Rail is Up

Fixit guy got the handrail up last night.  Yeh!  Looks nice.  Now I'll have something to grab onto next time I find myself hurdling down the stairs.  Bruises still look bad but not so swollen.

Right arm, sore but functional.

Ribs, same on other side.  Very sore.

Have been to two zumba classes now, love it!  Lots of dancing and shaking and moving-moving-moving.  Find myself breathless, soaked and so very happy at the end.  Interesting thing - no one has asked me about the bruises!  They are very (very) easy to see but no one has asked a thing.  I do believe they think I have been battered.  Thought for sure someone would come up to me and say - what the heck happened to your arms and back - but nope.  Not one of the 50 or so women in these classes has said a word.  Find that very interesting.. what does that mean?  Is it being respectful?  Is it being uninterested?  What if it were true?  Doesn't anyone want to help?  And if asked, I would have said that I fell down the stairs which sounds just like a victim's reply!  What would I do if I saw someone's bruises at a dance class?   Hmm.  After this experience, if I should ever see something like this on another, I will ask about it and leave it to her to decide next steps.  At least, I will offer a lifeline.  This is a good example of a program I heard on npr a while back about getting involved.  The point of the program was that too many people turn the other way when they see things that make them uncomfortable for fear of be intrusive, nosey and simply from apathy - plain ol' not giving a damn.  And the lesson in the program was to do the opposite - to ENGAGE, GET INVOLVED, reach out to another and let them know they are not alone.  I will.  I will.

Had drinks with those neighbors the other night.  He is 88 and she is 84.   They look good, mentally sharp, he is physically fit, she is a bit wobbly, both had two drinks, shared their life stories and asked about me in a very polite way.  They had tapas laid out, fireplace glowing, warm and inviting. Very nice evening.  I brought flowers.

Joined a camera club (!) so I can learn to take really good photos.  Id also like to get a good camera so need some guidance there.  The club goes out on hikes at all times of the day, night, weather, locations etc to take "the best photos ever".  Sounds awesome.   Plan to attend the Feb meeting and get going!  Want to do Paines Creek justice.

Paines Creek, winter sunset

 Rainy, foggy day today.  Love it.  Working on my winter ocean quilt, almost done frosting the grannies, finishing hanging curtains, listening to npr.  A good day.

Pulse - one day at a time