As the only daughter among four brothers it isn’t much of a surprise that I was a tomboy. It also wasn’t much of a surprise that I loved to participate in sports as my Dad was a sports nut and my brothers were never really interested in throwing footballs or softballs with Dad and I was. They were more couch potatoes in front of the television. Dad wasn’t sure what to do with a daughter so he treated me like a son. I was also an artist and crafts person. My second grade teacher put a big note on my report card telling my parents to “take a look at her art work!” Dad taught me to sew and I made most of my own clothes for years. I loved to cook and was often in the kitchen slicing and dicing and creating new dishes. I was always writing and my stories and poetry appeared in local magazines. I tended to ignore the aches and pains in my hands and knees and back and other joints because I didn’t have time for them. The problem with arthritis is that eventually you have no choice but to take time. This is my journey with “Arthur.”
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I first noticed the stiffness in the joints in my twenties. Arthritis was prevalent on both sides of my family. I ignored it for the most part or took a couple aspirin if it got too irritating. I went ahead and jogged and exercised going for the burn. I skied. There was nothing like the sensation of zipping down the pristine snow with the cold stinging your face. I got interested in yoga. My Mom was amazed at the positions that I could get myself into.
I was always fascinated by pen and ink drawings and was asked to do the cover of a book on dahlias to benefit the United Way where I was working. That type of intricate drawing could take up to 20 hours of work or sometimes more for a single piece. I loved working with pastels and acrylics and often gave paintings as Christmas gifts. I got interested in jewelry making and mother frequently had me make jewelry as gifts for her friends. She also had me make beaded sculptures and stitchery for herself and her friends.
I love to cook and am actually writing a cookbook. The first is in the formatting stage and I’m well into the second. We didn’t have fancy equipment when I was growing up and cooking at home much of what I did was with cheap knife sets. It didn’t matter to me because the joy was in creating new dishes.
The hectic active lifestyle started to takes its toll. Eventually doctors confirmed that I had arthritis in every joint in my body. I had pushed my body to its limit and the sports and constant use of my hands caught up with me. I could no longer do everything that I did when I was younger. I couldn’t hold a pen and do intricate drawings for hours on end. I couldn’t sit down and write for hours. I couldn’t run. My hands cramped up when I was cutting vegetables. My sleep became disturbed because the aches would wake me up several times a night.
Once I got the arthritis diagnosis I became determined to see what I could do to live with it and not give up what I loved doing. I studied arthritis. I found out that there are many different types of arthritis and that it can hit at any age. I also found out that being stubborn was a good trait to have with arthritis because I was determined to continue to live my life doing the things I loved.
Since holding a pen or paintbrush wasn’t a real option any more I became determined to explore the growing field of computer art. I came in on computer art in the late 1990s. I have continued with it to this day because I can use an ergonomic mouse to create with. As I learned more and more about the programs the people producing those programs learned along with me. The models I have to work with now are more sophisticated then those clunky things I first started with. I not only did not have to give up my art but I became an even better artist. I found myself using the programs created by DAZ and Bryce.
In the kitchen I discovered a company called Oxo. Their motto is “tools you can hold onto.” I replaced most of my kitchen knives, spoons, etc. with their products. They have thick and cushioned handles that I can grip easily. I have a food processor and stand mixer. These help me slice and mix and even knead bread. I learned to use tools to make cooking easier. I made Hot German Potato Salad with Polish Sausage for dinner the other evening in my crockpot. I used a mandolin to slice the potatoes and onions. I use a lot of herbs and spices. I love chilies and they are not only good tasting but they are good for the arthritis.
I discovered the ease of using the computer for my writing. I have an ergonomic keyboard and beaded wrist rests for my keyboard and mouse that makes it easier to type. I transferred all my writings and poetry to the computer. I also discovered a great program called Master Cook that I type my recipes into. I am writing more then ever on the keyboard.
I got myself a Brother sewing machine and still sew. I made my niece’s wedding dress. She had always wanted a Princess Bride dress and that is what I made her along with the veil and the silk flower bouquets. I use a needle threader to thread my needles now. I use slightly larger needles that are easier to hold.
I have expanded my jewelry making and make good use of precision pliers and tweezers. I use the nylon thread instead of the cotton thread since I can put the beads directly on it rather then trying to thread a needle.
I don’t ski or run any more but I walk a great deal. I take my camera with me and use those walks to photograph nature. I had always been fond of taking pictures but with a new lightweight digital camera I have turned into a photographer. I don’t have to thread film in the camera and can just plug the camera into my computer and get my pictures that way.
I do the more gentle exercises now like Tai Chi. The gentle exercise plus walking helps to keep the joints as flexible as they can be. I’ll use warm wraps when the joints get sore. I have the nature filled kind that can be warmed in the microwave and wrapped around whatever part is hurting.
I remain a tomboy to this day and my clothes now that I have retired have reverted to leggings and t-shirts, many of them with either Marvin the Martian or cats on them. I generally wear moccasins when I go out. Around the house I rarely wear shoes and prefer to walk around in my stocking feet.
So Arthur and I are not exactly friends but we coexist with each other. I use tools to help open things. I walk instead of run. I gently stretch instead of going for the burn. I use the computer for everything. I may not be able to move as fast as my teenage grandniece and grandnephews but they are good at slowing down to accommodate my slower movements. Most important of all I refuse to give up doing the things I love. I was born an artist and I will always be one. I love crafts and in addition to personalized sock monkeys my family will be getting yarn octopuses in their favorite colors. I baked up a storm last Christmas and will do so again this Christmas. I may sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies when I move but hey I can still snap, crackle, and pop with the best of them.