Marching Along
If you’ve spent any time on social media or pop culture in general, you’ve probably heard the phrase “I didn’t have that on my 2026 bingo card.” Only three months into the year, and there is SO MUCH that I didn’t not have on my 2026 bingo card. Another war in the Middle East, for starters. I honestly didn’t think I’d be still protesting foreign wars at my age, but I can’t remain silent. (And a shout out to all my readers who showed up for No Kings III last weekend.)The economy wreaking havoc on my retirement accounts hasn’t been fun to watch, and watching the gas prices rise by more than a $1 a gallon has been painful on my pocketbook. The constant political turmoil hasn’t helped my anxiety level, so I try to just read news in the morning and then walk away from it for most of the day.
Quilting has been my sanctuary; I can work on a quilt design for hours and not think of anything else.
On a personal level, the biggest “not on my bingo card” moment so far this year had to be staring at an x-ray of my left hip as the doctor carefully showed me everything that was wrong with it. I’d been struggling with hip pain for several weeks, and only went to see a doctor because nothing that usually worked for running/walking injuries seemed to be helping. Long story short, the solution is a hip replacement. I’m relieved to know the problem can be fixed, and the pain will go away, but I’m also slightly terrified at the prospect someone sawing off part of my skeletal structure and replacing it with metal and plastic.
I spent most of the day after the surgery decision wondering what the heck just happened. My calendar is now filled with more medical appointments than I’ve had in the last year, everything from blood tests to a class that will share what I can expect before and after surgery. I have a list of steps to take to get ready for the big day, and the days and weeks after. Everything from purchasing loose sweats to wear home after surgery to figuring out how to get groceries since I can’t drive for four weeks. My friend is my “hip coach” who will get me to and from the hospital, and make sure I’m surviving (and hopefully thriving) in the days following. I kind of like the phrase “hip coach” and I may refer to her as that even after this big adventure is concluded.
The year so far hasn’t been all bad, though. I went back to the Lancaster-Lebanon quilt show end of March, and ended up trading in my sewing machine for an even more better model, as I hope to do more machine quilting in future. And it has an automatic needle threader, which is pretty amazing, once I got the thread through all the hooks correctly to set it up right.
In a nod to my sore hip and not being able to take my daily walk, I pulled out an English Paper Piecing (EPP) project and obsessively worked on that last month. EPP is all about hand sewing, so it takes more time but it does make for very precise points. Now all I have to do is quilt it on my new machine, a process that will take me a while as I learn how to make different quilting designs.
What’s that old saying, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb? It feels like the lion is still roaring, but I’m hopeful that the peaceful lamb part is just a bit delayed and will make their appearance by the end of April. I could use a little less drama, both in the big world and in my own life. Meanwhile, I’ll look out the window and watch the spring blossoms and leaves appear, as if by magic, reminding me that life is all about change and renewal and, sometimes, new body parts.
It is morning, and again I am the lucky person to be in it.
Mary Oliver
As I was scrolling down and reading, I only saw the top part of your new sewing machine, but I thought, "no way. She plays video games?" I guess those machines have come a long way since I last touched on in 1983.
I hope your surgery goes well and you're out walking again.
Blessings and peace to you as you approach this surgery. Wishing you a good recovery so you can be back at your creative endeavors. I’m so glad to hear from you, and from Portugal I also worry about our world. But at this moment wishing the best and hoping to read your posts when you’re able.