Sunday, November 18, 2012

FANCY FOOTWORK



Unintentionally, I engaged in a bit of fancy footwork the other evening when my toe caught the packaged edge of flattened cardboard boxes awaiting my assembling that I had leaning vertically against a wall.   When I tripped my body launched forward and downward onto a hardwood floor that was covered by carpeting with thinned padding long overdue for replacement.  My knees and shoulder forcefully met this ungiving surface.  Eventually, after a rudimentary assessment of my condition I was able to arise from the floor without too much difficulty, contrary to my initial concern that my ability to do so might be in doubt.   

Pain with body movement during the rest of the evening followed by spasmodic restless sleeping that night had me thinking I should seek medical care first thing in the morning.   But I felt slightly better by mid-morning so deferred such consultation.  

By days end other symptoms that may have been wearing me down for several weeks became more prominent, as though my tumble had somehow jolted them loose.  I became convinced my weekend and the days ahead might be a bit too unpleasant without medical intervention.    Having established I could now reach with minimal pain to shift my cars gears I drove the five to ten minutes from my home to our local hospital’s Urgent Care.   

The Physicians Assistant decided antibiotics were the answer to the emerging throat/sinus/middle ear issues that may have been viral for some previous weeks, only now evolving into a probable bacterial infection.     The P.A. concluded a shoulder x-ray was also advisable given my earlier adventure and extremity functional limitations, pains and bruises. 

The good news is that the x-ray revealed no bones were fractured or broken with primarily only the upper body on my dominant side affected.   Fortunately, my range of motion, gripping, lifting, and other abilities are gradually increasing with a lessening of pain and discomfort. 

Also on a positive note, the manner in which I was able to fall prevented my having to clean up a potential mess.   I was carrying a styrofoam carryout container filled with my Chinese dinner in one hand, with the other holding several objects including a capped water-filled plastic bottle.   I recall as my body rapidly angled toward the floor extending my arms with my thoughts focusing on balancing the containers upright to avoid spilling any contents.   Amazingly to me I was successful in preventing that disaster. 

I eventually have realized I would be most comfortable physically in loose clothing that didn’t require a lot of arm movement, or hand gripping attire that needed to be pulled up or down.   I discovered my wardrobe’s blouse clothing consisted primarily of pull-over type tops.   No longer did I have available my now deceased husband’s front button shirts as I once would have had.    Though I knew I could drive, I didn’t welcome the prospect of navigating walking through any of the several nearby shopping malls, or some of the other large stores seeking front button shirts.  

I really miss all the small independent variety or specialty clothing stores, some used to carry seconds and discontinued items of then-name brands. These stores once were scattered about in nearby strip malls with parking close by allowing a quick store entry and exit.  We didn’t have to walk for miles up and down never-ending aisles to locate a desired item in those small compact store areas. 

I’ve not been one to experience shopping as a substitute for an entertaining recreational activity.   I find the current crass commercialization movement to brick and mortar stores being open 24/7 quite undesirable, especially if those businesses have an Internet presence. They want me to shop at midnight or 4 A.M. in order to purchase their special sale bargain???  Web competition is the reason given for justifying these increasing store hours openings.   I’ll rue the day when purchases must mainly be made on the Internet – a step backward similar to my grandmother’s days of paper catalog sales -- an interesting topic to consider.  

Given our Southern California climate many cold weather clothes often aren’t even readily available here, so I didn’t relish having to visit several gargantuan stores to try to find what I wanted.   It occurred to me that some sporting goods stores might stock the inexpensive casual shirt I sought.   Then I remembered just such a new store nearby that I lamented had remodeled space which once held some nice restaurants.   I had been disappointed these casual eating establishments were gone, though not the lower quality last one this store replaced.    

Off I went this morning hoping I might be in luck at this new sporting goods chain store only five minutes away, and was pleased to be able to purchase a blue plaid light flannel button-up-the-front shirt – only shirt left in a size that wouldn’t completely envelope me.    I’m glad for the store presence in this instance, but I can’t imagine ever needing to purchase anything there again.  Regrettably, I think it’s unlikely they’ll be replaced with that nice restaurant I'd prefer.  

When I think of the fancy footwork in which I engaged, this video of Fred Astaire’s famous “ceiling dance” comes to mind.   I wish I could have stayed on my feet and been so nimble.  Stanley Donen filmed this scene for the 1951 movie “Royal Wedding” using what was then a very innovative special effect.  Rotating visuals and photos is no longer novel unlike before our digital technology.


You can see in this side-by-side film footage how this visual effect was achieved which may be of interest, especially if you have been previously unfamiliar with this famous “dance around the room.”  


The moral to my tale is that it’s better to dance than engage in my fancy footwork.   Stay on your feet!

21 comments:

  1. Falls are a big deal as we get older and am glad yours didn't result in anything worse than it did. Old age does change so many ways we have to see things.

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    1. So true, especially since we don't "bounce" as well as when we were younger.

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  2. DEar Joared, I'm relieved that you didn't injure yourself even more. A broken hip as one ages can be a misery.

    Thanks so much for the "Royal Wedding" dance. I enjoyed it as a youngster and still find it entrancing. Peace.

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    1. Broken hips all too often can really complicate life for us older folk.

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  3. What a lot to digest in your day! Falls are the pits, and I find that I need to be much less willing to carry all kinds of stuff around if I want to walk at the same time, too. It is quite a feat that you did not spill any thing! Amazing! I say congratulations! You're not only very sturdy, you're very lucky nothing broke!

    As for the video, it reminds me of a Hallmark card I saw years ago: "In honor of your birthday I'd love to dance down a spiral staircase....but I'm aFred aStaires!!" I don't remember that movie. Who is he looking at in the photo? From here, it looks like QE2!!

    Don't forget to take your arnica for the aches & pains!! Holding you in the light!

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    1. Yes it was an interesting day! Have you tried simultaneously patting your head and rubbing your tummy lately? My hips have a bit of "extra padding," if you get my meaning, sort of built-in, or built-out, fall protection.

      "I'm aFred aStaires!" Oh-h-h! That's a good Groaner for Kay.

      Thanks for introducing me to arnica -- hadn't heard of it.

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    2. XE: I believe the picture enchanting Astaire is of his movie love interest Anne Ashmond -- British actress, Sarah Churchill, Winston's daughter.

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  4. You were VERY lucky not to break anything. I fell a year ago and I knew immediately that I'd broken a hip. Not a fun thing !

    I love the fact that you have an "In Remembrance" box on your blog. I loved commenting on Octogenarian and Maya's Granny's blogs. I also had a lovely blogger friend in Vermont who shared her Lou Gehrigs disease with us ... she even had her caretaker type in her final words. It was very touching.

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    1. Glad you recovered from your broken hip. Our blogger numbers do decrease gradually. Even now I'm missing the writing of one Canadian blogger whose writing abruptly ceased though her blog remains. I do hope she's well, or, if not, a family member/friend could access it to assure us all is well.

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  5. Joared--I'm happy to read that you came out of your escapade in such fine shape. Good for you! If you really don't mind wearing men's shirts, I suggest you go to your nearest Disabled American Veterans store. In general, I buy women's tops when I visit a DAV; but, I have been known to buy a man's shirt, zig-zagging the buttonholes closed, cutting off and re-installing the buttons on the other side, and making new button holes. Obviously, I have a "thing" about having my clothing close the way its been closing for the past 70+ years.
    DAV stores not only have good prices, but they are not usually megastores so are easy to get into and out of.
    Good luck!
    Cop Car

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    1. Thanks for the suggestions. Checked out the closest one an hour or so away along the coast in Oceanside . I don't mind which side the button holes are on for this casual wear. This is just temporary since shoulder pain and soreness is decreasing daily as I gradually am also able to increase my arm range of motion. Haven't sewed for quite a few years and think would need to get my machine serviced to resume.

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    2. wot size shirt are you looking for? i have a gazillion, and I don't wear them much--just t-shirts and sweatshirts. I have never been a fashionista, but today I realized I have to clean up my act. I got called "sir" again in a store, and it pissed me off. I mean, don't they see my freaking pearl earrings??? actually, I've been looking for some good, warm, comfy flannel shirts myself. I have one, but it's one of those slim-fit kind (Ralph Lauren, very cute) and I can't button the damn thing. it's ok when the weather is warmish, and I can wear it over a t-shirt with an announcement!!

      Sigh. I'm thinking I should be wearing all black--skinny jeans and black turtlenecks, and no more cargo pants. Boots, yes. and i do have a wonderful leather purse/bag sort of thing in which I can carry just about anything--laptop, included. For a hat, I still need a ball cap with a visor to shade my pore eyes from the sun. But that's the height of fashion here in GT for people over 80. Not there yet, but it gives me some room to work.

      Anon....m.e.

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    3. Sizes always seem to vary from brand to brand for me, so generally have to try clothes on. I'd think after all these years sizing could be consistent, but styles/cuts/quality/material(shrinkage) all make a difference. I appreciate your thot but this one shirt is working out okay -- can pop in washer/dryer as needed. Will soon be wearing my pull-overs. I may try to accumulate a couple more button-up-the-front (male or female won't matter) to loll around the house in future. Like the light weight for indoor wear and this one has turned out to be just right.

      Vagabonde noted in her European fashion observations on their trip that black clothes seem to be prevalent, so you'll be in style. Wish I'd known to wear sunglasses in the winter, especially when it snowed, in my early years when we lived in east. I always liked lined wool slacks in the winter back east but haven't seen them here -- maybe they're out of style -- but haven't needed them here.

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  6. It's funny (sort of) that when we fall, our instinct seems to be to protect whatever we are carrying. I'm with you on shopping -- a most unpleasant experience for the most part.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. Guess we should be thinking about protecting ourselves, but I did keep by head from initial hard floor contact -- no closed head trauma for me, if can be avoided.

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  7. So sorry you joined our legion of fallen ladies, Joanne. One of the important ideas that you seem to have taken away from this accident is the need to simplify. Multi-tasking is the downfall (sorry about pun) of us all; have to talk to self often about that. Some good advice here--arnica, an ointment from centuries ago, and shopping in thrift shops. Do they have many in southern California? Stay well and upright! yours, naomi

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    1. "Fallen ladies" -- sooner or later many of us do succumb. "Downfall" -- another little gem! heh heh I've definitely placed those unassembled boxes elsewhere to await my use.

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  8. This made me recall the time, years ago in Zurich, when I was hit by a tram. Although it was a glancing blow to the head, the force from colliding with this heavy object was enough to throw me to the ground. I carefully set my basket upright on the ground as I fell.
    Yes, thrift shops. Value Village in Seattle is great. The link shows the Value Village stores in your area.
    http://www.valuevillage.com/find-a-thrift-store.aspx?z=los%20angeles
    You can also donate clothes and other items to the store for a small discount on items.

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    1. Ah yes, preserve that basket. Glad you kept your head! heh Thanks for the links to Value Village -- closest shop is about a freeway hour or so away. But wonder why I didn't think of nearby consignment store, a Goodwill and a recently opened large Thrift I've intended visiting. Maybe I wasn't thinking as clearly as I thought I was.

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  9. You surely are a nimble one I love the word picture of you and the chinese take out.
    Just glad you are recovering nicely and feeling well enough to entertain us with Fred Astire.

    Take care.

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  10. Geez. Get well soon. Sometimes this stuff just seems to happen. Four day ago, beautiful wife Sandy got up in the morning with excruciating pain in one ankle. Turned out she had a serious sprain. No idea how or when it happened. She's still on crutches, recovering slowly, and using occasional Vicodin for the hurt.

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