Knit and Run

Needles Flying . . .

5 October 2026

I’m finding it hard to believe that it’s October.

I’m making progress with PT – we are working a lot now on building strength in my quad muscle. It still doesn’t always fire reliably, but I am walking more and more without my cane. My physical therapist said that the first time I tried to walk to the first set of benches at the pond, I needed to have someone go with me. She doesn’t want me walking longer distances with my cane – said it could alter my gait.

So, my stepson was here in town on Thursday and Friday, and he came out on the train from the city and we had a wonderful day on Thursday! And I got him to walk with me to the first set of benches!!

I can really see how much this summer of recovery has aged me, but I don’t really care. :-)

Being outside in nature has always been a big part of my mental health and since my left knee tore and I had to stop my walks a couple three years ago, it’s been challenging. It was a gorgeous day here yesterday, and I’d complied with my PT’s directions that I not do it alone the first time, so off I went to the first set of benches – on my own! I stopped at my usual spot both coming and going to take a break. I was slow. And careful (no falling or tripping allowed). But I did it!!! You can see in this photo why I love to walk here.

I sat for quite some time at the first set of benches, just enjoying being outside.

This was huge progress for me, you guys. It was about 2,800 steps there and back, and I did it without my cane. I can hardly wait to share this with my PT today at therapy!! And you can see how happy I was to have gotten to the benches :-)

We ran errands on Thursday, and I overdid it a bit, so he decided to make dinner for us. I threw the potatoes in the oven and then roasted the asparagus with Parmesan. He did the steaks and they were not only gigantic (I had leftovers) they were absolutely delish!

I was going to attempt the train into the city on Friday, but since the day would include a lot of walking, I drove into the city and met my stepson at the Art Institute. We had another amazing day. And although I had my cane, the first thing I had to do when we got inside, was sit down. So he went to Member Services and got me a wheelchair. I didn’t really want to use it, but I knew it was going to be the best thing for both of us. So, I got into it and he wheeled me all around. We saw the Lee Miller Fearless exhibition. I am a huge fan of hers – she was so ahead of her time. I’m a fan of all the Surrealists, actually. We saw some of the Impressionists, the Armor Collection, and the Thorne Rooms. We had lunch in the Member Bar, and then did some shopping in the Museum Store before he walked me back to my car and then we went our separate ways. I look short in this photo. I’m not. My stepson is 6’3″. :-D

I did not go to the show he’s on tour with this time. I decided that I just wasn’t mobile enough and could be a real distraction side-stage with him. He invited me for Christmas (Florida), and if we can work it all out, I will go.

I’ve been knitting Sophie Scarves by the truckload :-D They are simple, and pretty, and I’m using up some skeins of yarn!!

I’ve been experimenting with using Lycra with some mainly acrylic yarn on my sock machine to make some fingerless mitts. When the Lycra is activated, it draws in and I wondered if it would draw the acrylic in like it does with wool. It does, but not nearly as much. These were too big for me, but they fit my stepson perfectly, and they are 80% acrylic, so he doesn’t have to worry about them. I’m going to make him a blue pair, and then I’ll make him one in black, but it will be wool so he will have to be a little more careful with them. He also loved the size 13 socks I had cranked, so I’m going to crank him a few more pairs. They are good for him when he’s on the road in cooler climates.

That’s the update from The Third Coast today :-)

You know I love The Whispers. Here are the two who are left, with Babyface in the Cadillac Chronicles. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoBXkecFrqA&list=RDZoBXkecFrqA&start_radio=1

This is Babyface and The Whispers – Rock Steady