two libraries, one town, one day

I had no trail walks planned for today. I'm glad because it poured. I haven't been out since last Sunday and I needed to exercise.

I still have a lump on my leg from my fall last week. And my side still hurts. But I guess it's getting better.

I had signed up for a fall prevention workshop at the South Bethlehem branch of the library at noon. The plan was to walk down and back. With the rain I would have been soaked to the skin by the time I reached the five points. Since I needed to take the car I decided to go to the north side branch and do the qigong class.

I cut it close for the qigong class. I had maybe ten seconds to spare. Today we did upper body movements. I was sore and sweaty by the time the meditation period arrived. It just shocks me how slow, repetitive movements make such a impact. I'm sure if I practiced at home, or went every week, I might tone up a little bit.

The meditation period is my least favorite part. I can be quiet and not quite still, but I can't clear my head. Only the people with their eyes open saw me watching out the window.

I left that class and had 15 minutes to get to the south side branch. I lucked out with the parking space. The workshop was on fall prevention and was supposed to include screenings as well as the lecture.  The presenters had thick accents. My guess would be India or the Middle East. The man seemed much more comfortable in front of a crowd.

The lecture lasted about a half hour. During the lecture he talked about different causes of falling and of course mine were environmental. Although I fall over the couch all the time. So maybe not. He told me I needed to strengthen my core and that would help my balance. That bodies were designed to break a fall.

Then the screenings started. The first woman in line was taken by the man. Damn. I should have moved faster. He was still testing her when I left.

I got the woman. We did the stand and walk test that I had to sit, rise, walk 10 feet return and sit again. 12 seconds is normal. I was 12.5. I also received bonus points for not using my hands to get up. The next one she watched me walk. and declared that my left foot turns out. I've know that since I was five. No revelations. Then she was done. I asked about the other test but I was not a fall risk. I told her I really wanted to do the other tests—I'd guarantee her I'd fall. She didn't budge. If I had only gotten the man.

The other lady stood in different positions for seconds and then he tried to push her until she actually moved her feet. He did this a couple times till he reached her break point. Then my favorite was he measured how long she could handle certain positions. Like standing on one leg. She did 30 seconds. I couldn't do two.

I was disappointed. I learned nothing new, and everyone who knows me knows I am a fall risk. I have the scars to prove it.

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Congratulations to my friends at Cardinal Lane Farms. Their goats Sweet Pea and Baby gave birth to a total of six kids this week. Virginia is a bit of a commute so maybe I'll go walk goats at the Awberry Arboretum.