With My Needle

Hi everyone,

Here's another report from your substitute blogger, Tom, Ellen's DH.

Ellen is a little better now, but she actually went downhill a bit after my last report to you. But now she's been able to greatly reduce the pain medication and is often in a better mood ☺. She hadn't been going anywhere except to physical therapy until Monday evening when she felt good enough to go out to dinner. August is the last month without a letter R until next May, so soft shell crabs will soon disappear from the restaurants (except for any in the freezer). Those of you who have dined with Ellen anywhere near the Atlantic coast will know her affection for these delights when they are prepared well. One of the best restaurants she has visited for soft shell crabs is here in Cincinnati. Bad back? What bad back? Let's go!

Ellen was able to sit long enough for her crabs, but she is really uncomfortable sitting at the computer or sitting to stitch, so there's been very little stitching in the Chester household for the last week or two. She thinks she'll feel better faster as soon as she can start stitching again. She has practiced stitch therapy for years.

In the meantime, we've managed to keep working on several new products--Mrs. Waddelow's Needlework Basket (we put a tease picture in the blog several weeks ago--did you catch it?); With a Pleasant Thought, a new sampler using The Gentle Art wool threads; and a new hornbook project that hasn't been named yet. The wooden hornbooks that will be included in the package with the new hornbook charts arrived here today. Ellen was excited to get them! I think we'll be able to distribute these new products in a few weeks if Ellen continues to improve.

Thanks for all your lovely comments. They have really brightened Ellen's days. Hopefully she can write the next blog entry herself in another few days.