On my way home from garage saling on Saturday morning (I spent $2 and got two great gourds, a picture frame and a display shelf for painting) I saw three deer. The two young ones were very curious ... too curious ... and their mother had to return mid-flight to remind them to get off the road. After telling them, she leapt over the fence into the safety of the field. The little ones did what little ones often do ... started after her (under the fence) but then came back out onto the road for one last look. I wonder if they will survive the next year.
Still on the subject of very relaxed wildlife: a black bear and her cub came to my neighbour's yard to eat apples. The sow reared up and pulled the branches down to mouth level and ate till satisfied. Then ... she lay down on the ground under the tree and fell asleep while her cub played nearby. That is very odd behaviour for a black bear when people are nearby.
Corey, the very sad Golden, was picked up on Saturday afternoon, and changed from depressive, near suicidal state into bouncy happy dog as soon as he laid eyes on his daddy. He shed five years in an instant. That is the first time I have seen that but I seldom look after Golden Retrievers who are said to be the most loyal dogs anywhere.
Zeke left the following day at noon. I will miss his warm little body snuggled into bed with me at night, but I won't miss the alarm barking that kept me awake most of the three nights he was here.
The corn roast: The horseshoe tournament was almost interminable, and as a result, I drank too much before the food finally arrived, but I arranged to have the siding installed by the carpenter who installed our pine floors (and a good friend of Erin's), I met a couple of people I didn't know before, and our old next door neighbours arrived to chat for a few minutes ... so I had a good time.
I finished the pair of adult socks in Congo colours I have been working on. I measured the last sock in movies: it took 71/2 movies to knit it. Quick reviews: The White Countess VG;Captain Corelli's Mandolin VVG; Pretty Woman S(sucky but satisfying for someone who wants happy endings);Sylvia VG but depressing; The Hours Excellent but also depressing;Paper Moon Affair VG; The Squid and the Whale VG; Shall We Dance (the Japanese version) VVG. That is 810 minutes per sock ... or 1620 minutes for a pair. So ... 27 hours to knit a pair of adult's fine wool socks. The wool cost me about $10. I will receive $28 if they sell, so I will receive $18 for 27 hours of knitting. Hmmmn! 66 cents per hour ... maybe I should start wearing the socks I am making!
After Zeke left, I resumed work on the cradle. It is always scary for me to take the first step drawing something, especially something new. My first thought is that I don't know how to draw so I will screw up. Then I have to keep on reassuring myself that no screw-up is irrevocable; that there is always sandpaper and more paint for repair jobs. Only then (and it often takes days) will I pick up the chalk and begin. Anyway I have now done the drawing of the main image: a horse with three children on his back flying through the sky to dreamland. The other images will be of counting sheep and of animals snuggled into bed reading their bedtime stories.
This morning I received word that an old friend and colleague had died. She was my age. I seem to be hearing about far too many deaths or impending deaths lately. I guess it is inevitable at my age, but I am reminded of a poem about a single leaf hanging on at the end of fall. "He" was feeling bereft but was still unable to let go and join "his" fellows.
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Monday, 7 September 2009
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Good Dog, Kenya ... and catch-up news
On Friday afternoon I decided to have a snooze after an early supper (It was Wakefest weekend and I intended to go out later.) I awoke to the strangest half howls and pleading noises I have ever heard Kenya emit. I called down something soothing and we had a very strange five minute conversation consisting of desperate "Please, oh please, NOW"s, and sleepy "Just wait. It's All right. I'll be there in a minute," responses from me.
When I went downstairs, there she was, sitting in front of the stove looking up at the left over fish cakes in the iron frying pan.
She wanted them very badly but she wouldn't take any without permission. Anyone who owns a dog will realize just how heartfelt my "Good dog, Kenya" was.
Of course I prepared her dinner and broke one of the fishcakes onto it for her.
I didn't go to Wakefest that evening, but on Saturday I attended an author reading and writing workshop with a name forgotten author whose workshop was totally unprepared and disjointed, and an excellent one given by Brian Doyle who was well organized, intelligent, respectful of his audience, empathetic and kindly.
I cannot say enough good things about his part of the afternoon. He worked on how to apprentice yourself to the writers you admire and used two exercises based on the styles of Dickens and Steinbeck.
I suppose in all fairness I should add that Brian is a former teacher, whereas the woman who was too arrogant to prepare, was a lawyer in her last life.
When I went downstairs, there she was, sitting in front of the stove looking up at the left over fish cakes in the iron frying pan.
She wanted them very badly but she wouldn't take any without permission. Anyone who owns a dog will realize just how heartfelt my "Good dog, Kenya" was.
Of course I prepared her dinner and broke one of the fishcakes onto it for her.
*****************
I didn't go to Wakefest that evening, but on Saturday I attended an author reading and writing workshop with a name forgotten author whose workshop was totally unprepared and disjointed, and an excellent one given by Brian Doyle who was well organized, intelligent, respectful of his audience, empathetic and kindly.
I cannot say enough good things about his part of the afternoon. He worked on how to apprentice yourself to the writers you admire and used two exercises based on the styles of Dickens and Steinbeck.
I suppose in all fairness I should add that Brian is a former teacher, whereas the woman who was too arrogant to prepare, was a lawyer in her last life.
****************
On my way home I dropped into the shop to deliver the history of the second Wonky Woman, "Reaching for the Moon", and discovered Kelly shivering in the damp cold. I suggested she put on a pair of the socks I was selling, and she told me the only adult pair had sold. My second suggestion came in the form of a question, "Why don't you close the door?" She looked startled and then laughed. I closed the door on my way out with a bunch of WONDERFUL organic arugula in my hands, went home to Kenya and my own cold house, made a cozy fire and started work on the second sock of the second pair of adult socks.
******************
Today I intend to stay here in my cozy house looking out at the greyness of the lake while I work on the doll's cradle and the already sold brightly coloured chair. I hope the rest of your weekend will be as happy as I expect mine to be.
Thursday, 27 August 2009
I'm Back ...
Long Hiatus ... busier than usual ...
I have been busy being sociable, looking after two extra dogs, writing a letter to Sears, doing laundry at Tamarak's, attempting to volunteer at Wakefest, making arrangements to help Claire and Tom by staying with Claire while Tom gets out occasionally, and painting ... and knitting.
Painting News: I have sold another chair ... actually the same chair twice. The shop owner allowed a customer to buy the chair intended for her own daughter so that I would be guaranteed two child's rocker sales. She has given me free rein but would like the same colours as the very first chair ... bright primary colours plus green. I bought a baby-safe bright red and lovely spring leaf green yesterday and primed that little rocker and the doll's cradle that Tamarak and Carlos unearthed the other day. I have almost finished painting the second Wonky Woman chair. I'll post photos before I take her to the shop.
Knitting News: a beautiful self patterning sock in black, greens and reds the colour is called Congo) in my favourite fine sock yarn, Heart and Sole with aloe, is almost half finished. I am using #2 American needles and it seems to be going a little faster but I have still spent 10 hours so far. I am measuring my time by the movies I watch. These five have been The Constant Gardener, Mostly Martha, First Do No Harm, Finding Forrester, and Nowhere in Africa. I think perhaps I knit faster while entertained ... sort of like exercising to music, but it still takes a very long time to knit a pair of women's socks in a fine wool, even when the colours make you happy and you use a slightly larger needle. If I make $1 per hour on kids' socks, I figure I make about 50 cents on women's. And that, of course, works on the assumption that someone will actually buy a pair! If no one does, then each pair of socks is costing me money to knit!
I will be looking after Claire this Friday morning and next Thursday afternoon plus every Wednesday morning as long as she is able to stay at home. I have told Tom that I will be available whenever he needs me. I am very glad I will have this time with her.
I have been busy being sociable, looking after two extra dogs, writing a letter to Sears, doing laundry at Tamarak's, attempting to volunteer at Wakefest, making arrangements to help Claire and Tom by staying with Claire while Tom gets out occasionally, and painting ... and knitting.
Painting News: I have sold another chair ... actually the same chair twice. The shop owner allowed a customer to buy the chair intended for her own daughter so that I would be guaranteed two child's rocker sales. She has given me free rein but would like the same colours as the very first chair ... bright primary colours plus green. I bought a baby-safe bright red and lovely spring leaf green yesterday and primed that little rocker and the doll's cradle that Tamarak and Carlos unearthed the other day. I have almost finished painting the second Wonky Woman chair. I'll post photos before I take her to the shop.
Knitting News: a beautiful self patterning sock in black, greens and reds the colour is called Congo) in my favourite fine sock yarn, Heart and Sole with aloe, is almost half finished. I am using #2 American needles and it seems to be going a little faster but I have still spent 10 hours so far. I am measuring my time by the movies I watch. These five have been The Constant Gardener, Mostly Martha, First Do No Harm, Finding Forrester, and Nowhere in Africa. I think perhaps I knit faster while entertained ... sort of like exercising to music, but it still takes a very long time to knit a pair of women's socks in a fine wool, even when the colours make you happy and you use a slightly larger needle. If I make $1 per hour on kids' socks, I figure I make about 50 cents on women's. And that, of course, works on the assumption that someone will actually buy a pair! If no one does, then each pair of socks is costing me money to knit!
I will be looking after Claire this Friday morning and next Thursday afternoon plus every Wednesday morning as long as she is able to stay at home. I have told Tom that I will be available whenever he needs me. I am very glad I will have this time with her.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Moving Right Along
This post will be just a little of this and a little of that ...
The sweater for the great grand babe whose name keeps changing:
I was all set to block the pieces when I looked at the sleeves and decided I wanted to re-knit them ... so the blocking will happen tonight or tomorrow ... and then I can put it together and take a photo to post here. I used baby Bamboo which is a silky soft yarn that is fun to knit with.
Her blanket is 25 rows from the end. Thank goodness. It was all garter stitch and I had to start each row afresh and then braid in the loose strands to create the edges. It seemed to go on forever. It is good to see the end in sight!
Funky Furniture etc: I spent yesterday working on the administrative stuff ... putting together the blurbs bilingues with business cards. I will take them in to the shop with the apple bowl and the box which I polyurethaned as soon as the varnish sets. It is so darned damp here today I may have to light a fire to get the drying done.
I also started the cat drawings on the second Happy Cat chair. I find it impossible to enjoy doing pieces that are too similar. I loved doing the first cat chair and am finding this one a drag. I remember asking a wonderful sculptor down in the Eastern Townships if she could make me a goddess later when I could afford one. Her response now makes complete sense: she could never produce two the same; she worked through inspiration. So she gave me a special price. That goddess is still living with me and I love her as much as I did the day I brought her home.
Today I must take care of making proper business cards through Staples on-line.
And I have to get photos ready for printing so that I can have a portfolio at the shop.
Just Life:
Yesterday was a great day for swimming and Kenya and I took our breaks in the lake. We met a couple swimming around the lake ... not once but three times. I felt like a bit of a piker just swimming around purposelessly with my dog.
I have a lunch date tomorrow with someone who plays with language and makes jokes in Franglais. I will visit Zoom before going to Les Fougeres.
Friends from Montreal are coming to visit early next week and will stay a few days.
I have to fit in all my social activities before the 21st because I will be dogsitting for a few days ... Chelsea and Olive again ... and I have agreed to help out at Wakefest the following weekend, and then the one after that I will be looking after a new dog. And then it is already September!
I want to try to visit Mud Mama in September and Lindsay's baby shower is September 27. I may have to leave the Nova Scotia trip till October.
It is hard to be a hermit when I am so busy socially! It's also hard to keep stopping and starting the work on the chairs especially. The small pieces are easier that way.
The sweater for the great grand babe whose name keeps changing:
I was all set to block the pieces when I looked at the sleeves and decided I wanted to re-knit them ... so the blocking will happen tonight or tomorrow ... and then I can put it together and take a photo to post here. I used baby Bamboo which is a silky soft yarn that is fun to knit with.
Her blanket is 25 rows from the end. Thank goodness. It was all garter stitch and I had to start each row afresh and then braid in the loose strands to create the edges. It seemed to go on forever. It is good to see the end in sight!
Funky Furniture etc: I spent yesterday working on the administrative stuff ... putting together the blurbs bilingues with business cards. I will take them in to the shop with the apple bowl and the box which I polyurethaned as soon as the varnish sets. It is so darned damp here today I may have to light a fire to get the drying done.
I also started the cat drawings on the second Happy Cat chair. I find it impossible to enjoy doing pieces that are too similar. I loved doing the first cat chair and am finding this one a drag. I remember asking a wonderful sculptor down in the Eastern Townships if she could make me a goddess later when I could afford one. Her response now makes complete sense: she could never produce two the same; she worked through inspiration. So she gave me a special price. That goddess is still living with me and I love her as much as I did the day I brought her home.
Today I must take care of making proper business cards through Staples on-line.
And I have to get photos ready for printing so that I can have a portfolio at the shop.
Just Life:
Yesterday was a great day for swimming and Kenya and I took our breaks in the lake. We met a couple swimming around the lake ... not once but three times. I felt like a bit of a piker just swimming around purposelessly with my dog.
I have a lunch date tomorrow with someone who plays with language and makes jokes in Franglais. I will visit Zoom before going to Les Fougeres.
Friends from Montreal are coming to visit early next week and will stay a few days.
I have to fit in all my social activities before the 21st because I will be dogsitting for a few days ... Chelsea and Olive again ... and I have agreed to help out at Wakefest the following weekend, and then the one after that I will be looking after a new dog. And then it is already September!
I want to try to visit Mud Mama in September and Lindsay's baby shower is September 27. I may have to leave the Nova Scotia trip till October.
It is hard to be a hermit when I am so busy socially! It's also hard to keep stopping and starting the work on the chairs especially. The small pieces are easier that way.
Monday, 6 April 2009
Busy Weekend
Well, for a hermit, it was a busy weekend! I spent Saturday knitting and making Greek pasta sauce ... nothing very strenuous ... but I went to the Unitarian Universalist service on Sunday with Tamarak and her Carino. They have a new interim minister who is intelligent and funny. And they have a candidate for a permanent position coming in the next few weeks for final interviews ... so perhaps I will begin attending more regularly. After a long hiatus everything felt alien. The rituals that I liked best have been changed ... friendly little songs that used to usher out the children and conclude the service. They didn't disappear but they'd been replaced by new ones.
After the service we went into the meeting hall where books, beverages and food are available.
It is the place where volunteers serve tea and coffee and kids of all ages gobble free cookies. I noticed that the number of homemade goodies had diminished since I was a regular attendee. Fewer volunteers, I suspect.
The woman serving beverages at the table I chose looked to be quite undone by the demands of her job. Upper middle class, well coiffed ... with pursed lipped ... and obviously harried ... she lost all pretence of good manners when it became too much for her. Just before I arrived she ousted two men and refused to serve them. She had her back to me so I poured a mug of what I thought was tea and then realized it was coffee. I was about to give it to Tammy when the hostess snapped at me, "If you'd just let me pour it ... ". I apologized (don't I always?) and she attempted unsuccessfully to regain her persona of unruffled grace. Carino was behind me and she metaphorically slapped his wrist as well.
We left and wandered around looking for something familiar. Huge pussy willows were available for sale. We admired but didn't buy. Another fund raising project was selling grass seed. The friendly faces we sought were few and far between, but those living in sanctuary (or recently moved into their own housing) were still selling their food. The Mia family have lentil soup, pakoras and other goodies. The new man has sushi plates. We went with the Mia family fare.
We decided to make a detour to the pottery show rather than going directly home. I wanted a plant stick. Tamarack wanted to buy Carino a coffee mug. I ended up with a beautiful mug, a fridge magnet and a small plant stick. I find it very difficult to watch my budget when I lust after pottery or wool,I am finding.
After lunch Kenya and I headed back to the hills, and I continued to knit. I finished the seaman's cap and will deliver it to Eric today.
After the service we went into the meeting hall where books, beverages and food are available.
It is the place where volunteers serve tea and coffee and kids of all ages gobble free cookies. I noticed that the number of homemade goodies had diminished since I was a regular attendee. Fewer volunteers, I suspect.
The woman serving beverages at the table I chose looked to be quite undone by the demands of her job. Upper middle class, well coiffed ... with pursed lipped ... and obviously harried ... she lost all pretence of good manners when it became too much for her. Just before I arrived she ousted two men and refused to serve them. She had her back to me so I poured a mug of what I thought was tea and then realized it was coffee. I was about to give it to Tammy when the hostess snapped at me, "If you'd just let me pour it ... ". I apologized (don't I always?) and she attempted unsuccessfully to regain her persona of unruffled grace. Carino was behind me and she metaphorically slapped his wrist as well.
We left and wandered around looking for something familiar. Huge pussy willows were available for sale. We admired but didn't buy. Another fund raising project was selling grass seed. The friendly faces we sought were few and far between, but those living in sanctuary (or recently moved into their own housing) were still selling their food. The Mia family have lentil soup, pakoras and other goodies. The new man has sushi plates. We went with the Mia family fare.
We decided to make a detour to the pottery show rather than going directly home. I wanted a plant stick. Tamarack wanted to buy Carino a coffee mug. I ended up with a beautiful mug, a fridge magnet and a small plant stick. I find it very difficult to watch my budget when I lust after pottery or wool,I am finding.
After lunch Kenya and I headed back to the hills, and I continued to knit. I finished the seaman's cap and will deliver it to Eric today.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Sock it to me!
I made a brief appearance at the Black Sheep. I was the woman sitting fairly close to the door knitting. I left when Layla arrived ... spoke with her for a few minutes and then made my way back to the hermitage.
They had a great crowd ... all very young ... all enjoying the heavy, loud and intensely rhythmic music. Much more rhythm than music for an old lady. I found myself knitting faster and faster and with a steady beat.
Tyren's grown-up orange socks will be ready for his 16th birthday at this rate. I will post photos of the last three pairs I have knit. None are perfect ... but then ... if they were I would have abandoned the Wabi Sabi principle ... but they are all less imperfect than my first few pairs ... and the wool I chose creates lovely patterns ... asymetrical (of course) in the Wabi Sabi tradition.
Tomorrow a post devoted to the philosophy of Wabi Sabi ... a philosophy that, through knitting, is rescuing me from my perfectionism.
They had a great crowd ... all very young ... all enjoying the heavy, loud and intensely rhythmic music. Much more rhythm than music for an old lady. I found myself knitting faster and faster and with a steady beat.
Tyren's grown-up orange socks will be ready for his 16th birthday at this rate. I will post photos of the last three pairs I have knit. None are perfect ... but then ... if they were I would have abandoned the Wabi Sabi principle ... but they are all less imperfect than my first few pairs ... and the wool I chose creates lovely patterns ... asymetrical (of course) in the Wabi Sabi tradition.
Tomorrow a post devoted to the philosophy of Wabi Sabi ... a philosophy that, through knitting, is rescuing me from my perfectionism.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Quick Post from a Busy Household
My usually quiet hermitage is bursting at the seams with energy.
Sprout is singing with his dad in their bedroom after a good night's sleep aided by a homeopathic teething remedy. The night before he was high on his first chocolate. We discovered that chocolate not only makes him hyperactive and unable to sleep; it also ups his gastric acid production and makes him very grumpy. No more chocolate for Sprout!
Mica and Kenya went on a very long run yesterday. After an hour and a half they had not returned despite calling for them ... (very unusual) ... so I went out in the car looking. I had almost reached the main road when I saw Mica's silver form shoot out of the bush and come onto the road. I tried to offer her a ride but she was on a mission. She was following Kenya who was streaking for home quite a bit ahead of her. At home they drank gallons of water and ate a treat and then they slept for hours. Mica continued to sleep long after Kenya was re-energized and we noticed that she was not just exhausted but limping. She is refusing food and treats now and it seems that she has broken one of her toenails right to the quick. They had been going cross country over the mountain and Mica was very muddy so who knows exactly where or how the accident might have happened. I suspect they were chasing the deer and she caught her foot in fencing or undergrowth. From now on they will be let out in tandem. No more going out together for these two girls.
Mud Mama and I have been poring over the knitting book she brought with her ... one skein wonders ... and I have nearly finished the second sock of the pair I started last week. These will be Nature Girl's birthday present, I think. Mud Mama has been practising various stitches and things while she has a guide at the side.
I did a ham wrapped in bread dough yesterday for dinner. I started the bread dough the evening before and Mud Mama stayed up and played with it for hours after I went to bed so that it was ready by morning. (I hadn't put nearly enough water in it and then mud mama put in too much and had to knead flour into it before putting it into the fridge.
It has been nice having family around. The hermitage bustles for a change.
Sprout is singing with his dad in their bedroom after a good night's sleep aided by a homeopathic teething remedy. The night before he was high on his first chocolate. We discovered that chocolate not only makes him hyperactive and unable to sleep; it also ups his gastric acid production and makes him very grumpy. No more chocolate for Sprout!
Mica and Kenya went on a very long run yesterday. After an hour and a half they had not returned despite calling for them ... (very unusual) ... so I went out in the car looking. I had almost reached the main road when I saw Mica's silver form shoot out of the bush and come onto the road. I tried to offer her a ride but she was on a mission. She was following Kenya who was streaking for home quite a bit ahead of her. At home they drank gallons of water and ate a treat and then they slept for hours. Mica continued to sleep long after Kenya was re-energized and we noticed that she was not just exhausted but limping. She is refusing food and treats now and it seems that she has broken one of her toenails right to the quick. They had been going cross country over the mountain and Mica was very muddy so who knows exactly where or how the accident might have happened. I suspect they were chasing the deer and she caught her foot in fencing or undergrowth. From now on they will be let out in tandem. No more going out together for these two girls.
Mud Mama and I have been poring over the knitting book she brought with her ... one skein wonders ... and I have nearly finished the second sock of the pair I started last week. These will be Nature Girl's birthday present, I think. Mud Mama has been practising various stitches and things while she has a guide at the side.
I did a ham wrapped in bread dough yesterday for dinner. I started the bread dough the evening before and Mud Mama stayed up and played with it for hours after I went to bed so that it was ready by morning. (I hadn't put nearly enough water in it and then mud mama put in too much and had to knead flour into it before putting it into the fridge.
It has been nice having family around. The hermitage bustles for a change.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Quick Updates
I have turned the heel of the first fine sock!!!
I have spent the morning doing some exciting research for the novel which will enrich it I think! Also provided a title.
And now I am going to make an errand run into the village.
I have spent the morning doing some exciting research for the novel which will enrich it I think! Also provided a title.
And now I am going to make an errand run into the village.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Not too lazy Sunday
I have not accomplished a great deal today but I did do some work on the novel and took Kenya to the village with me. My intention was to buy milk and then go for a walk some place where the roads were less icy than here ... more amenable to walking. Kenya got all dressed up in her new scarf and looked pretty spiffy.
We bought the milk and found a great spot between two sunny fields but as soon as I got out the car the wind caught me and practically tore my jacket off. The windbreaker broke no wind! I drove home.
Enroute we saw a flock of shaggy sheep and a pack of Alsatians lying peacefully on their dog house roofs. Then we saw a road sign showing a husky crossing. Just as I was thinking how cute that was, two deer bounded across the road.
When we got back to our parking space I unloaded the groceries and let Kenya loose, and then we visited Tanya (my nice neighbour) and I drank tea and ate some home made pumpkin and chocolate chip squares and Kenya got a bunch of loves.
When we came to the house ... my gawd it is treacherous up here today especially wearing rubber boots ... I made three litres of yogurt which will be ready sometime late tonight ... and we curled up and watched Pan's Labyrinth. I worked on the second red sock and Kenya dozed.
I am up here preparing this post because the movie was at that terrible torture scene and I didn't think I could face it just then. I am not sure I can face it at all. I may just do something elsewhere till it is over.
I hope everyone has had as pleasant a Sunday as I have.
We bought the milk and found a great spot between two sunny fields but as soon as I got out the car the wind caught me and practically tore my jacket off. The windbreaker broke no wind! I drove home.
Enroute we saw a flock of shaggy sheep and a pack of Alsatians lying peacefully on their dog house roofs. Then we saw a road sign showing a husky crossing. Just as I was thinking how cute that was, two deer bounded across the road.
When we got back to our parking space I unloaded the groceries and let Kenya loose, and then we visited Tanya (my nice neighbour) and I drank tea and ate some home made pumpkin and chocolate chip squares and Kenya got a bunch of loves.
When we came to the house ... my gawd it is treacherous up here today especially wearing rubber boots ... I made three litres of yogurt which will be ready sometime late tonight ... and we curled up and watched Pan's Labyrinth. I worked on the second red sock and Kenya dozed.
I am up here preparing this post because the movie was at that terrible torture scene and I didn't think I could face it just then. I am not sure I can face it at all. I may just do something elsewhere till it is over.
I hope everyone has had as pleasant a Sunday as I have.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Almost Spring and the Writing Trudges on in Waterproof Boots
Yesterday I went through the first 20 chapters and made myself a kind of visual representation of it. I wish I had a white board wall in my den, but this worked okay ... 20 pieces of paper taped together and strung out in two rows on the wood of the kitchen counter back so that I could read it from the dining room.
I discovered some gaps and I realized what needs to be written ...
Generally, since I started work on it again, I have been guilty of wanting to move the story forward to its appropriate conclusion. That can lead to plot driven crap. Those parts need to be re-written ... which of course may end up changing the direction of the novel.
Some writers can plan their books. That would work for me with non-fiction maybe ... but maybe not even then. Writing tends to be something alive rather than static. It takes on a life of its own and determines its own path. At least that's what happens when it is going well.
When it is not, I find myself dictating to it and it dies and becomes just words that fit in boxes.
It is still hard slugging but I have decided which chapter to send in for critiquing and admission to the Great Blue Heron workshop June 30-July 5 in Antigonish. (A very early one ... Chapter 2 ... because the writing was leading me then, and maybe it will be good enough to gain me acceptance to this workshop.)
I make lists for myself and it is amazing how the same items appear daily because I hate making phone calls or dealing with my dial-up system for business.
This weekend I will go out and play in the puddles and I will write because I can't do the phone calls till Monday and the dial-up connection is even more crowded on the weekend.
Next week I will call to make a medical appointment, get reimbursed for an out of province medical fee incurred at Christmas, I will cancel a credit card I never use but pay an annual fee for, I will finish the registration for Great Blue Heron, and I will deal with the on-line registration for the desk light I bought.
Remind me! Embarrass me!
It is almost spring and I have no commitments this weekend so I can dig out the violent pink rubber boots and wear them over the colourful yellow socks. Maybe I will go over to one of my neighbours and learn how to finish my socks properly. I have a lovely vibrant red sock whose toe is ready to be woven. OH! Did I tell you? Yesterday a big bag of yarn arrived from Kitchener-Waterloo. Some of it is sock yarn that knits up in a fair isle pattern by itself ... and it has aloe vera in it to make it feel wonderful to knit.
Maybe the socks and boots will encourage more colourful writing.
But then ... maybe the new yarn will entice me away from writing ... again ...
Thursday, 26 February 2009
I Hate Writing
I don't hate the novel. I just hate writing in patches. I wrote another conversation out of context this morning and again felt as if I were moving mountains of dry sand uphill. This is the third or fourth patch I've written and I feel as if I am doing heavy labour each time. I remember a time when the writing took me aloft and we flew together.
I am not sure whether it is because I've lost my wings or whether I have left it too long. I still have faith in the idea and the work I've done up till now ... I am just not sure I still have faith in my ability to finish it.
It doesn't help that my eyes feel all smeary and my glasses which kept falling off when I leaned forward now give me eyestrain. (I bent them all to hell)
Anyway I keep taking knitting breaks. I have completed the pair of crazy socks and I just finished a very sweet tea cozy. Yesterday I stopped in at my favourite store in Wakefield and discovered a whole new line of Polish teapots. I restrained myself (I own three teapots and use two regularly ... I really really don't need another teapot.) This cozy will be for Marta who is not feeling well and needs to take lots of tea breaks right now.
The cozy is at the top of the email in incomprehensible script. If it ever evolves into an image you will see that the wool is variegated pinks, purples and violets. It reminds me of sunrises and sunsets.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Yummy Wool, Senior Citizens, Fascinating Novel, and me ...
I am waking up slowly despite Kenya's attempts to make it happen faster. She came up on the bed at 5:30 and groaned her way into a tummy rub as she stretched out full length, her spine leaning against me, all four legs outstretched. By six we were out of bed and our day had started.
I drank tea, ordered some wool from a place in Kitchener, answered some emails, read some blogs, and am now ready to get my day started in earnest.
I received my RRSP tax slip yesterday and discovered that the bank got the deductions wrong ... by $1600 ... so I have to deal with that.
I have to respond to a letter I received from a little Kenyan boy (who tells me he is no longer as little) for whom I found help several years ago. He tells me he is praying for me ... I can use all the prayers I can get.
I am going to continue working on Lost and Found Summer. I am re-reading before I write the last few chapters so that I can get the ending right ... or at least try to.
And I will complete the second pair of socks and start a new knitting project today. I hope to find out how to weave the stitches at the toe together properly this time. I am tired of lumpy toes.
Maybe I can ask someone when I go to the Legion for lunch. It is Senior Citizens' Day and they have invited a speaker ... someone who may be able to get a taxi service for us old folks started here in the Wakefield area.
And I hope I will find time before I go to bed to continue reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. The writing style is (I was going to say intoxicating but that might suggest that it puts me to sleep when it is quite the opposite.) ... wonderful ... but that doesn't say enough. He saturates the reader with the detail of the experience. I have to pull myself away to re-enter my own world. Oh, to write as well!
So a day of work punctuated by a walk with Kenya, lunch in the village, knitting and reading a good book. Doesn't get much better than that, does it?
I drank tea, ordered some wool from a place in Kitchener, answered some emails, read some blogs, and am now ready to get my day started in earnest.
I received my RRSP tax slip yesterday and discovered that the bank got the deductions wrong ... by $1600 ... so I have to deal with that.
I have to respond to a letter I received from a little Kenyan boy (who tells me he is no longer as little) for whom I found help several years ago. He tells me he is praying for me ... I can use all the prayers I can get.
I am going to continue working on Lost and Found Summer. I am re-reading before I write the last few chapters so that I can get the ending right ... or at least try to.
And I will complete the second pair of socks and start a new knitting project today. I hope to find out how to weave the stitches at the toe together properly this time. I am tired of lumpy toes.
Maybe I can ask someone when I go to the Legion for lunch. It is Senior Citizens' Day and they have invited a speaker ... someone who may be able to get a taxi service for us old folks started here in the Wakefield area.
And I hope I will find time before I go to bed to continue reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. The writing style is (I was going to say intoxicating but that might suggest that it puts me to sleep when it is quite the opposite.) ... wonderful ... but that doesn't say enough. He saturates the reader with the detail of the experience. I have to pull myself away to re-enter my own world. Oh, to write as well!
So a day of work punctuated by a walk with Kenya, lunch in the village, knitting and reading a good book. Doesn't get much better than that, does it?
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
THAT conversation; THOSE socks
THAT conversation is coming along. I will leave it for now and move onto the other conversations and revelations that must occur between the conversation and the discovery. The benefit of writing it like a patchwork quilt is that each scene does not loom as a huge unwritable chore, and I am able to start fresh each time, which might make the writing fresher too. The downside is that I think I work best when I follow a forward moving flow in which one thing leads naturally to the next so that I am always building on what went before. Also this method leaves me with several ends to weave in seamlessly afterward.
Sort of like the THOSE socks I have almost completed ... which will have a few ends to weave in later. It won't be quite as much drudgery as weaving in the myriad of endlings that were left after Wild Thing's stripey pirate sweater pieces were completed, though.
As long as there aren't too many loose ends, I think it will be fine. At any rate I have no choice because there are these various bits and pieces of conversations, arguments and thoughts that need to happen between CC's confession and Emily's discovery. Then I can go on to writing the conclusion.
I write for a couple of hours and then I think about it, re-read it, and make notes, and then I reward myself by working on the sock. The socks will be finished long before the novel is ... but I still have two more beautiful batches of wool ... and then I can make a conglomerate piece from all those leftovers!
Last night Tamarak, Lois and Carlos came for dinner. That is Lois sitting beside Tamarak in the photo from the show. We had fun. So did the dogs. Kenya always looks a little depressed when she is once again alone. She really likes having a playmate. (Not that Teddy and Shea are the best playmates, you understand. They are a bit wimpy about the cold and would rather sleep on the warm floor than join her outside.)
Nevertheless they sure beat me these days.
I fell on my head on Monday night on my way to the show. No; I had not been drinking wine. No; it was not because I am getting long in the tooth and unsteady on my pins. Several people have fallen and hurt themselves on Ottawa streets recently ... I know of two others, both MUCH younger than me ... and also sober ... who fell. One cracked her skull; the other broke her ankle. Good thing I have a hard head.
When Mud Mama heard that I had driven home alone after the fall she said I was going to be the kind of old lady who has to have her car keys hidden; that they would have to keep the door locked to keep me safe from myself. She'd better bloody not even think of it!!! I'd rather die making mistakes than live my life wrapped in cotton wool, thank you.
Yes, I know Mud Mama exactly what you will say ... I would be a danger to other people not just myself ... well phooey!
Sort of like the THOSE socks I have almost completed ... which will have a few ends to weave in later. It won't be quite as much drudgery as weaving in the myriad of endlings that were left after Wild Thing's stripey pirate sweater pieces were completed, though.
As long as there aren't too many loose ends, I think it will be fine. At any rate I have no choice because there are these various bits and pieces of conversations, arguments and thoughts that need to happen between CC's confession and Emily's discovery. Then I can go on to writing the conclusion.
I write for a couple of hours and then I think about it, re-read it, and make notes, and then I reward myself by working on the sock. The socks will be finished long before the novel is ... but I still have two more beautiful batches of wool ... and then I can make a conglomerate piece from all those leftovers!
Last night Tamarak, Lois and Carlos came for dinner. That is Lois sitting beside Tamarak in the photo from the show. We had fun. So did the dogs. Kenya always looks a little depressed when she is once again alone. She really likes having a playmate. (Not that Teddy and Shea are the best playmates, you understand. They are a bit wimpy about the cold and would rather sleep on the warm floor than join her outside.)
Nevertheless they sure beat me these days.
I fell on my head on Monday night on my way to the show. No; I had not been drinking wine. No; it was not because I am getting long in the tooth and unsteady on my pins. Several people have fallen and hurt themselves on Ottawa streets recently ... I know of two others, both MUCH younger than me ... and also sober ... who fell. One cracked her skull; the other broke her ankle. Good thing I have a hard head.
When Mud Mama heard that I had driven home alone after the fall she said I was going to be the kind of old lady who has to have her car keys hidden; that they would have to keep the door locked to keep me safe from myself. She'd better bloody not even think of it!!! I'd rather die making mistakes than live my life wrapped in cotton wool, thank you.
Yes, I know Mud Mama exactly what you will say ... I would be a danger to other people not just myself ... well phooey!
Monday, 9 February 2009
Turning Points
I am dividing myself between the turning of the heel on the second sock and a crisis point in the novel I want to workshop this summer. Not sure which is harder ... but I think the scene in the novel is. It seems far more crucial to make the correct decisions here than in something I can either unravel or wear as is ... after all who is going to see my socks?
It is a scene in which Mary reveals what she knows to her friend Emily ... a truth that is impossible for Emily to accept. Mary's decision to tell Emily first comes from her loyalty to her friend, but the truth will sorely test both their friendship and Emily's loyalty to her family. The outcome of this conversation will change forever the lives of both families.
So I am tiptoeing around it, jotting down notes to myself ... setting the scene ... imagining their thoughts and fears ... and as terrified to start writing it as Mary is to broach the subject.
I understand why I abandoned the novel at this point the last time. It is a conversation, a scene, in which the writing must rise to the occasion. It is a test of sorts.
Sort of like a heel of a sock ...
Tamarak asked why I didn't just say the hell with knitting socks since I seemed to be spending all my time knitting, tearing out and then re-knitting. I told her that I wanted to knit socks and that the learning curve ... the challenge ... was part of it.
I hope I am also up to the challenge of writing this really tough scene.
It is a scene in which Mary reveals what she knows to her friend Emily ... a truth that is impossible for Emily to accept. Mary's decision to tell Emily first comes from her loyalty to her friend, but the truth will sorely test both their friendship and Emily's loyalty to her family. The outcome of this conversation will change forever the lives of both families.
So I am tiptoeing around it, jotting down notes to myself ... setting the scene ... imagining their thoughts and fears ... and as terrified to start writing it as Mary is to broach the subject.
I understand why I abandoned the novel at this point the last time. It is a conversation, a scene, in which the writing must rise to the occasion. It is a test of sorts.
Sort of like a heel of a sock ...
Tamarak asked why I didn't just say the hell with knitting socks since I seemed to be spending all my time knitting, tearing out and then re-knitting. I told her that I wanted to knit socks and that the learning curve ... the challenge ... was part of it.
I hope I am also up to the challenge of writing this really tough scene.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Is this a case of it gets worse before it gets better?
I sure hope so because my poor bulbous eye is worse today than it was yesterday before I started the antibiotics. I would hate to think I sat in an emergency room for 6 hours for nothing! And of course I wasn't sitting alone. Tanya lost a day at work because of this ... but I think she was not quite as dismayed by that as she might have been.
They are predicting all kinds of dire weather over the next few days so even if I wanted to get out I couldn't. That takes care of displaying my ugliness to the world, but I am a little concerned in case I need to return to the doctor. Oh well, no point in worrying about it. Worrying won't change the outcome.
Today I am going to unravel the first enormous sock I made so that I can re-knit it properly. It took me three tries on the second sock to get it right. I had never knit socks before and the pattern directions were confusing. When they are finished I will felt them down into slippers for Mud Mama. They are knit in a beautiful hand dyed variegated pink and violet wool. I love knitting with wool that is sensuously beautiful and feels good in my hands.
Mud Mama is bringing with her a bunch of wool from the Valley Fibres store near her home. I have placed a limit on the dollar amount but am leaving the choices up to Mud Mama who has a wonderful sense of colour and to the store owner who understands wool. It will be a wonderful Christmas present to myself that will keep me happily occupied after everyone leaves and I am once again a hermit with dog.
They are predicting all kinds of dire weather over the next few days so even if I wanted to get out I couldn't. That takes care of displaying my ugliness to the world, but I am a little concerned in case I need to return to the doctor. Oh well, no point in worrying about it. Worrying won't change the outcome.
Today I am going to unravel the first enormous sock I made so that I can re-knit it properly. It took me three tries on the second sock to get it right. I had never knit socks before and the pattern directions were confusing. When they are finished I will felt them down into slippers for Mud Mama. They are knit in a beautiful hand dyed variegated pink and violet wool. I love knitting with wool that is sensuously beautiful and feels good in my hands.
Mud Mama is bringing with her a bunch of wool from the Valley Fibres store near her home. I have placed a limit on the dollar amount but am leaving the choices up to Mud Mama who has a wonderful sense of colour and to the store owner who understands wool. It will be a wonderful Christmas present to myself that will keep me happily occupied after everyone leaves and I am once again a hermit with dog.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Forgotten Woes and Warm Legs
This morning Tango again woke up feeling frisky. It is as if he forgets his age after a good night's sleep. He bounced, was very interested in Kenya's nether regions, and insisted on the patriarch's right to be first out the door. Then reality set in when he discovered once again that he needs to lean on a rock if he is to pee standing up instead of squatting. But after several dribbles he was happily on his way back inside to enjoy the warmth of the in-floor heating and some kibbly bits which we have conned him into thinking are cookies.
Kenya wakes up much as I do ... slowly. There is a cadenced rhythm to her mornings. First she climbs into bed with me and curls up against me so that I can stroke her head and neck. After that we both relax and just enjoy the comfort of knowing we have bed buddies. When I go downstairs she heads out to pee and I set the kettle on to boil. She arrives back and eats her Dentistick in her crate. Then she is quite content to follow me up to the den where she hangs out with me till I have had my tea, read my emails and written some morning words.
I am sleeping well again. I think it is CBC's recommendation of daily lentils and rice to settle adrenal glands plus the extra water and the homeopathic whose first ingredient is Bushmaster snake venom that I started taking for hot flashes and night sweats.
I am making leg warmers so that I can wear skirts all winter long even with sub-zero temperatures and dogs. This pair is a jewel-like purple with a multicolour section at the top (or bottom). I had made fingerless mitts for myself with beautiful wool from Nova Scotia and had lots left. There are strains of mauve and gold and all colours in between in it and it feels good in my fingers as I knit on bamboo needles.
Today I may start Carlos' slippers or maybe start on a tea cozy. Or perhaps I will discipline myself and sew in the loose ends of Max's striped sweater and put it together.
Kenya wakes up much as I do ... slowly. There is a cadenced rhythm to her mornings. First she climbs into bed with me and curls up against me so that I can stroke her head and neck. After that we both relax and just enjoy the comfort of knowing we have bed buddies. When I go downstairs she heads out to pee and I set the kettle on to boil. She arrives back and eats her Dentistick in her crate. Then she is quite content to follow me up to the den where she hangs out with me till I have had my tea, read my emails and written some morning words.
I am sleeping well again. I think it is CBC's recommendation of daily lentils and rice to settle adrenal glands plus the extra water and the homeopathic whose first ingredient is Bushmaster snake venom that I started taking for hot flashes and night sweats.
I am making leg warmers so that I can wear skirts all winter long even with sub-zero temperatures and dogs. This pair is a jewel-like purple with a multicolour section at the top (or bottom). I had made fingerless mitts for myself with beautiful wool from Nova Scotia and had lots left. There are strains of mauve and gold and all colours in between in it and it feels good in my fingers as I knit on bamboo needles.
Today I may start Carlos' slippers or maybe start on a tea cozy. Or perhaps I will discipline myself and sew in the loose ends of Max's striped sweater and put it together.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Finally ...
Kenya has been sending me strong messages since yesterday.
"It is no fun playing by myself," she said this morning as she flipped a kong under the table, and stomped to the back door where she flopped down heavily with a hard done by sigh.
"I just want to finish knitting this slipper foot," I told her finally, "and then we will go out."
Well then I had to do some seams. All the while Kenya glowered at me from her doorway.
Finally I went upstairs to wash and dress. Kenya followed me into the bathroom and from there into the bedroom. Each new location was announced noisily with a thump as eighty pounds hit the floor.
Down to the front hall. Bundling into a jacket and my hiking boots. Putting a couple of good cookies in my pocket. Then the camera. And finally her collar and leash. Only then did the suspicious glowering look leave completely. Suddenly she turned back into my cheerful fellow adventurer.
But she made sure as we headed up the hill to pull me away from the direction of the steps because that way led to the car. And she wanted to walk.
As soon as she was sure that we were indeed going for a real walk her ears perked up and her step became light and bouncy.
We stopped to say hi to Tom enroute and then we headed up to the gated logging road by his place. It has woods on both sides and lots of hills. There is a fast moving stream and most importantly ... lots of sticks. It has been off bounds for the past couple of weeks because of hunting season, but today the gate was locked to strangers and safe from hunters, so it was our destination.
As soon as I unhooked her leash she was off, nose to the ground, following a trail. Then her head rose as she sniffed the air expectantly. A grouse hurried out of its hiding place and she made a half hearted attempt to chase it, but it was not a serious thing. She learned long ago that birds have wings and she doesn't.
She found some large sticks and allowed me to break them into manageable pieces and then we played her favourite game.
"Drop one," I commanded.
No response except for a bounce away from me.
"Drop one please."
She nudged me so that I held one stick lightly. Then she delicately dropped the other one. I picked it up and tossed it into the woods. She watched carefully where it landed, dropped her other stick by the edge of the road and made her way over logs and brush to get the one I had thrown. On her way back she picked up the second stick and arrived at my side panting around the two sticks in her mouth.
"Drop one."
This time she dropped one immediately and bounded off in pursuit.
After a while she became more alert and the sticks became secondary. I sensed that something unusual was in the vicinity. I call this road the bear road, so we turned around just before we got to the stream she likes. When the gate came into view I attached the leash and we headed back sedately to our own road. Then I removed collar and leash and we played fetch all the way home.
I went in but she chose to stay outside and take a swim in the frigid waters of the lake. By the time she asked to come indoors her coat was stiff with ice.
Now she is curled up on her couch drying off and warming up. It has been a good morning for both of us.
In a few minutes I will go down and make banana bread and pear clafouti from the fruit that need to be eaten up, and then I will knit the second cuff for the prototype of the first kind of felted slippers I am making. Once that pair is put together and ready to be felted, I will start on the second type which is made from felt I have made from old knit goods. All the insoles will be made from a mohair blanket I felted. I have to figure out how to give the slippers a bit of grab on the bottoms ... maybe leather?
Any ideas? Or do I need them for adults' slippers? My floors are not slippery slidy unless you are an eighty some year old dog whose hind end doesn't work well. He comes this afternoon by the way.
"It is no fun playing by myself," she said this morning as she flipped a kong under the table, and stomped to the back door where she flopped down heavily with a hard done by sigh.
"I just want to finish knitting this slipper foot," I told her finally, "and then we will go out."
Well then I had to do some seams. All the while Kenya glowered at me from her doorway.
Finally I went upstairs to wash and dress. Kenya followed me into the bathroom and from there into the bedroom. Each new location was announced noisily with a thump as eighty pounds hit the floor.
Down to the front hall. Bundling into a jacket and my hiking boots. Putting a couple of good cookies in my pocket. Then the camera. And finally her collar and leash. Only then did the suspicious glowering look leave completely. Suddenly she turned back into my cheerful fellow adventurer.
But she made sure as we headed up the hill to pull me away from the direction of the steps because that way led to the car. And she wanted to walk.
As soon as she was sure that we were indeed going for a real walk her ears perked up and her step became light and bouncy.
We stopped to say hi to Tom enroute and then we headed up to the gated logging road by his place. It has woods on both sides and lots of hills. There is a fast moving stream and most importantly ... lots of sticks. It has been off bounds for the past couple of weeks because of hunting season, but today the gate was locked to strangers and safe from hunters, so it was our destination.
As soon as I unhooked her leash she was off, nose to the ground, following a trail. Then her head rose as she sniffed the air expectantly. A grouse hurried out of its hiding place and she made a half hearted attempt to chase it, but it was not a serious thing. She learned long ago that birds have wings and she doesn't.
She found some large sticks and allowed me to break them into manageable pieces and then we played her favourite game.
"Drop one," I commanded.
No response except for a bounce away from me.
"Drop one please."
She nudged me so that I held one stick lightly. Then she delicately dropped the other one. I picked it up and tossed it into the woods. She watched carefully where it landed, dropped her other stick by the edge of the road and made her way over logs and brush to get the one I had thrown. On her way back she picked up the second stick and arrived at my side panting around the two sticks in her mouth.
"Drop one."
This time she dropped one immediately and bounded off in pursuit.
After a while she became more alert and the sticks became secondary. I sensed that something unusual was in the vicinity. I call this road the bear road, so we turned around just before we got to the stream she likes. When the gate came into view I attached the leash and we headed back sedately to our own road. Then I removed collar and leash and we played fetch all the way home.
I went in but she chose to stay outside and take a swim in the frigid waters of the lake. By the time she asked to come indoors her coat was stiff with ice.
Now she is curled up on her couch drying off and warming up. It has been a good morning for both of us.
In a few minutes I will go down and make banana bread and pear clafouti from the fruit that need to be eaten up, and then I will knit the second cuff for the prototype of the first kind of felted slippers I am making. Once that pair is put together and ready to be felted, I will start on the second type which is made from felt I have made from old knit goods. All the insoles will be made from a mohair blanket I felted. I have to figure out how to give the slippers a bit of grab on the bottoms ... maybe leather?
Any ideas? Or do I need them for adults' slippers? My floors are not slippery slidy unless you are an eighty some year old dog whose hind end doesn't work well. He comes this afternoon by the way.
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