Finger surgeon sez nah, splint, tomato bake and Diwali

Monday was the hand surgeon appointment to see my weird ring finger which jolts in and out.

While I waited, I shot a couple of pictures from the consulting room. Classic NJ parking lot, full of trees. As is NJ, in fact.

Anyway he said he expected I'd heard of trigger finger? Yes? Well this isn't it. Aside from sounding like standup, turns out it's more complicated and short of surgery, little to do for it.  

And he didn't recommend the necessary surgery because the tissue isn't "robust" enough to withstand it and get results.  Not robust is code for too old and decrepit. Also worn out, well, aren't we all. 

He gave me a script to get a custom made splint to restrict movement and stop the tendon falling down the gap between knuckles and refusing to come back up, technically subluxating.  He doubts I can actually work with a splint on. So I doubt whether I'll fill the Rx.

But I did check in case there was something I'd kick myself for not doing. 

Then it occurred to me that I can do a diy splint just to see if I can work with it on. I figured out how to prevent the tendon running across that last joint from clicking in and out. It's about restricting the range of motion.

Paper tape, just a test run. So far it's working. I can just wrap it when I need to knit or stitch or anything that needs fingers that don't fly out at will.

That's it for medical stuff, gah, primary, cardio, derma, dentist, optometrist, rheumo, hand surgeon, all saying go home and play, you're fiiiine. Better than the alternative, I'm not complaining here. 

I'd run out of food ideas for lunch, so old faithful appeared, the tomato, cheddar, feta, egg bake, big grind of white pepper, no added salt, plenty in the cheeses. Baked at 400°f till the eggs were cooked, about 20 minutes, served on bread or toast.  This dish is enough for two meals for moi.

Happy day everyone, the patio pavers didn't happen today,  weather, so another day. I'm just happy it will happen, never mind when. 

All the neighbors were partying for Diwali, Monday evening,  colored lights on houses, sparkly fireworks, no bangs,  they never seem to like bangs. No point in pictures because they'll look like pinpoints! The neighbor out back has erected a party tent on the patio, excited kids running about in the dark.

A friend sent me her pictures of me at the opening with my artworks

And Tuesday is all fun, Tuesday Knitting Group, Textiles and Tea, No Kings online.

Presents and knitting marvels

This morning Gary showed me he and the daisy owning neighbor lady had planted transplants along the outside of my fence. It's east-facing, just what these daisies like, so I'm hoping for a great show next year. Nothing to see yet.

He also showed me his snake plant starts, all but one of which had rooted, yay, and we discussed his elephant ear wintering over.

And, best of all, he asked me to take care of his pot of succulents! 

He thinks he's overwatering them, leaves dropping.

I'm thrilled about this chance, because I was thinking about starting again with succulent propagation. I was successful a couple of years ago, then when I moved the babies outside for the summer, squirrels trashed them. Literally shreds, nothing left to plant. I was discouraged but now I'm ready to try again over the winter. 

Then the Friday knitting group brought marvelous things 

S, with her Halloween sweater and lovely ocean colored sock

I., wearing one sweater she made while knitting another 

New crocheter K's two Halloween critters, the right one, both are wips, was her very first foray. 

I. again with a pillow for her daughter, front knitted butterflies, back running cross-stitch om burlap.

One other knitter is continuing with a project you've seen, but she's not a one project knitter by a long chalk. Just no picture today.  And your humble blog writer was still with Ministry sock. 

Talk ranged over plans for the yarn for a first sweater, to be bought this weekend at Rhinebeck, voting, knitting patterns, Tunisian crochet, the weather, local politics, book groups, challenging racism, emails, German Shepherd sense of humor and more.

Happy day everyone, I hope your day is  good. Mine was. Friday night online meeting with friends. Because of these great fun meetings, I moved my daily evening dishwashing to the next day. I do it while I cook lunch.

Speaking of which, here's a baked white sweet potato, mashed, salt, pepper and bits of butter, nothing fancier needed, along with part two of last night's supper. 

You see the tan skin and creamy colored flesh, really delicate flavor.

With it was a baked tomato, mozzarella and egg dish. Break the egg over, bake 400°f, when the egg suits you, the dish is done. Good on toast, too.