It has been a curious few days. It was lovely to see my parents, partake of a marvellous feast (cooked by Tom), and play some silly games. But my festive spirit has been somewhat curtailed by the combined effects of a chest infection and a particularly grim bout of fatigue. It is fair to say that I am not feeling my best. And yesterday, my bank called to tell me that some festive fraudsters had just purchased two outlandishly expensive El Al air tickets using my debit card. This will all be sorted out, so I won’t be out of pocket, but it is all rather disturbing, not to say annoying. Then, later, I had the genius idea of beginning a new knitting project with some yarn which lies hidden somewhere in the depths of my stash. Tom was out with Bruce, and I foolishly chose that moment to go and look for it. I assumed the yarn was in a box on one of the upper shelves of my work-pod, so I climbed onto a chair, and from thence onto a table. It was the first time in ten months that I’d attempted such acrobatics. “This is brilliant,” I thought, “I can get up here, just like I could before.” I’m sure you can guess what happened next.
I can laugh about it now, but really, it was no laughing matter. I landed awkwardly on my left side, and realised immediately I had done something nasty to my ‘bad’ foot. There are no bones broken, and I can just about walk on it – but ‘just about’ is the operative phrase – I have a green balloon where my foot once was and am in quite a bit of pain. There will be no outdoor activities for a few days at least. The fact that it is all my own fault makes me feel even more abject – I had promised Tom faithfully that I would never attempt such manoeuvres while he was out, and clearly this is why. I have had my comeuppance. And I’ve still not found that yarn.
In other news
1. I have a feature in issue 27 of The Knitter, which has just come out.
As well as airing a few of my own bugbears about the way some knitting ‘traditions’ have been invented, there is also discussion of the Suffolk Herring Festival and the work of the brilliant Deirdre Nelson.
2. My Ma loved the cushion.
3. Like most Archers‘ listeners I am agog to discover what the BBC have planned for the soap’s 60th anniversary, in a week’s time. There has been talk of “Ambridge never being the same again” and I am hopeful of a small disaster which somehow involves the terminally irritating Pip and egomaniacal Hellin, but should remember the lesson of the Christmas storyline of a few years ago. . . there had been talk of Terrible Events befalling the divided Archer’s clan, and I was looking forward to Shula’s untimely demise, but all that happened was that a cow sat on Dayvidd, and the family’s tedious arguments about their “inheritance” came to an end.
I’m so sorry to hear about your fall, hope the green balloon because a better colour soon and that your chest clears up.
I am AGOG too about the Archers episode although I fear something horrid will happen to Nigel (less worried about horrible Elizabeth). My theory is that Nigel might get run over by Pip who is cock-o-hoop about driving and possibly even Ruth might get injured at same time. (Or there is a dramatic fire at Lower Loxley I reckon….) And ‘orrible Helen will either die in early child birth or the child will die and she will blame Tony FOREVER….. Shula would be my first choice, I was also disappointed with the mild hypothermia cow incident about the inheritance storyline. And also the Ruth/Sam storyline!
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Oh no, hope your “bad” foot recovers quickly. It’s so maddening when we turn into our own worst enemy, isn’t it?
Look forward to reading your article. I’m knitting Caller Herrin as we speak, and LOVING it!
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For serious bruising, Arnica 200c will be very helpful; it is much stronger than the Arnica 30c. An Arnica gel will be helpful too.
Boy, that Archers must be some sort of a program(I’m in California).
Is the Knitter a UK publication?
Wishes for a speedy recovery on all fronts.
Bonne Année.
Thank you for your good self, Kate.
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I’m very sorry that you are hurt but can completely relate to needing one skein, right away, no matter where it is stored.
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Better to have climbed and lost than never to have climbed at all. That’s why you climbed. All the best for a speedy recovery.
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Kate, I hope your foot starts to feel better soon. A belated happy holidays, x
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Happy (belated) Holidays! I am sorry to hear about your fall and hope you recover soon.
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Yes, please remember that we all stretch ourselves too far sometimes, and fall and hurt ourselves……
You rest up, get knitting (I’m pretty sure Tom will be willing to find the yarn you were looking for, but then again, maybe you don’t let him rummage in your stash, just in case he realises you have enough to last you a couple of lifetimes?).
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Dad’s ‘hat’ is adorable.
I hate when I do ‘dumb’ stuff I know I shouldn’t do. Throw some ice on that foot on/off for the next few days – that should help. It may be uncomfortable but should ease the swelling.
I like how you used ‘abject’ in a sentence. I like smart people ;)
take care
Julie
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Oh no, your poor foot. I hope it heals up soon.
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Oh dear, poor you! Hope you’re better soon. And like you, I am also rooting for Helen to be the victim of whatever they have planned. I’m relieved it hasn’t been plastered across the TV guides and papers like the other soaps, so it should still be a surprise.
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When it rains it pours, eh? I can imagine myself doing the exact same thing, I hate asking for help. Here’s to clear, sunny, skys in 2011. :)
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Yikes! I hope you are better soon, that sounds like a nasty accident.
I am sure you’ve already seen it, but we watched this documentary about sea shanties and songs today; there is an interesting section on knitting fisher-lassies which reminded me of you! It’s on iPlayer until the 4th January.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s97c0/Shanties_and_Sea_Songs_with_Gareth_Malone/
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You know, independent women do get in trouble from time to time. Unfortunately, I am not the best at waiting for help, and yes, I usually pay some type of price in the long run, too. I hope you feel better very soon.
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Oh my! Some people will use any excuse to show that clip! No – really – so sorry about your fall – shouldn’t you get it checked out? I hope to get out for The Knitter tomorrow, as long as the thaw persists. I really ought to subscribe again.
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How dismaying to take a fall when everything was looking so great re: access to the PODSTASH…
…I hope the illusive yarn shows up so that during your recovery from the fall you may at least work on the design idea you had! And I am very excited to see your piece in print! HUZZAH!
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I really want something fatal to befall Shula, but Lizzie or Hellin will be an acceptable compromise.
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Arnica is the thing! I fell off a boat a couple of years ago (long story) and whacked my thigh on the way down resulting in a massive haematoma! Doctor sent me straight to the chemist for arnica cream & tablets and aspirin for when it hurts too much. Magic stuff!
It’s amazing how sometimes you forget you shouldn’t do something and instinctively go right ahead. Occasionally you come up against it with a bang – but eventually (whether by subconsciously modifying the approach or consciously taking more care) -you can achieve the required result.
Sorry to hear you are feeling groggy but glad you had a delicious Christmas with loved ones.
Best wishes for 2011! Onward and upward! Maybe a step ladder??
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So sorry about your foot. My deepest Archers wish is for something to happen to Helen so that we don’t have to endure years and years of her discovering that you can’t control a baby/toddler/teenager. If possible, something that would also restore Pat to her normal self. Wishing your foot a speedy recovery.
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So sorry about your fall. I hope you are feeling much better soon. I’ve only recently stumbled upon your patterns and I am in love. You have the most stunning eye for color! The whimsy of the tortoise and hare gauntlets is inspiring. =)
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HEY KATE — oh cripes , what a way to learn a lesson , eh ?–laughed at the video clip and the way you described , your about to be fall , but its not really funny thinking it could have been worse — its that determination that gets you so far in your life , that so makes you stubborn and determined to do what you want to do , and that so spells trouble, also —-hard to not be able to just do what you want — sure understand that
– glad your mom loved her present and , do so love the picture of your dad !!!
—take care —pat j
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Yikes, you poor thing! The damage to your foot is bad enough, but spraining your dignity in the process is just insult to injury (not being facetious at all here, as I’ve done similar things myself too many times — you’d think I’d learn — and am feeling very empathetic as I read your post). I hope you’ll be back walking with Bruce and Tom very soon.
p.s. LOVE the picture of your Dad!
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Oh Kate, what a nightmare. I hope your foot assumes its usual colour and proportions soon and that something disastrous does indeed befall the self-obsessed Helen (at least we get a break from Kate Aldridge whilst she’s away in South Africa).
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Hello Kate – Arnica is the homeopathic to take – works wonders on bruises. The Fall is a result of your great determination to Get There – and that is a terrific thing to have.
I wonder what you will knit with the yarn when it decides to reveal itself from the woolly deep?
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oh girlie. i’m sorry about your foot. i hope it heals fast!!! I’m sure Tom’s “I told you so!” was said very gently. :)
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Hey Kate,
I just finished your owl sweater for my daughter, here on the other side of the pond in North Carolina. She loves it, has not taken it off. I worked it in a cream colored cotton and its lovely. Thank you for the brilliant pattern.
As for your poor foot, maybe this will have a silver lining. Maybe this little injury will neurologically connect your brain and your foot in new and interesting ways? I’m no doctor, but it seems possible to me. I hope so, anyway.
Cheers, Katherine
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Dear Kate, what a harsh way to tell yourself you really need to stop and rest ! We all have moments of hubris when we think we can do anything we want and then wake up (or fall) to the bleak reality, and I agree with the other commenter who said the very fact you put yourself in such a situation is a sign of progress. I wish I could come and help you organize your stash so you don’t need to perform balancing feats in order to use it. Mine involves crawling a lot more than climbing. Your articles in The Knitter are the main reason I keep my subscription, I’m looking forward to that one.
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You poor thing! But, like others, I SO understand your need to go there in spite of yourself.
Must comment on the dearness of your dad!
Get well, find the yarn, and carry on.
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I still haven’t seen the Father Ted Christmas special this year! (It is an absolute must – have to go root out the DVDs). I hope your foot feels better soon. XX
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Yikes woman! Sorry to hear about your tumble but glad you’re ok:) I’m loving Caller Herrin btw, thinking in 6s is totally my bag!
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I feel so bad for you. I hope you would be more careful in the future. I had a similar falling accident last year and the GP advised me to keep my leg raised as long as I can while sitting because gravity helps lessen the swelling. I’m glad that your mother liked the cushion. Congratulations on the published article. How can I get it please?
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So sorry you haven’t felt well over the holidays. Being sick does interfere with enjoyment. As for self-harm, I know how you feel. One year my co-workers gave me a construction helmet because I fall so often! Apparently I can trip over dust motes!
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My own theory is that Jazzer is an undercover agent working for Mossad and he exposes Joe Grundy’s terrible past which causes Clarrie to run amok in the dairy.
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Ah good, someone else who hates Pip. It’s her voice that gets me. I loved seeing the Mrs Doyle clip but wish you hadn’t had the fall. x
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Yes – I’m with you on the Pip thing. Sorry to hear you had a fall – I hope you get better soon. Congratulations on the Knitter article. I saved it for bedime reading last night- great article, thank you.
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Hope you are feeling better soon..the sneezy cold in this house is making us very weary but elderberry wine toddy is very restorative.
Tiger Balm and/or arnica cream and arnica tablets are what I find works for quick healing of bruises. Daughter’s dance teacher recommended Tiger balm on all muscle injuries and bruises.
In our house the whigmaleerie is always moving yarn about so that I can’t find it when it’s needed urgently…and I do say I won’t climb over the back of sofa but will move it forward…at my age I should know better and get my stash sorted.
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Oh poor you! I cracked a bone and tore the tendons in my left foot when we lived in Indonesia. My poor foot was black and I had a stream of visitors (neighbours’ maids and drivers!) who wanted to see it and offer advice. Then we had to attend an official company function for the Indonesian staff and their families, and when we were leaving, Malcolm managed to kick one of my crutches from under me!! (Then he and our driver had a spat over who was putting the crutches in the boot, while I hopped about trying to get in the car!!!) The biggest nuisance was the night that he was late home from work, and I couldn’t have a glass of wine, as I couldn’t carry it through from the kitchen …..
Take care and keep your weight off it!!
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Poor you :( It is the sort of thing I would do too. I hope your chest, foot and energy levels all improve soon. I have been struck down by my second cold in 3 weeks so have spent most of today and yesterday in pjs on the sofa, dozing. Grrrr! Congrats on the article and that is a lovely photo of your Dad xx
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As one of the “fallen ones” (too short to reach any second shelf up and too independent for my own good), I can only commiserate with you on the plunge. May it heal sooner, rather than later. On a sunnier note, congrats on the article.
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Please, please, please make it be Pip!
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Time to break out the Traumeel (if you can get it in this country, I can send you my mini jar) and rub on some arnica. And despite all the mess your foot is in, I cannot help but think that it was progress to get up there in the first place :-)
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Kate, I’m so sorry to hear of your sore foot. The “I can get it myself” manoeuvre is exactly the kind of thing I’d be doing in your situation. Put your feet up, get some apres-holiday rest, and make Tom find the yarn for you.
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PS: I’ll look for a stateside vendor of The Knitter so that I can read your article.
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Congrats on the published article! Try ice, Vitamin K creme, and a hot shower at the end of the day. Feel better.
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I’m afraid that whatever else happens in the Archers this week it is clear from the ‘spoiler’ in next weeks Radio Times that Helen at least survives. My money is on something terrible happening to Pat and Tony.
Sorry to hear about your foot but we all do things at Christmas that we promise ourselves or others that we won’t do! You mustn’t feel too bad about that.
Joan
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Your fellow knitters can understand the “need” to get that yarn right now! Hope your foot heals quickly and the fatigue passes soon. But what are you going to knit?!
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oh heck, Kate, poor you! If you put a cushion under the mattress at your feet, it might help the swelling go down. But, it must be so painful (not to have found the wool!) as well as being in the ‘dog house’ for climbing up on the table. I used to tell my mother-in-law to either ‘not do it’ or ‘don’t tell us about it!’
I hope Tom has forgiven you by now, x
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Sorry for your fall, I’m glad there was not more damage.
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Glad not too much damage was done, Kate, but hopefully now you’ll do as Tom tells you! I got to hear Deidre Nelson talking about her work at the In the Loop conference in Shetland this year – very inspiring.
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