Praise then darkness, and creation unfinished

Occupational therapy continues to go well. The therapist re-measured things like grip strength and how far I can bend my wrist, even though it's only been two weeks since the last measurements, because the insurance company wants that information before they will authorize (agree to pay for) more sessions. The measurements are consistent with my feeling that I continue to improve, in terms of strength, flexibility, and pain levels. I hope the bean-counters will decide that the therapy is working and they should pay for more, rather than deciding that I have improved enough that I don't need more OT.

Once again, the therapist did massage and ultrasound, and she said the muscles are continuing to loosen up. Also, again I have no new exercises to do at home. The therapist told me to use the two-pound rather than the one-pound weight for more of the existing exercises. Also, I asked if I could squeeze the ball she gave me for the purpose harder than I had been, and she said yes, but not to strain myself in doing so. This will be easier mentally than what I had been doing, squeezing the thing just enough to notice an effect. I should also continue to reduce how much time I'm spending in the wrist brace.

I have appointments for a few more sessions, and the therapist said that I should come in next week as scheduled unless the receptionist calls to tell me there was a problem with the insurance.

My OT sessions are now in the afternoon, since there's no risk of overheating if I'm out in the middle of the day. I stopped in Harvard Square on my way to OT for a slice of pizza, and then went into a new shop, whose sign says "le macaron French bakery." It turned out to also be a gelateria. One of the flavors they had this afternoon was violet, which was a very pleasant surprise--the surprise being mostly that they had it at all. Violet isn't one of the common flavors, for gelato or anything else I'm aware of, and I think I last saw violet gelato in Wisconsin, when I was in Madison for a Wiscon. After enjoying my cup of gelato outside, I went back in and bought a few macarons and, because I could, some violet meringues.

After working out today, I decided to treat myself to a gelato. One of the flavors on offer was "marrons glaces," with candied chestnut pieces. I asked for a sample, and then ordered a combination of that and lemon. It was tasty, and now I know something else I like. At some point I may have to try candied chestnuts by themselves, not as a gelato flavor. As a side note, I was amused that they had that one flavor name in French, with everything else in Italian (the Italian for lemon, pear, vanilla, chocolate, and pistachio are a lot closer to the English names than "marron" is to "chestnut").

I had been grumpy about being there by myself this morning, instead of having a trainer session—Emilie has stood me up two Thursdays in a row, and now is going on vacation for another fortnight, and yes, she had reason both times, but it still means I'm not seeing her for a month. But the grumpiness didn't survive the good exercise, much less lunch and gelato.

Also in the small but pleasant, a few nights ago cattitude and I were walking in the park and I spotted a muskrat, walking across and path toward the river. We don't see them very often, almost never on land, so that was a treat.

As long as I'm posting, gym numbers:( Read more... )