Missing March

  After a call last night from a friend, I realized I had been missing for  a month.  I found a draft of this post I began the first of the month with just a photo of a test block.  No words, just the block photo.
   I vaguely remember trying to figure out something I saw or that someone asked me about, yet the rest is blank.    I think it was a response to a question after the last post in Feb. about the Scrappy Rails  layout using squares instead of the rectangles.  So, yes, it can be done with the same or similar design effect.



  The winter weather has factored a lot into my energy level, along with pain level.  We went thru almost 3 full weeks of rain, more rain, and then more and a series of low pressure systems that rocked my world.  I had ordered backing fabric for 2 quilt tops to work on this month.  But before they arrived, I had an attack of sciatica nerve inflammation.  That is to say from the small of the back and hip area, over the buttocks, and down the leg.
  One morning I could not even roll out of bed and I was locked into this pain for 2 weeks.  If I found a position I could tolerate, I did not move.  You can guess how little I moved. 
  Let me preface this with some background.  Much like MS, the Pernicious Anemia I have is a demyelinating nerve disease.     Thousands of miles of nerves are sheathed with myelin in our bodies, for protection and aid in conduction of nerve impulses.  Trust me....things go haywire without this protection.
 
   Anyway....I went onto OTC ibuprofen alternating with Tylenol and dug out the physical therapy stretches  for sciatic nerve.  The stretches are simple, and easy, but very painful at first.  Several days passed before I could do more than 2 or 3 at a time.   The weather cleared and I woke up one morning and could walk!
  I can't really say what did the trick, but for the first time in 12 days I walked down the hall to the sewing room!  I took it easy for a few days to be sure I wasn't dreaming, but made plans to get something done this month.   The weather predicted 9 straight days of warmer temps and sunny days.  I could go for that.


    I had 2 quilts to pin and ready for quilting.  So that was my focus for a couple of days.  They are stacked by Hot Legs....soon I hope.
   It was also time to change out a couple of wall hangings for something  little more spring time.  I found this one from 2012, made while participating in an early version of Project Quilting.  I don't remember the challenge, but know this was based on a photo of a Pasque flower I took in Alaska.  The colors make we happy so I hung it in the office for some springtime color.

   I spotted some fabric while browsing on line.....held myself back for a day.  Then gave in and ordered it.  No sooner than it arrived and I cut into it, did the second round of my March  madness happen. 
  And that's a story for the next post.    Because today I need some machine time.  Therapy for me.  Happy stitching.