What A Difference A Day Makes ppl p

June 7, 2020July 19, 2020 mud&stringLeave a comment

OK. It’s time. Actually, it’s past time I’m finally admitting how besieged I’ve felt for, oh, I don’t know, the past three months. The first weeks were fun. After all, what knitter/crafter hasn’t fantasized about unlimited time to indulge in whatever our (my) current obsession is. Even better, with the internet, it takes only seconds to replenish whatever supplies – including food – run low. Until……

It finally hits home that Covid 19 means people everywhere and anywhere can sicken, and die, overloading what we (I) always took for granted, quick and easy access to healthcare, medication and, when needed, a nice clean, cool and private hospital room to rest and recover in. Then, there were none and wherever there was space for a bed became a room. ERs, hallways, tents, athletic fields. There’s no room for pickiness when Covid 19 comes to town and my list of things I always took for granted gets shorter.

Then there’s social distancing and quarantine. Not a problem until it means that the new grandbaby so long awaited can only be worshipped from afar and a healthy loved one can only wave and mouth words of encouragement and love or helpless and disbelieving goodbyes. My family has been so blessed. Me and mine have stayed healthy so far. We’ve been super careful and tried as hard as we can to follow the rules. Masks, gloves, wipes, handwashing, sanitizer – we do them and will continue to do so for as long as it takes because it has worked, so far. The list of things I’ve always taken for granted continues to shrink.

Then, on the last day of March at (naturally) midnight I fall and break my right arm, my first broken bone and the first time the idea of an ER visit scares me enough that I wait four more hours, in pain and fear before I cave and let Mr. iknead drive me there ONLY after he calls the ER first. Four freakin’ hours before yours truly admits that having my right hand totally pointing the wrong way probably should be checked out and we arrive to an empty ER and I mean empty. I was the only patient and had my own personal nurse, doctor and techs. The missing piece? I was alone. My spouse and ultimate support person could not enter the ER and was advised that he could sit in the car while I was there or could go home and wait for a call telling him I was being released. I asked (told) him to go on home and kept him updated via cell phone. Again, the list of things taken for granted shrinks.

If you missed the posts with the gory details, you can find it here.

Just when I think there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, I start seeing an unfamiliar name across social media. George Floyd. I learn that another Black man has died in police custody, all caught on camera and three words become a personal nightmare. I. Can’t. Breathe. I am a white female. I have never had to have The Talk with my children about their behavior when dealing with law enforcement because I was raised with the certainty that policemen are my friends. This is not a lie in my reality. The lie is that we all live the SAME reality. We don’t. Let me say up front that a family member is law enforcement and I would trust him with my life or anyone elses. Thank God that the vast majority of people that we trust with our lives are totally worthy of that trust but tragically, there is a small, unworthy minority and even one untrustworthy, out of control, power tripping and just plain mean authority figure is WAY too many. Ever. My reality is changing. Old attitudes are hard to change but I can hear mine groaning and cracking under the weight of my changed reality. I am embarrassed. I am ashamed. I am angry. I am learning. Most of all, I am changing. More shrinkage of the list.

Yesterday, though, at least a bit of my soul started to heal. Our second oldest grand girl received her first Holy Communion. I was so proud of her, so self possessed at such a young age, making a lifetime commitment. For once, I was glad to be wearing a face mask so my happy tears were hidden. (Happy tears or not, the ugly cry was front and center 😭). I felt truly calm for the first time in months, reassured that no matter what, God is in control, he knows me and loves me anyway. Life is tough at the moment for so many, and tougher for some than others, but it goes on, hopefully leaving a kinder, gentler nation in its wake.

Harper Elizabeth

First Communion

June 7, 2020

Know what I learned today? The shorter my Take It For Granted list becomes, the longer my Gratitude List grows. Sure didn’t see that one coming.

In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers. Mr. Rogers

Where’d Summer Go?

September 9, 2019September 9, 2019 mud&stringLeave a comment

I’m definitely stuck in summer mode. I keep saying to myself “this summer, I’m going to ____________________”, as if it weren’t already September, the grands weren’t all back in school and the fall activities weren’t gearing up and the summer activities weren’t winding down. Admittedly, it seemed that this particular summer was more hectic than usual with family togetherness, minor injuries (mostly mine) with my back reminding me off and on that I’m not as young as I used to be (really??). Ahhh, no real complaints here, just the impossibility of trying to fit a year’s worth of being together and a year’s worth of activities into a six to eight week time frame. FYI – Half our grandkids and their corresponding parents live in Thailand — Bangkok to be exact and can make a trip back to the U.S. once a year, hence the compressed time frame. The rest of the grands live locally – a good thing for a grandma who needs a grandkid fix every now and then.

Now, aren’t you just dying to see a photo of our little darlings???

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Five granddaughters and one grandson!

l-r: Harper, Emma, Shepherd, Charlee, Annabelle and Susannah, the one who started it all!

IN MY STUDIO

I’m working on a series of small bottles that I’m enjoying a lot. I have no plan when I sit down to throw, I just let my hands do their own thing.

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These are ready for their first firing in the next few days,

ON THE FIBER FRONT

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These are some singles I spun up. I don’t feel like they are crying out to be plied so aftere a nice wash and wind, I think they’ll make nice socks for someone!

The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it. Richard Bach

Family · Knitting

Departure Countdown

August 28, 2019 mud&stringLeave a comment

I leave for home the day after tomorrow, always a bittersweet anticipation. A bit sad to be leaving, knowing that I won’t see my Bangkok babies until December, leaving part of my heart in Thailand but at the same time, looking forward to being home and reconnecting with the other part of my heart that I left at home when I left for Bangkok. I pray that someday we’ll all at least be on the same continent, if not the same state or town. Until that happens, I’ll use all that airplane time (16+ hours!) to get in some serious knitting time on whatever project I have going at that time.

This extra knitting time is a good thing this trip, a really good thing…….

I finally took a look at the Leksak Lady pattern, rows and rows of stockinette as a general rule don’t require much in the way of pattern watching. Talk about a Debbie Downer moment! I’d had it in my head that the pattern read “continue working in stockinette until the garment from the shoulder measures approximately 20 inches”. instead, it reads “continue working……………………….measures approximately 28.5 inches”. My Leksak Lady measures about 18 inches from the shoulder at the moment. I don’t think I can fudge 10 inches of stockinette. 😫😫😫

Instead of a project photo, something to make you smile –

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People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile. Lee Mildon

Family · Knitting · pottery

Betcha Thought I Forgot About This Old Blog….

August 16, 2019August 18, 2019 mud&stringLeave a comment

OK, at 63 (!) I’ve been been trying on a few different personas, just one more sign of my decision to never grow up, but here I am once more, an amalgamation of several whos and whats, as reflected in my new title, Mud and String.

As I type this, I’m en route to Bangkok, Thailand again, accompanying Big Mommy and the three grands, the Papoose, the Sprout and the Peach. All growing up so so fast and leaving me in the dust regarding what’s cool and what’s not. Anyhow……..

This trip has been very crazy, beginning with the first leg of the 30 hour trip being delayed an hour in Little Rock due to weather in Dallas, setting off a chain of situations like dominos falling. First, we missed our connecting flight to Hong Kong and so were stranded in Dallas for 24 hours, waiting for the next plane to Hong Kong. An adventure unto itself…More on that later.

So here we are, 32000 feet in the air, five hours into a 16 hour flight, with the outside time showing as -43.6F, wearing clothes that were fresh yesterday – Wednesday morning around 5 a.m. – closing in on 48 hours. The time is 4:49 pm on Thursday, according to my ipad. I pity our seatmates! 🤭🤭🤭🤢🤢🤢

We made it to Hong Kong! Here’s the view from our gate waiting area-

Before I close this out, a few pics of recent projects

Ninilchik Swoncho

The art of progress is to preserve order amid change, and to preserve change amid order.

Family

It’s Been A While, Hasn’t It?

November 27, 2018 mud&stringLeave a comment

Here I am, attempting to jumpstart what used to be so easy, the habit of knocking out a blog post a couple of times a week and following the blogs I particularly enjoy, of which there are many – keeping up with what others are reading or knitting, baking or making music and/or just what’s going on outside the realm of Casa Coleman. I don’t know if you’ve missed me, but I’ve missed you and it feels good to be back.❤️

FIRST THINGS FIRST

The newest grand — then and now:

and we can’t forget big sisters…

OK everyone! It’s time to stop growing and changing – at least for a little while – I’m not finished loving this stage yet!

Now for the Bangkok branch update:

As you can see, they too are growing and changing much, much more quickly than I want!

NEXT INSTALLMENT – Knitting and throwing, ringing and reading and whatever else catches my fancy!

Whoever is happy will make others happy too. Anne Frank

Family

Misery, Thy Name is Insomnia

March 10, 2018March 10, 2018 mud&string2 Comments

Yeah, the little clock at the top of my screen says 4:24 am and I’m up, sitting at my kitchen table, drinking coffee out of my favorite cup, the one which says “Some days I am a princess, some days I am a warrior (choose wisely). I think I’m a warrior, probably a very tired one later today.

Thank you my sister of the heart, CeCe for the awesome mug!

FYI – I had a birthday last week

Cece also gifted me a 12x magnifying mirror, which I love btw, I guess she got tired of listening to me fuss about how I can’t see much of anything close up, making any eyebrow maintenance nearly impossible.

My Bangkok Branch sent me beautiful tulips –

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making me wish for spring to hurry on up and get here! Today’s Bangkok countdown: 25 days until departure! Mr. Iknead and I are getting antsy…….we’re ready to be be there!!!

Oops! Almost forgot this. I want to recommend a book that I just read, The Year of Less, by Caitlin Flanders.

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In her late twenties, Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, repeat. Even after she worked her way out of nearly $30,000 of consumer debt, her old habits took hold again. When she realized that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy—only keeping her from meeting her goals—she decided to set herself a challenge: she would not shop for an entire year.

The Year of Less documents Cait’s life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; researched the zero waste movement; and completed a television ban. At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt.

I find that the older I get, the less is more concept is becoming more and more appealing.

This book is an easy read and provided me with lots of food for thought. I don’t know if her technique would work as well if she had someone, a spouse or partner, sharing space, but the challenge is intriguing. 🤔

The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same. Carlos Castaneda

Family · Knitting

FO Friday, I Do, Wise Words

August 29, 2014 mud&stringLeave a comment

OFF THE NEEDLES

Honey Nectar Cowl

Tosh Chunky in One of a Kind Nectar

This yarn was much prettier after it was knit up. The colors seemed sort of, I don’t know, blah, I guess. I’m so glad I stayed with it to the finish. I love the soft, subtle colors now!

I DO RENEW

Mr. Iknead and I are renewing our marriage vows this evening, with our sweet son in law officiating. It’s very low key, just family, the kids and their spouses and the grands, in front of the fireplace here at home, with dinner afterward. The past 35(!) years hold so much laughter and love, along with some tears, of course, but the love and laughs far outweigh anything else. So, yeah, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Pictures to follow.

A WORD TO THE WISE

When your paper carrier leaves your paper right on top of your sprinkler system, do not, I repeat, do not attempt to dry it, the paper, not the carrier, in the microwave; or at least, don’t get distracted and walk away.

I didn’t know paper would ignite at around the 20 second mark. Yeah, my attention span is about that short. Burned clean through the first section and about halfway through the second, FYI.

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently. Henry Ford

Family · Knitting

Morning at the Zoo, Wondrous Yarnbox, Meet Forrester Gump

March 20, 2014March 21, 2014 mud&stringLeave a comment

ZOO FUN

Big and busy day today. Mr. Iknead and I spent the morning with all three grands and their moms at the zoo. I don’t know about the others but I’m totally beat. I bet we walked three miles today, easy! We had a blast and except for one tiny episode of COTTON CANDY COTTON CANDY IWANTCOTTONCANDY!!!! everyone’s sunny disposition stayed put. The four newest tiger cubs were a particular favorite. Babydiva developed a short term obsession with mole rats but was eventually distracted and we were able to carry on with our visit.

Babydiva and the Papoose – Cousins and BFFs

Patient Tiger Mommy

The Sprout’s Pushing ME Next Time!

Just Us Girls

Mr. Iknead and Babydaddy don’t have a chance.

And you know what? They love it! Mr. Iknead melts completely when he around the grands, it’s the sweetest thing – no request refused, no job too large or too small. Pawpaw’s got this and is loving every blessed minute. I married a marshmallow and it’s grand!

Babydivalicious

That Smile!!

YARNLOVE

Another wondrous box arrived while we were visiting the zoo and (be still my heart) this was inside:

SIIDEGARTE

Silky Swiss Gorgeousness

“Siide-Flauschig”

50% Silk/50% Merino

Aichblatt

250m/273 yds

There were two, count ’em, two hanks of this in the wondrous Yarnbox; the sheen on this stuff is phenomenal, as you can see from the photo. Now the hard part – picking a project because, as we all know, fabulous yarn calls for a fabulous pattern. Shawl? Shrug? Sweater? Who knows? Most of the time, in my plane of existence, the yarn decides what it wants to be, then it’s my job to figure out what that is. I’m thinking some type of wrap, maybe something with a hood?

RUN FORRESTER RUN!

Meet Forrester Gump, the newest member of the Iknead family.

Mr. Iknead has been so patient, waiting until he found just want he wanted, from the sort of silvery green paint job, to the moonroof, to the automatic back hatch – just touch a button and it opens and closes *snap fingers* just like that. I’m happy to see him so happy and excited. He deserves this new ride, he’s been driving my dad’s car for the past couple of years, a good car, a Buick LaCrosse, nice, not too fancy, but really, not his style. He’s more of an SUV kind of guy. I don’t mind telling that I’m a million times blessed to have him as the love of my life.