The Inadvertent Seamstress

 

 

  

I mentioned in a previous IS post that I would most likely be working on some more face masks as a sewing project.  Because I (still) hardly ever go out into the world, I didn't feel any urgency.  I had the two masks I'd made, plus one each a sister-in-law made and sent to Ron and I.  Until....I actually needed a mask.  The first time I wore a mask was to take the dogs to the vet for their vaccinations.  It was a curbside appointment.  I chose to wear the mask my sister-in-law made.  While I was waiting in the car for the vet to do his thing, one of the ear elastics spontaneously broke.  Kind of panicked, I got it tied up well enough, and fooling around getting it back on, the other elastic broke.  Did I have a back-up mask?  It hadn't even occurred to me!  A friend said I was "book smart" about mask wearing. I knew ABOUT wearing masks, but I had no established habits or routines based on usage. TOO TRUE!  I apologized to the vet staff that I no longer had a mask.  Since it was curbside, it was low-risk but still....I decided I needed to get the mask thing taken care of RIGHT NOW.

It happens there's a woman up and down and up the street who's making masks and had advertised them on the local website for $10 each.  A neighbor had bought several from her and found them satisfactory, and Ron had recently picked up a couple as well.  She keeps a stock of them out on a card table in front of her cabin.  As soon as I got home, I grabbed a $50 bill from my traveling stash (because who's traveling, right?) and hied myself over to her house.  I spoke to her a bit about the masks.  She's been making them since the beginning of the pandemic and has got it down to a science.  They're three layer, which is now recommended, and she puts one together in about 45 minutes.  The construction is top notch, and she has an abundance of attractive fabrics.  Done and done.  No change, I walked away with 5 masks.  I keep one in the car with an original one I made as a backup, one in my purse, one near the door in the house and two extras.  There's no catching me maskless again.  

 

Look at these beauties!  I can't compete.

 So what to do for a sewing project?  Even though the local Joann's Fabric Store has curbside, there's nothing close to essential about sewing projects.  Hmmm.  I was doing some reading relative to my yoga-practice goal, and it mentioned using an eye pillow during the savasana portion of the practice. An eye pillow is a small bean-bag type pillow that rests gently over the eyes. Savasana, aka corpse pose, is typically done at the end to allow your body to integrate the practice.  

 

Source:  depositphotos.com

 

 My reading indicated that an eye pillow can enhance the experience.  I did a little looking on-line at that.  According to yogajournal.com, "Light pressure on the eyeballs lowers heart rate, sometimes by quite a bit, by eliciting what’s called the oculocardiac reflex. It also stimulates the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve has an extensive resume: It regulates heart rate and digestion, and it’s the primary medium through which our belly brain regulates mood. It’s the main communicator to our rest-and-digest system, which helps us to relax more deeply."  I know, wooo-wooo. 

I googled DIY eye pillows.  Oh, yeah,  my next sewing project!  I already have fabric scraps (seamstresses ALWAYS have a collection of scraps!), so I took a look.  Plenty of choices.  You might recognize these scraps as the legs of some pj's I made into shorts in an early IS post.

 

One for the pillow, one for the pillow case.

 I chose to make a pillow with a washable pillow case just because.  Out of the same fabric, so you can't see the difference in pics.  Flax seed or rice are recommended as filler; I had rice. 

 

Rice as filler.

 

Finished, in its pillow case. 

 I tried the eye pillow that very night with savasana.  Now I don't know from vagus nerve, but it was HEAVENLY!  It quieted me down in a whole new way. The next night I tried it in bed before I went to sleep.  It was so nice again that  I decided to make another pillow so I could keep one in the bedroom.

  The second one is made from some really scrappy material:  OLD pj's.

 

In this case, I used different patterned scraps for front and back; no pillow case.

Finished.

 The fabric is very stretchy and you can see the dimension is a little longer than the first one, so the rice moves around more than I would like.  Next time I have the sewing machine set up, I'll make this one a little shorter.

 

Eye pillows are THE BEST! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONE-WOMAN SUMMER HIKING SERIES: IT'S A WRAP!

 

 

A person has to be grateful for the outright coincidences that land them where they are, and there is no end to my gratitude that Ron and I ended up in Flagstaff.  We can enjoy the Coconino National Forest literally and figuratively out our front door 24/7/365. 

The Coconino National Forest is a Living Being.  She is ~1.8 million acres of public land and is the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in North America.  She knows everything.   Her geography includes Humphrey's Peak, the highest point in AZ, and the Verde River and its valley.  Her geology the includes enormous volcanic fields around Flagstaff and the Red Rocks of  Sedona..  An abundance of plant and animal life call her home.  She is well versed in flood, fire, drought and disease. Humans use her responsibly and irresponsibly.  Hers is an on-going life being well-lived. 

With Covid-19 such an apparent monster and public information being only relatively reliable, I decided to indulge in an abundance of caution and practice a One-Woman hiking season this year.  Since I'd be hiking alone, I set a few parameters.  One was that I would only explore the Kelly Off Highway Vehicle trail system, which is local to home, fairly well marked physically and available on a GPS map I have on my phone.  Another parameter was to limit my hiking distance to 6 miles, which meant 3 miles out and 3 miles back. The final two parameters were weather related.  As the summer developed to be a hotty, I decided not to hike on days when 90+ degrees was predicted.  As there is typically a summer monsoon season,  I decided not to hike on days when the chance of monsoon was predicted for 60%+.  These were sustainable parameters.  

An aside for those who know that Gypsy has been my Constant Hiking Companion for years:  I tried a couple of One-Woman and Her Dog hikes.  The distance and heat were too much for an aging Gypsy, so I retired her from hiking.  Don't be sad for Gypsy, though.  She and Jasmine go on daily rambles with Ron.  Ron's rambling pace and distance is perfect for all of them.  It gives the dogs plenty of time for stop and go running, digging, sniffing, chasing squirrels and otherwise enjoying the Forest in every conceivable doggy way. 

The Kelly Off Highway Vehicle trail system was conceived by the Coconino National Forest in 2011 when they closed many secondary forest roads to vehicles.  Off-roaders are part of the recreating public, and rather than have them riding willy-nilly, this beautifully designed system of approximately 100 miles of trail was developed specifically for off-road vehicles, including motorcycles and utvs/atvs.  Hikers, bikers and equestrians are welcome, but motorized vehicles are the target group. As I've mentioned here before, I'd done a little solo hiking on it a few years ago and liked it.  Sue and I really started exploring it over the past two summers and both loved it. 

Though there are maps available on the Forest Service website and at the trailheads, I didn't find them very useful.  The GPS map on my phone was my primary source of location.  As it developed, since I was on marked trails and hiking only 3 miles at a time, I didn't have much fear of getting lost.  So I chose to take an exploratory attitude.  I chose not to plan ahead other than my starting point, but kept track of where I was during the actual hike.  I started out re-hiking some of the portions of trail Sue and I had hiked.   This was very satisfactory until I came across this sign, which opened up a whole new KOHV trail to me:  

 

The adventure started here!

When I followed the arrows on this sign, I came out at a familiar place, plus saw a series of signs indicating connection after connection to other parts of the trail.  I was in heaven!  The ways this trail system connects is a never ending fascination.   Every hike took me to a place where there was another connection, and another hike for me.

This hiking season was pure enjoyment. I ended up doing 15 hikes; a respectable Hiking Series, I'd say!  I loved the variety of the Forest as I hiked.  Although I'll take a beautiful view and got to enjoy a couple, they're not necessary for me.  The hike IS the reward.  Come along and I'll show you!

The Forest in her greenery, early in the season.

One of the views.

Here, too!

A pretty tank.

The endlessly fascinating patterns of Nature.

  I've heard if you lay on the ground and hold your bare feet against a tree for awhile, it will tell you its story.  Wouldn't this mighty juniper have a tale to tell?  I'd like the bolt of lightning part!

Fire is part of the life of the Forest.

This area was covered with very round volcanic rocks like I'd never seen. 

Here's one partially born!

An iconic fall Flagstaff picture: a field of Showy Goldeneye.

The trail was often very rocky like this.  Early on I switched from lightweight hiking boots to sturdier backpacking boots and still got footsore.

There were numerous grates like this to make fence crossing easy for motorized vehicles.  This was a real commitment to trail building. 

Many people enjoy the Forest this way.

One of the ways the Forest works for us is through grazing leases.  Steak on the hoof!

This long-standing thinning project benefits the Forest through density management, and the contractor by providing timber for sale.

It's a rough, raw look while it's happening, but necessary.  In a few years, the Forest will have a new face, filled in with lower growing plants and plenty of flowers.

It wrapped up this way:  every year, despite looking up dates and trying to stay cognizant, I'm surprised by hunting season.  As with the Running Series, I didn't have a number of hikes in mind for this Series, or a particular stopping date.  Until I looked at my calendar last week and discovered that Friday antelope and deer archery season started, and my hikes were right in those units!  Archery season will roll right into rifle seasons.  FULL STOP!  My hike this past Thursday ended a fantastic Summer Hiking Series.  

                                                                                    

"How can you explain that you need to know that the trees are still there, and the hills and the sky?  Anyone knows they are.

  How can you say it is time your pulse responded to another rhythm, the rhythm of the day and the season instead of the hour and the minute?

  No, you cannot explain. 

 So you walk."

                                                                                             -   Source Unknown 

 

 

 

 

MUSINGS ON RUNNING

 

 

 

Runners never get tired of thinking about running.  Who, what, where, when, why & how are only starting places.  What to eat before and after.  What time of day.  Which road or route.  Which shoes are best.  How far is today's run.  How to balance running with other activities like biking and hiking.  Most of these are quick-thinks for me. I've been thinking about them for a long time and don't have to dwell much on them.  However, lately there have been some thoughts that require more attention. 

 

 RUNNING AND GETTING OLDER

Last summer as I headed out for a bike ride on a favorite road, I was met by two old men runners.  Old meaning older than me.  Clearly they'd been running for awhile that day.  One of them was still looking strong and comfortable; the other looked stiff, slow, and uncomfortable.  I saw my future running self, and asked "When do I give myself permission to stop running?"  The immediate answer, of course, "NOT YET!"  However, there's a physical reality to getting older, and I'm in that window for running.  Every runner has to answer it for themself.  If someone wants to hobble out some miles until they drop dead, more power to them.  There is a mental part to running -call it addiction, OCD, not knowing when to quit-that's difficult to reconcile with getting older from the get go.  I've been running since I was 17.  I was never competitive, even with myself.  I kept my distances short-three miles has been my base run for decades.  The few races I've run in were at the fun run level.  I've never had any coaching.  I was, as I am, persistent and consistent.  And there's no doubt in my mind that running consistently literally kept me alive through the years of high-stress dispatching.  So to consider phasing out running  is a major paradigm shift.  My second reaction after I saw the old men was to take the easy way out:  I gave it a number. A still distant number.  I chose 75.  Years.  Yes, I'd switch from running to walking on my 75th birthday.   Then Covid-19 came and long-term planning of this nature didn't amuse me any longer.  So my thinking has shifted to how I can keep running as long as I can.  All of this is with the full knowledge that anything, not just Covid-19, can happen at any time and any plans are out the window.  I'm fine with that.  I just like to have a plan.

I've done some research about running as a senior.  Here are the top 5 recommendations, in ascending order:

#5.  Consider supplementation for joint pain, inflammation and recovery. This is off and on for me.  I've done various supplementation for years, and don't tend to notice any difference.  I'm in an off-cycle right now, but it's not entirely eliminated. 

#4.  Do a little bit of speed work. Fast, or even faster, has never been in my running vocabulary.  However, I read that a little bit of speed work can help keep the muscles from becoming habituated, so I decided to add a little bit.  Speed work has its own vocabulary in running:  strides, surges, intervals, tempo runs, fartlek, timed splits.  I chose kindergarten speed work.  It's called pickups.  After running long enough to be thoroughly warmed up, choose a tree or rock or some landmark not too far in the distance and run a little faster-pick up your pace- 'til you get there.  Then go back to your normal pace.  Repeat as desired.   My runs are out-and-back, and the roads I run on have the convenience of utility Blue Stake markers at ~regular intervals.  Once a week I run out, getting plenty warmed up.  As I run back, I use the Blue Stakes to alternate between Pickups and Normal pace.  It's fun, and taxes me just enough. 

# 3.  Cross train. I rotate running with hiking and biking in the summer.  Winter has been running and swimming.  As my swimming is at an indoor facility, it isn't too likely this winter with Covid-19 still about. I'll come up with some alternatives. 

# 2.  Do strength and flexibility training.  I worked with Dr. Wes, sports chiropractor, physiotherapist and trainer, for about 6 years of strength training before Covid-19.  I'm persistent and consistent.  Yoga is my flexibility work.  Not quite as persistent or consistent, but making headway.

#1.  Recover more-more rest, more days off.  My major, major challenge.  More rest and days off means less of something I don't want to give up.  Less running, less hiking, less biking, less swimming?  In addition, less = lazy in my not-entirely-balanced way of reacting to days off.  So far, I schedule one day off per week.  I take additional days off if I find myself fatigued.  If I was being realistic, I'd schedule two days off.  I'm not and I haven't.  But I should and I know it.

 FALL RUNNING

 

Since I enjoyed the Summer Running Series so much, I've decided to do a fall running series.  Different paramaters.  First, not as many runs.  I've decided on four.  Next, though 3 miles has been my base daily mileage for decades,  I've decided strictly for the purposes of this series, to do a little additional training and make them four miles.  They can be completed anytime in the fall, from September 22 to December 21.  The plan is for early fall.  By now you know my love of alliteration..have you spotted it?  Yes, I'm calling this series the Fall Four Fours, or F³.  Yes, I chose four runs of four miles in the fall to accomplish this alliteration!!!!  I can't help myself!  

 

TOO MUCH IS TOO MUCH

 

 

Relative to my #1 challenge:  I started the weekly runs with pickups at the beginning of summer.  They are definitely harder days for me.  I've started adding extra distance to one weekly run to train for F³.  They are definitely harder days for me.  Though I mentioned a 3 mile distance as my base run, I haven't actually been able to consistently run three miles for every run for some time because of various injuries.  After I finished up the Summer Running Series, I decided I'd get all my runs back up to 3 miles.  And that's where fatigue stepped in and said "not a good idea".  The extra running on top of weekly bike rides and hiking caused me to become very over-tired and  I had to take some extra days off (aka be lazy).  I give myself permission to get all my runs back up to three miles after F³ is completed.   

MY CURRENT SCHEDULE

 

Sunday:  Bike 10 miles.  

Monday:  Run 2.5 miles; strength workout.

Tuesday:  Training run for F³:  >3 miles, <4 miles. 

Wednesday:  Run 2.5 miles; strength workout

Thursday:  Hike 6 miles.

Friday:  REST.

Saturday:  Run 2.5 miles with pickups; strength workout.

 

 

I know when to stop.

  I know when to let things go.

I know when to move on.  

But "I know" is different from "I can".

                                ------Various