Radical Blues

Go ahead and dye your hair blue. I'm OK with that. You're 15 and I respect your need to be creative, edgy, special, quirky, whatever. But, no, I'm not going to make an appointment with my hairdresser and spend $100 so you can look like a radical. I will not bank roll your revolution. It's too Paris Hilton for me. Besides, Roberto, bless his Quebecois heart, does not stock freaky colours. Other kids do it in the basement. I think Auntie Leanne will even do it for you. She cares about hair.
That's how I figured out how I have enough time to knit. On our trip, shopping at Wallmarts and Outlets, she washed, blowdried, curling ironed and straightening ironed every day. I only use hairspray for a wedding. She does wedding hair every day. Then she did her daughter's hair (also 15). This must be because she likes creating somehthing beautiful. Maybe if I had any adeptness at hair I would enjoy it too. I still think I would spend the time reading.
My sisters don't knock themselves out on hair and makeup and made sure to tease me, the baby, whenever I forayed into that sphere. But they do knit. Pat gave these to me yesterday when I saw her at the fair (more posts to come). She came over on an overpriced and price-rising ferry from Saltspring to share the day. I must admit I sent her a copy of the White Witch mittens from Knitting Daily. But not to beg. It was because they suit her so well. But they fit me. I was not embarrassed to grasp them back from my neice and nephew muttering, "mine, mine, mine, mine." This is our diamonds, designer shoes, etc.
Olympic knitting got out of the gate yesterday as we watched another episode of Lost. Six rows, actually 3 repeated with a jog. I should be able to do the 24 inces wide as there are probably 8 already. But it's a lot of mohair. And tying off ends. This was bought to be the 50th birthday present for same sister Pat because I couldn't find what I wanted. But I ended up continuing the search and knitting her Print o the Waves for last October. This poor sad cousin shawl has cowered inthe basement of rejection ever since. I'm wondering if, when it's finished, I will love it or have a flash of someone who will love it. Or maybe it will go back into the basement until that time coalesces.
It is ripply, pretty, though and a break from the two big projects I'm trudging through.

A Family Affair

Mom hosted the apple pie contest at the fair.
My oldest sister, Debbie won third place. she came first last year. She also sang with her guitar old tunes "Can She Bake a Cherry Pie Billy boy" "Johnny's Too Late at the Fair" and others.
My niece camre from Kamloops and had a great time with my daughter and my youngest nephew.
Paw was there and my sister from Saltspring who eluded the camera. It was the most fun I've had at the fair in many years.

To help us celebrate BC's 150th birthday, my friend Shirley (on the right) gathered some friends from United Empire Loyalists to serve the pie. I especially like the llamas.
It's a really small fair with lots of cows, so this was a very fun part of it for me. The spinners and weavers were there, too and so friendly. I think I want to learn to drop spindle. Pat could teach me, or my niece. But where would I be, then, with a whole other obsession?

Jiggedy Jig

We spent two days in Burlington/Bellingham/Tulalip doing girl-bonding. The Seattle Prime Outlets open at 10am, but that's OK, there's a Starbucks to make waiting easy. We stayed and shopped until about 5. Whew. I was OD'd on teen stores and shoes- for sure. We did find some great items at decent prices. New shoes for nursing- starting to feel real.

But the real fun was Michaels and Wallmart and Target. Aren't we hick? We survived because I had the minivan. Because we stayed 2 nights, we had a much higher duty-free limit. We're just not up to lying and cheating. This was better. Plus two nights out to dinner and time to play in the pool.
My best find was a clear bag with leather handles at Ross. They have some of the same stuff as TJMAx (at home it's Winners). I don't usually have the time or patience to shop in those discount stores, especially if they're all grotty and messy. But they do have good bags.

In the bag? My Olympic knitting which I'd better get doing: Fleece Artist Soft Wavy Wrap. Let the doping and slander begin. (What if we spent as much energy and money on "Teacher Olympics" or "Nursing Olympics" or areas of expertise that could actually serve for the greater good of the society, instead of glorifying sport? Oh, and the entertainment argument doesn't work on me because I'd rather see Shakespeare. Sorry, it's just my thing.

Away Down South

Emily and I are going to Burlington to shop with SIL and neice. This will be our third year and thanks to Grandma for the hotel (go Airmiles). I am out of my league with their uninterrupted focus on clothes. But they humor me by dropping me at a book store. I don't know if it bothers them because we have that kind of relationship. I shouldn't start off with trepidation, but it can be hard for me to live on the slick surface.
However, I may score a great handbag and maybe a new book.

Oops. I tried to add a new blog to my sidebar and they were all wiped out. Right now I'm not smart enough to fix it in the time before we leave. I'll have to try to remember how I did it when I get back. Drat.

Take it in Big Bites

Cultus Lake United Church Camp (CLUCC) is wonderful separate space only 30 minutes into the mountains. I nursed up there for 10 years and hope to go back next year with my shiny RN. Emily just spent a week at Teen Camp and stayed in the cabin our church sponsors and fixes up, Dogwood. Deer are common at the Nurse's Cabin. I saw them right next to the Rec Hall.

http://www.43folders.com/2008/07/28/time-to-think

When Barak Obama was talking with British MP David Camer0n, a snippet of their conversation was overheard. You've got to have time to think. Cameron calls the diary chalked up in 15 minute increments the "dentist waiting room". So true.

I spent several hours yesterday, amidst my family, but fighting off the distraction, to get my Pharmacology reading and work done. At the end I handed in a paper, posted an opinion and then wrote a quiz in 1 minute 43 seconds (got all 15 questions right). It's the immersion.

The big bite of time you get on a holiday- at the beach house, next to the pool, on the beach, even on the plane- is what I'm really craving now. It can take a big chunk of time just to ease into the true thoughts. A good book can help crack the insect chirrup of daily life. Or a quote like that above.

Busy, do.

In the evening we go downstairs and watch videos and I knit. It's at least one hour in a chunk. Not the best use of time, but we finished the first season of Lost and have only 30 minutes left in the seventh and last season of Star Trek: Next Generation. Is that an accomplishment? We already watched all of Enterprise and have Deep Space Nine in the wings.

It's a better foil than reading to break from all the text reading I do. Plus I get to knit.

Are you as bored with my knitting as I am? I have the letters done, the first border and part of the provisional cast on border. Next: pick up 187 stitches on each side. This will require lots of little markers. What goes into 187?

I don't even dare to dream of what I'll knit next. Something for myself? I tend to just not finish them. Oh, but I've committed for the Olympics.

Unlimited Potential

My daughter bought this large journal for me on a class trip to the Vancouver Art Gallery. It has great paper, no lines, no coil binding. Perfect. Even a bit daunting. She gave it to me as a Christmas present, but I felt I needed to finish the one I was using.

On my birthday, I opened it up, and I'm enjoying the new relationship. I have been journalling since I read Harriet the Spy when I was 8.

I sure enjoy the type of journalling I get to do in this blog. I like to feel that others are maybe reading it and I'm part of the community I so admire.

But there are fears and hopes that are too personal (yet?). We have always had a big rule that you don't read another's journal. D is too snoopy, so I have to hide it sometimes.

I shall try to write more poetry because it is a sorely neglected part of my self. I don't have to post it, but I need to squeeze it out.

I knew I would have a bit of a number struggle to make the 100 stitches of the front of the Braided Blues (nephew#4) sweater up to 173. Managed OK. Now start the cabling. No, start again. Why are there 4 stitches here? If I pick up in these two spots, will I be over? No?

Emily made this little guy for the back of my birthday card. Hopefully I have learned to not say it outloud.

Thanks For the Scoop

Angie, at Purling Oaks challenged her readers to try this quiz. I usually find them on "And She Knits Too". I can't eat icecream anymore but I used to work at an icecream store in Calgary. If it was 30 degrees below zero, people would come out by the car load. It was fun. I made the best shakes and got to play the old honky tonk piano when it was quiet. I have contact dermatitis, a red skin rash, to chocolate icecream. Try explaining that to your nursing instructor.

Here are the mods I promised to share. My heart was seriously beating a blue streak as I played with paper and glue. Creating with something just make it pretty. It has been so long since I just made a big mess. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I'm liking it.

The "Jobmate" tag came off easily with a seam ripper. The red ribbon was too wide for my pink polkadots, so I framed it with an ivory grosgrain ribbon. My little pink Swiss Army knife was the starting point for the colors. It has a very keen little pair of scissors. (We decided the perfect little knife would have scissors, nail file, book light and corkscrew). I covered a neat little notebook with pink scrapbook paper. Oh, and the brads- perhaps a little too Barbie, but I was after whimsy.

The other side has a cool new mini scrap book in the shape of a luggage tag. We have a serious scrap booking store in town. I have set it up but haven't printed the little pictures yet because the replacement printer doesn't work either. Now Dan wants to buy me a new one. Just something simple that works, please.

I have shamelessy planted pink and white flowers in my garden. It gives me great pleasure and makes every bouquet a song. This is a mallow that was a gift from one of the pipers for my 40th birthday. I disappeared one year, but now it's happy in its dappled light under one of the spruce trees.

When I can extend my aesthetics, without being teased or criticized, I, too, feel harmonious with my habitat.

Final Exam

I sucked it up last night and wrote my final after supper. I matched my highest mark. Independent on-line courses are so strange. I started on January 15. I had until August 22, so a bit close to the wire. I know some had finished by the end of May. I had a few big set backs- mostly a serial bronchitis. Now I am glad for the breaks I took and the extra time I spent with friends and family. This was GNUR1110 - graduate nursing refresher. I have 3 weeks of Pharmacy and a comprehensive final. Then in September I start labs and driving into Surrey every week.
Now I'm going to have a little summer fun, some shopping and knitting and reading non-text book stuff. I already bought a treat with my birthday money.

What a Find

I just about squealed at Canadian Tire when I found this bag. Better yet, it was on sale for $6 and something.
It opens wide like the expensive knitting bags I have covetted (Zelda).
Secret pocket below for "tools".


Yay. Coming up: modifications and personalization.

Birthday Fun

I owe you some knitting. It's rather slow and boring, but because of a Knit Night at J's house, including a fresh salmon dinner and Evelyn Waugh movie, I'm done the back of the Braided Blues sweater. I managed to complete the ribbing on the front. I love this varied blue dye on Cascade 220 heathers.
Nora Gaughan really knows how to make something new.

Mom took us out for lunch at Minter Gardens. On the far right is her friend of many years (can't say old friend or really old friend) who has a birthday the same day as mine. We often include her and her husband. I grew up playing with her son and several other families before we moved to the farm.
These are great kids. Emily gave me a new header for my blog and together they gave me a hedgehog charm and Purdy's hedgehog chocolates (filled with hazelnuts justlike real hedgehogs) and a glass charm for my Pandora bracelet. Two of my friends want to get one now.
Friday was lunch with the book club. Diana gave me the most wonderful flowers from our favourite florist, Quick Pick. April gave me a perfect makeup case and Jean found a signed copy of "A Whistling Woman" form one of my favourite authors, A.S. Byatt.

I feel suitably spoiled and rather exhausted because we also fit in a baby shower and a fiftieth wedding anniversary this weekend. Dan came home about 1030 pm and gave me tickets to King Lear at Bard on the Beach in Vancouver for the end of August when I'm done my exams. My favourite play. Yay. Thanks for the good wishes.

Happy Birthday To Me

I'm not 4 any more, but 45.
It's been a good few days with lunches and dinners with friends. There has been quite a bit of knitting. Emily made me a new header for my blog. I love it, but I need to change the color of the font.
Dan is back from the Pacific Northwest Highland Games tonight. Emily is going to camp for a week this afternoon. Summer is happening.
Off to lunch with Mom and Paw at Minter Gardens.

Chronic Studies

This week I had to delve deeply into studies of chronic pain (again). The school where I studied, Foothills Hospital School of Nursing is now closed, outdated by other education models. But our approach to pain and comfort measures was years beyond its time. As early as my sixth month in training, I was lucky to be working on a cancer unit and working with a multi-disciplinary team to focus on quality of life and even a "good death". Unfortunately this did not prepare me to work in a quasi-rural hospital in my home town.
I have experience chronic pain. I even have to be careful how much I work on a keyboard (gave up piano), garden or chop and fuss in the kitchen. I have to protect my hand for knitting.
I have recently begun to conquer the foot thing. My goal is to walk my 5km block at least 3 times a week. I may get there this week. At the end of August I hope to achieve the unimaginable- a hike up "Teapot Hill". In the past I have taken four-year olds. But in this last year and a half it was totally out of my reach. I'll certainly take pictures.

These experiences will make me a more empathetic nurse.

Everliving pain
A grey cat
Sitting on my armchair
Following me about the house
Always seeking attention.
Ready to be stroked after distraction,
Jumping up after its nap.
Companion of time.
Attending all endeavors
Familiar to the black dog.

Inspiration Friday

For now she need not think of anybody. She could be herself. And that was what now, she often felt the need of - to think; well not even to think. To be silent; to be alone. All the being and the doing, expansive, glittering, vocal, evaporated... Although she continued to knit, and sat upright, it was thus that she felt herself; and this self having shed its attachments was free for the strangest adventures.

To the Lighthouse

Virginia Woolf

Last year I had a long immersion into Virginia Woolf and really enjoyed it. I would be doing that sort of intense reading this summer, except I am with my studies instead. I'm getting close to the end so I feel the tug of independence welling up in me.

Sorry about the bad graphics on the painting of Virginia knitting.

What will I read when I have the choice? I;ve just started Michael Ondaatje's Deviserado. Unfortunately, I can only read inlittle snippets before bed. I like to read in big bites. What are you reading this summer?

Summer Exploits

Fulfilling the requirements of exploiting summer, we are eating fresh cherries and blueberries, out of doors. When I was young we just spit the pits out, but this is my yard and I'll be stuck cleaning them up.

The obligatory painting of the posts. This is the sign of our house because we're tucked in behind a little house. Actually the little house is new, but it blocks the road sounds and adds to our privacy. When I was young, I painted "miles" of fence. I don't remember doing the sanding and cleaning before hand. Emily was given the task of the poles and now she's done.
This is Bacon Boy. Still without a job. Not so good. We had to try Angie's Hot Bacon Dressing f (from Purling Oaks). We don't have bacon. I was a Weight Watchers leader for years and just kept some things out of the house. When we were in Scotland last year, Scotty could get bacon on everything. So we called him Bacon Boy and now he can cook it really well (D and I have trouble). We have offered to bring a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato salad up to Grandma's for the next clan gathering.
Another long-term project. I have been picking away at this book for over a year and I'm finished. Some of it is out of date, but I love what it says about Canadians, so I hope the others love what it says about them. I have had more than an incomplete education, but I'm not done yet. This week I'm studying Mental Health. They mean illness. When the nursing text says comfort, it means pain. That's just our spin. Last section in this theory course, hammer out the Pharmachology and I may have some time to knit.

Sensory Goodness

Dream in Colour Smooshy in really blue. I do love blue. It is a semi solid and so soft. The Noro isn't soft, but it has a treasure of colours clamboring to get free.
I have spent too many hours chained to my books. Thursday is Pharmacology. But Friday will be too because I have a big exam.
Yesterday I printed out all the readings for my last Re-entry to Practice Theory section. It was seriously 4 inches high. I used every sheet of paper in the house so Dan had to bring more home. I'm already almost half way because it's really interesting. I'm so all over the philosophy of care giving.

The corn is higher. It smells so green. I didn't take a picture today, but some of it is up to my head. You know what that means: my birthday is soon. We always wonder if the corn will grow quickly enough to reach my head by my birthday. It always does. Some years we're eating corn as early as Canada Day, but not this year. I can't eat corn anyway, but I can serve it. Our rule when I was growing up was that you had to have the water boiling before you picked the corn so that it was truly fresh. We also took our bowls of icecream out into the strawberry patch.

Tonight Dan walked with me around the big block. 5 km. It's the first time since March a year ago. My feet are definitely healin and there is hope that I won't be as big as a house and as weak as an old lady. I always seem to be at the beginning end of a plan.

Finished (This Portion)

The other day I was feeling overwhelmed with being in the middle of so many big projects- especially my studies. But last night I wrote another big exam and I have only one sectionleft in the Theory course. It's on community nursing and pretty interesting.
I finished the July square for the aran afghan and took them out to have a look.
Carly liked them too. I obviously have some serious blocking to do, but I think, with seed stitch sashing, it should work out much as I planned. 12 squares, each 12 inches square. It has to be long enough for a guy who's stretching over 6'2" already.
The wools are all left over from aran sweaters I've knit. I'm collecting all the patterns in a notebook. Not that I would ever knit it again, but I'm enjoying the reflection part of this long project. I have a few choices for next month's block.

There's a lot to be said for making a reasonable commitment. I could have knit the whole thing full-bore. But with 12 blocks, it was obvious to just pick away at it. Scott doesn't graduate till June, so I have time to make the sashing and stitch it up. The first thing I did (after gathering the aran stash) was buy a basket that I like to look at. It is part of the art in my sun room.

Summer Festivals

Saturday, we got up early and drove 2 hours south across the border to Mt. Vernon, Washington for the Skagit Valley Highland Games. It's a beautiful site next to the river. There were about 20 bands there, dancers, caber tossers, fiddles, harps and clansmen and women. I hadn't been to a games all last year.
The band has been like an extra family while the kids were little. Scotty played pipes from the age of 6 and Emily drummed from even younger. I was a tenor and bass drummer and instructor in the youth band. We travelled and camped and played music ensemble. This is the band tent. Some very valuable shade (mostly for the pipes) and cool water.
This is my Dan warming up "in the circle". That's the drum I played. It was glorious. But, like a family, there are always strange dynamics. I'm happy to have moved on, but still able to share a day with them. The kids rejoined their pack of the usual suspects, played soccer, jammed on guitars, drum pads and chanters and enjoyed themselves, too. When it's just one day, and neither of them are competing, the pressure is off.

And there was knitting.
When Scotty was a baby (I've decided to do away with the cloak and dagger code words. The kids are big and I was starting to feel silly) I knit a big project of the "perfect" aran sweater. Unfortunately it was a very big sweater, and Dan has lost some weight even since then. This is the front panel and I hardly need the chart after 15 years. It's like sitting down to the piano and playing "The Entertainer". One of the few pieces I fully learned, my fingers remember most of it and the music comes, not from my brain, but flowing out. That's how this pattern feels. No counting, just conversing with the stitches on the needles. It's tempting me to make another smaller one.