Friday, November 2

Melancholia

The lack of creativity around here, increases. I try to goad myself into action, thinking of all the things I want to get done. Then I seem to sink back into the trough of inertia.

The next pic, is of a little quilt I made very early in my quilting days. I really liked the block, & the effect so I carefully chose the fabrics at the local quilt shops, which were still open then.
It is only 22"x22" so I guess it would qualify as a 'doll quilt'.This little one I made prior to the blue & yellow one, & I just made the pattern up, as I wanted a quilt for a small cradle I had painted & tried out folk art painting on the head & footboard.
I hand quilted it, & needle turned the applique hearts, so it was good learning curve work.
We had a busy day yesterday. Luckily I am not a joiner, so am not missing out on the posting for November thing. Haha, I tried to sign up, but couldnt seem to get it to work, so that clinched my decision not to join.
We had SG here for the day, from early in the morning. His mother brought his 'rations' for the day. He is a fussy eater, & is also a snacker. His appetite doesnt seem to recognize 'meal times', as we know them, & he likes to spend all day snacking on his favourites, which include salami, cheese, cheese & crackers, & some muesli type bars. Always with a request for Nutella sandwiches - we use whole grain bread, so I console myself all is not too bad!
Since Gom was inclined to eat in a similar pattern, I dont worry about it. SG kept us amused a good deal of the time. He has become very good about packing his toys up once he has finished with them. He came & sat beside me, on the floor, & played with a small train set, then packed all the track pieces up, & packed them neatly into the box again. Amazing.
One of the lamps in the lounge was suddenly turned on, & Leo was seen emerging from the switch area. SG ran over, & said, "Leo you sneaky little bugger, you turned the lamp on!" Accompanied by giggles- some from Gom.
He spent a good deal of time pegging Gom's toes, as he operated on him. Ouch! Then he built a massive cubby with the quilts.
When his mother arrived, late & harrassed, from a meeting he declared he had a good day, & did not want to leave. But then he remembered his new sweater, -with a HOOD!- & he was off & running.
I am not sure why I find it so exhausting to have him here. He is a very good little boy, & he is full of chatter, asks lots of questions, & is constantly on the move. I decided that part of it is the swirl of the atmosphere! He leaves ripples & waves with his rushing hither & yon, & even the dogs seem exhausted when he has gone, & they slump into doze mode the minute the door closes.
He declared he had 'special powers' & waved his hands at me, telling me to shut my eyes, 'dont look, I am operating!' as he pegged his grandfather's toes! 'Have a sleep Nan' waving his fingers, as he draped a hot Gom in a shower of dog quilts. The words felt quite compelling in the steamy, heat filled afternoon air, & I could have drifted off very easily.
He told us he hated big school, he doesnt want to go, & he is not going to go. I dont know that he hated it as much as his mother did, but she certainly doesnt intend telling him that! Next week his father will go with them.
When he is gone, there seems to be a strange vacuum, & the ripples & waves gently subside, leaving a still, almost flat, air space. The magic powers all leave the room, the electricity seeps out of the air. We recompose our selves, & sink quietly back into 'old mode'.
Then in the evening, it was off to the Dr for me. Attending our Doctor's Skin Clinic. Most of us with lengthening teeth! Emerging from his surgery, with small bandaids, stitched areas, small invisibly caused limps. One old man declaring
"Gettting old is Bloody Hard"
I will spare you the details of my problems. I had 2 different proceedures. One involved some stitches. I went into shock, after it was over, which shook me a bit. I am usually very stoic about such things. I really like & trust the Doctor. He has a lovely nurse who assists him, & I really like her. But I began to shake once it was all done, & felt very wobbly in the pins! It hadn't even involved much pain. Only the initial sting of the needles to numb the areas.
Gom was a little shocked when he saw me. I hadnt told him I was having it done, as I thought the Dr might do the 2 things seperately. One proceedure is hidden, but the other is on my face. (Not the eye)
I was whisked home, provided with a nice tea, given a glass of wine, & generally looked after handsomely.
So why am I melancholy? Who knows.
I find these days, it doesnt distress me if I am feeling a little melancholy, the way it might have done when I was younger. I feel it is all part of the patchwork of our natures & our lives. We all have the cloudy shadows that move our way sometimes. They pass, & the sun comes out again.
Paul Simon, Slip Slidin' Away.


26 comments:

riseoutofme said...

Oh Meggie, I was giggling my way through your post until I got to the doctor bit. No wonder you are feeling under the weather ... the worry of all that. I do hope you are feeling a little better now ... kind thoughts to you every day.

ancient one said...

I loved the first little quilt and then I loved, loved, the second little quilt. And the stories of your GS playing today was fun. I can understand exactly how the whole atmosphere changes when the little ones leave.

I had no idea your doctor's visit today would be that involved. I can understand how your body reacted and you have a right to all the splendid attention heaped on you by GOM.

Now rest up. Its alright to be melancholy. It will get better!! Praying for you!

Love-n-hugs!!

Mary said...

Dear little fella - what a joy he is to you.

And gentle acceptance sounds like a good plan to me.

Catalyst said...

Meggie, Wikipedia tells me that it is quite common for some males in Australia (especially in the city of Melbourne) to sport a moustache during the month of November. Have you noticed anything unusual about the GOM?

His Office, My Studio said...

Great quilts. It is so much fun to read about your time with SG.

Hope you are feeling better!

Tanya Brown said...

Here's a big internet hug for the melancholia: ((( )))

Your blue and yellow quilt is very striking. The fabrics you chose work well together, and it looks as though your workmanship is very precise.

As far as SG being a snacker - argh, yes. We have one of those here, and I find it maddening. I'm sure he's going to dry up and blow away, and if I can get vegetable matter in his belly I consider it a happy day.

And oh, goodness. I'm so sorry about the skin issues and the shock. I'm glad GOM gave you a bit of TLC. I wish the rest of us internetty folks could do likewise.

~Bren~ said...

I love you little quilts. Needle turn hearts are always good as you lear curves and both kind of points..innies and outies.
I am sorry you had the after effect of the doctors visit. At least GOM is taking good care of you. You keep smiling too!

Marja said...

Oh do I love those quilts. Gorgeous. Yeh these little once to take up a lot of energy and they make you smile as well. It will be a change when he goes too school. Oh and my son is 13 and still asks for nutella.
Sorry about your problems. you have a nice hubby though.

Aunty Evil said...

I love the quilts meggie. I hope your melancholia lifts soon. I think it has a lot to do with the time of the year, and for us, the heat.

Tanya said...

I hope with all the good care and wine that you are feeling better soon. I think I understand what you mean by not worrying about being a little melancholy these days. All days combine into a nice life.

meggie said...

Hi All,
I am not feeling too blue now. Have had a quiet day, stitches causing no pain, & the worst thing about the diathermy is the itch afterwards.
It is now raining, & seems quite steady & wetting, if you get what I mean! It also brings the humidity though, which is always so uncomfortable for me.

I asked Gom about the Mo thing, but he assures me once was enough, long ago!

Lee said...

I hope you are feeling better now. Though melancholy can be somehow soothing at times, as long as it doesn't go deeper.

I like the blue quilt by preference, I think I like the bolder colour scheme.

Joyce said...

THe quilts are lovely. I too feel drained after some time with the grandchildren even though I enjoy every minute of having them here. We get used to silence when we are older and all the talking and giggling (we have lots of girls) take their toll. I would never give up on their visits no matter how tired I get and I'm sure you feel the same.

Mike said...

I am kind of suffering from a lack of inertia too at the moment. Interestingly enough, this all started when I had 3 minor skin surgeries a month or so ago. I just haven't been able to get out of my funk ever since.

Joni said...

Your quilts are just gorgeous! I love them both. I can relate to how little SG makes you feel. I have no kids of my own and when I get around children they wear me out! Hope things are okay with your procedures!

velcro said...

Meggie I'm sorry you're not feeling yourself and I can understand why having a little one around can be so exhausting - they just never stop and give your brain a rest from the noise and movement! But well done him for tidying up his things. Can I borrow him to give the FB a lesson or two?

molly said...

hope you're feeling better meggie. sounds like GOM rallies when needed! Love that blue and yellow quilt. hastis the cure for the blues....it's so soothing.
Delighted to have NO BloPoMo company!

Linds said...

The quilts are beautiful, Meggie! I know what it is like when the babes leave...shell shock and then a little devoid of life for a while. I love them to bits though. I hope you are feeling better now. Take it easy over the weekend!

Jellyhead said...

I'm glad to see in the comments section that you felt better later in the day. It's awful when you can't shake the blues, isn't it?

I'll be thinking of you this weekend Meggie - hoping you have a lovely time.

Katie said...

I love your little quilts. Hope you feel better soon. Nothing like a little melancholia to make the good days look even better! :)

Mary Johnson said...

Who knows why we feel blue sometimes but it sounds like you had a perfectly good reason today.

Jeanette said...

Hi Meggie. I just love the colours and designs in your quilts.
Little ones can be very tiring and seem to zap all your energy. hope your feeling better soon and back stronger than ever,,,

Linda G. said...

Sorry for your skin problems, Meggie. I've had some of those proceedures too, and it just takes the stuffin' right out of you! Glad you had some TLC, and I'm glad you're feeling better.

Your little quilts are beautiful. I'm especially drawn to the blue and yellow.....

smilnsigh said...

Good to not worry too much, about some 'down' times. As long as they don't persist too long. :-)

Hugs,
Mari-Nanci

Anne Ida said...

Your quilts are lovely, Meggie! Hope you are feeling better!

Anonymous said...

I love both your early quilts. You know Meggie, sometimes I think the more we know about quilting the harder it is to be creative. The pink quilt which you designed yourself when you knew only a little is better than some that I have seen in the quilting mags. The blue and yellow one is truely lovely, so fresh and springlike.
Just wondering what your star sign is? I am having the same difficulty as you in getting myself into a sewing mode. I'm Aries. Perhaps we can inspire each other.
Cheers for now,
Jenny