Wobble Not Waddle!

Here's what I've been knitting of late. Yes, wool! Lambs Pride wool which I knit while seated directly in front of the air conditioner! This is side two for the Wobbly Tote KAL. Check the side bar for the link button.

The perfectly innocent front side

Reality check on the reverse side

I do enjoy intarsia. This is a fun project which will be felted. Side One is posted in a previous entry. The pattern is the same, but done with different color combos. This will be going to live with my sister in San Francisco.

Never position a rock near a hard place. ---Rohan Candappa

What do you see?

Here's a simple meme that I saw at http://www.wbnm.typepad.com . If you're reading this, you're tagged! Take a look around you. Other than your computer, peripherals, a desk/table, and chair--- what are the five things nearest to you right now?

1. A note pad
2. My grading sheet for my online students
3. Post It notes
4. My glasses -- not on my nose, on the desk! :)
5. A coaster (without the usual water bottle at the moment)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. --- Matthew 11:28-30

Operation Purple Heart

The tote bag arrived today from the maker so I am ready to send it off with the Comfort Ghan to the parents of a 25-year-old Army Staff Sgt. who was killed on November 28, 2004, when his unit was conducting a dismounted patrol and encountered enemy forces using small-arms fire in Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Howze, Korea.

Please remember this family in your prayers.

I assembled the ghan using squares sent by members of Heartmade Blessings. www.heartmadeblessings.org

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
--- Jeremiah 17:7

Crowns

It was jubilation and praise and Hallelujah and Southern Gospel music when I went to the musical Crowns at the Denver Center Theatre on Saturday.

To quote from the program, "The unique legacy of African American women and their church hats is at the heart of Regina Taylor's gospel-infused musical." The costuming, the more than fabulous hats--their crowns--and musical talent on display makes this an experience of worship as well as seeing an outstanding production. If you have an opportunity to see this play, by all means do!!

Here are some of the sculptures outside the theatre complex. Unfortunately, they were taken with my phone-cam.

The bright light in the background is obscuring the grand view of the mountains. Darn! Trust me, the mountains are there! Really! :)

We're talkin' a hunk-o-man here!!

Wait! There's Mrs. Hunk!!

He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. ---Ps 103:4

Stripping for HMB

Today I've been joining squares to make strips and strips to make a comfort ghan for Heart Made Blessings. Then I need to make a border and a nice finished edging. I haven't quite decided how I will do that yet, though I do know I want a touch of the amethyst in a white border.

I finished reading The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn and must say that the best reading is the last third of the book. This author's wit and clever writing is a joy!

I then started to read The Columnist by Jeffrey Frank. Even though I'm only a few pages into the story, I know already that this is going to an enjoyable read.

We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer. ---Proverbs 16:1

Knocked Down Again

Another virus has taken hold, so I haven't been doing much knitting. I had been working on my Wobbly Tote (see side bar link) until the piece got big enough that I was too warm with all that wool! I am working on a new Comfort ghan for survivors of a soldier who died in the war. (See Heartmade Blessings in side bar.)

Summer semester has begun, so most of my energy goes to teaching time. I am going to do some course development this summer, but haven't been able to concentrate long enough to work on it at all.

I am currently reading The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn, a frivolous but well-written novel about the pampered New York socialites who eagerly draw blood just to get their children enrolled in the most fashionable schools. Gripping, I know!

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.
~~~Henry Ford

Thanks to my SP8!

Receiving the first package in the Secret Pal 8 exchange was exciting! Thanks to my SP for the box of surprises which included Sugar n Cream cotton yarn, DP needle holders, small bird house chimes, a sewing kit, candy, and a few other items. After putting everything away, it hit me! I didn't take a picture! Duh! So, trust me here, the gifts and the clever storage box that held them are very thoughtful items from my delightful SP!

If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes. ---Andrew Carnegie

Bloomination!

My auto-immune disease likes to surprise me frequently by knocking me flat on my back. The last week or so has been like that. However, I am walking upright now, so that's a plus! :) While I've been sleeping my days away, the flowers have been gloriously brightening our yard.
The peonies have, in fact, bloomed!

The ravishing petunias are filling the planters on our deck. Aren't they gorgeous?

Of course keeping the finch feeder stocked can be challenging, but I love attracting the goldfinches to come and dine near my office window. The hanging baskets have revived now that I've been able to water them again. I didn't even think about asking DH to do it for me. In fact, I didn't think of it at all!What's that to the left of the picture? Why, yes! That IS my favorite reading spot right there in the back yard!

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ---Walt Streightiff

Bob-bob-bobbins

No knitting or crocheting today, although I did go to a LYS with a friend. http://www.fiberspacepatterns.com/ My sole purchase--out of necessity--is below.

I want to get back to the world map ghan that I started last Fall for J. The picture is elsewhere in this blog. To do so, I needed more giant bobbins for carrying colors. Each package has two bobbins, so I should be well supplied along with the ones I had already.

I'm watching buds. Bud-watching! How exciting is that?! hee-hee The mock orange blossomed today.

Can't see the delicate yellow centers, darn! My favorite flower is blooming all over town, but my peony bush is teasingly loaded with closed buds! The great awakening should happen soon, though.

I bought this little double heart bird house for Mother when she first moved to assisted living after her initial strokes. It now graces our deck bringing memories of Mother's last two years.

Several journaled bits from my reading of Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland:

p. 150: The mother simply states, "Work is love made plain." as she remains at home to care for the family's needs.

Conflict: Love for art vs. love for family.

Vermeer's use of a white wash over the blue paint for his daughter's dress color.

Daughter's deep desire to paint was denied because females were not permitted to do so.

Feeling exceedingly foolish opens the mind to the spikes of insight. ~~~Abdus Salaam, Nobel physicist

Little Green Purse

A size K crochet hook and two kinds of ribbon yielded a small purse. The pattern is based on one for a passport carrier. The body of the purse is solid mint green with a variegated ribbon for the triangular flap that is secured with a gold heart button. It's difficult to see the raised floral design on the button in this picture. This is a very fast one day project. I hope the recipient of this gift will find it useful.

A carry-in-my-purse book, Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper by Harriet Scott Chessman, is a delightful fictionalized account of the relationship between painter Mary Cassatt and her ailing sister, Lydia, who frequently posed for Mary. The illustrations are details of Cassatt's paintings that add to the pleasure of reading this delicate book.

Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. ~~~ Colin Powell

Max Goes Camping

Max loves to go camping. Must be the slower pace. The lounging, eating, sleeping. The joie de vivre. Sounds a lot like home!

It's amazing what escaping for a few days can do for one's spirit. Particularly when the destination is Carter Lake at Big Thompson Canyon. http://www.co.larimer.co.us/parks/carter.htm

The simplicity of life and closeness to nature is invigorating.

Two geese nesting in the vicinity of our camp site swam elegantly from their nest to search for food. They'll be there through the Fall when they teach the goslings to migrate, then return the next spring to raise another brood. Cycles of nature.

Watching a woodpecker scampering up a tree and pecking distracted me from my book as I was entertained by the bird quickly working through a small grove of cottonwood trees.

The rocks made red by the abundance of iron oxide in the area punctuated the shades of green trees and grasses.

While camping, I finished quite an interesting book, The Portrait of Mrs. Charbuque by Jeffrey Ford. This book was a departure from my usual reading choices. A magical story of intrigue evolves and is set in 1863 when a portraitist accepts a commission to paint the portrait of a woman whom he is not permitted to see. The fantastical events which follow makes this one of those difficult-to-put-down novels. Give it a try!

Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party! ---Robin Williams

Platitudes

Mother is with God.
Mother is at rest.
Mother is with Dad.

Mother was ready to go.
Mother has paid her dues.
Mother is still with us.

Mother loved life.
Mother lived a full life.

Time heals all wounds.
You will mourn Mother
the rest of your life.

(Author Unknown)

7 weeks since her death
Sunday is Mothers Day

Row Your Boat!

Here are some crocheted baby hats for Rivers of the World Mission www.row.org . They are going to a lady in HMB because her husband volunteered her to make 100 hats! for his Rotary Club to donate to Rivers of the World. Doncha just love their acronym ROW? Anyway, I hope my measly two hats will help her a bit!

A truly enjoyable book, The Memoir Club, by Laura Kalpakian examines fictional characters as they take a class on writing memoirs. The chief characters--Jill, Rusty, Francine, Sarah Jane, and Nell--come to terms with their individual past experiences as they learn to reach into their writing and pull out the details, the interest. Through the class and the Memoir Club which follows it, these women share deep, bonding experiences and rebirth of sorts. My one criticism lies with the contrived resolution concerning the instructor, Penny. A favorite bit of writing is on page 203 of the novel "...Sarah Jane's backyard has flowers growing out of men's top hats and out of old working boots and battered saucepans and broken cups. A clementine vine weaves in and out of a rusting iron bedstead, climbs up through the wire springs and covers them....At the very back gate...body of an old pickup truck, from the 20's perhaps, covered in ivy and with a bed of daisies in the back and hollyhocks and foxglove where the engine used to be." Such an engaging image!

Books are like imprisoned souls till someone takes them down from a shelf and frees them.
~Samuel Butler, writer

Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I enjoy using different types of fibers and yarns. Would prefer not to have the "fun fur" type of yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Needles—in a hand-thrown pottery pitcher/Hooks—in a case that I received in a swap.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Since 1962/Advanced

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Fresh scents, nothing too sweet like vanilla or florals

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Milk chocolate!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Crochet/I do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Contemporary Christian music/MP3--no

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Prefer pastels and brights -- would rather not have dark shades like burgundy, navy, black

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Family=dearest husband, adult children, seven grandchildren/ My sweet dog, Max, a Boxer

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Scarves and hats.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like to make a variety of items and don't have a single favorite.

13. What are you knitting right now?
A tote to be felted, an intarsia afghan, two short sleeve sweaters, probably a couple other items, too!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular bamboo

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, swift and winder.

17. How did you learn to knit?
Self taught from books and help from a lady at a yarn shop—mostly on assembling a sweater.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
Ohmygosh!! 4 years!

19. What is your favorite holiday?
4th of July

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Dolls, hand-thrown pottery, owls

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
No

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Modular, entrelac

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I have made socks, but do not typically knit them./ 10 inches long, 3 ¾ inches wide

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 02/26

A Prayer in Every Stitch

This comfortghan was made through Heartmade Blessings and mailed to the parents of a 20-year-old Marine who died as a result of enemy action in Iraq. The members of HMB offer this ghan to his parents as a token of our prayers, love, and comfort.

One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.
---E. M. Forster

Reflecting

Several items on the needles are awaiting my attention. My feather and fan throw. My chocolate brown short sleeve sweater. The worldghan for J. My Wobbly tote. Probably others, as well. And all I want to do is work on HMB ghans to offer comfort to grieving families. Ever since Mother's passing, I feel drawn to making ghans for HMB. Perhaps the Lord is leading me through my grief. The Spirit is working in me to feel connected to Mother by offering prayers for others. It helps.


Moses answered the people, Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. ---Exodus 14:13-14

HMB

Here is the Heartmade Blessings (See button in side bar) ghan that I sent to the parents of a 29 year old soldier who died on January 06, 2005, with six of his fellow soldiers when an improvised explosive device (IED) struck their Bradley fighting vehicle in Baghdad. He was assigned to Louisiana Army National Guard, Lafayette, LA. May God bless and comfort his family.

The tags on the squares list the name and email of each person in HMB who contributed squares and prayers for this family.

Here's a closer look at the border.

A fascinating history of Long Island beginning with the indigenous population and continuing to the artists' colony that it became is the compelling subject of Hamptons Bohemia by Helen A. Harrison and Constance Ayers Denne. The romance of this work seems to be filtered to allow only the quaint, simple beauty to shine through. It's a lovely, pleasant read.

Anticipate the good so that you may enjoy it. ---Ethiopian proverb

Emotions Are Not Words

I always look forward to my "puffies" arriving in the mail. A puffie is usually a manilla envelope with one or two 12-inch crocheted squares for me to add a border and include in an Operation Purple Heart afghan to send to the survivors of a soldier who has perished. (See Heartmade Blessings button in the side panel.)

Yesterday a box arrived from an HMB contributor. Wow!! A whole box of squares instead of one or two! I'll be able to complete a ghan today, I thought. As I tore into the package, I saw pink and yellow. Oh no I thought, the square maker must have gotten the addresses switched because squares for me are purple and white. I would just email her and ask her where to send it.

Then, I pulled out the contents and saw the letter. The ghan had arrived at the correct address. It is a beautiful, gorgeous, delicate floral ghan made by the wonderful HMB angels for me in memory of my precious mother. I went from confusion to tears in an instant. I spread it out and looked at each amazing square, at every tag with the name and location of each contributor, and I cried.

To everyone at HMB, thank you for the beautiful memorial to my beautiful mother. I am deeply blessed by your care and your talent. I never realized the feelings one experiences when receiving a ghan from HMB. Now I know. It moves me to want to make more and more ghans to bless others. God bless each of you.

The picture below shows the tote bag that can be used for the ghan.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. ---Psalm 17:8

Blooms in my Rooms

The grass is attempting to be green--kinda around the edges. The forsythia is a bunch of sticks and the lilac is showing no purple! I do, however, have blooms in my rooms!

~~ Azaleas in the Dining Room ~~

~~ Easter Lilies in the Living Room ~~

~~ A Floral Assortment in my Office ~~

I'm still keeping an eye on the grass, though!

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. --- Psalm 139:10

Wobbly Tote !

A trip to the library brightened my day! Recuperating from pneumonia and bronchitis is taking some extended time, but I felt strong enough to go out today. Praise God! Although walking around our small library was tiring, it was a supreme morale booster! Here's my stack of books. I sat on the deck and started The Memoir Club by Laura Kalpakian this afternoon.



What does one do in 80 degree weather?? Knit with wool, of course!! I have been wobbling along on my Wobbly KAL. ((See the button on the side bar.) All strands lead to.....

The WONDERFUL WOBBLY!

This is one side--which side is yet to be determined--of the tote which will be felted. I think I'm making it for one of my sisters. Hmmm...We'll see!

I just finished reading a disturbing book, The Liar's Club, by Mary Karr. Her memoir of her painful East Texas childhood is written in precise language that is harsh, vulgar, searing yet delivered with wit and irony. This grisly story is quite unusual.

One kind word can warm three winter months. ---Japanese Proverb