We arrived home safely, but were very tired. Unpacking took time, clearing away the suitcases took more time. The chaos was mentally stressful, and I couldn't even get near my piano. We live in a tiny cabin in the mountains so clutter can accumulate quickly. I was so tired I didn't even want to sew. Whatttt? Did I really say that? First, I had to re-establish my routine, but I also knew that if I sat down to sew, I would probably make mistakes and have to rip. As I recovered and began to settle into the old pattern I finally decided, "It is time. Get busy and work on that quilt," and I did. Oh joy, I do love to sew! I feel so good after a session of wielding needle and thread. I only made one mistake and that was because I had forgotten about a thread color change so had to rip a tiny bit. Not too bad. I was afraid it would take awhile to get back in the swing of FMQ, but it didn't. It is part of me now.
Another thing that plays into quilting is maintaining mental and physical well-being. I am getting back into my exercise routine. This takes more time than the FMQ because I live at 7500 ft elevation and the altitude must be taken into consideration. I no longer experience altitude sickness after spending time in low country, but a little fatigue is apparent at first on my walks, so Dixie and I are working back up to our 2-3 miles a day. Exercise keeps us physically fit, slows aging, tones the muscles, and provides quiet time to breathe the fresh, mountain air, and do some free motion, creative thinking. It adjusts our bodies' machinery so it can do its best work.
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| Dixie on a winter walk. |
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| How we both feel after exercise - happy, happy! |
