My knees weren't made for walking.

I've been increasingly struggling to get around these past weeks, so I've finally decided to take a look at walking canes, walkers and rollators. As an under-30-year-old I have mixed feelings about getting a walking aid. I don't really want to lug something around and like most folks my age, I have a feeling that there might be a stigma that goes with it. But on the other hand, it might be a relief to walk with more ease, and who knows--maybe it'll keep folks from crashing into me at Walmart with their carts since I'm young and they're impatient.

Consequently, I've been looking for some more fashionable canes. And then I came across this gem.

Isn't that the coolest?! Go to ArCaneLutherie's Etsy listing to see more photos and hear a clip of this lovely invention being played. 

I'm not really an impromptu performer, or otherwise I would seriously want one of these gorgeous devices.

As it is, I'm hoping to go to a local medical supply store later this week and check out some less amazing canes and walkers to see if we can find something that'll help me out.

It's All Patchy

Today the Internet taught me what a tailor's ham does. Previously, I knew what it was, but didn't really understand what it did. When my sewing skills get a little more advanced (i.e. when I'm brave enough to try anything other than a skirt), I might have to make up one of these. In the meantime, I'm bookmarking this adorable tutorial.

Speaking of fabric, I learned that there is "Pigeon" fabric! I'm so excited! I want to make clothing out of it! I love these children's picture books by Mo Willems. I envy the artist's confident lines and ability to get maximum expression using minimal strokes. Plus, they're hilarious. If you haven't read the books, here's a link to The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!

I have a lot of other craft projects in the works right now (waiting for several of them to dry as I write, actually), and my mind is swirling with ideas.

I'm contemplating making a patchwork pillow for my office recliner. I've never done anything more ambitious than a nine-patch, though, so I'm not sure I have the skills. And since we're in "famine" measures until Jonathan lands another job, I'll have to make due with some semi-sheer fabrics if I decide I can't hold my horses... Anyway, I'm looking for traditional quilt blocks for inspiration. I want to use at least three colors and to pick a pattern that requires triangles since that's new to me. Right now I'm leaning toward this one.

I also happened upon this interesting video and collection of locally stylized quilts from Alabama quilters. Here's some more information and stories of the individuals. And here is one of my favorite quilts from the collection:

These quilts have such a freedom from care about them, which is ironic, since many of them were made in a hurry just to keep folks warm. It's such an interesting story and art form. And it helped me to realize that I can thoroughly appreciate a quilt that isn't based on precision, so I'm going to go a little easier on myself when I start my pillow.

I wasn't online much today, but

I love finding out the meaning of names, and the Internet is a great resource for that!
Today the Internet taught me that Tabitha means "gazelle" with the implied meaning of "beautiful, graceful." And Tobias means "The goodness of God" or "God is good."

I also learned that you can clean a blender... just by putting warm water and soap in it and turning it on. Man, do I feel stupid. The way we've been cleaning our Ninja Blender is like a circus side show act where we're always a fraction of an inch from death or dismemberment.

A Fresh Start

I've been wanting to get back into writing but was hesitant because I didn't want any pressuring guidelines for myself. Today one of my friends asked something along the lines of, "What did we do without the Internet?" That's saying a lot coming from her! She lives out in the sticks without a computer and either visits the library to use one, or navigates around a little bit from home with her smart phone. I don't really like thinking about what my day would be like without the Internet because I use it so frequently.

From this conversation, I had the idea to catalog the things that the Internet teaches me, which will also allow me to talk about current things I'm interested in.

So. Day One.

The Internet taught me how to propagate Vinca vine. My father-in-law gave me a cutting, so I dipped it in cinnamon, put it in some water in an adorably retro cola bottle I have, and am crossing my fingers. :) BTW, the Internet also said the cinnamon is more of a fungicide than a rooting hormone. Hmm. Now I'm wondering if sprinkling some cinnamon on the soil of my potted Shamrock would help it stay mold-free.

The Internet also reminded me what a cookie press is. My friend, Geramie, just got a great deal on a vintage one at a thrift store, and she was asking for recipes. So the Internet also allowed me to ask all my Facebook friends for some on her behalf. :) I'm excited to see what recipes turn up.

The Internet also provided me with this recipe for Seasoned Rice, which I'm sort of following. I'm going to dump in a can of chili beans and one of pork and beans as well to make sure we're getting our protein. Yay for living on the Dave Ramsey "Beans and Rice" diet. ;) We've eaten especially well this week, though, because Tom and Geramie gave us a ton of produce from their garden. There's just nothing like vine-ripened veggies!

I also started a project for my craft room/office today. I'm making drop cloth curtains so that I can comfortably be in there at night. Thanks Mom and Dad for making me all paranoid about windows by jumping up outside and surprising me as a child. :P I'm hoping for something like these.

On a completely different topic, a computer programmer friend told about a nightmare he had where he tripped on a cable and crashed the server (sounds pretty bad to me!), which reminded me of the computer-related nightmares my grandpa has talked about. He worked with computers in a bank in the 1960s and 1970s, I think, back when computing machines relied on data stored by punching small holes in cards. His nightmares involved him accidentally dropping and scattering large boxes of these cards. Wikipedia has a cool article that helped me to understand why this was such a nightmare for my grandpa. :)

AND the Internet facilitated the purchase of three art prints for my living room! I've been missing the Midwest, so I scoured the Internet for pieces that reminded me of home. They arrived today and are beautiful. The warm fuzzies just explode every time I look that them! So now I need to get some [very, very inexpensive] frames... easier said than done, but I suspect the Internet will help me with that as well, if thrift stores can't.

 First Signs of Spring

 Spice Chest and Pears

Grey and Gold, 1942

So, that was some of what I learned from the Internet today. :)