Works in progress, finished objects, yarn, patterns
some pics ahead of time so she could post her WIP Wednesday in the morning instead of late evening. The Constanze cowl, Jojoland Melody, I think color #27.
The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell and a hell of Heaven. John Milton (1608-1674)
B.
fate gloating over her progress on the Constanze cowl, getting it going on the first cast on, so proud of herself. Well, fate intervened, I got frustrated and ended up frogging the whole thing and starting fresh. I’ll get a pic or two tonight so I’ll be ready for WIP Wednesday tomorrow.
I have to keep reminding myself that today is Tuesday, tomorrow is Wednesday; since Monday was a holiday and I was off work, according to me, myself and I, today is Monday and thus, tomorrow is Tuesday. Don’t even ask me what happens when I’m off work for more than one day. Totally lose track.
Here’s a photo of my dad and me, it looks like I was about 18 months old, we were living in Corpus Christi, Tx. I’ve always thought my daddy was so handsome!
It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. Confucius
B.
undecided on her next project. I have narrowed it down (I think) to some Jojoland Melody Superwash I unearthed a while ago from my stash. Mind you, this is not set in stone, me being the fly by the seat of my pants kind of woman I am.
A few hours later….
OK, I think I’ve decided on the Constanze cowl and I’m going to give it a test drive with Jojoland Melody Superwash. Here’s a little preview
I think it’s a keeper. Also, surprisingly (I’ll probably jinx it, now), I’ve only cast on and started it this one time. Usually, I have a couple of false starts before I settle into a new project. A nice change, I think.
One more thing – here’s my FO Friday project for this week. Announcing the Slippery Socks !!
Here’s a side view –
As usual, Josie has to be up in the middle of everything. She hates to be upstaged!
Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it. Danny Kaye (1913-1987)
B.
some rain. The weather has been so hot and dry, when I have to go outside, it feels like I’m in a giant skillet. I haven’t decided on a new project yet, but one thing I know, wool will not be part of it. Makes me sweat just to think about it. Yuck. Or, it just came to me, I could use wool and just turn the thermostat down to ice age. Now, how’s that for a rationalization? This is a good time to revisit Snowmaggeden….
Remember last February? Snow is so much more photogenic than dry crunchy grass, don’t you think?
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Scott Adams, American cartoonist and creator of “Dilbert”
B.
set some of my expectations of myself a little lower than I’m used to. I’m beginning to figure out that some of the things I push myself to do, like visit my mom and dad, coordinate their care with various people (for example, Mom has a dental checkup this month), making sure that the nursing home is aware of these things so transportation can be arranged, taking care of their financial things because even though they’re both in a nursing home, their electric and water bill still have to be paid and insurance continues to come due. At the same time, Mr. Iknead and I are cleaning their house, going through things, cleaning out closets, trying to find a suitable facility for them here in Little Rock and driving three hours one way on the weekends to get these things accomplished, all the while, holding down a full time job here in Little Rock. Oh my, seeing it laid out like this, I had no idea just how impossible my self imposed expectations really are! No one can do all this stuff and remain physically and mentally intact and I need to scale back now for everyone’s sake. Knitting continues to be a lifeline.
While cleaning out a closet of theirs yesterday, I found this gorgeous throw. I think it belonged to one of my mom’s sisters (she had five), it’s vaguely familiar, but I hadn’t seen it in I don’t know how long. I’m in love with it. It has a tag reading The Three Weavers, Houston, Texas, Handwoven, 100% virgin wool. I’m not sure if these pics do it justice but you get the idea.
Down to the toes of the Slippery Socks. Finish tonight, for sure!
The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life and you must accept regret. Henri Frederic Amiel (1821-1881)
B.
her mailbox. Here’s the story – I’ve been having some personal family challenges in the past couple of months. My mom is in a nursing home, she has dementia, and about eight weeks ago, my father was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer with spread to his bones and liver. I’ve been going down to DeQueen about every other weekend, just to be with him and help him out with stuff. So, to make a long story short, his cancer has spread to his brain and in a week’s time, we’ve had to move him into a nursing home because we just couldn’t provide the care he needed. Basically, over a six week period, he has gone from being completely independent, driving and living in our family home to having to have nursing care around the clock. Because of the brain mets, he’s very confused, gets angry and frustrated very easily and has to be supervised closely. As you might have figured out, all this has been a very trying time for me, and I know I’ve not been my regular self lately.
OK, back to the story about the mail. I love jellybeans, love them awful and a good friend knows how much I love them, so he put a new bag of Starburst jellybeans in my mailbox. How sweet is that? Gave me a big smile and warm fuzzy feeling. I have wonderful friends.
Susannah modeling the Brittany Jumper. Cute as cute can be, right?
undecided about her next project. If I was really forward looking and efficient, I’d start on the iPod socks that I’ve decided might be good stocking stuffers for Christmas. Honestly, though, I can’t think any further ahead than this weekend; again, we’re going to DeQueen to be with my parents and work a little bit, going through things, shredding old paperwork (we found receipts from the 60s) and cleaning out closets. Lots of memories and it’s so hard to not get sidetracked by old pictures, books and everything else that makes up lives lived and memories kept. Very emotional.
Heel flap finished and ready to turn –
I hope I’ll have a new WIP Wednesday project next week, keeping my fingers crossed.
The best armor is to keep out of range. Italian proverb
B.
is ready to be turned on the remaining Slippery Sock. Woo Hoo! Takes so little to excite me nowdays. So. The sock is going swimmingly, and I’m already thinking ahead to my next project. Should I start a new new project or finish my current pet FO, the En Pointe Pullover. Which one? Decision making hasn’t been my strong suit the last few weeks. I’ve been channeling Scarlett O’Hara a lot lately, the whole “I’ll think about that tomorrow” thing. Totally out of character for me, the Queen of Quick Decisions. When I get overwhelmed about things, that’s the first thing to go and right at this moment, I can’t be bothered with what I call mosquito decisions, like what time I want to have dinner, where and exactly what or should I call (insert name here) now or wait until later or even, should I wear navy or black pants to work today? The millions of choices I make every day that normally are just under my radar become impossible when I’m overwhelmed.
I do, however, have a new photo of the Papoose, sitting (kiddy) pool side, in her ruffly swimsuit and cool hat –
Like my dad is nearing the end. Hospice has been out a couple times to assess dad and kind of gauge what is appropriate to keep him comfortable with his physical needs met. He’s becoming more confused all the time and short of breath. I’m blessed to be able to share this time with him.
I got exactly one round done on the slippery socks. That was something anyway.
Life beats down and crushes the soul, but art reminds you that you have one. Stella Adler (1901-1992)
B
This got typed lsat weekend and apparently I forgot to publish it. So, better late than never.
a WIP Wednesday haiku.
Why does the first sock
fly like a hawk on the wing
its mate like a snail?
Here’s my WIP for this week –
Still working on the Slippery Socks.
Even in the desolate wilderness, stars can still shine. Aoi Jiyuu Shiroi Nozomi
B.
Out a new skill – posting a pic to my blog on my iPhone. That’s the closest thing to a computer I have here in the wilds of southwest Arkansas. Here we go, the finished Dragonskin iTouch cover.
Not happening, maybe I’ll be smarter tomorrow.
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’character, give him power.
B.
Know when she’s going to back home. My dad has taken a turn for the worse regarding his pain. Dr. V started him on some heavy duty painkillers and while his pain is controlled, he’s been groggy and sleeping more than usual. Hopefully this will get better as he gets accustomed to the new meds.
Not a lot of knitting today. Maybe more tomorrow.
It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan. Eleanor
Roosevelt
B
A little about knitting and a lot about nothing...
Exploring the world one fiber at a time
Food Photography & Recipes
The Cricket Pages
Art from the Earth
Just a little crunchy.
Playin’ with mud after midnight.......
...and sewing, quilting, painting, and a whole lot more
Celebrating life, literature, and the persuit of fiber-y goodness.
yeah right.
Yarn Collecting and Occasional Knitting
A geeky creator just making through the days
Enjoying the little things in life.
Welcome to the world of cats!
mud&string 