Tennis Elbow

Geez...I have had a blank post up about.  I guess my elbow hurt too much....

I have developed tennis elbow from something other than tennis.  My only other regular activity is computer stuff--and this year alot of it.  I think that my ergonomics were comprised when my new computer was set up while maintaining my old computer on the printer table (1) behind me which provided the best level. 

At the margin, small increments matter over time. Whether you are producing widgets or typing in a mechanically compromised way (poor leverage of reach and height), the good or the bad builds up fast.  In my case 12-17 hour days over a period of some months is the cause of my tendonitis.

I had a minor pain (prior to realizing what the problem was), and received a cortisone shot which completely eliminated the pain.  Unfortunately, the shot masked the problem entirely, so I did not have a chance to understand that the nascent symptoms were escalating under the veneer of the cortisone.

When the cortisone shot wore off, I realized how much inflammation I was experiencing.  It is bad enough where my regular routine is compromised---cooking, cleaning, working (computer), all contributing to the pain.  And bumping that sore area against a door jam is wince-inducing.

I've tried the arm band.  It felt good at first, but the benefit was either transitory or illusory.  It is possible that I'm just using it incorrectly.  I've avoided anti-inflammatory meds, but I'm simply not winning this battle.  Ice/heat combo provides some of the best relief. I'm not ruling out that I'm doing something strange with my arm during sleep that is exacerbating my symptoms.

I'm unused to having joint pain prevent normal activities.  I have a great empathy for folks with the chronic joint pain (from systemic or injury/use issues).  Husbando says that I just have to rest it completely, and that I should consider a sling.  

Right.

Douglas Van Howd Print

I was at a consignment shop and spied an English Setter flushing quail print.  The artist was Douglas Van Howd. The print is 119/750 and signed by the artist.  I didn't know who the artist was...in fact, I hadn't discerned the artist's signature until yesterday.  Been too busy to look. You can read about him here.

It's a largish 31.5"H x 39.5"W, and features an orange-belton English Setter flushing a covey of quail.  There's a pastoral quality to the print.  There is no title to the print unless it is beneath the matting. I did manage to stumble upon a picture of it after trying many key words. "Douglas van hows fall flush" was the one that finally yielded a hit.  I forget what I paid for it, less than $90 and far less than what it would have cost to frame the print alone.

I really love the way that it captures the point-movement of the Setter.

No I don't hunt, and my English Setters hunt and point whatever is in their periphery--mostly squirrels and biscuits. 

Sofa

My search for a new sofa ended thanks to Craigslist.  I found a beautiful Classic Leather, Keswick, sofa, pictured above, in like-new condition.  I paid $700 for it v ~$3700 that it would cost new.  Still, it was a premium price for a 10 year old sofa; but a difficult thing to find used in the condition that I wanted. Given the price I paid to the price that I would have had to pay, it was a good deal.  I gave my previous furniture to my daughter as it was in need of being reupholstered.  I had already upholstered 2x and slipcovered 1x.  I wanted to get something durable as we will sit on this piece every single day.

 My other furniture, made around 1930, ,had the most beautiful scale to it--smaller, very well made, with exposed carved wood on the base, the arm front face and the wings.  My daughter had the sofa reupholstered with companion fabrics for her chairs.  The sofa turned out beautifully.  It's worth noting that it costs as much to have a sofa reupholstered in a quality fabric as it costs to get a new sofa.  So, it is no wonder that people just toss out the old and get new.

My 'replacement' sofa was simply a sofa I had used to stage houses that I had bought for $150 at Rainbow Thrift and LGBT community thrift store.  It was like new, but it was singularly the most uncomfortable piece of furniture I had ever sat upon.  Out with the old to the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters thrift and in with the new-old from people rehoming furniture.

The dogs, of course, were quite keen to sit on it first.

I have a leather loveseat that I purchased at a good discount from Haverty's 15 years ago. Unfortunately, the leather on the cushions on the seat spots are now completely worn through--that is surely showing the love.  This piece is the most singularly comfortable piece I have ever sat in.  It is perfect for watching TV.  Back is propped up by the comfy arms and the opposite arm makes the greatest foot rest.  I'm not sure if I'm ready to let this one go yet!  Reade suggests that he should get out the gorilla tape. 

It may come to that.