Fawntastic

Lovely late summer/early fall weather today, cool and cloudy in the morning, sunny by noon, but still breezy and never oppressively hot. Perfect Market weather all around.

Decided to feature fawns for Instagram: toddler bowl, tall mug, and this sweet doe-and-fawn dinner plate, which inspired a customer to pull out his phone and show me pictures from the Cascades Raptor Center, where he volunteers. A doe and fawn visited their site last week, and he caught some adorable photos, including a really thorough ear-licking by mom, while youngster squirms.

Denise came down again, which was especially nice as her former co-worker from LCC, Mark Harris, dropped in unexpectedly. He now lives in New Mexico, but still does consulting in Eugene, as a drug and alcohol counselor. Also had a visit from a friend from up in Washington state; Kermit and his then-wife Katie lived on Whidbey Island, and we stayed with them when we did the fair in Coupeville. He's now in southwestern Washington, between Longview and the coast, and he and new partner Connie came down to Eugene to see Pink Martini at the Hult Center.

Our stretch of Market was definitely Potter's Row today; four of the five reserved space potters came out, and two more joined us. Maybe four non-pottery booths on the whole block?

One of which was my neighbor, Bronwyn, who does sewn goods from thrifted fabric. Her husband was feeling under the weather, so in addition to setting up and selling, she was also managing their two kids, Marwyn, age 7, and Raz, 4. They were generally good kids, though energetic, and I heard a lot of Mom Voice, especially as afternoon wore on. Why are your pants off? will never not be startling to hear.

It's always fun to be discovered by someone who's gotten one of my pots as a gift; today's case was a woman from Venice, California, who'd gotten a squared baker with bunnies from a friend. I also met a woman and daughters who'd inherited soup bowls from her grandfather, wanting two or three more. (Just think, me, an heirloom!) And I sold a stew mug that's going home to Toronto. International!

Noticed a lot of great candidates for hair of the day. Thought the winner would be the young woman with parakeet green sides, cut short, and fluorescent orange long top and back, but then the one with pastel rainbow hair and iridescent lilac lipstick edged her out.

Most heroic moment of the day: Watching a dad of two daughters re-twist their deconstructed balloon animal back into shape. I'm impressed, I called out. Some things you pick up as you go, he replied.

Good news

So I don't know if I ever brought this up here, but last April, I got some bad news from the doctor. After years of being borderline on blood sugar, then pre-diabetic, I was officially over the line into type 2 diabetes.

This was obviously not great news. I've been heavy all my life, usually teetering around 250 lbs., though I'd been as high as 275, and once, right after I got my trike, down below 230. Wasn't at all sure I'd be able to manage my weight--the craving for cookies is strong in this one--so agreed to go on Metformin, but also try to change my eating habits.

So I gave up breakfast cereal, and bread, and comfort eating of snacks. Yogurt, fruit and nuts for breakfast--I found I craved the crunch more than the sweets--a big salad for lunch (dinner salad bowls, very handy), and my usual supper, but with less rice/polenta/starch, and more meat and veg. I also tried to be a little better about using the trike, going out for a ride at least four times a week. It seems to have had an effect.

Saw the doc on Tuesday. I have officially lost 57 lbs., and my A1c is 5.5. I am officially post-diabetic. Thank God; the Metformin was horrible. (One of the commoner side effects is diarrhea. Bleagh.)

Now I just have to survive the week of low-residue diet for next week's colonoscopy. I am craving nuts and berries right now.

Multidextrous

Saw a busker across the street at Market this afternoon playing a trumpet with his right hand (and lips, of course) while playing an accordion with his left.

Wow. Just wow.