our health.  There was a book “The Whole Body Reset” by Stephen Petrine, recommended and featured in the AARP magazine, that I bought on Amazon.  It does emphasize a good diet and the importance of protein.  I am too heavy now, due to inactivity, and need to be my own health guru!  Never been into sports and such, and all interests are reading, whatever, sitting down.  

The subjects you read about sound wonderful.  And yes, we do watch the many shows you watch.  We also like Rick Steves’ travel shows, and shows about the train trips.  We love Stanley’s shows on CNN and hope for more.  I do watch way too much news, mainly CNN.  Always been a news junkie.

I will cut back for a while, but then get way overboard.  I feel so sad, so worried, so depressed about the state of things.  And so helpless.  Used to try to call folks, write, email, but it all gets ignored.  Maybe I should try writing an editorial for the NYT!  

My DH shares so many of your interests in the ancient civilizations.  I tend to focus mainly on England and other European, certain time frames here and groups like the Shakers, etc.  I like to read some more spiritual things, too.

It helps to ground me, which I need.  So much hatred in the world.

Oh, I never did watch Downton Abby!  Imagine that!  The series was well underway when I realized what a treasure I was missing, but I intend to marathon watch it this fall.  Meanwhile, I love Father Brown, and all the history shows!

I was asleep at the switch.  We were super busy for a while here, still in the family home, with remodeling and such.  Was necessary, but it was so consuming on all levels for a long time.  

Please take care.  I wish you all the best and hope you will write when you have a chance.

Pam

[Enufstuff]

@PamfromCT  I am so sorry. I just found your lovely post this evening. I was responding to you on another thread, I think that is in Home. It is such a coincidence that we have so many things in common. I could have said, as you stated, "Never been into sports and such, all interests are reading, whatever, sitting down".

   When I was young, I loved roller skating, ice skating and loved to dance. I even taught aerobics after my 5th child and practiced yoga. Arthritis has put limitations on that. No interest in sports ever. Unfortunately, sitting has had its downside, gaining weight. When I married my second husband at 45, I was still a size 6. The next year, fibromyalgia changed my life. I need to lose at least 20-25 lbs. It is difficult with physical challenges. I'll just have to start again cutting the carbs. I just can't give up the ice cream in this heat.

   Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes since I was 6 years old. I would rather read than do anything else. I just finished the three books that I bought in Maine and am reading The Habsburgs, as I mentioned in another post to you.

   I love reading historical non-fiction. I have read a lot of spiritual books also, just not recently. I have books by Deepak Chopra and books on Quantum Physics. I used to belong to a group called Windows of Light and they had a lot of lectures on spiritual topics. That is where I had two past life regressions. I can't remember the title, but did you ever read the book about the little boy who had dreams about his previous life as a pilot in WWII? I was so engrossed in that book. I finished it in less than 24 hours. That little boy was even on the Today Show with his story. I have read many books about young children who remembered past lives.

   Another topic I have loved to read about, since high school is

lives of saints. That is what inspired me to name Katie after

Saint Kateri.

   Rick Steves travel shows are always great. I also enjoyed Samantha Brown and Anthony Bourdain ( he was kind of edgy). So sad, how his life ended. Now, on Travel or History, there is hardly anything about travel or history. Smithsonian has a lot of good shows as does PBS.

    Will you be watching CNN or ABC, Thursday July 21 at 8:00p.m.? I don't watch as much CNN as I did, but I won't miss that.

     What has been happening with global warming, not just here, but in Europe and Iceland is so frightening. How can people deny that it is happening? Can anything beneficial even be done, at this point?

     When we were growing up, who would ever have imagined all that has transpired? Things seemed so good in the 50's. That is except for being afraid if a bomb might drop. Of course, hiding under our desks at school would save us from nuclear annihilation! Today, it is sometimes difficult to stay positive.

    We really can't change things, we can only control our little

corner of the world. We just have to live each day, the best we can. If I taught my children anything it is to treat others the way you would want to be treated. I think that they do. They are all great kids. That is what my ex-husband said to me the night before he died, four years ago.

    I like your idea about an editorial for the NYT. If you are inspired, do it. Years ago, I wrote poetry and had some published when I was in high school and then later in our local newspaper when they had a Poets Corner column. Later, I took a writing course at the local college and wrote a feature story for a newspaper. It was not something that I got paid for. I've had an idea for a little nostalgic feature story to put in our local paper. But, it might be kind of silly, so I have'nt done it.

    Well, it is very late and I need to go to bed now. Thank you for your posts. I enjoy reading them.

               Good night and take care. Stay cool and hydrated.

[PamfromCT]

Dear @Enufstuff, No need to apologize.  Never to me.

I used to be slim my entire life.  but then a few things happened.  All of a sudden very bad vein problems in my legs appeared.  It took me a while, with a bad encounter with one doctor, to find a vein specialist who helped me.  I had so many procedures, get checked out once a year, and I am fine.  But I sat and ate.  Vein problems do run in my mother’s family.

Then my back!  All of a sudden, after a very active life, I was sidelined, often in much pain.  Tried it all, finally found a doctor who prescribed PT at a facility where there was a warm water pool.  That helped me so much.  But again, more weight.  Did not take much food to do it.  No pizza, no ice cream, my idea of nature’s best foods.  I really need to get a grip, but no longer can go anywhere because of COVID fears.

I could do more at home,  but it all overwhelms me.  My bad.

Oh yes, I am watching “the Telly” all the time.  I don’t recognize this country.  Makes me sad.  Makes me very angry.

Makes me crazy.  My whole family feels the same way.  I did begin and complete college as an adult with two children.

Began when my little guy started school.  I loved it, and frankly would have likely tried law school if I had been younger and didn’t have one child heading off to college when I was through,  I went part-time, of course.  My last job was working in a law office, which proved to me I would have had a hard time of it.  When a person, a client, comes as a guilty person, after hurting someone, your job is an attorney is to see how legally get them off.  Not for me!  But I still love seeing anything legal going on.

I am also very interested in matters of the spirit.  I agree that there is so much unknown.  I used to go to charismatic meetings, which affected me deeply.  And I did experience a healing.  Our children were brought up to be good people, like yours.  

In your other post, how sad I felt for what you went through.  But you emerged a better person.  A dear friend who tragically died from ovarian cancer, like a sister to me, always said, “You can get bitter or you can get better.”  I give you so much credit, and so happy you emerged with a loving man by your side.  My DH and I married in 1966.  He just turned 81, and I will be turning 78.  Been through so much together!

I have no talent for writing poetry.  But, when I can understand it, I do like it.

So tonight, watching a team of patriots, all brilliant and talented.  Truth still matters.

Best wishes,

Pam

[Enufstuff]

@PamfromCT    Hi Pam,

               I hope that you are staying cool today. Where we are, north of Boston, it will be alittle less humid tomorrow, but still hot.

         It must be very difficult, having vein problems. Any leg issues, keep us from doing so many things. Back pain is debilitating also. Have you ever tried massage or accupuncture?

         Since I had my last child in 1974, I have had back issues.

Thankfully,it is not pain all the time, I just can't be on my feet for too long. For 28 years, I went to a massage therapist and that really helped  fibromyalgia and also a shoulder that I injured about 8 years ago. She closed her practice when covid

came and I have not found anyone else or have not felt safe to

do that. I have also stayed home and was too stressed to even

take on so many home projects that I thought I would accomplish when I retired. I just felt stuck

        Like you, I was very depressed and had so much anxiety

with all that has happened these past few years. This spring I decided that I had to try to wean muself away from it all, including the horrific situation in Ukraine.

       I was just starting to go out, see a doctor, go to a grocery store and dare to take a short trip to Maine. But these new variants of covid make me not want to go out again. Plus, right now, it is just too hot.

      Next Monday, I am going to see a doctor about my shoulder, maybe he will give me an injection.

       When we were young, healthy and active, who would ever think that these physical issues would slow us down?

     It was wonderful that PT in a pool helped you. If there is a YMCA or health club you could join, maybe swimming could help. If you are like me, you probably would be reluctant to join when covid is still rampant. That is one reason I have not seen a doctor. I don't want to go to PT where there are groups of people.

    I have not visited children or gone to any family parties or

wakes or funerals since covid. My daughters and son have come by here and most times, we have visited outside, on the porch. With a large family, we had always had holidays together. Now, my great grand children are missing that.

    I have a cousin who is my age and we did go to lunch on our birthdays in May. My husband and I went to dinner for our June anniversary and had meals at our inn in Maine.

    I just wish that this would all end. I wish the variants would get weaker and just die out. At least on nice days, I can sit on my porch. If I go to any store, I wear a mask. They are still required at Dr. offices, so what does that tell you? When I went to the supermarket last week, only about one in four people were wearing masks. For now, the KN 95 is neccessary. I bought some  in hot pink and some in turquoise.

   It's great that you had a chance to go to school. My daughter worked at a law office in Boston and one in our city. I have always thought that it was wrong that lawyers worked to keep criminals free. There are so many branches of law besides criminal law. One of the offices my daughter worked at was real estate law.

    Raising a family does impact what we want to do with our lives. When my children were young, I was home with them.

But I felt that there was life beyond Sesame St. and baking cookies. I loved taking care of my house and family, but I needed to do more. I would get a small part time job or take

classes here and there.

   I did take a few college night classes. Then my husband bought a printing business and I helped him with that while the kids were at school. Then he bought a building with two shops.

I loved making handcrafted things as does most of my family.

I filled my shop with things that I and two aunts made.

   Then my grandmother said, "If you want to make money, sell

antiques". We learned everything we could about antiques, from my grandmother, taking classes. reading books, visiting and befriending antique dealers and going to auctions. Many relatives already were collectors of antiques. When I was young, I would wonder why my mother and father would buy other peoples' "old junk". I wanted everything new and modern, but in the 70's I changed my tastes and became a

  collector. We ran our businesses until the early 80's

    In the 80's I finally had a chance to go to college full time.

My youngest son was 9 and I was home most days, by the time my boys came home from school.

    I got my degree in Food Science and I worked in an analytical lab near Boston for 7 years. In 84 my marriage ended and I was a single mother for 8 years, until I remarried.

     The lab closed and I  got a job in our school department and worked there until I retired.

      The meetings that you went to sound a little like the Spiritual Church that I went to a couple of times with my daughter. They got a message from my mother who had passed away and the next time did a healing for me, but it didn't take away my fibromyalgia.

     In 2000 I took classes and earned my certification as a Level II Reiki practitioner. I volunteered to give Reiki treatments at a hospital near me. On Friday's after school, two teacher friends who were also certified and I, gave each other Reiki treatments. It does make you feel better.  I also did some treatments at my home. It is very tiring and puts a strain on the back, to give treatments. It takes close to an hour to complete,

reaching over a massage table.

   As for the poetry, mine is not crytic, with deep messages.

My brother once told me that I wrote like Emily Dickenson.

He's probably my biggest fan. When he was away at college,

we would write 7-8 page letters to each other.

  Most of what I have written was inspired by nature, the seasons or someone special. I have not written any in quite a while. I do have a blank book that I've written them into.

  Well, I can get very wordy, when I write. Now, I'm getting a message that says something about failed authentication. I may have lost all that I've typed. I hope not.

                   Stay well & stay cool,

                                              Donna