Ready for the Next Thing

D. is well and seems to have recovered his very scary episode. My life is ravelling back together. I'm exhausted and a bit flakier than usual. I am so thankful for my good friends who are sincerely there to support and encourage us.
In a fit of being overwhelmed, I cancelled a bunch of stuff this weekend and I am so glad. I need to just sit and knit next to hubby.
I am so ready to be done this angel blanket. But I have a long border to go. Just keep working through it. There are 4 other babies- one is imminent. Must try the 5 hour sweater. I've set aside some cotton for that.
Plus Brooklyn Tweed has an excellent toque pattern that will be luscious in all my pink and purple stash bits. It has been a long, cold winter. I woke up to snow this morning! Right now it's warm and sunny.
But I still have a wish to wear my new (half-finished) mohair shawl and the hat that is not yet on the needles. Maybe if I really prepare for the cold, the daffodils will come out. I win either way.
I should be knitting.

It's Just a Spot

My husband had a small TIA last night. That's transient ischemic attack as in stroke. He's 44. We were singing and playing flute/ pipes at a Shrove Tuesday celebration last night when he kind of went numb.
Overnight in the Emergency ward- thank goodness his brother the internest got us on the fast track.
He's out now with no abnormal results other than a "spot". We're off to the neurologist in the next town. I'm the one who's numb now.

Don't Curse the Angels

I obviously have too much going on. The Skating Carnival was yesterday and I'm so glad to have that over. Such an overwhelming amount of volunteering. I did enjoy being the MC and hearing my Noodle-Pie sing O Canada.

But this baby blanket is just not my cup of tea. I usually design my own blankets. They are not blocks and do not include tricky little reperesentational pictures, though they may have letters.

I have to admit they are charming angels, but I feel like a sheep blindly following stitch to stitch on the pattern. I normally read the stitches on the needle and enjoy the rhythm of the pattern.

Oh well, one and a half of the little blighters to go. I decided to ask my friend, the new grandmom to be for a gift cert from my LYS. That way I'm not being paid, but "gifted" and I'll get something I really want because I'm on a stash diet and this won't count. I know, now I'm tricking the angels and using them for other ends.

Let me throw myself into the last squares now and then I'll work on the mohair shawl I snuck into the project list because I was feeling so overwhelmed. That doesn't make any sense either but a least I could do some mindless knitting at the rink.

This week is Piano Festival. What shall I bring to knit?

Dearest Cupcake

I made these last night for my family. Valentines isn't a big holiday here. I remember when cupcakes were the appropriate celebration for every occasion. I rather miss the little ones.

Noodle-pie asked last night if I had bought her any candy hearts to give to her friends. She forgot she had told me she was too old. I would have been happy to play along.

D. gave me an emerald ring and earrings in Texas so he's off the hook. I gave him a Starbucks card. Practical but a little luxurious. What do you buy the Scottish piper who wants to save money?

The angel baby blanket is coming along with more glitches and hopefully more prayers than expletives. I need to add a few rows to each plain lace square because the stupid way the instructions were written. Also each angel is like a gimmicky magic trick. Each row is random mixes of yarn overs and k2tog's. Not the pleasing predictable tracks of my usual cable or lace work. Still, I'll work three or four or all of them before I decide I don't like the pattern. That's the difference between now and before I had knit a lot. If I didn't like a pattern, I would give up. Now I don't give up until I'm done.

Blessings for a Baby

It turned out a little bright and busy, but it's possible that my friend's baby will be the same. My baby is 14 years old and knitting her own sweater. But I feel a need to connect with this old friend who so graciously shared her family when I was far from mine.

It hasn't been a great week. What with "Skating Carnival" and "Piano Festival" you'd think my life was a rollicking party. But it just means extra duties and driving. The sewing of sparkly costumes if really over the top and I object. In addition we had an extra long Sunday with meetings and lessons. At the end of a very nice supper, my husband was called out to look at a sick colt and I had to lead yet another meeting into the night. Phew!

I did say no to two meetings last week and I cancelled my band because I was under the weather with my asthma. I'm a bit perkier now. The trick is to not overdo it.

The angel baby blanket is started. The acrylic yarn is actually soft and easy to work with. It's also worsted weight, so I'm going great guns. Three plain lace squares finished. I'll do a fourth and then start on the pretty cabled angels. I'm doing this as a favour for the mom-to-be's mom. This isn't as fun as knitting on my own steam. I had planned to knit her a sweater anyway. I may have enough yarn left over from the blanket to make a matching one. I'll get there when I get there.

One Sure Thing

I'm shorting out. Skating Carnival. Piano Festival. It sounds like my life is a party. But this is a tough season for the mother of two busy teens. Extra practices and lessons toward performance and real excellence.
But little excellence in my own life. Knitting helps me to focus beyond the dirty floor and the unreturned calls.
I worked hard to do my follow ups this morning. I said no (!!) to two requests. That was hard. But when will I get my own stuff done? The house had its big weekly clean, so it can just shut up and get in line. I want to write. I need to read. These things are getting burried.
But the knitting is always available while I'm waiting or gearing up for other(s) things.
The sleeves are almost done on Cecelia. Such a joy. And actual evidence that I'm getting somewhere.
My deares knitting friend and I poked around "the other" wool shop yesterday. I succumbed to rosewood dpns. It's not like me, but on the weekend I found myself without 4mm dpns. How can that be?!! I can't tell you how many needles I have in my cupboard and the binder that holds my circulars. So I bought the plain ones at Zellers on Sunday so I could continue with my colourful sleeves. But now I have lovely - not to share- rose wood ones. Hmm. What can I make?
I have to get to this knitting for a friend. It's hanging over me. It won't take that long once I begin, but I can't enjoy planning other knitting or the quilted knitting bags I long to create until I meet the agreed terms. What should I ask for in return? I don't want cash.
Tomorrow I must spend a little time in the garden if it's not too wet. I want to welcome my spring bulbs in proper beds.
I want to just play with my knitting, but I have to be a grown up, too.
Looking forward to this evening when I return from band practice and can whip up a few stitches.

There She Is

Captured in the garden of the Chilliwack Academy of Music.

Feast of St. Brigit

Today is the feast of St. Brigit, according to CBC Radio2. They are playing a feast of Celtic music this morning which feeds my soul. She is the patron saint of blcksmiths, midwives and hand crafters.
From Deborah Bergman's "The Knitting Goddess":
Brigit was Abess of Kildare Abbey when Patrick started a religious revolution. There was much uncertainty. February 1st was Imbolc, the day of the feast of the Queen of Heaven and cakes werer baked for her. It marked the first of spring and the lambing season as it means "in the belly" and also "ewe's milk".
She was known for eternal beauty and grace. She was able to ease the pain of childbirth. Brigit's fire marked the change from the pure white light of the winter solstice to the "earthy, amber light of transition and birth. It fed the blacksmiths' forges and the hearths of the spinners It emanated from her hair and flamed out of her sparkling eyes. Some saw it ffrom the wriling of a twelve-spoked fiery spinning wheel. It is customary to clean out the hearth and lay a new fire on this day.
Her warm amber light is symbolized by butter, honey, beer and Irish whiskey. All the best things.
Celebrate the divine light of this new season by enjoying your knitting projects.

To Comfort Me

I finished the green goodnes of Malabrigo merino. It is a very soft "single ply" (I believe). I already started it in Li's (Life's a Stitch)reversible herringbone scarf, but it just came out like 1970's shag rug.

In San Antonio I spent too much money on a cab to get to a bookstore. The wool shop was just out of the question. S.A. is like Calgary where you have to take a super highway to get anywhere. Not good for a walker.
I ended up at a Borders where I spent several lovely hours and treated myself to Wendy Knits which I haven't been able to find. She is so charming and I knew this Fir Cone scarf would be perfect. More than perfect, I still have one skein left. You can see the scarf resting in the morning winter sunlight.

This morning when I took my daughter to her 7:15 Jazz Band practice, the sun was already coming out! Forget the groundhog- I'm encouraged by mother nature that spring is coming. Today I will try to take pictures of snow drops and blossoms.

In the continuing story of stash diet, I'm pleased with the Lamb's Pride for Knitty's Cecilia. It's time for some colour work and I can go randomly at this beautiful little girl's cardigan. It is such a blessing that my classmate finally has a baby of her own and I want to surprise her with a gift. I haven't seen her for almost 20 years, but she was a strong person who shared her family when I was so stressed out and not at my best in Nursing School. I'm the same person, but I respond so differently to everything. Can I apologize enough?
I'm so lucky to have such great friends now. I have to make sure they know they are appreciated.

Happy Hats

"Can you show me the thing with the sticks?"

One of our skating coaches' 5 year old daughter asked me that when I was knitting these hats at the rink. It's a bit like knitting a kitten. Not a sweet pretty kitten.

I chose the most objectionable colours I could find because I think the chemotherapy kids in Boston would like a bit of attitude.

It scared me when a few friends remarked that they thought I was knitting something very pretty. Hmm. They never say that about my silk laceweight or my Fleece Artist socks.

I was a pediatric nurse, trained in oncology before I quit to stay home with my two kids. I actually worked for three years after they arrived and it was too hard. I wasn't getting enough hours to keep my registration so I just said don't phone me. Do I miss it?

I miss caring for people and I know now that I'm good at it because everyone is dreadful when I am sick. I had surgery two years ago and I was so proud of the high standard of nursing here in Chilliwack. But the administration and the government have been driving full speed into disaster with total mismanagement of the health care system. For me it was when they took away my head nurse. No thanks. That's like trapese without a net.

They have doctors in the building round the clock now and medical and nursing students. It was just glorified rural nursing 10 years ago.

I'm working hard to find a place to channel my not insignificant knowledge, my teaching skills and my love of working in a team. Perhaps X-ray technician? I'd love to work with Cancer patients again.

So these hats are to the brave and strong young souls who didn't choose to be in the hospital and fighting for their lives. Hope it brings a smile.

Your Luggage is in Barbados

We had a good time in friendly San Antonio. I think Texas lives up to every one of its cliches. Friendly, loud and fun. We were right on the river and enjoyed walking along its banks, eventhough the weather was cold and wet. Just like home.

Our luggage did not arrive home with us. I helped the airline track it until they stepped up their hunt just to get rid of me. It's disturbing that I had more information on my computer than my contact.

It did come home just after the sewing of numerous skating outfits and a birthday party for my son's 16th with 22 family members.

I brought my thistle leaf shawl. I dyed the yarn blue a few summers ago. That was a real kick. I had bought an extra skein of teal laceweight in a fear of running out before I finished my Fibertrends Pacific Rainforest shawl. I didn't run out. The only wool they had was an ugly mushroom colour. But I thought it was better than two teal shawls. They dying was success because the inconsistencies lend to the denim nuance.

You can see I have anally prepared by copying Barbara Walker's pattern in large and cutting out each line for a card. I did this for a lace scarf and it worked so well. It's worth the effort if you remember that I pick up and put down this shawl several times over the years. My hope is to have it ready for the summer trip to Scotland. Note: hope not goal. Who knows what knitting will cross my path before that?

I have quite a long list of must do knitting: a worsted weight angel baby blanket for one of my Sunday School students who is now expecting. Her mother asked me to knit it and unfortunately I couldn't encourage her to just get the pattern and not the acrylic kit. I remember believing in the power of kits. But it will be sweet and washable. I also have a stash sweater for a nursing classmate who is finally blessed with a baby girl. We graduated 20 years ago! Must send a sweater to Utah!

D. bought me some lovely emeralds in Texas. A suite from my sweet. So I must make the green scarf to compliment them. I know. What is the appropriate knitting for new jewellery?

I have some good shots of the Alamo. The weather was cold and overcast which means the lighting was good. Unfortunately blogger won't accept them. Maybe tomorrow

Insert Expletive

More snow. More shovelling and, oh joy, Skating Carnival.

This means I have not been walking, hardly knitting, and bruised on my butt.

Yesterday was a singularly horrible day. Did you know that if you don't use your sewing machine for over a year, that the symbols can lose their meaning? I totally forgot what to do for stretch sewing. Thank goodness the store I got it from (10 years ago?) is just around the corner and open at 0930h. The fabric the other Angie gave me for my Noodle-pie's costume is stretchy satin. Horrors. Worse yet- only one was stretchy. So I had to sew toward and away with the pink side up and blah blah. Grumpy. But not to be conquered.

When daughter got home from school (driven because of weather) and after skating lessons, I tried it on her and laughed. Thank goodness for my knitting experience. I pinned it and just cut away to make a shape. Imagine going off pattern! Actually I wasn't given a pattern. Now we have a gold and orange go-go dress.

On my way to post the sweater to nephew #1, I tripped and dropped a stack of library books in a slippery puddle. I just about cried and threw up and kicked the new car. But instead I laid them on the dining table (with the sewing) to smother them in towels. I think only one is truly ruined. Poor books.

Going to lunch was a high point. Though my dear friend has just lost one of her dear friends. So sad. We think we're too young.

I gave the zamboni guy his DNA illusion scarf and he was tickled. So I was tickled.

Unfortunately, my skater is in yet another number- line dance. "We" have to come up with a costume pronto. I talked to the two other moms who were available and we're going with jeans and a bandana. I'm going to make gingham peasant blouses (toward Daisy Duke) for each. They are simple to sew and more importantly, simple to fit. We have girl's size 8 to my daughter, ladies 14. Still, I think it could be cute.

I received the Mary Maxim pattern and yarn for the "Gift of Angels" blanket. This is knit for a friend to give her expectant daughter. They have been involved in Sunday school and camp for many years and know my kids well. The grandma-to-be refused knitting lessons. I refuse to be paid. I'm trying to think of a suitable barter. Too bad she doesn't cook. I have another friend who will sew for cabbage rolls.

The fun fur chemo caps are definitely cheering. I made one yesterday and one the day before.
The packing may do me in today. We fly our at 11 am tomorrow, but need to leave the house at 8 am.

If I don't post for a few days, please imagine that I am relaxed and happy exploring San Antonio.

Completed, Except

Last night I finished the top down raglan. I think my son looks pretty hunky in it. When he was a baby, we called him "Hunky Boo" because he was such a big Ukrainian baby (D. is half Ukrainian).His eldest cousin is a very similar size.

I think I will make it just a little longer in the body. Because I can. That's one of the treats of the top down. I think I changed my mind on this pattern after Hanne remarked on the decreases. I figured it out. It was a quick knit and I think Boo would wear it. How about dark blue or charcoal? He doesn't like the masterpiece aran sweater I knit him of special anti-tickle.

I had intended to knit my daughter, my Noodle-pie, a perfect aran before embarking on the nephew project. But the cotton cable hoodie, Mariah, was knit too loosely and eventhough I knit a size down, the cotton stretched and came out a size too big. Sigh. It is destined for my niece who is second in line. This means I am set to start sweater 3. I was going to knit Noodle a red Rogue hoodie, but she has started her own from Sally Melville. I win.

So today I will extend the bottom of the cable raglan. Then I will knit one or two fun fur caps to send to January One's friend. They will be collected for the chemo kids in Boston. I love to knit for medical babies. This hat will cheer me up after I shovelled the drive yet again. I torture myself that the neighbour who so rudely barricaded our shared driveway will oportunistically use mine as she doesn't clear her snow- nor do her lazy children or her little boyfriend. Wasted energy to fuss about others. I hate having a sociopathic neighbour. I want her to move. I want her to stop speaking to me in abusive language. It's up to me to tell her that I need more respect, but she's a sociopath, so it won't help. As long as my family is safe, I'll just walk away. Too sad after living here for almost 10 years. We pay off the mortgage next year. We've put up with drug dealers and car thieves, but it's never been so bad. We really love our privacy and she's in our face. Breathe. Knit. Make music. Nurture yourself.

Despite the Chill

We had an eventful weather week. I guess just about everyone could say that these days, especially in Canada where we always talk about the weather.

The trunk is finished on the top down raglan. It really looks like the trunk of a tree in the brown shades. I'll start the sleeves today. It will be simple, but it will cost some thought and intention.

I have had the good news that a nursing classmate has had a baby girl. They have been married for at least 14 years because they visited me when I was expecting my daughter. I checked the stash- I'm trying to stick to the stash diet. There was some beautiful Brown Sheep in pink, purple and green from another sweater. I'm planning to make the Cecelia from Knitty. It has the cutest petal collar. I'll adapt it to the yarn I have. I can get away with the smallest size, I think.

I plan to take the blue thistle shawl to San Antonio next week. I wanted it for our trip to Montreal but I broke the addi turbo wooden needle in packing. Tears. Now it's replaced, and I really should admit that I have this project on the needles. Can I finish the nephew sweater by then?

We've been enjoying BBC videos from the library. Great knitting content.

What's Under the Blanket?

Yesterday we got the new car. It's a civic sedan and I love it. It satisfies the practical need and still has room for zip and little bit of style. You can't see the beautiful dark blue because of the crappy weather. I scraped our drive way and three of our neighbors because I was worried about freezing rain. I'm big on safety and we have some old people and some who work all day.

Don't look at the decrepit RV in the background. We have the WORST neighbors. I know we should love our neighbors, but it's easier when they live in Somalia, or at least Surrey. We have had less trouble with the old renters who were variously drug dealers, car thieves and deadbeat dads. The widow sold the house to a classmate of mine from school and we have lost all our privacy. We refuse to tangle with her. No tolerance of bullies means moms too.

Enough energy trying to be passive on that one.

I had to rip out the trunk of the top down because I hate the instructions. I was in my LYS and Hanne said, oh, it looks like you just....

Of course. She solved it so well I had to frog a portion. She also let me trade my leftover balls of Crystal Palace kidsilk in turquoise for some lovely bright green. I'll make D's aunt a Kiri for her 70th. I have until September when she takes her villa in Umbria.

And I can stay on my stash diet.

The power was out lastnight for 6 hours. My son BBQ'd in 100 km winds. We had a great supper by candlelight and then everyone read by their book lights with ipods. Blessed quiet. When the wind died down, the quiet woke me.

I have lapsed from my runagogo. But I did

shovel the whole stinking drive. I'm not counting the mileage. Confident I can still make it.

Walking in the Rain

I'm really hooked on this Run-a-go-go. Thanks Rachel and Scout. I went out in the slushy snow this morning with the dog, Carly and it went well, thanks to Melissa Etheridge.
Yesterday I ran away to Vancouver with one of my best friends. We shopped and saw the Painted Veil at the charming 5th Avenue Theatre. What grown up fun. We brought our knitting, but didn't make it up to W. 10th to Urban Yarns. Just as good as I'm on a stash diet. I'll take her later.

Tonight we potluck with all the friends from our book club and their families. I am disappointed that my family is not more enthusiastic. But I've been disappointed before and survived. They'll have a great time once we're there. The good news is they missed me yesterday.

I hope to knit while I prepare my potluck goodies. The trunk of the topdown raglan is growning. I was so discouraged on Wednesday. My scale said I had gained 5 lbs. The heaviest I have been since my surgery July 04. But today it went back down. Still, reason enough to accept that my own behavior might be involved in my weight and my health. I'm trying to be back on the core diet. It is the best choice for my wellness. Wish me luck.

Top Down and Off the Chart.

I've started the top down raglan sweater for my oldest nephew. It was coming along lickety split despite the strange language in the pattern. It's from Knitter's Fall 2001. I know now how blessed we are with the internet knitting sites. The abbreviations are rediculous. All in the name of fitting in another picture or fitting in more ads.

I just about frogged it last night. It was off the needles. And eventhough this Scheepjes Figodon is a bit splitty, it held its stitches. I gave in, put them back on the needles and counted. Only two out. I don't care if I missed something in the "AT THE SAME TIME" tunnel. I had to go off road, but I made it out to daylight on the other side and I'm dividing for the sleeves in the picture above.

I'm not a big fan of Knitter's, but there was a time when it was the only magazine I could get.

Thank-you Knitty and Magknits and all the wonderful designers. Opening up the communication to the designers is one of my chief kicks. Jodi Green is wonderful, Grumperina is the best and Kate Gilbert is amazing.

In other news, the birthday party/new year's eve sleep over was a bad idea. I thought my daughter could overcome her disappointment at having an early new year birthday. But it was like being under seige.

No cake. They made a cake. Won't that be fun? I hid in the bedroom. Then, you guessed it, they went outside to play in the dark after leaving the cake to cool outside. On a table you ask? On the BBQ? Not even on the hot tub. On my lawn chaise. Carly ate the cake. She didn't feel well. We had flaming sundaes.

I think we'll not repeat this experiment.

Frivolity, Not Just an Illusion

There has been much eating and drinking and opening of gifts here, at the farm and assorted family residences. Eventhough I didn't knit for Christmas (much) , we have two out of three babies already born this holiday season. I haven't got to hold any of them yet, but the gifts were well received.

Except for the heavily gravid SIL who deemed it best to open the gift later in the week when she's alone.... you're welcome.

Some people are so strange.

This Magknits illusion scarf was as quick and easy as it was interesting to knit. It goes to the zamboni guy at the rink where my daughter takes figure skating lessons. Years ago we always had her birthday at the skating rink. These young people go out in public skating like life guards. Therefore I don't need to skate and supervise them. We gave zamboni guy some pink cupcakes when he was about 16 and he said, "No one's ever shared before". That captured my heart.

He's been such a help at turning on the parent "toasters" in the bleachers, chasing away dangerous young men doing drug deals in the wrong place and dressing up for our carnival. When he asked, "When are you going to knit something for me?" I undertook to find a pattern in our club colours.

I don't like the rink. I have issues with the self-centered young women and their shallow pit bull mothers. But I knit there. I have failed on the board, so I just do joe-jobs. I have found a few friends. I stay less than I did when she was very young. But I always look forward to seeing zamboni man. I hope he likes it.

I intend to knit the cabled DNA scarf as well.

Overwhelming yarn choices, reading choices and goodies to be saved from going stale. I must take the big dog for a walk first to earn my rest. I was at the doctor at 0900h this morning for care of an ear infection. It just about struck me out of the holiday fun, but I managed to overcome the misery and now I have backup meds if I need them. A sure cure.

Embrace the Unexpected

What a joy and delight it is to knit from this kettle-dyed pure merino wool from malgrigo.

I am not normally content to accept change and surprise. I like to know what's being flung at me. But through knitting I am becoming a better mother, wife, teacher, everything.

Just because I can't control or anticipate something does not make it bad, scary or evil. In the case of handpainted yarn, it is a blessing. What's coming next. How will my action (stitch, guage, pattern) affect the cosmos.

An unexpected Boxing Day sale. 40% off. Yay! I had my eye on this emerald mix. I want to see how Li's scarf knits up in it. I want to wade into the water eventhough I don't know what's under it. The year I went surfing I had to practice being brave. What's the worse thing that could happen? Falling off didn't hurt, it wasn't violent. I just got back on.

I hope this will be a year of embracing the unexpected. Getting out of my sun room and walking into the depths of life.

I need all my courage to work on my novel. It's already helping because my journal is filling with parallel and unrelated ideas. I'm working in pencil now to give myself the feeling of jotting down thoughts. Nothing important. Nothing in stone. No risk.

Life is all risk. Going to Christmas dinner at my in-laws is all risk. But we've grown past the days when my BIL and I poked each other with verbal turkey forks. The new SIL is megolamaniacally pregnant. But I am almost 14 years from that situation. Our new addition this year will be a cello for my daughter. Embrace that unexpectedness.

Embraceable You.

I just love my little ipod. I just downloaded my first song from itunes: Jane Siberry and K.D. Lang "Calling All Angels". Such a beautiful piece. I hope to sing it one day. I'm lucky to have a few new favourites. Not too many Christmas songs this year, but that's OK.

This is his little basket of wires and where he rests and sleeps so I can ever find him if I need to listen to a knitting podcast or a book while I walk.

I'm already excited about the 40% off sale at my LYS on Boxing Day. I'm swatching a knit from the top raglan for my eldest nephew. If I get enough for the next guy, it doesn't count for knitting from your own stash year. I may buy some beautiful emerald hand paint, too, to make Li's reversible herringbone scarf. I have some Noro Silk Garden, but I probably wouldn't wear it. Who knows what it would look like knit up.

I'm enjoying a little break before tomorrow's three musical services at church. I love my flute and I'm so pleased to be playing. But I will be exhausted after the midnight service. It will be great to be surrounded by my three part brass family. It will be so wonderful to hear the trumpets and trombone players who are my husband and kids. Maybe I should take up the tuba.

Shortest Day

That was a pretty cool sostice. My best friend brought her son over and the kids played their new Dutch Blitz card game while we talked fibre and music lessons.





My daughter will be taking cello lessons in the new year. Despite the ordering of a new small car. I'll still have to schlep the soccer mom van around. It's not as bad as the year we both played bass drum in our pipe bands. The flute is much handier.

The tumbling blocks is finished and brilliant, though not bright enought to add light to the short day. Walking was so great this morning as it has warmed up a lot. I bathed the dog, so we couldn't run in the muddy field.

This is going to be a good Christmas. The 24th is almost entirely filled with carols and playing of instruments. Mom is handling the Christmas Eve soup and sandwich party that I always have. So I get to see my sisters and nephews before the big day. The big day is spent at the in-laws. But I have now shaved off the entire morning (for a classy breakfast with my parents) and the early afternoon (for a rest/ snack). We aren't expected until after 2pm. Much better than the years I had to bring the babies for 0900h. Yuck.





D. wanted me to go to the Knitter's gathering in California. It was awfully tempting. But two things held me back. First, I don't really like the sweaters/ads/ glitz of the magazine. I'm much more into knitty and IK. Secondly, my writing guilt wouldn't let me. A retreat must be a writing retreat. Not that it would be more fun. But it's something I should really explore. Perhaps a few days at UBC this summer.





In response to the finding my own knitting crowd, I tried to get onto the knitty chat room last night. But they wouldn't let me in. The scary squiggly letters were not what I read them as, I guess.





For two years I've been reading blogs, Yarn Harlot, Life's a Stitch, And She Knits Too. I've lurked. I've posted. Finally I got a blog. But I don't feel legitimate because I don't know if I'm getting any comments. Have I ever been read? It's like having a kool aid stand out the back of an ice rink. No way to meet the thirsty people.


I'm going to email Lara at Math4knitters to ask for help. I would like to politely reply to comments and get to know people better so that if I were to ever go to a knitting event, I would not be the outsider.


I don't knit as much or as well as so many of you. But this has been such a warm and inclusive gathering. I've learned lots about podcasts and blogs and computers and digital cameras. I feel that I'm not being judged in comparison, but for my own efforts.


I'll try to start a knitting group here in Sardis this year. I have a space I'm allowed to use. I'll see if there's a response. I hope it's better than the writing circle. Ew. I should try that again, too.

First get through this year. The lists have been checked off. Even the apple cranberry relish is now done. I'm going to enjoy a little rest and knitting.

You're Not Alone

My daughter sat with me for two days while we were ill and knit with me. It was strange and relaxing and at times annoying. But like my mother, I didn't solve her problems and hand back the penguin. I showed her my reference books and demonstrated on my own needles.

She's very random and will be knitting without patterns before her 14th birthday (2 weeks).

What a silly penguin. He made us smile as we trudged through all our Christmas videos.

D. is in his grumpy Christmas mood. It really does irk him. Thank goodness for our music. We are playing together in three services on Christmas Eve. I love my pieces. Huron Carol, Wexford Carol, Lulay.

I have found reception for CBC Radio 2 and have been wallowing in wonderful classical music and great hosts all week. This is not the scheduled spot on the dial, but I'll take it.

Two more days of school. On Friday I serve pizza at lunch. Chaos.

All the gifts are wrapped and the baking done. It's good that I give myself time to be sick. The fever still comes, but I was able to attend a long meeting/party yesterday and make a nice meal for supper.

Teens are funny. No Lego this year. It's a bit tough. They want hair dryers and razors. I want a cup of tea and a bit of knitting.

Knit Your Own Stash

This is a big step to take on an evening that I'm home with a fever instead of helping at the Christmas Pageant. I'm dizzy and hot and cold and weak. No, please come in.

Given time to read Wendy Knits, I am interested in her idea of knit from your own stash year. I'm having trouble finding words.

Here are her rules. I will make a few changes. A few years ago I did manage this. I also read from my own shelf for a year. It makes me feel less guilty about my abundance in a world of unequal distribution, and helps validate that I like my own taste and can make good choices, even in the frothing excitement of a wool shop. When I make my long project list, everything is in the cupboard in the basement in clear containers. I even have enough baby yarn to knit for the Oak Avenue Mission.

Knit From Your Stash 2007!
L-B mentioned to me that she was thinking about attempting to knit from her stash exclusively in 2007. I, of course, laughed at her initially, but started thinking that attempting to knit from my stash exclusively was not a bad idea. Both L-B and I have stashes of epic proportions. L-B had suggested a period of 9 months of knitting from the stash, so that we could go to Stitches East next October and buy yarn there.
So, in a phone call, we sketched out our guidelines.
Knit From Your Stash 2007: Guidelines for L-B and Wendy
1. The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through September 30, 2007 -- a period of nine months.
2. We will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:
2.a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think we are made of stone?
2.b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that we really and truly do not have the yarn for, we may buy yarn to knit that gift.
2.c. If we are knitting something and run out of yarn, we may purchase enough to complete the project.
2.d. We each get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- we are each allowed to fall off the wagon one time.
3. We are allowed to receive gifts of yarn.
4. Spinning fiber of any sort is exempt.
Anyone else who would like to join us in this is welcome to do so! Feel free to link to this page or to post the guidelines on your own blog. You may also alter the guidelines to suit your own situation.

The yarn I already ordered doesn't count because it's mine and no one can take it away from me. My sister's 50th is in October. If I do two nephew sweaters, my own lace shawl(s), sister's and various socks, I probably won't even need my get out of jail free card. I will try to save it for Scotland and London in August. OOO London!

Back to bed and A.S. Byatt's wonderful Possession.

Thicky, thicky

I'm trying to buy lace weight yarn over the internet, but I'm having trouble with all the numbers. That's why I listen to Math4knitters.
From my Joy of Cooking I have the equivalents.
1g =0.032 oz
10z = 28.35 g

Now if the wool comes in 150g skeins and there's 325 meters to 4 oz (why mix imperial with metric!) (Why mix ever anyway?)
Fleece Artist is Canadian. I'm Canadian. We use System International. Phooey.
How much do I need and what will it cost and is another type a better deal?
This is simple math but I'm floundering in little cards and my calculator is laughing at me.

I need 800 yds of "laceweight". That could be anything. Granted a shawl will fit, my problem is if I buy hand-dyed, I'd better have enough at the start.
Is sock weight light enough? I'm not sure it's what I want.

And the answer is Helen's Lace from Lorna's Laces in navy. Sight unseen. Thanks Urban Yarns. I hope I'm not sad with the yarn, or the pattern, or my knitting, or my sister's reaction. Who said knitting was simple?

Baby Alpaca is for Babies

Yummy yarn buy. I knew I would reneg on my intention to do no Christmas knitting. But there are two marvelous little boys in our office and I can't resist. My only regret is that they're not more a part of my life. I will drop in to bring this little gift. I may even bring my horse/dog for the older boy to tussle with.

This thick and soft yarn will be perfect, I hope for the little ones who don't want to wear a hat. I'm strict about winter hats and little ones. I knit many for my own babies. The first hat knit up so quickly last night. I'm using Ann Budd's The Knitter's handy book of patterns again. I use it a lot. You find your gauge, you pick your size and you follow the graph for that choice. So many sizes and gauges are given. It's good for adding designs, too. But this first hat was still a little big, so the second one will be the smallest size. Easy, peasy.

The Chilliwack Wool and Craft shop is so charming. The first time I walked in, it was so bright and clean, I thought I was in the wrong place. Hanne is Dutch and sweet. She has a big family and one of her boys did work experience with D. who is a dairy vet.

They have clients in the traditional Dutch community who actually still have ties with Europe, so we're seeing a whole new line of wools. Plus they'll order just about anything for me. I had a lot of trouble with the other shop over her priorities and why I was at the bottom for a year. When she got on the order, the wool came in a week. But the birthday had come and gone- twice!

Hanne orders and keeps me up to date if it will be delayed. I rarely order in a fit of need.

Right now I'm trying to order some Fleece Artist from Urban Yarns. Lace yarn is a bit thin on the ground, and I think I'm talking myself out of cobweb. My Pacific Coast Rainforest Shawl (Fiber Arts) has a hole. I'd like to give something a little sturdier. This is a 50th birthday for my second-oldest sister who is a wonderful knitter and painter and artist and lives on Saltspring Island. A true eden.

I'm looking for a dark blue to knit Print o' the Waves from Eunny. They have apologized that they don't have my choice. I emailed back that I can't start the gift until February anyway. I hope they'll order it for me. I can maybe pick it up in the New Year. That's really only a few weeks away.

Tonight I will probably make the pastry for my butter tarts. And that may be it except for more shortbread. They do love that.

Finished Object

I'm excited about how quickly this ingenious pattern knit up once I got the flow. The second half took less than half the time of the first. That's the story of "first time". Always be patient with beginning a project.

That's something that knitters understand. Invoking the god of patience is part of beginning each project. After I finished and steam blocked the Backyard Leaves scarf, I swatched for an illusion scarf. Now I have the right needles and wool for when my friend is ready to cast on. I'm doing the DNA and she'd doing the keyboard from Magknits.

This blog is a beginning project. I love my little Canon and I'm learning to play with the settings. But Blogger has changed a few times and now I have no indication of comments. Maybe I'm on a comment-blocked setting. I need to check it out more extensively. As far as I know, I've never had a comment. Perhaps never a reader. I was quite discouraged as I invested my time in my on-line course. But that's over and I have more time for writing, knitting and fun.

The on-line knitting community has been so very important to me in my creative life. I have been following knitty, Life's a Stitch and the Yarn Harlot for a few years now. But I didn't like the ethical implications of being a lurker. I started to comment. Then I slipped into this blog. I like the idea of doing my part to join in . If no one reads it, I still have moved beyond lurking. My next attempt will be to join a chat room. Even if I were in a big city, I could never find the exciting, imaginative and giving people whom I meet in blogland. It is a special place that helps me overcome my little speed bumps of life and the trials and successes of my knitting. There is inspiration being freely shared that I appreciate so much. Enough to get going on my blankie and chalk up another FO.

Back in the Saddle

Well, back walking, anyway. She's big but she's not a horse. It is a theory of mine that the reason I am not pining for another horse is this 95 lb dog.

The snow has a bated, it is warm enough to trundle through our 5 km walk. What a relief. I require the walking therapy for my asthma and my nasty knees. I did spend an entire year (not last year) when I missed only 2 days. I try to be gentler on myself, though Carly requires daily excercize. If I have a busy day or can't make the full 45 minutes, I'll be OK with a smaller walk or wait until tomorrow. The kids have helped out when I've been sick. D. likes to take her out, too. It is good to have a goal. It is bad to be inflexible and not allow for real life.

But how easy do I go on myself? At what point do I just get lazy? I need to remember that walking is fun and lets me be alone and self-directed. The way I feel after the walk is important to focus on as well. It is a much better feeling than sitting at my computer for that 40 minutes.

Lots of uninterrupted (!!) knitting last night. What a rush. How long has it been? I have 6 pattern repeats left on my backyard leaves from IK Holiday Gifts and two balls of butterfly cotton left on my tumbling blocks baby blanket for early January.

The pattern developed from several sources. I can't take credit for the pattern, but neither can I cite my source. I'll try to put it down below. Sets of 10 that travel through st st, reverse st st, and seed st. I like a predictable pattern that I can knit off the stitches. I have 10 st border in seed stitch because I'm not a big fan or garter. I cast on 200 stitches to get a blanket 40 inches. I hope to knit a square. I charted it on knitting graph paper.

On right side: v= pearl and 0= knit, but this is entirely reversible.

20. vovovovovo

vvovovovoo 19.

18. vvvovovooo

vvvvovoooo 17.

16. vvvvvooooo

vvvvvooooo 15.

14. ovvvvoooov

vovvvooovo 13.

12. ovovvoovov

vovovovovo 11.

10. ovovovovov

vovoovvovo 12

8. ovooovvvov

voooovvvvo 7.

6. ooooovvvvv

ooooovvvvv 5.

4. oooovovvvv

ooovovovvv 3.

2. oovovovovv

ovovovovov 1.

Not Quite Falling

These leaves are designed by a genius. Anne Modesitt is incredible. They are as intriguing as they are impressive. I'm working on the second half (to be grafted in the middle). The ends are sculpted leaves. I'm loving it. I never intended to finish it quickly, but I would really like to wear it to one of the Christmas things.

I bought a beautiful crinkly cranberry blouse with lots of little fasteners down the front and lots of cleavage. Then I bought a light turtleneck in the same colour. I'm a bit of a fashion chicken. But what could I do with a pattern from the knitting heretic? I've asked for the Big Girl Knits for Christmas. Even when I'm at my (old and shelved) goal weight, I'm curvy. I no longer believe in goal weights. I believe in knitting goals and writing goals, exercize goals and health goals. But the scale be damned. It is not my friend. The only numbers I have ever gotten along with are in knitting.

Blogger is hating my photos again and wanting them shunted to a parallel universe. I'd love to share the pewter stitches with anyone who stops by.

One of things I adore about knit blogs is learning about the places people come from.

I'm in the Fraser Valley in a small town that used to be called Sardis. There are lots of used to be's in my town and that's partly what my book is about. The threat of development.

The snow is returning to its normal state i.e. anywhere else. I have had a lot of trouble walking my big black dog lately. But Carly needs her mileage (kilometerage) to be content to shed on the white carpet in the front room. She really is a good dog. But 95 lbs on the other end of a leash makes for a tipsy turn on the ice. I really have been tough on her "heeling" lately. The kitten chow in my pocket helps her to focus on my needs: don't pull!!!

The gifts are wrapped except for D and the kids. I have another gathering on Thursday with the choir. Good news, we got a lot done last night. They can stick to the tune while I play flute and I have a solo on Christmas Eve morning. I'd rather sing, but I have this Lo How a Rose ready.

My thin crust vegetarian bake at home pizza is ready. The boys are in the basement watching pirates and D has our daughter at the skate shop. Sit back and relax. Listen to Kathy Reichs on the computer while following the falling leaves. Good.

Salvaging

My dragon daughter had a blow up last night at dinner. We sat at the table. Together. This is supposed to be healthy. Sometimes on a week night we have to go to meetings after dinner. Not every night. Not like a few years ago when we were at pipe band practice 4 evenings a week.
Why did she have to freak out when we pointed out that she had failed to clean up the dog after her walk? We all make mistakes.
So much aggression. I was in despair. I had to go to parent teacher night for the son. It wasn't so bad. He's an asset to the school. So is she.
When I got back, I just wanted quiet time. So I put on an audio book and I made 8 trays of shortbread. I knit between batches. The teachers' gifts are done and wrapped on square plates. Next: butter tarts.
Filling the house with the smells of our favourite food and warming the kitchen were healing.
She apologized this morning. She doesn't understand it either. Teen age is the worst.

I'm sorry. Blogger is not downloading my pictures. I'm not alone with this problem. Maybe I should just take comfort in knowing I'm not alone in my problems.

I Should Be Writing

My course is over and I'm not signed up for next semester. That means I have an opportunity, if I take it to get my first draft finished. It has been too long since I made that as a goal. Knitting is more than a diversion. It has helped me to understand the long winter of the middle of a project. I feel that often with a big sweater, lace project or blanket. But I also know now that I have the capability to finish something. I trust myself.

I'm not the kind of knitter who has lots on the needles. I used to have one knitting and one stitching project at a time. Now I have one complicated and one simple- both knitting.

I stopped journalling when I threw out my old notes. I never intended to reread them and D was pushing to clean up. It was difficult. What is the purpose of writing down all my ideas, only to toss them?

I keep my poems.

I have hundreds of cards written up for my novel. Now is the time to make a big mess and get some chapters written. Only when I'm in the middle of it can I decide on the ending. Making this decision has paralyzed me. But I wouldn't choose an edging until I had most of the shawl in my hand. I may even need to block it.

Practice forgiveness. Get that monkey off your back.

Look at how adventurous I can get in knitting. Transfer the skill to the writing.

Mur Lafferty has a great podcast: I Should Be Writing at ishouldwrite.blogspot.com. I'm catching up on my listening and I find it so encouraging and realistic.

The baby blanket is doing great- starting my 4th of 5 balls tonight thanks to Six Feet Under. My scarf increased this weekend and I look forward to the first edge. Had a great time yesterday with my best friend as she is rediscovering her knitting self. We went to a wool shop two weeks ago and she already finished the shawl and baby hat and made a second shawl of stash. Now she's making her first socks. She called lastnight asking about the magic loop. No holding her back. I sent her the link to knitting help.com where there are good videos. I haven't tried it yet myself but the socks and yarn are top of the pile.

I also sent her the link to the counterpoint scarf from Magknits new issue. Our sons play piano duets together. I thought I'd do the DNA illusion scarf at the same time. Go Cascade 220.

No Jealousy

The spruce trees that stradle our drive way are not jealous of the Christmas tree because they are adorned with snow.

I know it's too early to decorate, but with the teenagers home for a second snow day, I was trying to keep them occupied. We're having a dinner on Friday, and I didn't know how I'd get things done. So I asked for help. I still have to get hold of the Thai restaurant to cook. Oops. We have a tree, outdoor lights and silver decorations on many candles.

Today I have the house back. I plan to get my cards done. If I have things done ahead, I enjoy the season much more. Plus I can focus on the choir and flute.

My course is pretty well finished. My instructor is whinging and making excuses for her poor organization and huge mistakes. I'll wait till I have my marks and then I'll be blunt about my disappointment in her unprofessionalism. Too bad.

Last night was more knitting on the tumbling blocks blanket. I didn't do any of the Backyard Leaves scarf because it takes up too much brain. If I'm done my course, I can start writing in earnest... or I can do another set of rows on the scarf. Hmmm.

What's on your ipod?

MEME (my first)
This is from Stephanie of "And She Knits Too" at acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/


1. Open itunes music library
2. press shuffle
3. press play
4. for each new entry, type the song that's playing
5. press next/fwd for next song

The results are actually kind of spooky. I had to fast forward past my audio books. I don't really want Noam Chomsky to sing at my funeral. I don't know how that affected the results. Try it.


OPENING CREDITS: "Darn that Dream" by Miles Davis, Birth of Cool

WAKING UP: "Like the Way I Do" by Melissa Etheridge, Greatest Hits

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL: "Look at Little Sister" Stevie Ray Vaughan, Live Alive

FALLING IN LOVE: "Cello Suite #6 in D, BWV 1012" JS Bach, Yoy Mah, The Cello Suites

BREAKING UP: "Anatomy of a Murder, Main Title" Duke Ellington

PROM: "Not Dark Yet" Bob Dylan, Best of

LIFE OK: "The Path of Thorns" Sarah McLaughlan, Solace

MENTAL BREAKDOWN: "Pick Up Sticks" Dave Brubeck, Time Out

DRIVING: "No 23 in B Major BWV 892, Prelude" JS Bach, Angela Hewitt, The Well-tempered Calavier

FLASHBACK: "Souls Journey" Amy Stephen, Among the Sanctuaries

GETTING BACK TOGETHER: "Long Journey Home" Elvis Costello from Sountrack

WEDDING: "Never Be the Same" Crowded House, Temple of Low Men

BIRTH OF A CHILD: "Goin' Up" Great Big Sea, Up

FINAL BATTLE: "Jade Visions" Bill Evans, Sunday at the Village Vanguard

FINAL SONG: "Closer To Fine" Indigo Girls, Indigo Girls

END CREDITS: "Your Hands Are Cold" Jean-Yves Tibaudet, Pride & Prejudice Soundtrack

Wonderland?

I can hardly recognize my backyard. It is difficult to realize that something so beautiful can be treacherous and that many accidents occurred in the storm. We were lucky to get home because the Sumas flats between Abbotsford and Chilliwack are the most dangerous of the whole trip.

Schools are closed and I'm happy to hunker down and work on my Backyard Leaves scarf of Lana Grossa Luxor. It's a lovely pewter, but I need quite a large chunk of my brain to get each row knit properly. Anne Modesitt is a genius.

Last night I knit a little toque for our friends we just visited. They put him in the Cowichan sweater I knit him and asked for a hat. I'm very subject to flattery. The sweater did fit beautifully and keep him warm. I was lucky to have some lopi left because I used most of my chunky stash to make toques for the homeless men in East Van this year. I missed the service on Sunday when they displayed some of our work and asked for donations for First United.

I'm trying to deal with my latent anger over my biological father leaving us for alcoholism. We were a family at risk. But we are blessed. No one chooses to become an alcoholic. It is what happens to some. Most of my effort goes to women's shelters. But if you want to change the way you feel about someone, it works to start with actions. So by knitting a hat every month, I had time to knit some blessings into the stitches that the man may feel comforted. We do care. It's just not easy. Next year I thought I'd take a break from the monthly plan eventhough it was successful. I want to get some of those nephew sweaters knit. Brian's wool is under my desk where I can't avoid it. Soon I'll do a new swatch. Top down raglan with a cable down the sleeve in a dark coffee colour.

First the baby. My last nephew will be born in January. The cotton tumbling blocks is coming along. I don't need the pattern anymore! That's a big deal for someone like me who shuns numbers. I thank Lara of Math 4 Knitters for letting me open up to the math.

No Thank-you

I'm not a snow lover. I live in Chilliwack, in a Pacific Coast Rain Forest. It has to be warm enough to rain to make me happy. Sometimes it's a very cold, dark rain, but it's home and green.

D. and I went into Vancouver and enjoyed a sunny day on Granville Island and West Fourth with friends. Then the storm hit. Driving home was treacherous. No fun. D. thinks it is unnecessary to follow the sanding plowing truck even when God puts one right in front of you and conditions are bad enough to need a plow and sanding truck on the Trans Canada Highway.

We bought some special gifts, ate real french food and enjoyed time alone in the evening.

Our yard is white with drifting snow and I'm happy to be home where I can make a cup of tea and be with my kiddies. They made it through the night and even through a Nintendo fight.

They did their chores and practiced their music. I'm grateful.

There will probably be no school tomorrow and I don't intend to go on the roads. Oh no! Knitting time!

Wash Away the Schedule

I guess there will no longer be a normal day.
I may have finished Christmas shopping, but I've already turned down two evenings out and invited over 20 people to my house -twice!

I try to get the shopping done before the season so I don't hate people. I can sit at home and make shortbread and practice flute and choir pieces. Oh, and sherpa my kids around.

It even snowed last night which is very strange.

Today D and I are travelling (90min) to Vancouver to visit with friends from UBC. Our annual shopping. They have a toddler now, so it's a little different. And they didn't leave their evening open. But we'll go to dinner as a couple. Two things- I've hardly seen him for a week and the kids will be home alone. For the first time. Why are we doing this? It's hard enough to give up my Sunday School class. But my kiddies? 15 and 13 is legal. I'll probably wake my son before we go to reinforce expectations and let him know my phone is on.

The salmon in our back yard have pretty well travelled through, but they didn't have it easy either.

Life in Series

I'm just finishing a long haul of classes and assignments and Advent preparations.
I finally finished my socks that rock- no pics yet. I cast them on in August when I broke my lace needle packing for our trip. Toe up doesn't seem to fit that well. I'll start a regular one in a bit.
On the needles: a baby blanket. I have one more nephew expected in January. I set up this pattern from I don't know where. I knit it as a blanket for another cousin's wedding. It's tumbling blocks. I like knitting a quilt and we recently learned that blocks are imperative to a child building language skills. I was only going to knit a sweater because this SIL is hard on me, but I was guilted out by the success of the Moderne Baby Blanket for a mere (but extremely precious) cousin.
There may not be enough light to see that this pattern is a simple series of parts of '10'. Five together, four and two. It is vey peaceful. The rows aren't even that long at 200 stitches. The butterfly cotton is the same I used for my son's sweater in grade one and he loved it. I'll use 5 skeins.
No knitting for Christmas. At least that's what I tell myself. I've started the Annie Modesitt Backyard Leaves scarf from the IK gift special in a stunning pewter. I needed a simple scarf when we went to Winton Marsalis before it got cold. I'll have it for next time.
The weather has been atrocious. Cold and wet and stormy. The pineapple express without the sand and sunsets. Our basement almost flooded. My daughter was excited that the salmon had returned to our river. Her grade 4 class released the little guys four years

Thankfully

I'm finished the Moderne Baby Blanket. I still need to weave some ends in, but I got a head start when D had his surgery. I look forward to meeting this special November baby. D knit his cousin a blanket when he (the dad to be) was born. Have I already gone over this? Well, said cousin grew up into a neat guy, married his long-time sweetheart and the blankie went to the wedding. He was so attached to it his mother always threatened to make his wedding suit out of it. So "binky" was highlighted at the reception.
This is a guy who needs a great baby blanket. They are a very trendy young couple and I hope they are encouraged this blanket which was inspired by the green of their bridesmaids dresses. Full circle.
We are going to two turkey dinners today. Don't ask. Usually D is working and his parents are away. This is sort of a holiday for me and my sisters. But I haven't finished my paper- well underway and on schedule- on Andrew Carnegie. You can see it sharing the table with the blanket. I still have to study for a mid-term soon. Do I like this course? Not really. There isn't much new info for me on the history of libraries. But I'll try to be a good sport.
I'll be thankful that I have the opportunity to persue higher education and the leisure to choose my own courses. We shall see.

Maybe this is real life

I'm still crouching in the shadowed corner of my plans.
D's back surgery has been a total success. But what a lot a work for a nurse who doesn't nurse anymore. How much do I give up to be available? Apparently early bed time. He wants to watch Six Feet Under with me. We can't let the kids watch. I'm so tired and I miss reading. Usually he's busy or out in the evening. So this is a good thing.
At least I'm sleeping again after at least 2 weeks of misery.
But my daughter is home, unable to heal from a nasty virus. That's work too. She's 13 and knows how to drink water and sleep. But it's been going on for over a week. It's everywhere. She misses skating and she was only able to go to school for a half day this week.

I hear myself saying "when things get back to normal". That'll never happen. Things will change. But nothing is normal.
Don't let external controls and others' expectations keep you from living a real life. The kids are grown now. I'm still here if I'm at school or the gym or even work.
D will heal and go back to spending all his time at work or with the pipe band. I can't give up opportunities now that will lead to greater fulfillment.
So...
Working hard on this dreadfully poorly prepared course for library tech. New!! Job application in to the School Board to work as a Teacher's Assistant. I could use my pediatric knowledge and the experience I have from volunteering (countless) hours in the school.
And of course my lovely knitting.
I sat with my daughter on Sunday afternoon to watch a video and appease my guilt for being out in the evenings. I knit so much on my Socks that Rock that I got a cut on my finger. Serious knitting.
She knit a scarf and I was sent to the wool shop to get her more materials. Yay! I sereptiously picked up some more Kureyon. This is better than collecting salt and pepper shakers.
Sweet dreams are made of these.

Last of the Summer Sun

We're expecting rain this weekend. The cool mornings have been quickly eclipsed by scorching afternoons and sultry evenings. The lack of rain is starting to get eerie. I live in a temperate rainforest, and I'm gradually replanting with more drought-tolerant plants. A bit step away from my indigenous border.
I'm relieved that I can maybe wear some of my knits. I have a reason to finish that same pair of first toe-up socks. I turned the last heel the other night and I'm redoing the top of the first in a 3 and 1 rib. I knit them too densely. Not a tragedy. I have some more yummy yarn to make another pair. I really like this Socks that Rock. I know, the last on the planet.

That's a typical thing for me in knitting. Oh look! I just discovered short rows. Oh look. Everyone is already designing with them and way ahead. At least the knitting community is nurturing and not judgemental. Except for that one young nurse I worked with. But she would never show us her work. My friend Annie says the small mistakes are like Japanese pottery that separate the handmade from the factory.

I tried my hand at the Fetching and loved how the cashmerino felt. I bought two skeins but truly only needed one. What to do with the other skein? I'm going to try and find more to make Karen's Sugar-Free Diabetes Walk Socks (www.GardinerYarnWorks.com). This is a great pattern for a great cause.

To have time to make a post is a blessing. I won't read my favourite blogs until this evening, though, because my daughter is home with a cold (missing activity day) and my husband is still healing from the back surgery. He's up and about and is going to drive to the office today. But no cows. The good news is we can only pop into the three parties we're going to this weekend. We need to cuddle at home.

Red Thread

The thread of thoughts. The thread that holds lovers together. The red thread that Ariadne summoned to save Theseus and lead him out of the Labyrinth.

This Pandora yarn was a delightful gift from my outrageous flute teacher. What a lovely surprise. She thought of me while shopping at Hilltop in Seattle.

This crazy yarn changes itself as you knit. Like my thoughts that need to be wrangled in to get on with the activities of daily living while our lives are topsy turvy. Post-op D. is doing well. Tomorrow we go to the surgeon's office for an update. I miss two important meetings for which I will have to solely gather the missed information and then head to meet the teacher night at the middle school. I'm still tired from last week and I'm getting tired in anticipation.

Still, I can walk the dog in the warm summer-like sunshine. I can study my interesting papers for this (poorly executed) library course and I can study with red wine and good chocolate. Nothing like my pauper Nursing school days.

Dashed by the Dashboard

My post didn't take. They decided to overhaul as I pressed Post. They? They who are better at computers than I. They who may soon see my blog switched to another channel.

For those of you who missed it, I very cleverly showed you a Mason-Dixon log cabin baby blanket which I am knitting in the wedding colours of the mom-to-be. I remember her exclaiming how much she loved the green of the bridesmaids' dresses, the ribbons, invitations, all of that. It was very cute. They have been happily married for two years now and we are excited to have another baby in the family.
But these parents-to-be are very cool. Always were. I had to stretch to find something that was hip enough for them, so I decided it was hip to be square. (They would not recognize the reference to the wonderful Huey Lewis).

My husband knit a blanket for the dad-to-be (his cousin) when that young man was born. D. was about 12, I think. It was the favourite item. They had threatened to make a suit of it for his wedding. His mom did bring it out at the wedding, too. So I thought it suitable to make a baby blanket to match said wedding.


Hope this post finds its way to the right ether path in the net.

Bobbing in the Autumn Swell

I'm still here. But I am more tentative, more rushed and under more stress.
When we got back from our trip, I had only two weeks of freedom before beginning another library course.
I had wanted to walk and take pictures and maybe take the kids to the lake.
Instead I got a dreadful respiratory infection that left me asleep on the deck with a full pot of tea going cold. So pathetic.
I did read Joyce's Ulysses. I had only intended to start A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man. But one thing led to another, and in a fever crazed marathon, I read them both in a week.
I get what he meant about excess.
Some of the parts were the best I ever read. A lot of it was lists and repetition to underline the mood, setting, event. Some of it was still gobbledygook to me. But if you just relax your mind, you can absorb most of it.
Now I am free to read my book club choice, the lyrical "Suite Francaise" and any mystery I wish. Last year I finished reading all of Dickens. Next will be my lovely collection of Proust.
So I got the kids back to school, D. back from highland games, skating club started, Sunday School begun. It has been heavy. With very light knitting.
The hats are on schedule. A scarf with the amazing Pandora yarn that my flute teacher bought me. A gift of fibre!!!
I started a log cabin blanket for a special cousin having a first child. I started a shawl of mohair and glitz. I started the Fetching fingerless gloves from the summer knitty. I 'll finish tonight so I can wear them at the FREEZING rink while I knit.
Our zamboni driver wants me to knit him something, so I thought the cool illusion scarf from MagKnits in our club colours.
The big thing right now is D. is going for back surgery tomorrow. Side-swiped by a cow in May. It has been a challenge.
The procedure is minimally invasive. The results are to be quick and complete. He's actually walking out of the clinic the next day. But I have nursed many a back patient in my day and they are difficult. I hurt. I want to move. You're a mean nurse. Why yes I am. Get back to bed. Or get back to walking. We'll see.
For tomorrow, it will be total disruption. We are blessed with support. Though both sets of grandparents are uncharacteristically away, the kids will be with their favourite cousins and I can knit and listen to knitting podcasts while I pretend to not be concerned.

Back Home Again

Travelling makes change. You see new things. You see old things in a new way. You, the traveller are changed.
We flew to Ontario and enjoyed being with friends in their hometowns. We became familiar with our nation's capital and the beautiful parliament buildings. We walked in the old roads of La Vielle Quebec. We drove a lot, but less than last year when we toured the prairies.
Our kids had some good times. We let them sleep in and eat some junk food. They saw Shakespeare in Stratford, the Museum of Civilization and Stomp in Montreal.
It was not a shopping holiday. Nary a wool shop. I worked on my first toe-up socks while we drove and in the plane. I did not feel much like a knitter. I met no other knitters. No Toronto shops at all.
But I read three books and I enjoyed walking and visiting. We were together a lot and putting forth our argument that D. doesn't get to pick everything. Not a real democracy, but the kids are getting older and should have some respect and voice.

So I'm back home. A lovely home with a loving dog. A greater chance of eating healthy food that does me good. A chance to go to sleep early. The three hours time change wasn't so bad, but the strenuous travel did a bit of a case on us anyway.
So I have most of two weeks before my next course starts. The kids are in music camp during the day so I have a wee bit of freedom. I got my poor flute back. More on that later. I'm getting ready to start the log cabin baby blanket.
Hope the summer is rich and deep for everyone as it starts to linger and fade.

The Corn Is As High

I'm packed and ready to fly out. But now I have to take a picture of the sunflower field before I go. And will the blackberries be finished? Isn't this light breeze temperate. I am ambivalent about leaving my beloved Fraser Valley. The corn in this field is edged with amazing sunflowers. Next year I'm growin me some. The food value is similar to our cattle corn silage, but the aesthetics surpass.
I wrote my final last night. Whew. That was scary saving it and emailing it to my instructor. It's the first test I didn't finish. Really. The first test ever. But I wrote the essay, did the research and all but two short answers. Citing websites. No confidence. Ran out of time. Then this morning I found I hadn't submitted a final Learning Assignment. Not good for the blood pressure. But I managed to pop it off before driving to Tswassen to pick up my son from the ferry. I can't abide holiday traffic!
With great nagging and threatening, I got the kids to pack and pack lightly. It was easier when I just did everything myself. D. still hasn't packed. No I didn't prepare your underwear. You are an adult. I am not your mother, and I am not YOUR mother. There may have been a time when I lumped him into the kids. But no longer. If they have to meet minimum standards of survival, he can suck it up, too. Did I mention I was writing a 3hour final?
So now we head off to Eastern Canada. I was born in Ontario, though I have no real memories before my 3 year old train trip to BC. My first ancestor came over from Ireland to fight on the Plains of Abraham. I think I'll get choked there.
This year we will be visiting friends, and I'll make D. let the kids sleep in a bit.
Now that my course is done, I have a month to catch up on writing and reading. A poem a day? I don't think I'll be so strict.
I'll still have 2 weeks after we come back. All the school supplies and clothes are bought. I even have my mother-in-law's September birthday gift.
Just relax and fly out over the beautiful valley.

Apologies

I just got carried away, I guess. Yesterday I was a bit impatient with this program and hit the button twice. Two-for-one blogging. Sorry.
Now is the crunch. I have piles of clothes for packing and I'm on the verge of diving into my last revision before my final exam tonight. I'm not worried like I used to be. I'm not afraid of failing, or even of getting a lower grade. I want to do well, sound intelligent and complete it in the time alotted. In nursing school, everything was so frantic and competitive. But the girls who did well on exams didn't necessarily make better care givers.
This librarian study has a lot of lateral thinking and making connections. I love that. It's like my poetry. Things just crop up and put themselves in the wrong place. Juxtaposition for a purpose.
So I'm going to start the bobsled.
I hope to post regularly as we travel to Ontario and Quebec. But if I don't, I aplogize.

High Season

These are the long, warm, drowsy days of summer. We walk in the early morning to avoid the worst of the heat. It is pleasant now, with a gentle breeze. Good for making hay.
When I was younger, my sister and I were the sons and we would help my Paw bring in the hay. Sometimes Mom would drive the tractor. I would throw the bales onto the wagon, my sister would pass them to Paw and he'd stack. The perfect, strong, never to fall stack of hay bales. She could throw a bale over her head, up three levels. Then I would unload the wagon, placing the bales on the greedy hay elevator for the poor guys in the hay mound, or loft. There was no air up there.
Now, I can barely stand to do my weeding in the heat. My kids don't go into the pool without sunscreen. We all have sunglasses. How strange. How civilized.
I do miss the long rambling horse rides through the hills. But I have my giant lab who walks with me and is very good company.
My birthday is the time of the tall corn, fresh berries and long days. I have to make sure I sit out in the shade on the deck and enjoy the outdoors today. And have a few blackberries. They are just coming ripe and the greatest indicator of the high summer.

High Season

These are the long, warm, drowsy days of summer. We walk in the early morning to avoid the worst of the heat. It is pleasant now, with a gentle breeze. Good for making hay.
When I was younger, my sister and I were the sons and we would help my Paw bring in the hay. Sometimes Mom would drive the tractor. I would throw the bales onto the wagon, my sister would pass them to Paw and he'd stack. The perfect, strong, never to fall stack of hay bales. She could throw a bale over her head, up three levels. Then I would unload the wagon, placing the bales on the greedy hay elevator for the poor guys in the hay mound, or loft. There was no air up there.
Now, I can barely stand to do my weeding in the heat. My kids don't go into the pool without sunscreen. We all have sunglasses. How strange. How civilized.
I do miss the long rambling horse rides through the hills. But I have my giant lab who walks with me and is very good company.
My birthday is the time of the tall corn, fresh berries and long days. I have to make sure I sit out in the shade on the deck and enjoy the outdoors today. And have a few blackberries. They are just coming ripe and the greatest indicator of the high summer.

Red Means Blessing

I finished the red alpaca kimono. By finished, I mean I'm ready to start the finishing. There were actually a lot of stitches in this sweetie because I chose such a fine gauge. But it is fine, and I am pleased. It will go together simply, when I fold it in half.

While it was blocking, I took my son to the ferry to walk on by himself. He's visiting an old friend just outside of Victoria. It's a blessing that he can travel safely on his own. Also that he has such a welcoming home to visit. This is his best friend from preschool who moved away when they were about seven. They are his other family. His friend is just as welcome here, but they both like it there better. I wish I was in Victoria- Beehive Wool Shop! The only Koigu I've ever seen.

I did a bit of shopping on the way home. I love Long and McQuade in Langley. I bought some flute music, but left them my flute to service. I feel a bit lost. I'd better break out the guitar tonight. I also bought some gifts-that-I'd-like-to-keep at Liberty's. What a blessing to have some time alone. My daughter was with her cousin.

My neice is here to placate the daughter and keep her out of my hair as I study for my imminent final. Give her mother a bit of a rest, too. I guess I'll be watching a movie on my laptop tonight as the girls will have the TV for videos. If I have time, I'll watch some of Ken Burns' Jazz. It'll be my third summer with that amazing series.

So... refreshed. Almost done one project. Ready to continue with the Socks That Rock in berry and the shawl I started, When? I meant to wear it to Scotland while I knit another, but that trip was postponed until we could get enough pipers. Next year? I'll pull it out to take on the plane.
It's a thistle pattern. And that, too is a blessing.