Sylvia's Simple Shots

This is a series I have been watching on Roku.  

It follows night sky photographers or astrophotographers from across the world as they photograph the stars, planets and other sky phenomenon.

Armed with hi-tech cameras, telescopes and camping equipment, these intrepid astrophotographers travel to the ends of the earth, braving the elements, extreme climates, and dangers both natural and man-made. They are determined to help all of us experience the magic of the night sky, gathering spectacular images of sparkling constellations, blazing comets, shadowy eclipses, and shooting stars. 

There was an episode which captured the solar eclipse in Indonesia where the photographer educated the people, provided glasses to residents so they could safely watch the event.

Beautiful content with educational component.

I finally found myself a new purse.  I had been carrying my old one in a reusable bag since the strap broke back in early February. 

This one was found at the thrift store but it was a brand new condition.  Wonderful soft leather for more than I was wanting to pay but it was definitely worth it. It was big enough with enough zippers to keep things secure.

I had looked at others in the last month where the store wanted around $20 for a visibly used purse so considering I had the cash I just bit the bullet and took it home. Very happy with this purchase.

I had been looking for a funnel with a large opening so I could transfer my ground flaxseed from the blender to my storage jar each week.

I buy whole flax seed because it lasts longer than buying it already ground.  It deteriorates fast once ground.

I freeze the bags of whole seeds which allows me to buy it on sale and have a supply on hand for several months ahead.

Works well.

Another great book by Josephine Cox - Cradle of Thorns.

Nell Reese lost her mother early and her father's guilt about his wife has kept him cowed for years. They live with his sister who rules their world.  She is manipulative, abusive, and just mean spirited.

Nell has maintained her spirit and sense of self these many years living under these circumstances. Her father facilitates her escape from this tyranny now that she is expecting his grandchild.

Nell meets Kit along her travels, a ten year old orphan who has lived on the streets all his life. She takes him under her wing when she does not have much.  As the delivery grows near Nell depends on Kit and he rises to the occasion on the day of the delivery.

She returns to her father and the man she has been in love with for years. The obstacles to their union have been cleard and she now can live in peace with her new husband, baby girl and of course, Kit.

I have been released by the physiotherapist once the results of my MRI were discussed.

I have made excellent progress and I now have to move forward with the exercises assigned into my new life of mobility and health.

This is leg lifts with movements to the front, side and back with an elastic band.  It is a progression from my side lifts before.  It gives me options for a bit a variety in my routine.

This is a new balance exercise - Standing on one foot I move a ball from hand to hand

It is amazing how it changes things just to involve my hands.

I will use my massage ball.

I have been doing step ups since visit 4 but I had not documented them before so I have added them here.

I have a small stool that I use which is just high enough for me to maintain proper form when doing these.

I do have my areobics step which I can graduate to once I get stronger.  It has 2 more adjustments I can make to taller than the stool.

I am sure that will work out well

I visited my sister for Fish Fry on Friday supper meal. On Saturday we worked on a sewing project of a casserole carrier we designed and sewed together. Keep an eye out for that project in the next few days.

I delivered the quilting fabric I picked up at the ReUse Ctr and the cotton fabric donated at quilting to my sister.  

We had a brain storming session about this beautiful linen fabric I got from the ReUse Ctr a while back and it will become a table runner.  I will use the embroidery part with maybe a strip of navy in the center. We separated the embroidery from the rest and thought we might dye the remainder denim blue but after reading the instructions more carefully it suggested fixative as well so we headed to the city to pick that up since my regular store in my city did not have it in stock.  She has a sink in the basement which we can use without danger of dyeing something precious.  This project will have to wait.  

I was visiting one sister when the other returned from her trip to Belize. 

We had a really good catch up visit with her and her husband.

Great meals and sharing.

With Mom and Dad both gone we have to make new routines to ensure we stay connected.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I found another piece of Robert Held Art Glass at the thrift store the other day for under $2.

It is a candle holder with a pulled feather design in the base with blues, greens and purples.

I have placed a tealight on top as I don't have taper candles.

I just love this art glass and it is a good thing I don't live close to his studio in British Columbia.  I do follow him on Instagram @robertheldartglass so I look forward to seeing his new stuff as it comes out.

I have found the pieces I have in thrift stores.  I have a heart and a small vase in my collection.

It is signed on the bottom as usual.

We continue to add to my list of exercises to rehab my right knee and loosen my mid back.  I noticed yesterday after about 3 hours of sewing that it was very tight so I did my stretches before going to bed.

My knee is doing well and I added step ups last week and I am starting to use the stairs again.  It goes better going up than down.

It will come.

I have an MRI on it next week so we will see what it looks like on the inside there.

It's been cold again this week. Everyday the low's are in the -18C to -20C without the wind chill.

I had to take the bus to medical appts this week very early in the morning so it was cold!

On Wednesday the wind was very strong and standing waiting for a bus is no fun.

Two days of heart tests this week.   This is an investigation of a period of dizziness in January.  It cleared up once the tension in back was released so I don't expect anything significant coming out of these tests.  Interesting what life sends my way.

I bought a tiny bottle with a drip lid so I can carry essential oil in my car.  I chose the bergamot grapefruit combo for this time around.

Essential oils should not freeze so I can leave it in the car.

It was a hassle to bring the diffuser up, then remember to add drops just before I was headed out, then hang it back on the rear view mirror.  

Now I can do it whenever I feel the need.

I hosted lunch for 2 of my aunts after our visit to Muttart Conservatory on Friday.  My first time back since the pandemic.  I will include my pics in a separate post.

We had a great time and with time after for a good visit.

I made yellow split pea soup and whole wheat tea biscuits with yogurt with blueberries for dessert.

I soaked the peas overnight so I could cook the soup that morning.  Once the soup was simmering I made the biscuits.  They turned out well this time because I left the dough thick enough.  I usually roll them out too thin.

I have a basket of ReUsable Bags ready to donate to GrammaLink  Africa fundraiser later this year.

I made 17 bags since February 4th.  It was a learning experience and I am happy with the results. I kept one for myself so 16 are being donated.

Most of them are microfiber so they will last a long time.

I hope it puts a few dollars into the hands of grandmothers in Africa who stepped up to care for their grandchildren when the parents died of AIDS.

Feels good to give back.

I did visit the Muttart Conservatory this week with 2 of my aunts (my Mom's sisters).

I bought a yearly membership which will allow me to go anytime I want and also visit the Zoo regularly.

The spring flowers were all in bloom in the feature pyramid.

I chose the Amaryllis because it reminds me of my Mom who I miss every day.  She was such a great lady.

This is the variety Minerva and it so reminds me of Christmas.  They can appear on seasonal greeting cards.  Classic combination of red, green and white.

Looking forward to more visits once life settles a bit.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

 As women we need to pay attention how our body is feeling.  Symptoms are often ignored or not considered as heart symptoms.  Back pain is common in women having a heart attack.  I wore red to our first meeting in 3 years of the quilting group.

I finished this book recently Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton.  It is a collection of short stories with her famous female investigator - Kinsey Millhone.  

As the author puts it - it is a challenge to set up the characters, the crime and solve it in a short story.

A Little Missionary Work was my favorite of these short stories.

There is some autobiography information on Sue Grafton's early growing up years which was difficult with alcoholic parents and all the comes with that.

It was a nice change of pace with Kinsey and enjoyed the stories.

If you are a fan of Kinsey it is definitely worth a read.

I headed out to the north end drugstore because my local one did not have any inventory of these bands. With the increase in the amount of leg and arm exercises I have been doing I needed some bands in different tension strength.  I am using the blue one for some leg exercises.

I was lucky to have decaf tea on sale - 2 boxes for $10.00 which a savings of $6 so I picked a couple of those as well.  I have not been able to get this tea at my regular grocery store since before Christmas. 

I finally did a Google search and my drugstore carries it.  I am there regularly so I will just keep an eye for the sale again.

I underwent a vertigo assessment by my physiotherapist this week.   I had about 10 days of bad dizziness around mid January. It started right after my big pain in my knee. I felt it was musculoskeletal and it was related to extreme tension between my shoulders.  There was a spot on the right hand side that I just could not release the pressure in that spot.  I passed the vertigo assessment.

I had a deep muscle massage which addressed the knot in the middle of my back.  That is exactly what I needed.  The pain is gone and I feel so much better.

I was also given cupping massage which felt great.

Back exercises were added to the leg ones to address the tight back muscles.

The Cat Cow yoga pose works well then I was given a deep stretch for that area which feels better now that the knot in the muscle has relaxed.

The shoulder rotation is very good.  I used pillows for my head and my knee.  

The back squeeze feels good as well.  I wrap my elastic exercise band around the door handle, wrap the two ends over and above the latch and shut the door.  Now I can pull really hard on the band and it will not let go.

I bought myself another African Violet at the garden center last week.  I am hoping to keep this one alive.  The last one was just too close to the window during the deep freeze and it succumbed to the cold.

I used to grow these in my twenties when I did not even have to try.  They sat in a large north window and bloomed and flourished.

I have set this one on the shelf near the window and hopefully just a little less light and much less cold will be the magic formula.  

I will keep an eye on it and always water it from the bottom and keep  my fingers and toes crossed.

Nice to have a bit of life in the house until spring returns.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I made an overlay cloth for my navy tablecloth.  

The fabric is 100% cotton and was not quite square.  

I squared it up to 23 inches finished size.  I hemmed it with a fancy stitch and white thread.

I finished this book - Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.  It is set in Paris, France during in July 1942 and Second World War is coming closer. When the knock came to the door Sarah locked her small brother in their safe cupboard and promised the come back for him later. Sarah and her family were part of the great round up at Velodrome d'Hiver, where 13,152 Jews were arrested. Jewish families were locked up there for days, in appalling conditions. Then sent to Auschwitz. Then gassed. 

Julia Jaramond in New York is a reporter assigned the 60th anniversary of the great roundup. The round up was performed by French policemen and not the Nazi soldiers.

This was an excellent read and hard to put down. The turns that take place to connect these two women are amazing. A story of love, hate, sadness, doing the right thing and being true to one's self. 

I bought myself a thermometer to test meat when cooking.

I started physio this week for my sore knee. 

I suffered a subluxation of the knee cap which hurt like crazy!! With elevation and icing the pain got better.  The knee cap (patella) returned to it's place but the muscles in the thigh need to be strengthened to keep that little thing where it is supposed to be.

I do my exercises every day and things are getting better.

Another great book - Mercy House by Alena Dillon.  This is set in Brooklyn New York where a renegade Sister Evelyn and her fellow nuns preside over a safe haven for abused and abandoned women. 

The nuns no longer need to where habits so they blend into society more easily which helps in their work. The word spreads that safety can be found at the door with the angel door knocker.  The nuns are street smart and deal with women who have lived a hard life. 

When Evelyn finds out that the house will be investigated by Bishop Hawkins which she has known early in her novitiate life she is determined not to have her life's work terminated.

Steps are taken to bring the house closer to the Catholic standards of the 1960's. The women's stories are touching, the love the nuns pour into their hearts to allow the girls to believe in themselves again, retrain, get work and move back into society is wonderful.