The Realm of the Insect
mantis – photo by The Kettle Slayer
Blood and plastic. The entrance to the hive was filled with the smell. Every day, every going in and coming out, that smell stayed with me. I breathed it for hours and later tried in vain to shampoo it out of my hair. It was the smell of the hive. It was the smell of all of us.
Weekend at Talarico House
The littlest plant found a home.
The Kettle Slayer found some ice cream.
The knitters got their heads together and counted a swatch.
The socks got longer.
Did I mention the sweet little plant?
More words when there is less coughing.
Sockgress
My friend Anne girl and I share a funny little habit of writing new words to the Tallis Canon. These socks inspired yet another verse.
I knit and knit and still it seems
This sock will be done in my dreams
I’m nowhere near the end of it
And so I knit and knit and knit
I added an inch or so today. The short row toe and heel has been my favorite so far, but I may try something different with the next pair. Each one gets better.
I told Lima Bean I needed to trace her foot. She reminded me she didn’t want socks. I think TARDIS socks will change her mind.
Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars, everybody! November 16, 2014 is Jell-O® Sunday! A much anticipated annual event at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Pittsfield, MA, Jell-O® Sunday has quickly become beloved and frightening all at one time. The planners have conspired, the recipes have been chosen. We can’t wait to see you at coffee hour!
Things I Love: My Piano
All the moving is done. While three able-bodied men hauled the piano out of one apartment and into the next up a long, narrow staircase, I hid in another room and tried not to be anxious. It is in place now and I just love it.
In the few minutes between work and dinner and rehearsal, I snuck in some Mozart. Life is so very good.
Making and Making
Turned a heel. Stopped to take sock pictures.
Daydreamed about a new fallish tablecloth.
Stopped to look at the dots on my quilt.
It was a whole day like that. Ideas and stopping. Planning and noticing. Moving a little bit forward, but not completing entire tasks.
I came home to grumpy bears. The time change is harder on them than they notice. I was grumpy too, but miraculously managed to keep it together long enough to eat and gather them in to a calmer space. We talked about school and upcoming trips to the city. As gumbo bowls were emptied, one word answers evolved into sentences and entire stories about the day. The grumpiness still clung to us all, a sticky veneer we couldn’t quite shake.
I’m going to the positive attitude store!
I yell to no one in particular. (Mostly to myself.)
Anybody need anything while I’m there?
The larger bear goes with me to run a quick errand. On the way back we stop at the fabric store.
Why are we here? She whines, rolling her eyes.
I told you I was stopping at the positive attitude store!
We say hello to Bird Girl and laugh at silly Christmas decorations. We head home and sing loudly with the radio.
Returning to the light and warmth of Talarico House, we hear shrieks and squeals from the smallest smallish bear. Video game racing.
Some knitting, some digging through old pictures for a school project. The grumpy is all but forgotten. A little tired hangs on and we head towards a peaceful bedtime.
I am thankful that tonight I ate first instead of yelling more. That I remembered to listen and to ask without giving in to that nasty attitude that is so much less work than grace. Tonight we all managed to wade through the muck and come out clean. Sometimes it works out.
If tonight wasn’t your night, keep showing up. Be gentle with yourself. It’s worth another try.
A Day of Knitting
It feels good to be back to these socks. Progress!
What She Said: Ursula K. Le Guin
Infinite are the arguments of mages.
From A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
2014 Socks 7.2
The second July sock. I am not likely to get all twelve pairs done in 2014. Still, I’ve made more socks this year than any previous year!
What making goals are you working towards?
My Little Room
One of the only drawbacks of the old apartment was the lack of personal space. I like the quiet and to be away from the others sometimes. Now we all have little nooks to duck into.
The piano will be in this space soon. Lots of opportunity for making. Music and quilts and socks and spinning and writing letters. I am overjoyed already.
The closet still needs a bit of attention.
Even Pirate Winkie approves.
Naming Mountains 