HighFiber: colds

Showing posts with label colds. Show all posts

Monday, December 8, 2025

Warming up for Holidays

This is going to be a short post. Most of my time this past week was spent curled up on the couch, recovering from the trip to Portland and trying to fit in some rest between coughing fits. Monday was spent doing laundry and catching up with things I missed out on during our trip.

Tuesday we had a Madroña pop-up meeting. It was nice to see everyone again, although some people were traveling. We had their El Tinto Lot 46, one of our favorites.

I did a little online shopping, choosing a doll for our honorary granddaughter, Elsie. I was able to find the kind I wanted on sale, which saved enough to more than pay for the shipping directly to her aunt, who will wrap it and deliver it for me. I picked a Hannah and her dog. This doll doesn't have elbow and knee joints, so should be easier for a younger child to pose, while still a more grownup doll than last year's.

The doll needs some clothes, of course, so I put together a packet of things to put in the mail. I needed to mail some books to friends and family members, so today I'm going to the post office. I still need a box for the doll clothes. In the envelopes are eight of my books.

I wore a mask to choir Wednesday, but I couldn't really sing. I don't think I'm still contageous, but I wanted to make sure. At least I could learn the music for the upcoming Lessons and Carols. I was hoping to be able to sing by Sunday, but my cough is worse in the morning and I was still croaking, so I stayed home. At least the anthem was going to be sung in unison, so I wasn't really needed.

The boys went to the groomer on Thursday and came home looking handsome.

The socks are coming along. Just a couple of inches to finish the second one, and I can wear them.

We're losing our wonderful Medicare Advantage plan. The insurance company is pulling out of Central Oregon, although it's still available in some other parts of the state. We were very disappointed, because they were really good. Our only remaining options are original Medicare and one other insurance company. Charlie's procedure, which will take place in March, would be in Portland and out-of-network, so only 50% covered by the new company, while original Medicare would cover most of it. We don't know how much it will cost, but with two MRIs, it's likely to be fairly expensive. He has decided to stick with straight Medicare and Part D (the drug coverage), while we decided the new Advantage plan would be better for me, since I don't have anything out-of-network expected. We spent a lot of time figuring this all out, under the pressure of the deadline (for the Advantage plans), which was yesterday, but we got me signed up for new insurance. Charlie doesn't have to do anything to revert to original Medicare.

Now I'm working on putting together Christmas presents for the grandkids and our annual holiday letter.

I have a lot of difficulty responding to comments to my blog posts because of technical issues beyond my control (my lack of understanding of how things work). Message me on Facebook, Ravelry, BlueSky or Spoutible if you need information.

If you have a few minutes and are willing, please go to Amazon or B&N and search for Billy: Stories from The Doll's Storybook by Peggy Stuart". Every click on the page for the book makes it more likely they will keep a good supply in their warehouse and stores. If you are outside the US, you may have a separate website for these retailers. If you have a copy of any of our books, including Emil, Mariah, Classic Tales Retold, Our Favorite Verses, More Classic Tales Retold or Billy: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, please leave an honest review on the websites, especially if you bought from them.

Where's my blog: If you want to follow my blog, go here and sign up to follow.

What's on my needles: Still the Front Range Socks. Getting close to finishing the second sock.

What's on my iPhone: Still listening to Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre on the AudiobooksNow app. Not much progress this week.

What's on my sewing machine: Put away.

What's in The Doll's Storybook: This week we continue our look back on Pippa's arrival. She shows up at the door in Pippa.

Where are my books: The stories in each book first appeared in the blog, and they are reproduced in print with a few changes.

The stories in Billy: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Talking About Boys, Changes, Shhhhh!, Staying After and Money in a Jar.

The stories in More Classic Tales Retold: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Welcoming a Stranger, The Rescue, Unmasked, Fuzzy Town––A Play and Sky Blue.

Our Favorite Verses: Poems from The Doll's Storybook. Poems included are Valentine's Day, Keeping Pets, Back to School, Victor the Vulture, The Week Before Christmas, Insomnia and Veronika's Vocabulary Verses.

The stories in Classic Tales Retold: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Little Green Greatcoat, The Boy Doll Who Cried Wolf and Lost in the Woods.

The stories in Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Best Buds, Getting What You Want, and The Boys Cook Dinner.

The stories in Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Being Little, Besties, and Distraction.

If you don't get free shipping from Amazon or B&N, buy from the BookBabyBookshop, because 50% of the price goes to St. Jude. Other booksellers pay much less, only 8%, because the vendor gets a cut. My author's page at Book Baby is here. Scroll down and click on any of the books that interest you. Find my books at Barbara's Bookstore as well, or ask your local library to order the books.

Note: This blog post was produced on the iPad and the MacBook, using the iPhone for some photos and some photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for, cleaned or broken. No animals or dolls were harmed during the production of this blog post.

<a class="blsdk-follow" href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/highfiber-7365001" target="_blank" data-blsdk-type="button" data-blsdk-counter="false">Follow</a><script>(function(d, s, id) {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) return;js = d.createElement(s);js.id = id;js.src = "https://www.bloglovin.com/widget/js/loader.js?v=1";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, "script", "bloglovin-sdk"))</script>

<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7365001/?claim=kkvctsdtf4n">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Monday, November 24, 2025

Down Time.

The Free Range Socks are coming along. One is done and I've made a start on the second one. I decided not to try to match the striping, so I cast on with the yarn as it came off the ball.

I caught Charlie's cold and have had it for a week. I didn't get much done, because the cold left me very sleepy, and I wasn't able to sleep well at night, because my nose was stopped up. I'm getting over it now, though.

Tuesday we had a Madroña Vineyards pop-up meeting. One of the topics of conversation was what kind of holiday dishes were traditional to our families, especially dishes that not everyone likes.

I didn't do much besides lie around all week, trying to rest up and get well. Yesterday we drove to Beaverton. Charlie has an appointment today with a neurologist to see if he can have a procedure that might help with his tremors. We're staying with the kids through Thanksgiving.

For some cuteness, here are two of our grandkitties, Mango and Olive.

Where's my blog: If you want to follow my blog, go here and sign up to follow.

What's on my needles: Still the Front Range Socks.

What's on my iPhone: Still listening to Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre on the AudiobooksNow app.

What's on my sewing machine: Put away.

What's in The Doll's Storybook: This week's story from The Doll's Storybook is Saying It Right. A classmate of Billy's and Emil's has a speech problem and is getting picked on at school. The boys want to help, but they are also interested in why their friend talks the way he does.

What's my tip of the week: It's easier and more comfortable to wear a mask on the plane than to catch something from someone in such close quarters with recirculating air.

Where are my books: The stories in each book first appeared in the blog, and they are reproduced in print with a few changes.

The stories in Billy: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Talking About Boys, Changes, Shhhhh!, Staying After and Money in a Jar.

The stories in More Classic Tales Retold: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Welcoming a Stranger, The Rescue, Unmasked, Fuzzy Town––A Play and Sky Blue.

The stories in Classic Tales Retold: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Little Green Greatcoat, The Boy Doll Who Cried Wolf and Lost in the Woods.

The stories in Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Best Buds, Getting What You Want, and The Boys Cook Dinner.

The stories in Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are Being Little, Besties, and Distraction.

<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7365001/?claim=kkvctsdtf4n">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Monday, December 5, 2022

Back in Action...Sort of!

Pauly's pullover is finished!

I made some adjustments because the last one of these I made for Pippa came out a little snug, not as good for a boy. If you know anything about dolls, you probably know that they don't like having things pulled over their heads, so this "pullover" buttons down the back.

I frogged my short rows on the Talvinen twice because I messed up. I don't know what I did the first time, but it looked bad. The second time, I made the wraps on the WS too tight. I was happy with the third time.

This is supposed to be a pullover, but I'm always either too warm or too cold, so I'm making it a steeked cardigan. Beginning of the round is center front, but the orange marker indicates the pretend BOR for making the short rows (or they would be in the front...or the "cardigan" would button down the back, like Pauly's).

I was still sneezing and blowing my nose on Wednesday, so I skipped choir practice. I started feeling almost normal on Saturday and felt really good on Sunday morning, so I braved the snowfall and went. (I had the music at home and had been present at several practices where we went over the music, so I had a good idea of how we were supposed to sing the pieces. I put myself in the second row this time. You can just barely see me behind the lady with the white-blonde hair. I think the music went well. I'm really looking forward to the Christmas music.

I was supposed to go to the dentist on Tuesday, and let them know I had been sick and might still be contagious. I took a third Covid test, so I could assure them on that count. Then I got a call on Tuesday morning from the dentist' office, telling me he wasn't feeling well and had to reschedule. I was still not up to going anyway, so I was just as happy. Charlie was much sicker than I was and has been under the weather for longer than I was. I think it was because I have been going to choir and church unmasked for some time, so probably have been getting small doses of germs on a regular basis––not enough to get sick, but enough to keep my immunities active.

I'm so glad to be feeling better, but I'm grateful to Soren for giving my immune system a workout.

If you have a few minutes and are willing, please go to Amazon and B&N and search for "Classic Tales Retold: Stories from The Doll's Storybook by Peggy Stuart" in Children's. Every click on the page for the book makes it more likely they will keep a good supply in their warehouse and stores. If you are outside the US, you may have a separate website for these retailers. If you have a copy of any of our books, Emil and Mariah, please leave an honest review on the websites, especially if you bought from them.

Where's my blog: If you want to follow my blog, go here and sign up to follow.

What's on my needles: Still the Talvinen cardigan, the Hinterland Pullover (some more progress made sleeve sts picked up and a couple of rounds worked) and the EmPower People Kerchief (hibernating).

What's in The Doll's Storybook: Charlotte and Emil (who are Jewish) and Mariah (who is Muslim) decide to sing a Christmas carol for the other family members (who are Christian) to show they support their personal beliefs in A Christmas Carol, this week's story in The Doll's Storybook. They surprise them by showing up at the front door, just like real carolers.

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Now listening to Plan for the Worst by Jodi Taylor

What's in my wine glass: Viñalba Malbec Touriga Nacional 2019. Very nice!

What's my tip of the week: The easiest way to bake squash is whole. Set the oven at 375°F. Poke a couple of holes in the squash. Bake for an hour or more, turning over at least once after half an hour. Continue baking until you can poke holes in it easily with a fork. Cut open and remove the seeds. Serve with Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and a few drops of olive oil.

Where are my books: The stories in each book first appeared in the blog and they are reproduced with a few changes.

Classic Tales Retold: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is available from BookBabyBookshop and other booksellers worldwide. The stories are Little Green Greatcoat, The Boy Doll Who Cried Wolf and Lost in the Woods.

Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook and Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook are also still available from booksellers world wide. The link for Book Baby is here. The three stories in Emil are Best Buds, Getting What You Want, and The Boys Cook Dinner.

The three stories in Mariah are Being Little, Besties, and Distraction.

If you don't get free shipping from Amazon or B&N, buy from the BookBabyBookshop, because 50% of the price goes to St. Jude. Other booksellers pay much less.

<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7365001/?claim=kkvctsdtf4n">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Monday, April 11, 2022

Taking It Easy

I ran out of yarn in the middle of the concert on Sunday, but more on that later. After the concert was over, I set up my ball winder and swift on the loom and wound another ball.

I spent another week of mostly sleeping and only doing the basic necessities. By Thursday, though, I finally felt like knitting again. The hard part was separating the sleeves from the body, and that was only difficult because I had to concentrate and count, two things I wasn't doing well ever since coming down with the flu two weeks ago. As I write this, I'm still coughing, but more energetic than I have been for a while, and we're hoping to get our booster shots on Tuesday. Charlie is about two days behind me on the symptoms, so we'll see whether he feels like going or not.

So there I was, Thursday evening, putting the sleeve stitches on waste yarn. Now it's just straight K, K, K, all the way down to the waist. Here's the link to my project page on Ravelry, if you want more details.

I managed to make some chili and some bread on Friday. It was a good thing I felt up to it, because we were out of cooked food and TV dinners. I baked a little loaf of Dutch oven bread, but I didn't think to get a photo until this was all that was left.

Friday was Zachary's birthday. I think his favorite present was his iPod. I call it a training phone. He can't make phone calls with it or surf the internet, but he can text his parents if he's home alone and needs something. He can also access The Doll's Storybook directly with a special link.

He was happy to get some Legos and some other fun things. He helped bake the cake, chocolate on chocolate. (He's a little intimidated by the double-digit age, though, but he'll get used to it. He will have a double-digit birthday for a long time.)

We got him a Götz Little Kidz Paul doll. Paul is the same size as Pippa in my stories. He actually comes as a boy.

Zachary was very excited to get him, and he and his sister have already played with their dolls together quite a bit.

It's nice to have a birthday on a Friday, so he could play with all his new things all weekend.

Sunday we had planned on going to the concert series we've been attending. We didn't really feel like going, but didn't want to miss it. Fortunately, it was broadcast, so we were able to watch it with the pups. They included "Melody No. 2" by the Ukrainian composer Miroslav Skorik, which is to Ukraine what our "America the Beautiful" is, almost a second national anthem.

Speaking of Ukraine, If anyone is in the Portland, Oregon, area, you might be interested in this benefit, Voices for Ukraine. The price of the tickets includes the $20 cost of the concert, and the rest of the price of the ticket goes to Mercy Corps.

I'm really, really, hoping to be back to normal by next week!

If you have a few minutes and are willing, please go to Amazon and B&N and search for "Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook by Peggy Stuart" in Children's. Every click on the page for the book makes it more likely they will keep a good supply in their warehouse and stores. If you are outside the US, you may have a separate website for these retailers. If you have a copy of our first book, Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook, it would help if you left an honest review on the websites, especially if you bought from them.

Where's my blog: If you want to follow my blog, go here and sign up to follow.

What's on my needles: Still the Hinterland pullover and the emPower Kerchief.

What's on my loom: No change.

What's on my sewing machine: Back to doll clothes for birthdays.

What's in my hoop: No change.

What's in The Doll's Storybook: "Fashion Show." I didn't feel up to taking a lot of action shots this week, so I used the photos from many of my free patterns and instructions and only had to take photos of Veronika and Mandy introducing the outfits.

What's on my iPad/iPhone: Listening to The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone on the Audible app.

What's in my wine glass: Ribera Del Duero Teófilo Reyes Tempranillo. Very nice. I could hardly resist an extra glass.

What's my tip of the week: Before you leave to go shopping for food, check your medicine cabinet for whatever cold supplies you need when you're sick, like tissues, cough medicine and decongestant. You won't want to have to go out for it once you get sick.

Where are my books: The stories in each book first appeared in the blog and they are reproduced with few changes. Emil: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is now available for preorder from booksellers world wide. The link for Book Baby is here. The three stories are Best Buds, Getting What You Want, and The Boys Cook Dinner.

Mariah: Stories from The Doll's Storybook is also available. The three stories in the first book are Being Little, Besties, and Distraction.

If you don't get free shipping from Amazon or B&N, buy from the BookBabyBookshop, because 50% of the price goes to St. Jude. Other booksellers pay much less.

<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7365001/?claim=kkvctsdtf4n">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>