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Modeling, Protesting, and Spitting Stitches: Not Your Average Weekend

This past weekend I was invited once again to join a handful of customer models for a Liverpool Fashion show. I’m still recovering from surgery, but I would have hated to miss it. Hannah chose comfortable, sensible shoes for me to wear, with the goal of remaining stylishly upright. I’m happy to report all went well. The show raises funds for a local non-profit and unveils the current line of Liverpool clothing designed for comfortable and stylish dressing. I get to hang out with a fun group of women and play dress up.

The show is energizing but tiring, and I would have customarily headed home. However, the Hands Off protests landed on the same day. I’m seven weeks post hip replacement surgery, so Saturday’s rally was the first I could confidently attend.

I drove from Los Gatos to a shopping center in San Jose, rendezvoused with Mike, and took the light rail to the downtown San Jose event together. Over 5,000 protestors attended the San Jose rally.

According to National Public Radio:

“Hands Off! demonstrations were held across the country to protest the actions of President Trump and his billionaire advisor, Elon Musk.

The Hands Off! movement protested a wide range of activities from the Trump administration, from cuts and layoffs to federal departments to mass deportations.

Hands Off! demonstrations were organized for more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans, and elections activists, according to the Associated Press.”

As much as I enjoyed the day’s activities, I suddenly struggled to stand without pain. It was time to go home. We walked back to the light rail station, where we could sit while waiting for the train, but when it arrived, it was standing room only through the end of the route. It felt good to get home.

Early this morning, and for the second time in ten days, part of the knot of stitches at the end of my incision “spit out” through the skin’s surface. My body should absorb these stitches as I heal, but they’re moving the absorbable stitches to the skin’s surface, hence the term spit stitch. It’s unnerving. 

My surgeon’s office isn’t concerned, asking me to pull the stitch taut and cut it close to the skin. There is nothing like a pair of sharp, sterilized crafting scissors and a willing spouse with a steady hand to get your day going. When an even longer stitch protruded today, first as a loop and then opening out to a 5mm straight stitch, at least we knew what to do.

What a weekend.

35 thoughts on “Modeling, Protesting, and Spitting Stitches: Not Your Average Weekend”

  1. It sounds as if you overdid things Alys but I completely understand why you’d want to challenge yourself to attend both of those events.

    I remember taking part in a similar ‘modelling’ fund raising event while still living in France. Great fun isn’t it?

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    • Thank you, Lynn. These shows are great fun and the support for each other and the show attendees is wonderful. The current charity supports finding homes for dogs deemed “too old” to adopt, something I know you appreciate. I’m taking it easy this week, and of course time is the greatest healer.

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  2. What a weekend is right. Sorry about the hip, but I certainly understand why you wanted to attend both events. Those protests were so inspiring. All those people and no violence that I have heard of. Hope your hip felt better after you rested.

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    • Thank you, Laurie. I’m really glad I went, and perhaps hoped the spirit of the day would get me through. In the time I was there I met two different neighbors, and smiled at every sign-holder I came across. When we got there severala people had left the park rally to march around the city blocks. Horns honked and everyone seemed energized.

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    • Thank you, Kimberley. I’ve been resting and recouping, putting my feet up and drinking tea. There will be more rallys for you to attend and like you, it’s been wonderful witnessing the turnout throughout the country and the world.

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  5. I’m proud of you for attending despite your still-recovering hip, Alys. It was a truly important day. Fingers crossed that these protests continue and sanity starts to reign. Take care of yourself.

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  6. “There is nothing like a pair of sharp, sterilized crafting scissors and a willing spouse with a steady hand to get your day going.” Thank you for that LOL moment! So enlightening to hear crafter skills can come in handy. ;-)
    On a serious note: it’s heartening and empowering to see your participation in Hands Off – along with so many others. Imagine: you were both an activist and protester in the same day! Protester: one who brings to the forefront the ‘problem’ (Hands Off). Activist: one who proposes/acts upon solutions (fund raiser for nonprofit). Brava!

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    • Laura, I’m glad those words made you smile. YOU just made my day. Thank you.

      It felt good emotionally taking part in the Hands Off rally, even if it took it out of me in other ways. We have a lot of work to do. I hope we find our way out of this horrible mess.

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  9. Do take it easy for a little while now! I’ve had stitches spit out as well, from past procedures, and it’s disconcerting. The worst was when a lump formed at the end of the incision. I was worried until it popped one morning and the knot emerged. I guess the knot was a mouthful too large for the body to swallow!

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    • I’ve had several surgeries over the years but this stitch spitting is new to me. I’m glad to know you had a similar experience and an equally disconcerting reaction. It is strange. I’m uploading photos to the patient portal for record-keeping purposes.

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  10. I’m sure both events were worth the effort.

    Both sounded like a good time.

    l am envious of your ability to participate.

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  12. You are still and always a model. Tall and stunning but more roll model than you realize. I can’t imagine doing what you did in that kind of discomfort. I hope you are doing a lot of resting now. Take care of yourself. We need you.

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  13. Such a memorable weekend for so many reasons, dear Alys!! So glad that your hip was feeling good enough to participate in both meaningful activities. I know how much you enjoy the charity fashion show! I know that participating in the Hands Off! Protest felt so good! (It was our 6th Saturday Protest rally in a row!) It feels so good to make the signs and to stand in Protest with like-minded people who love our country and seek change from all that is happening! It’s so good to hear that you have been resting this week. I truly hope that your stitches behave in the coming days and weeks. Sending healing hugs all the way to California, my friend! I’m looking forward to our video visit!! 🩷

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    • Thank you for your healing hugs, Dawn. I’m so impressed with your weekly protests. Its important that our voices are heard, and further, especially in states with slim majorities, these protests put the GOP on notice for the midterms: We’ve had enough and we won’t back down. The stock-market turmoil, the tariffs, the continued reduction in importnat government jobs and the personal vendettas against non-profits, lawyers, and others is unfathomable. xo

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