Lamp shades. Surely some of these folks ship.

That's a great quote, Susan. And sometimes it takes an effort to step back and see the beauty in everyday things. The place that gives me the best view of what is right under my own nose is the fourth floor of the Brooklyn Museum of Art. I go there every trip or two to New York. Toasters, record players, plates, cups, mugs, tables, chairs - they show, by highlighting brilliant design and beautiful lines, how the everyday can be art.

I had a wonderful surprise this afternoon - a friend, whose family moved out west probably 10 years ago now was in town to see his mom. His wife has a job out there as a nurse but he left his job as an aerospace electrical engineer in this town to move to live the rural life of the builder and inventor and a bit of a survivalist. Solar power, ham radio, greenhouse, deep water well, they're set in their mountain home to survive. We over the years have sent photos back and forth and shared notes on the work we're doing in our respective homes. Meanwhile, his wife enjoys quilting and makes some gorgeous creations. She has a huge quilting machine for doing the stitching - this is more than a hobby. They don't have kids so they can indulge some hobbies this way. These two are the kind of friends that even though I haven't seen them in ages, when we get together the conversation starts up like it never let off.

Kat, I hope your doctor is able to offer some help. I fear you might be looking at surgery or a cast, for it to be that painful. I don't want to commingle fora here - you posted some remarks on one site and some on another. Here at Mudcat, between when you wrote on the ninth (when you were going to Morgan's school) and today (the 12th) you injured yourself. Achilles' tendon. Hurts like Hell. I don't know how much you're sharing, but that is certainly enough! Get over this, keep up the fitness routine, and get to where you're up and walking around without O₂ like you were a year ago and we'll be much happier.

SRS