She Knits By The Seashore

Summer Wish List

The first repeat of the Dream in Color Shrug is done. I thought it would be nice to use the fancy stitch markers for this project, instead of my usual plastic rings, or none at all. Silly as it is, I have to admit they are very motivational for getting to the end of the row.

My very favorite season is coming up soon, and I want to savor every moment, stretch it out like the waves across a vast beach. In knitting terms, I don't want to spend the last 72 hours of summer staying up too late to finish a project, because time got away from me. Accepting there is no such thing as an endless summer is a yearly bitter pill for me to swallow.

Like everyone else, I'm feeling overloaded with too many things to do, and my job just sucks all the motivation & energy out of me some days. I need to find balance. A lot of bloggers seem to be going through this, to the point that, recently, several of them have stopped blogging altogether. Others apologize at the beginning of almost every post that "there's nothing to see here." I for one am not going to stop any time soon, because you are one of the lights in my day, the virtual friends that encourage me and inspire me. When I see Robin's sewing and knitting projects, for example, I want to be just like her, with all those fabulous sweaters to wear. But I wonder where my time goes and why it takes me months to finish one of them.

So, since it is helpful to write things down, I'm going to make a Summer Wish List, write down the things I dream of doing once the weather starts to get balmy. And maybe I should make a list of things I'm going to give myself permission not to do.

"Lazy Winter, Lazy Spring, Lazy Summer..."

The Summer Wish List

1. Read "The Not So Big Life," which is a more articulate expression of what I'm trying to say here.

2. Read "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron, and do the 12 week workbook of exercises through June, July, and August. Developing creativity is one of the things most important to me, and I don't make enough time for it.

3. Read more books generally, and listen to them on audio, which I put on the New Year's Goal list.

4. Spend Sunday afternoons at the beach, for #1-3. Do I even want to admit that I sat on the beach only twice last summer?! New house or not, that is just shameful.

5. Knitting. July is the Tour de France KAL, so I'll have three weeks of watching cycling and knitting the Breton Girl sweater. I want to finish Caroline and the shrug before that, and maybe do the Papillon Top in August, if I can finish BG in July. Needles crossed. (funny coincidence: both are designed by Kat Coyle. A Kat Coyle summer-moment??).

6. I want to go on at least one Butterfly field trip with my dad, visit the NYBG for the roses, and maybe Block Island for some cycling. Bonus points if I can get to one night of stargazing with a local astronomy group.

7. To eat outdoors more often, at home on the deck, or at restaurants, because we can.

The Not to Do List

1. A garden. I want one badly, a white evening garden that's also a memorial garden to Charlie. But I'm thinking that maybe for this summer, a few pots of flowers on the deck is more reasonable.

2. Cycling "training." Riding my bike should be fun, not about suffering.

3. Knit night every week at the LYS. Why do I feel guilty if I miss it?

4. Trying to keep up with all the blogs, Ravelry, the Italian genealogical forum, all the time.

So what do you dream of doing this summer? What will you regret if you don't do it? What would you like permission not to do? If you'd like to join me, please post a wish list on your blog and let me know, and we can encourage each other to make this summer different. Even if we can't make it endless.

A Little Bit of Spring

I never realize how bad I've been feeling because of the winter...tired, restless...until spring begins to make her appearance. Subtle signs have been apparent in the last week or two.

So sweet! The pansies are going to go into the planters on our front doorstep. Our last frost date for most annual plants is May 15-31, so it will be a little while yet before I can plant other flowers.

Ranunculus. It's too cold to grow them outdoors here, but it always thrills me to be able to buy a bouquet of them to enjoy inside. I love their blossoms, which look like tissue paper cabbage roses. Please pardon the photo -- I was holding off Timmy, "the plant eater," while trying to take it. He loves to chew on anything green so I have to be super careful!

My new spring coat. Yes, it's black, which I try not to wear between Memorial Day and Labor Day, since we wear so much of it the rest of the year. Why wear black in the summer, when you can surround yourself with all those pretty bright colors? But this coat is a light cotton, and when I heard another customer in the store walk by it and say to her daughter, "it's very Audrey Hepburn," I had to have it. Now I want to get the bright pink gauzy scarf to go with it. We've been having dreary rainy days, and there is nothing like a bright scarf or umbrella to cheer the gray weather.

Spring happens so slowly in New England, if we're lucky to get it at all. Some years, it's freezing cold and damp until one night in May, when you wake up the next morning and it's summer. Just the same, with the extra hours of daylight, I'm getting inspired again to spring clean the house and tidy up the garden and have a whole new wardrobe...does that happen to you? Spring fever, indeed.

It Might Be Spring

Some people have flowers blooming in their gardens, or trees bursting into color. They can go outdoors with a light coat or no coat at all. Where I live, those things haven't happened yet, but there is one sign that the warmer weather may soon be upon us:

Racing season! That's Chris on the left with the red bike and blue/brown kit. He came in 6th, not bad at all for his first race of the season. The wind was vicious, and my fingers froze trying to take pictures. At least, unlike last year around this time, there was no snow on the ground!!

On Saturday night, we went to see Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I had read the Persephone book a few years ago, and though there are some minor changes in the film, it's pretty true to the book. The Art Deco sets and clothing were just the eye candy I've been wanting in a film. Do you think I could redecorate my house to look like Delysia's flat? Her bathroom is swoon-worthy.

Still knitting the fronts of Caroline, but nothing significant to photograph. I'll share a few quick book reviews instead.

The Whitechapel Conspiracy by Anne Perry. Chris started to read this out loud to me, and I couldn't wait anymore to solve the mystery, so I finished it last night. Our DCI Thomas Pitt is punished by his corrupt superiors for giving evidence in a murder case that convicts their associate. He is sent to work in the area of London known as Whitechapel, a poverty-ridden area and former hangout of Jack the Ripper. His wife Charlotte and maid Gracie decide that Something Must Be Done. What they do, and what they uncover, kept me glued to this book for hours, and I started the next book in the series, Southampton Row, right after I finished this one. Ms. Perry will be visiting a local book store next month to promote the latest in the series, Buckingham Palace Gardens. Must.read.faster and catch up to that book if I can.

Kitty Knits by Donna Druchunas. The subtitle of the book is "projects for cats and their people," and it does offer cat beds, felted mice, and toys for cats, along with items for Persons and their homes. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but to be honest, there is probably little in the book I would knit as is. What may be most useful to me are the charts of kitty designs, which I could adapt to other projects. If you would like more specifics, let me know.

Lastly, I promised a review of the Happy Tabby book, whose author Susan Daffron did a guest post on my blog on Friday.  The book is targeted to those who adopt a cat from an animal shelter or rescue group (as opposed to purchasing one from a pet store or breeder), but I think it also encompasses cats adopted by relatives and friends or those that show up at the back door and are slowly but surely adopted into the family. It offers basic information on feline health, including dental work, vaccinations, and senior care. Its strength is helping the new owner/guardian to understand a cat's behavior and motivations so that they can work out issues together. I get so upset when I hear about people "punishing" a cat for inappropriate behavior -- sometimes the cat is trying to tell you they are hurt or afraid or angry in the only way they know how. This book will help explain those signs, and what to do to correct the situation. It's a fast read, written in a friendly rather than impersonal medical voice, and will reassure those who have never adopted a cat before -- and even those of us who have --that some of kitty's strange quirks are in fact normal.

In the Midst of Winter

When we were driving to one of the beaches on Cape Cod on Sunday, we passed this sign:

I could think on that for days.

Here is a photo of our b&b, Agape, in Yarmouth:

It was so cozy! Delicious food, a fireplace in our room...I could have stayed all week. As it was, I didn't feel like we had enough time there to really appreciate all the comforts they offered.

Here is Nauset Beach, taken by Chris. In fact, all the photos were taken by him, since it was too cold for me to get out of the car! The wind was especially strong on the beach.

Here is the Nauset Lighthouse:

And the Three Sisters, moved off of the shore and safely in the...woods?

An explanation (click for readable size):

As short as our time was there, the change of scenery (and someone else cooking meals) helped me to feel rested and somewhat restored by the time we had to head home. The sea air, cold as it was this time of year, helps me tremendously. Where do you go, or dream of going, when you need restoration?

Besides Knitting

Steadily I knit on the back of Caroline, almost to the neckline now. I take the not-so-gossamer wrap with me in the car for travel knitting, and work on the Noni during Netflix films. Unfortunately, there's no significant progress on any of them to photograph this week for you, so I thought I'd give you a glimpse into what I do in my free time, besides knitting. Don't be so shocked!

Around New Year's Day, an interest in genealogy snuck up on me. My mom and a great aunt have kept some pretty thorough records, so I've been hanging out at Ancestry.com, inputting names and dates. This past weekend, I took my first field trip.

Here is a photo of my great-grandparents' grave, along with their son, an uncle who died in WWII. I knew where they were buried, having visited their grave with my grandparents as a teenager, so this visit was more about documentation than discovery. But -- I just found out from my grandmother that her grandparents are also buried in the same cemetery! I never knew that. I thought they had remained in Italy. Since the cemetery office was closed last Sunday, I didn't have access to a map to find them, and it's too huge a place to wander around in the cold. This week I've been on the phone with the receptionist there and she's faxed me some maps so I can locate everyone, including some other great great aunts and uncles. Since it's only about 45 min away, I'll be going back on Saturday .

My great-grandmother crocheted the most amazing pieces (of which I have some) from Italian pattern booklets, along with sewing beautiful dresses and growing flowers in her garden. She is the one great-grandparent I did not know as a child, so I always enjoy learning more about her life.

Another New Year's goal was to start volunteering at Rainy's former shelter. (Rosie's is too far for me to travel to during the week). Welcome to my new humble domain, the infirmary.

There are 6 double cages in this room, four visible in the photo. Every Wednesday night, I and another volunteer give medications, top up food and change water bowls, scoop boxes, and help everyone stay clean and comfortable. It takes about 2 hours by the time we give out medications to the "loose" cats in the other rooms, sweep the floor, and try to give everyone a little attention. Here is my buddy Tom, who rides on my cart and makes sure I do a good job:

He likes to sleep on the pile of towels opposite the row of cages.

I also want to introduce you to Mama. When I first met her, before Christmas, she was in one of the long-term cat rooms, but she's been in the infirmary the past few weeks. She is incredibly thin, and has a large appetite. I was told that she has intestinal lymphoma, just like my sweet Charlie did, so she is extra special to me. I don't know if she ever knew a home or the love of a family, but I'm thankful that she is loved and spoiled here as much as possible. This past Wednesday, I let her out to walk around the infirmary, and enjoy some freedom.

Mama

I'm thrilled that a good number of cats we met when we adopted Rainy have already been adopted. New cats have come and also gone to homes, but even so, the shelter is at capacity. I'm just grateful the remaining ones have a safe place to live, a warm bed, and meals til their new families come!

This week has been insane, and I've been totally remiss in acknowledging the kindness of Lynne, Kerri, and Deb, who tagged me for a Make My Day award. Thank you so much!!

I've feel like I've been such a terrible blog friend the past few weeks. We had a big work project that is hopefully winding down now (among other things), and I'm looking forward to catching up on blog reading and more regular posting. Have a wonderful weekend!!

Odds and Ends

Karen graciously sent me a few partial skeins so that I can finish those mohair mittens. I only need a little, so this will be plenty. Thank you so much!!

I finally started the Noni bag, something Sarah and I have been wanting to do for a long time. The directions are really confusing as written, but the bag should work out OK the way we're knitting it.

Amazon delivered something to help me work on one of my New Year's Goals (plus a little something else):

The Luxury Knits book has been on my wish list for a long time, though now that I own it, I'm not sure I like the patterns as much as I remembered. Has this happened to you?  What I also have my eye on is this: it's hard to tell from the cover if the patterns will be pretty or corny, so I'm waiting to see a copy in the LYS before I purchase it. And speaking of cats, there is definitely some bad behavior modeling in my house:

"See, Rosie, this is how you get some really good tangling going..."

Have a great weekend!

In the Mail

I hope everyone who celebrated had a wonderful Christmas, and you are enjoying some time off to rest. I also want to say thank you for your comments to my post about shelters. Hopefully they all received as wonderful a response as this one.

After searching in vain locally for the La Boheme Rainforest yarn I wanted, I finally called the store where I first saw it and ordered their one skein. For some reason, this particular dyelot looks very different from the skeins I saw for sale online. The greens and magenta are more fiery, and the brown is a copper instead of a tan-ginger. If you happen to see this particular dyelot at your LYS or know of someone selling a skein, please let me know.

Fiesta La Boheme Rainforest Color 11374, Dyelot 12125

Wendy surprised me with a lovely Christmas package. I love the oceany colors of the yarn and purse, and the smores ornament is so cute! She also included a cat toy, which Rosie hid before I could get it in the photo. I've never seen or knitted with the Cider Moon before, so this will be a treat. Thank you!

Cider Moon "Glacier" Hand Dyed Yarn in Seagrass

Back in the summer, I bought nine of skeins of DiVe Teseo to make a triangle shawl, something simple to throw on when I'm home and freezing cold. After searching through a bunch of patterns, not finding anything quite right, I decided to do a rectangular Gossamer Wrap from Australia's Creative Knitting magazine. [Does anyone know if this is still being published?]. This yarn is much heavier than the Colinette Mohair in the pattern, so the gossamer effect is lost, but I think the yarnovers help to soften the striping. I was hoping to break up the stripes altogether, but I'm not sure that's possible with this yarn, definitely not with stockinette stitch.  The finished shawl should be about 30" x 90" minus fringe.

This is the first of 8 skeins; I just started the second ball. Great car/TV knitting!

Tim finally came downstairs mid-December, after his self-imposed exile upstairs when Rainy and Rosie first came home to live with us. It's nice to have my model back.

What do you think of the new issue of Knitscene? Lots of variations on the Central Park Hoodie (must be their most popular pattern ever). My favorite pattern is the Papillion Top, though I like the Frontier Blues Jacket by Wendy Bernard too. Must finish the winter knits first.

A happy, healthy, and safe new year to everyone!!

Note-taking

The boucle yarn for Oceane arrived, and I'm re-knitting. I'll be honest -- ribbon yarn is not for the fainthearted, even with the boucle added in. Drop one stitch, and re-knit half your rows.

I also took the pink picot camisole out of the knitting bag, and frogged back to the border again. I'm determined to make this, if I can just work out the gauge issues. The challenge is to pick up the correct number of stitches without the body puckering where it meets the border. Normally when you pick up stitches from garter stitch, turned sideways, you pick up stitches between the purl bumps. When you have only 144 loops between the bumps and need 200ish stitches, this is a challenge. Note to self: think really hard about yarn substitutions for unusual yarns next time!

A generous prize arrived from Deb on the Web, who held a fund raiser for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation(CCFA)'s Guts & Glory 5K. Thank you so much, Deb!! Beautiful Koigu, which I have never knit before, an Italian Garden cookbook (inspirational even to me, who can only cook the plainest of meals), and a Crohn's & Me water bottle. Note to C&M promoters:  please make us a Crohn's/IBD & me pet water bowl...

...speaking of which, our IBD cat Charlie went to the specialist last Tuesday for his endoscopy. Unfortunately, his IBD has turned into small cell lymphoma. For reasons researchers don't understand, it does happen in pets but not people, though humans with IBD are more susceptible to colon cancer. Thankfully Charlie's is a slow-growing, treatable kind, and 70% of cats respond well to the medication, also used by human leukemia patients (Leukeran). Please go over to Noolie Knits and support her Walk the Night fundraiser if you are so inclined -- I apologize for the shameless plug and hope no one is offended, but I am mighty grateful to everyone these days who puts time and effort into raising money for treatment and cures of these diseases.

On a happy note, the B12 shots are going well. Charlie's coat is becoming glossy again, and he's been more his usual self, coming around for company. A few weeks ago, he would hide under the bed and only come out to eat. And boy is he eating!! No tuna are safe and the grocery store may put us on rations!! If he is responding to the treatment, his doctor said he should gain weight in a few weeks. I really hope he can fill out again. Note to self: I promise a photo when he does -- I think he'd be embarrassed if I took his photo right now. He is a little bony, and one of his paws is shaved from his IV. He's very proud and particular that way.

Instead, I will share this photo of sweet little E, who is wearing the seed stitch jacket I knit for her back in April:

It is an honor to see her wearing it. I know her grandmother, my dear friend H, is knitting her a wardrobe any little girl would dream of. Isn't it wonderful to share something we love, with someone we love? Happy Knitting!

A New Seashore

photo taken by Chris, on our first evening bike ride last week

Three weeks ago today (Friday) we moved books, bikes, cats, and yarn, along with a few other essentials, to our new house. Our closings went pretty smoothly. The cats did not enjoy riding in their carriers, especially not through a bad traffic jam on the highway, nor did they enjoy being locked up in a strange bathroom while we emptied the huge moving trucks. Once we let them out at the end of the night, they were curious to know where they were, but relieved to see us and their things reappear. I can only wonder what they thought as they witnessed everything disappear in the old house little by little, until only they remained! Their relationship has improved -- Charlie not only hasn't hissed at Timmy anymore, he actually climbed into the larger carrier with him when both were sequestered in the new bathroom.

Is it just me, or do things take much longer than you think when you move? Chris and I had to go back to work after about a week, and we are still unpacking (though almost finished). Probably the huge work project I went back to, and the Tour de France knitalong, took a little of my time, as has the painting of the living room. Just as soon as we're done, I promise photos, including one of the lovely package Beth sent me as a prize for winning her blog contest on creativity. In the meantime, here are a few more of Chris' amazing photos of our new seashore. We're so happy to be here at last!

Unraveled

Knitting is a metaphor for life. We all know that. My knitting, and my life, are being unraveled this week.

The pink headband? All 8 rows pulled out, rewound. The pie wedge shawl? All near-100 rows pulled out, yarn rewound, cast on the needles again. Our washing machine? Load of soapy clothes, mid-cycle, pulled out. Machine quit. Repairman called. Our house? Closets, cupboards, drawers are empty. Packed in boxes. Waiting to be knit back up again into a new home.

I want to finish the unraveling, and get to the knitting. I know that the headband, the pie wedge shawl, the washing machine, and our home, will all be better for having been taken apart and then put back together again in a new way. But it's this in between stage that makes me crazy!

Oceane

Stage. Tour de France. Cycling is also a metaphor for life. Some days are sprints, other days are climbs up the highest mountains. Some days you crash, and some days you experience sweet victory. The Tour de France, and the knit along that Meg has asked me to help her host, are a wonderful distraction from all the unraveling that has gone on. As the riders take their three week journey from London, through the mountains of France, to Paris, we begin our journey this week to the new house. I have begun a new knitting project, the Oceane wrap. Like the new house, knitting with the ribbon takes some getting used to. Progress will be in fits and starts. But as I go, something new and beautiful will take shape. It will be worth the unraveling I had to do to get there. I'm looking forward to sharing the new project, the Tour, and the new house with you.

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I'm going to take about two weeks off from posting here, in order to try to keep up with all of the above. [Thankfully, the washing machine was fixed end of last week!] I apologize if you've sent me a comment or an email and I have not replied. I'll try to do that as soon as I can!