Before I went away on my spring trek westward, I had allergy tests. I've been bothered for several years by itchy, runny eyes and itching in my ears ... so went for testing. Now, I've had allergy testing twice before (years ago) but my Mom had the sort of reactions that got worse as she aged (one of two common patterns for allergies). I tested allergic to cats, black molds, timothy and wing scale grasses (those are common rural weeds). Today I went for my first allergy shots.
The theory behind the shots is that you get increasing doses of the thing(s) you are allergic to over time (about two years) and your body gets less sensitive to the allergens - eventually not allergic any more. Sounds good to me! The process is lengthy and somewhat aggravating - shots every other day for two years. :P Worth the sticking out if you can identify the things that bug your body. (fingers crossed here - that's my assumption:).
The shots themselves are intramuscular - in the upper arm muscles - and with a tiny needle. Didn't hurt as much as a bee sting. Shrug. The first three sets you go to the clinic to get (they want to be sure you are correctly trained to give them to yourself) ... after that you do it yourself at home. I'm hoping I can manage not to be too squeamish. :P
The weather was mild today - mid 70's and mostly sunny with a pleasant breeze. Driving to the pharmacy (to get the needles and other supplies) and then the clinic was nice. :)
When I got home, I decided to give myself a day off from sewing tentacles. I poked around a bit and chose to start on a project I've been 'incubating' in my back brain all of this year - a temperature/weather record quilt. I created a color key for myself from one I saw online:
As you can see, I have two gaps still in my fabric array. I ordered a nice set of solids (some are from Moda - Bella solids - and some from Benartex) before I left on vacation ... and they were here waiting for me when I got back. Hmm, this photo doesn't show the previous page which has the legend for Sky colors (blue, gray/cloudy/rainy) and precipitation (rain/snow). I also need to find a nice sky blue fabric.
Maybe I will get a chance to shop tomorrow. I have guild meeting in the morning but can go to my local quilt shop in the afternoon. :) I am going to try hard to get to guild - I want to see my friends and need the camaraderie. :)
Anyway, I had not settled on a pattern for my weather quilt until today. I knew I wanted to record high and low temperatures and sky color with precipitation (if any) for each day. Most of these quilt projects I've seen online are simple flying geese designs where the 'goose' is the high temperature, the 'sides' are the lows ... and maybe there is an indication as to whether it was warmer or colder the next day with the orientation of each f.g. block.
I sat in front of my computer drafting software for a while considering designs ... I had tentatively thought about a square-in-square arrangement previously ... and today I refined my idea. I settled on making a four patch with two squares the high temperature color, the other two the low. This would be surrounded by four triangles that show sky color and (if relevant) precipitation. Here's how my first two blocks look:
This is the record for May 3rd and 4th. I am creating 6" (finished) squares. I am still dithering over exactly how to lay out my blocks but I am thinking of arranging two weeks across the quilt (i.e., 14 blocks) and how ever many rows (24? 26?) I need for the year. Obviously this is going to be a two-sided quilt 'cause all 365 on one side would be way too big for our bed (queen sized:).
I'm pleased to have finally started. I have been keeping weather records ever since the beginning of the year but I decided to start sewing with May 1st. I don't want to feel to 'behind' so I don't get discouraged. :) My records may run from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019. :) We'll see as I go along how much of the past records I can stand to sew up.
Otherwise today was quiet and pleasant. Saw a number of birds at my feeder today. The demand for seed has diminished as spring has come on and more natural sources are available - but the birds are still coming. I expect it is easier for them to eat while they nest.
:) Linda
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