This Afternoon, Saturday

Windows are cracked open even though it's only 54 degrees (12 c).
All Day Music on my headphones.
Pretending it's Spring.
Also, pretending I'm halfway through writing the thesis (that I am currently avoiding working on by writing here).

A Well-Timed Bout of the Flu

I was down and out with a crazy virus most of last week. As crummy as it was to be shaken to the core with non-stop coughing, it seems almost a blessing now. School starts this week and I am carrying a duffle bag of stress over its start. Being so focused on health (or lack thereof), carried me through last week. I was able to stare off into space for a while, watch a few old movies, and knit like mad. In the middle of my misery, I took a day to revamp Kidlet’s room (with my Mama…thanks, Mama!). Now that project is 95% finished and I can cross it off one of my many mental lists. I think I needed a forced vacation, one that confined me to the house with just enough energy to tackle one project.

Onward. Thesis, here I come.

Skinny Braids and All

Last night, Kidlet and I looked through a couple of photo albums. They were what you might call my “Best of Childhood” set, photos taken from birth until about age fourteen. Kidlet said she felt a little sad looking at the photos and suddenly I was overcome by a swelling of bittersweet emotion as well. The majority of the people in the photos are no longer here. My parents were so beautiful and in love. I thought about the relative simplicity of childhood through photos, me running through forests, celebrating holidays, hugging my parents.

But then Kidlet pointed to a photo of me at about age ten, sitting next to a mountain stream. She asked, “Is that me? That looks like me.” After that, I was drawn to studying the flow of time, watching my Mama turn from kid to middle age. I looked at photos of her mother, the age my mother is now, looking for the similarities and thinking about where I fit in.

Finally, humor. I pointed to a photo of me with skinny braids, blowing out the candles on my ninth birthday cake. I told Kidlet, “Look! Nothing changes!” And I pointed to the skinny braids curling about my neck.

It’s about time I put together some photo albums together of Kidlet, Hubs, and me.

1.11.11

On the first day of the year, I typically bake a cake or a pie. I assessed the berries I froze last summer. I went through stacks of recipes. And then I decided that I really didn't have to bake something after all.

I wish I could end here with some little spiel about how it's a new year and I am learning to simplify, slow down.

Instead, Kidlet and I painted some test patches in her room.
I made pancakes.
I am getting ready to prep sauce, cheese, and toppings for the pizzas I am going to make tonight.
I started another load of laundry.

At least it has been peppered with a good deal knitting and dithering over what yarn I want to use for my next sweater project.

Perhaps I am moving toward balance? One can hope, in any case.

Peace

Joy
Laughter
Warmth
And happy holiday to all...

The treats are made (Piparkukas, Pinkie's Brown Sugar Fudge, Alt-Malt Milk Slab), none of which were smooth sailing (but they all taste fine). The dog knitting hit a snag when I forgot 26 extra rows on the tummy. A grocery trip still needs to happen, two more days of work...and you know what? It's all ok by me. There have been a few moments of "Why didn't I plan this better?!" but in general, I'm feeling more free and easy about it all this year. I can see my husband shaking his head 'no' when he reads this, but maybe I'm learning to let things ride. Well, at least I'm giving it my best shot.

Knitting a Dog

I've been knitting like mad since school finished for the semester. I'd be so productive if I didn't have school. I guess that's my carrot at the end-of-the-school stick: more knitting. Right now, the bizarre creature pictured above is in the finishing stages. I had insomnia last night so I used my time to sew up all the paws and weave in any ends that I won't be using for seaming.

The pattern is the Pembroke Corgi from the book Best in Show. Knowing my Kidlet's predilection for this short, foxy pup, I wanted to try and make it before the holidays as a stocking stuffer. I love knitting stuff like this, where you are constantly wondering how it's all going to fit together. The face looks like it may be a bit narrow, but hopefully a good stuffing will fill it out.

I found the book on Amazon. It hasn't been released in the US yet, but it is slated to come out domestically in February. If you want to try your hand at one of the dogs from the book, here's a pattern for the Jack Russell terrier.

We went to a cookie decorating party last night. It was nice to be in a warm house with laughter and children running wild. The sugar cookies and frosting our friend makes are unparalleled.

Snow, Followed by Rain, Soon to be Followed by Snow

It snowed like mad yesterday and now it's blowing and raining on top of it all. Transportation this weekend will be an adventure! (I'm trying on a positive attitude.)

Discovered another knitting podcast I enjoy: Cloudy with a Chance of Fiber.

"Composition is a discipline; it forces us to think. If you want to 'get in touch with your feelings,' fine — talk to yourself; we all do. But, if you want to communicate with another thinking human being, get in touch with your thoughts. Put them in order; give them a purpose; use them to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce. The secret way to do this is to write it down and then cut out the confusing parts." --William Safire, by way of the Writer's Almanac for December 17, 2010

I've been thinking a lot about writing, not only here but for my scholarly endeavors. What is it I want to communicate? I guess it's time to carry on and find out. I think my four month blog break is over.

The Lightbulb Moments

There's a blog I've been following for a while that never fails to leave me inspired and feeling positive, The Improvised Life. It's about art, design, food, creativity, simplicity, mistakes, frugality...fantastic.

I'm in a cocooning phase. I've been doing less online and more around the house. School is just two weeks away (ouch) and I'm trying to make the most of it. I'm full of ideas and want to try and get things tried out and squared away before the big drop in free time. I think this summer flew by about 50% faster than any other summer on record. Am I the only one who thinks so? While next week is supposed to be hot! hot! hot!, this week has cooled down and has the slightest touch of (dare I say?) fall. I don't know if I'm ready, but I'm trying to learn to be positive about change.

A 41 Update

I figured since it's my 41.58 birthday, I'd try a little update since I've been pretty scarce from el bloggy.

1. Enter something in the state fair competitions IN PROGRESS …and I’d better get a move on! It’s coming together pretty well; I’ve got some parts where I’m not entirely satisfied but it still has quite a bit of charm.

2. Feel the ocean’s mist on my face WOO! Last weekend…

3. Have at least one evening alone with the Hubs Well, if you count going out to a couple of dinners, then this is done.

4. Camp! Preferably at least half a dozen times. How about half a time? Heh. We left in the middle of the night on a party weekend at the desert lake. In about a week, we’ll be spending a few nights out at Great Basin National Park. Can’t wait!

5. Make a pair of Latvian mittens (my heritage!) At least I found the book but I have too many projects going right now. Maybe after I finish Kidlet’s socks.

6. Figure out how to fit exercise into my life IN PROGRESS I was walking regularly until it got HOT. I guess I’m still figuring.

7. Find a film camera with which I can get along DONE! Polaroid 210, I love you. Now, I just want a new digi cam…

8. Write a poem

9. Take care of at least one outstanding house project IN PROGRESS (always in progress). We replaced the bathroom mirror (with a mirror that only I can use: too tall for Kidlet, too short for Hubs). I painted the entry and hope to finish the touching up this weekend. Then I have to get all the pictures and artwork ready to finish it off (and get a new front door).

10. Plant as many seeds in the yard as I can Many of the seeds were nibbled to nothing but I managed to get some basil, peas, and toms to grow. The flowers, not so much.

11. Do a month long project (self portrait a day, drawing a day, knitting a swatch a day…) Ummm…I tried a ‘list a day’ in June, but that got dull. How about ‘study every day’ starting in about a month. Sigh.

12. Make and send at least one postcard

13. Visit my Grandmother regularly

14. Get a massage IN PROGRESS We have a woman who gives chair massages about once a month (of which I have been taking advantage) but I think once school is up and running, I’ll make an appointment for the full deal.

15. Make ice cream (without an ice cream maker) I’m considering getting an ice cream maker. I’ve got so many fantastic recipes that I’ve been hording for years.

16. Play a video game. It's been so long... :)

17. Knit at least two sweaters (does it count that I have one cast on already?) I’ve stopped and restarted the cast on sweater but I’ve totally lost interest in it. I think it needs a larger needle for a more fluid fabric so it may need to be frogged AGAIN. Oh well. It’s a learning process, right? I also have second sweater cast on but it’s not getting much attention until my state fair project is done.

18. Always try the library first when there is a book I want to read In progress, but I find much of the time the library doesn’t have what I want.

19. Figure out my plan for the rest of my school career IN PROGRESS Sigh. I just don’t know if being a librarian is going to happen. I’ve been reading quite a few trade blogs/newsletters and outlook: grim.

20. Ride a Ferris Wheel DONE (and I’d do it again)

21. Skate (ice, roller, or both) ICE

22. Finally become a public radio station member

23. Find the perfect cake recipe IN PROGRESS. I’ve got a beaut of a frosting, but I’m still looking for the cake.

24. Learn to take care of myself. PERPETUALLY IN PROGRESS but yes!

25. Make butter with Kidlet DONE

26. (Re)learn how to do yo-yo tricks

27. Braid my hair Will my hair ever grow?

28. Eat an oyster pan roast

29. Drink a gin and tonic (when school is out) DONE! And I may have to have one again tonight.

30. Watch New Orleans win the Superbowl (heh heh) DONE!

31. Pull out my clarinet and toot a few notes

32. Go back to visit the ichthyosaur

33. Have ice cream for dinner Big failure. Kidlet and I always forget that she only marginally likes ice cream.

34. See the Nutcracker

35. Embroider Moomins on something (a bag? a shirt? a pillowcase?)

36. Go to the drive-in

37. Dance more.

38. Make cheese Maybe when the weather is cooler?

39. Do a little guerilla knitting project I have the idea, but haven’t done it yet. It’ll be good quick knitting for when I’m back in school.

40. See the Gees Bend exhibit when it comes DONE

41. Build the biggest fort I have ever made with Kidlet In planning stages. I’ll build it when her friend who has been away for 9 months comes back to town next month.

Have a loverly weekend and stay cool…

A Little Monday "ing"

Considering...ripping out the majority of my front yard (i.e. the junipers, aka 'the fire hazard') and making an edible front yard.

Feeling...totally sapped and irritable from the heat.

Daydreaming...of the weekend (already)! San Francisco, here we come!

Remembering...my dad (who would have been 69 this coming weekend). I'll be sure to raise a glass of wine to him in SF.

Wishing...I had a more knitting time. My state fair project is actually coming together (after many false starts).

Eating...leftover cucumber-arugula-lemon-jalapeno-avocado soup with berries on the side for lunch. And almonds. Always almonds.

Coveting...this album and a bunch of Moomin/Tove Jannson related books on amazon.uk.

What are you "ing?"

This Summer I Will

...wear Converse with skirts
...listen to world music
...drink gin and tonics
...read autobiographies of old movie stars and kid books
...gorge on fruit

Habits

I've loved the blog Habit from day one. The posts over there have brought me to tears, brightened my ugliest mood, and inspired me to look at things in a different light.

This month, everyone can take part! Check out the flickr pool. I spent a lot time over there this morning. Maybe I found my new 'do something for a month' project...

In the Summertime

We went from the 'pleasant' summer weather to 'ugh, this is really freakin' hot' summer weather in just a couple of days. The hills (and my yard) already look bleached out, the thought of turning on the stove sounds miserable, and I toss and turn at night.

Perhaps the tossing and turning at night is due in part to the punches and kicks I've been receiving from Kidlet. She has been sleeping with me while the Hubs is on his annual epic bike tour. I'm anxiously awaiting the day he rolls in through the front door, not only because I prefer his sleeping style but I just plain miss him. As Kidlet and I continue the grind of work and school, we try to make it feel like a mini-vacation as best we can. We have had some success: a picnic on the river and a trip to the beach with friends, nights with Grammy and Nonna, slurpees and swimming pools; but all the same, we wish Greg were back (and that we were all going on a real mini-vacation).

Solstice and Such

Happy Jāņi!

I won't be jumping any bonfires, but I'll eat some cheese and drink a beer after work.

Happy summer!

This Morning I Am...

...making sno-cone syrup
...swatching for a sweater
...feeling sneezy (allergies)
...watering the yard
...mentally preparing for a big work day
...trying not to let daydreams of the weekend distract me

And then it began to hail...

I awoke at 5:00 to a little 'ding, ding' and at first thought it to be the doorbell but no, it was hail hitting the air conditioner unit. Then it was all thunder, lightning and rain. A patch of blue and calm. And now it's time for round two...I just saw the hail.

This song is going through my head...

And thus concludes my list experiment...

I just can't keep up! To have a quality list, one must spend time and effort, neither of which I have much of at this moment. Anyway, it's supposed to be summer, a time to relax, right?

Back with the normal blogging fodder (which often includes lists), shortly.