Boots and Braids

That’s how I’ve been feeling since the bout of calcific tendinitis slowed my roll.

It only took two trips to the acupuncturist to correct the pain and swelling, but the injury has left me feeling totally exhausted.

That first visit to Dr. Chan required a whole lot of needles – I lost count when we hit 100. The second visit, he only used about 40 needles.

I was to have returned today for a third treatment but, although it’s too soon for any serious physical activity, the knees are feeling stronger every day so I don’t see the need for a third treatment.

I can’t shake the sense that there was some significance to the timing of the tendinitis.

Feeling somewhat bored, resisting the urge to remain a recluse and not involve myself with people, I’d signed up to spearhead a water aerobics group here at the senior complex. The day before the group was to have started was the day the injury hit, resulting in a “postponement.” I’ve since had time to reconsider all the pros and cons of getting involved with other people, and I’m now inclined, once I can get back into water aerobics, to “cancel” that idea altogether. More than “inclined,” it’s a done deal. There are worse things than being bored and, although the tendinitis was an awful pain in my knees and lower legs, it probably saved me for an even more awful pain in my arse.

Since I appear to be destined to travel solo the remainder of the way, I’ve been spending the time working on that needlepoint project, still reading the Walter Mosley book, meditating and watching television. Too much television. In fact, so much television that, something clicked when I saw Ms. Piggy on The Bachelorette last night.

“I recognize that fabric, that dress,” thought I. My mind went back to the Project Runway episode where designers were challenged with a red carpet dress for Ms. Piggy. Did a little research and, sure enough, it was Michael’s winning design.

When Michael’s design won, I wondered if the final product would be off-the-shoulder for Ms. Piggy as well, but see they added straps.

It bothers me that I can’t remember my address or people’s names or any number of other way more legit things, but I can recall the origin of  Ms. Piggy’s dress. Is the aloneness and too much TV rotting my brain? Am I becoming shallow? I hope I don’t become one of those old ladies who walk around talking to themselves.

At any rate, since exercise is out of the question for the time being, I’ve been putting the focus back on weight loss. After gaining back 19 of the 31 pounds lost before relocating to Long Beach, I folded two weeks ago and rejoined Weight Watchers. Lost 4.8 pounds the first week. Week 2′s weigh-in is tomorrow.