SHIP'S LOG:
As these things go, it was a good week. I got a "pay check" from the sail loft, I didn't sew any fingers together (a first), and my ankle actually does seem to be getting better. My knees, however, hurt worse than ever and I am giving serious consideration of going to ortho-guy #1 and get a getting a cortisone shot with a little pain killer mixed in. It is good for a couple of weeks and it would be great to walk around pain free for a little while.
This coming week boast a visit to "ankle-ortho-guy" on Tuesday and a visit with the Coast Guard in East Haven on Wednesday. I will be "Co- Launch" Chairman at TYC this coming season and I have little idea what the job actually entails. Alex, the other Co-Chairman, will handle the mechanical side which leaves me with the administrative side, ie. dealing with the Coast Guard and keeping the launch and skiff up to regulation. The Coasties have been very interested in our little launch, stopping by at least once a season for an inspection. I know of no season where we got away clean. There is always some little thing they nail us on. Last year, of all things, they got us for not having kid-sized PDF's and not have the TYC name on all of the PDF's. Such annoying failures are easily remedied and we always pass the inspection the second time, but some gremlins always seem to sneak in over the winter and fool with something that gets us in hack again. The meeting Wednesday is an updating on rules and regulations and we get to see what new things they will try and get us on. Ah, safety first!
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Friday, February 12, 2016
Winter Has Arrived!
SHIP'S LOG:
Winter has decided to put in an appearance. After weeks, nay months, of above average temperatures and no precipitation, we have gotten cold weather and snow, both of which I hate! Evidently this weekend, the temperature is to slip down into the single numbers if not lower, and where am i headed? Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, the heart of sky country. Actually, this in an annual event where several college buddies get together to reminisce, play pinochle and drink ourselves insensate. We shan't be venturing outside except to leave which we shall do on Monday.
I am back at work in the sail loft. If I do a lot of sitting, I can work almost a whole day. Sitting means being in " the pit' - a hole build into the floor with a sewing machine added which makes it easier to sew sails and do repairs. The loft has a couple of new, air driven sewing machines which take a bit of getting use to. So far I have shot a needle through my two index fingers. Doesn't hurt all that much but they do bleed like crazy.
The Coasties dropped off 27 sails to be worked on and we have 19 sets of sails for Rhodes 19 to be built, so there will be plenty of work for next week and the week after. Hopefully, a lot will be the sitting down kind as the ankle still doesn't tolerate a lot of standing on it. It screams and cries and gets cranky and then shows its upset by swelling up. PT says it is normal. Spending a lot of time on my feet means I might be able to do 4 hours in the loft. In such a case there is less of a chance of sewing my fingers together!
Winter has decided to put in an appearance. After weeks, nay months, of above average temperatures and no precipitation, we have gotten cold weather and snow, both of which I hate! Evidently this weekend, the temperature is to slip down into the single numbers if not lower, and where am i headed? Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, the heart of sky country. Actually, this in an annual event where several college buddies get together to reminisce, play pinochle and drink ourselves insensate. We shan't be venturing outside except to leave which we shall do on Monday.
I am back at work in the sail loft. If I do a lot of sitting, I can work almost a whole day. Sitting means being in " the pit' - a hole build into the floor with a sewing machine added which makes it easier to sew sails and do repairs. The loft has a couple of new, air driven sewing machines which take a bit of getting use to. So far I have shot a needle through my two index fingers. Doesn't hurt all that much but they do bleed like crazy.
The Coasties dropped off 27 sails to be worked on and we have 19 sets of sails for Rhodes 19 to be built, so there will be plenty of work for next week and the week after. Hopefully, a lot will be the sitting down kind as the ankle still doesn't tolerate a lot of standing on it. It screams and cries and gets cranky and then shows its upset by swelling up. PT says it is normal. Spending a lot of time on my feet means I might be able to do 4 hours in the loft. In such a case there is less of a chance of sewing my fingers together!
Thursday, January 21, 2016
SHIP'S LOG:
Unfortunately, there isn't a great deal to write about sailing in the winter time. I will not be going to Key West Race Week nor will I be participating in the Force Five Nationals in Key Largo in February, though several from TYC will be there racing. Unless one is in a heated shed, there is very little one can do aboard because of the temperature.It doesn't have to be "brutally cold"it just has to be cold enough for paints, varnishes , caulks and adhesives do do their thing.That's where we happen to be right now . . .not in a heated shed!
There is a real possibility that we will get some serious snow this weekend which will put a further damper on maintenance activities in the days and weeks ahead. This snow will probably not go away as the temperature is expected to drop sufficiently to keep it around for awhile. But the end of February will see the beginning of maintenance come whatever.
Speaking of maintenance, my ankle continues to improve. I should be out of the "boot cast" by week's end and into a smaller brace. This will allow me to work in the sail loft for Kevin and make a few bucks on the side. This recovery seems to be taking forever and the real downside is that it is pointing out just how much I have to get the right knee worked on.Walking correctly on the left leg after years makes it clear how damaged the cartilage is in the right . Ah such is life!
Unfortunately, there isn't a great deal to write about sailing in the winter time. I will not be going to Key West Race Week nor will I be participating in the Force Five Nationals in Key Largo in February, though several from TYC will be there racing. Unless one is in a heated shed, there is very little one can do aboard because of the temperature.It doesn't have to be "brutally cold"it just has to be cold enough for paints, varnishes , caulks and adhesives do do their thing.That's where we happen to be right now . . .not in a heated shed!
There is a real possibility that we will get some serious snow this weekend which will put a further damper on maintenance activities in the days and weeks ahead. This snow will probably not go away as the temperature is expected to drop sufficiently to keep it around for awhile. But the end of February will see the beginning of maintenance come whatever.
Speaking of maintenance, my ankle continues to improve. I should be out of the "boot cast" by week's end and into a smaller brace. This will allow me to work in the sail loft for Kevin and make a few bucks on the side. This recovery seems to be taking forever and the real downside is that it is pointing out just how much I have to get the right knee worked on.Walking correctly on the left leg after years makes it clear how damaged the cartilage is in the right . Ah such is life!
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Shorter
SHIP'S LOG:
It has actually been "wintery" for the last couple of days. We even got "snow flurries" on Monday: though it all melted before the end of the day. Thank goodness! And thank goodness the temps are going to be in the 50's over the weekend.
Interesting discovery during physical therapy yesterday. During one exercise o a particular piece of equipment, my "effected" foot - can't call it my "bad' foot - kept slipping off the support bar. The head therapist measured both legs and discovered that the "bad," er..."effected leg is actually short than the other. The difference is probably less than "significant" but it does have some effect. I am sure there is some fancy term for it and I just can't wait to share that info with my two orthopedic cutters. I am not sure what or if they can do anything about it or whether or not it is worth the effort, but it will be interesting to see if they knew anything about it.
It has actually been "wintery" for the last couple of days. We even got "snow flurries" on Monday: though it all melted before the end of the day. Thank goodness! And thank goodness the temps are going to be in the 50's over the weekend.
Interesting discovery during physical therapy yesterday. During one exercise o a particular piece of equipment, my "effected" foot - can't call it my "bad' foot - kept slipping off the support bar. The head therapist measured both legs and discovered that the "bad," er..."effected leg is actually short than the other. The difference is probably less than "significant" but it does have some effect. I am sure there is some fancy term for it and I just can't wait to share that info with my two orthopedic cutters. I am not sure what or if they can do anything about it or whether or not it is worth the effort, but it will be interesting to see if they knew anything about it.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Spring Is Coming!!!!! I Do Believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHIP'S LOG:
Five days into the New Year and already I am getting antsy to go sailing. Perhaps it is because the temp today is to top out at 27 degrees. I hate winter!
I just got back from my physical therapy session. It is wonderful and awful at the same time. Still quite a bit of numbness in the foot . I go in and for 15 minutes, they wrap my bum ankle in a hot towel and it feels wonderful. Then they spend 45 minutes moving it in all sorts of way that I am not sure it was meant to move. Then, for 10 minutes, they pack it in ice while they run an electrical current through it to "stimulate it." It makes my toes wiggle and the hair in my leg stand up. It definitely is helping there is more movement and the electrical/burning sensation has faded a great deal and the pain that was there is negligible. I must be getting better.
Thanks to some very generous Christmas gifts, I was able to pay a big chunk of the outstanding yard bill and ABISHAG will be free and clear by May at the latest. I am looking forward to getting up to Yankee to begin working on her and work out some deal with Sound Rigging to get the furler back in service. The rest of what needs doing is DIY stuff and I can handle it. It only wants some decent weather and some more Marine Units. AH, the joys of boat ownership!
Five days into the New Year and already I am getting antsy to go sailing. Perhaps it is because the temp today is to top out at 27 degrees. I hate winter!
I just got back from my physical therapy session. It is wonderful and awful at the same time. Still quite a bit of numbness in the foot . I go in and for 15 minutes, they wrap my bum ankle in a hot towel and it feels wonderful. Then they spend 45 minutes moving it in all sorts of way that I am not sure it was meant to move. Then, for 10 minutes, they pack it in ice while they run an electrical current through it to "stimulate it." It makes my toes wiggle and the hair in my leg stand up. It definitely is helping there is more movement and the electrical/burning sensation has faded a great deal and the pain that was there is negligible. I must be getting better.
Thanks to some very generous Christmas gifts, I was able to pay a big chunk of the outstanding yard bill and ABISHAG will be free and clear by May at the latest. I am looking forward to getting up to Yankee to begin working on her and work out some deal with Sound Rigging to get the furler back in service. The rest of what needs doing is DIY stuff and I can handle it. It only wants some decent weather and some more Marine Units. AH, the joys of boat ownership!
Friday, December 18, 2015
round and Round and Round! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
I started physical therapy for my ankle and most of it is just moving the ankle in any which way it will go and even in some directions that it should go but won't go at the present time. It is a lot of flexing and twisting and because you are supposed to do it in tandem with the uninjured foot, you get an immediate readout of just how far you have progressed and how far you have to go.In some directions I am nearly back where I should be, in other directions not so much. There is a lot of snap, krackle and popping going on which was distressing at first as I thought I was cracking bones but the physical therapist said it was just scar tissue breaking. I also have to spend time rubbing the scars. It was at the sight of the scars that the nerves were cut and rubbing them is supposed to break up the scar tissue and get the nerves used to being touch and so reduce their sensitivity. I hope that is so because it is still painful at times when I try to sleep. I'll just have to see how well this works.
Yank Boatyard is shutting down its "consignment shop" and they want everyone to come and take away the things they have left for consignment sale with them. I think I left several pieces of machinery from the old refrigeration system and the old auto pilot. I will have to go and get them and take them to the Consignment shop in Mystic. I doubt that they will sell but anything is possible. As someone once said, "Some greeny-back dollars are better than no greeny-back dollars at all."
I started physical therapy for my ankle and most of it is just moving the ankle in any which way it will go and even in some directions that it should go but won't go at the present time. It is a lot of flexing and twisting and because you are supposed to do it in tandem with the uninjured foot, you get an immediate readout of just how far you have progressed and how far you have to go.In some directions I am nearly back where I should be, in other directions not so much. There is a lot of snap, krackle and popping going on which was distressing at first as I thought I was cracking bones but the physical therapist said it was just scar tissue breaking. I also have to spend time rubbing the scars. It was at the sight of the scars that the nerves were cut and rubbing them is supposed to break up the scar tissue and get the nerves used to being touch and so reduce their sensitivity. I hope that is so because it is still painful at times when I try to sleep. I'll just have to see how well this works.
Yank Boatyard is shutting down its "consignment shop" and they want everyone to come and take away the things they have left for consignment sale with them. I think I left several pieces of machinery from the old refrigeration system and the old auto pilot. I will have to go and get them and take them to the Consignment shop in Mystic. I doubt that they will sell but anything is possible. As someone once said, "Some greeny-back dollars are better than no greeny-back dollars at all."
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Exciting Stuff!
SHIP'S LOG:
I wish there was something new and exciting to report, but such is not the case.
The ankle seems to be healing but at a glacial pace. The wounds are all exposed and they look just fine. There will certainly be some impressive scars when all healed. They are all closed but one, the outside of the ankle. It is still seeping a bit and I am wondering if they left a stitch or staple in the wound. The outside of the foot is numb except when it isn't, which is usually when I try to sleep. It stars with a little tingling which slowly increases and then shifts to a burning sensation and then it stops, like someone turned off a switch. After a few minutes it will star again and when I am trying to get to sleep, it gets me just when I am nodding off. The pain isn't so much "bad' as annoying. I usually end up taking a pain med just to take the edge off so I can fall asleep. It won't wake me from sound sleep but it will keep me from getting there.
The location of the "Hermitage" is right next to the stairwell. There are several college students who have apartments on the upper floors and are wont to run, skip and gambol up ad down the stairs at odd hours. They aren't particularly noisy in the transits but listening to them go up and down on those well working joints is frustrating. I am sure they don't give kt a thought. I know I didn't at their age and I am envious. I long for the day sometime in the future when I can do the same again.
I have a feeling that we will be getting snow before too much longer. I have no shoe, boot or other footwear that I can wear over the cast-boot that would allow me to traipse around in the snow. It will really limit my movement should it come before I am out of the boot and into regular footwear. And with the snow comes to cold. Right now, I am still wearing shorts as they are the only "pants" I have that can really accommodate the boot and the brace. I found one pair of pants that I could get the left leg into for Thanksgiving but the effort it took to get them on and then get them off was very involved. Perhaps I could go to a kilt?
I wish there was something new and exciting to report, but such is not the case.
The ankle seems to be healing but at a glacial pace. The wounds are all exposed and they look just fine. There will certainly be some impressive scars when all healed. They are all closed but one, the outside of the ankle. It is still seeping a bit and I am wondering if they left a stitch or staple in the wound. The outside of the foot is numb except when it isn't, which is usually when I try to sleep. It stars with a little tingling which slowly increases and then shifts to a burning sensation and then it stops, like someone turned off a switch. After a few minutes it will star again and when I am trying to get to sleep, it gets me just when I am nodding off. The pain isn't so much "bad' as annoying. I usually end up taking a pain med just to take the edge off so I can fall asleep. It won't wake me from sound sleep but it will keep me from getting there.
The location of the "Hermitage" is right next to the stairwell. There are several college students who have apartments on the upper floors and are wont to run, skip and gambol up ad down the stairs at odd hours. They aren't particularly noisy in the transits but listening to them go up and down on those well working joints is frustrating. I am sure they don't give kt a thought. I know I didn't at their age and I am envious. I long for the day sometime in the future when I can do the same again.
I have a feeling that we will be getting snow before too much longer. I have no shoe, boot or other footwear that I can wear over the cast-boot that would allow me to traipse around in the snow. It will really limit my movement should it come before I am out of the boot and into regular footwear. And with the snow comes to cold. Right now, I am still wearing shorts as they are the only "pants" I have that can really accommodate the boot and the brace. I found one pair of pants that I could get the left leg into for Thanksgiving but the effort it took to get them on and then get them off was very involved. Perhaps I could go to a kilt?
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