Thursday, January 8, 2026

The weight of the world

The news just keeps getting worse … and in spite of completely swearing off television news (local, national, and MSNBC), it’s hard to avoid since I still read the New York Times every day.

Thank goodness for Jon Stewart and the Daily Show … although even they can’t completely gloss the reality.

My personal news is more pedestrian. It was a relief to go to my annual physical and have absolutely no questions or concerns. Although I did ask them to check my height and discovered I’ve shrunk 1.5” from my one-time height of five feet six and a half inches (I always added that half inch, like a proud child announcing their age). My grandkids will likely be delighted that they’re even closer to surpassing me in height.

Sadly, my weight is trending in the opposite direction, necessitating multiple purchases in a new clothing size this past year. But my doctor commended me, saying more weight-bearing is good for my osteoporosis. I’m skeptical, but whatever you say Doc.

In stitching news, I dismantled these two bags, made 8 years ago …




and plan to repurpose them into table placemats …




since the placemats I made 14 years ago are getting threadbare. Nothing is forever, but I do like to keep using and re-using cloth as long as possible. Besides which, I’m over carrying large shoulder bags weighed down with “stuff” now that I’ve converted to a much lighter crossbody bag (a $100 leather bag found at a local antique store for $25). It doesn’t take much to make me happy. 

6 comments:

  1. Can't escape the news, everyone is talking about it.
    I love transforming things into something more useful. Jude

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    1. I suppose I could repair the 14 year old placemats, but I made them with a sewing machine … so I won’t throw them away, but I’ll put them in storage once these “new” handsewn placemats are made.

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  2. Placemats...Yay! The news....yeah. The world is deconstructing before our eyes. Dana

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  3. Liz~ I've watched little news in the past couple of weeks. Venezuela did me in. Yesterday I cam home rom mailing the grands their postcards. I had chosen Salt Lake City day & night views. I wrote them sweet notes with questions and a bit of family history. One of the first images I saw upon my return home was the shooting outside of the LDS church in SLC. I don't even know where to put so many feelings...only for more to arise after the murder by ICE. It is too much. I've made phone calls, with a heavy, angry heart.
    I watch/listen to Resistance Live w/ ECM, and for a lighter heart Jimmy Kimble, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert. Gotta laugh.
    Now, as for your report...I'm so happy all went well for you at the doc. I'm getting shorter too 😉. I was interested in your doctor's idea of "more weight-bearing is good for my osteoporosis." Mmm??
    Placemats sound like a grand idea. I tried to make some when I was first married...20 years old and no idea what I was doing and no mentor to show me. The first one turned out super lumpy and I lost interest fast! haha You will have some lively table settings with your new ones! I too try to carry less and less in a purse/bag, but have yet to land on the perfect solution.
    Be well
    Nancy

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  4. Agree that there isn’t really any avoiding the news. It’s astonishing how bad it is. I’ve lost an inch myself which would t be so bad except it means I’m 4’11” now. Dee

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  5. It is hard to escape the news. I read Heather Cox Richardson and Al Jazeera news on line. I am always amazed by your sewing and stitching projects. They are so beautiful. I have also shrunk in height I am now 5'3.25" from 5'4". I am taking a generic brand of fosamax plus bone health supplements my sister sends me. I have three years until my next dex scan. I have just started doing exercises with weights. Our lives these days are like a roller coaster. Here are two links I go to every day. https://www.facebook.com/Alokathepeacedog and https://www.facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa plus you and your kindred spirits listed on your side bar.
    Peace be with you,
    Beverly

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