Almost the Weekend! 4/24/26

 Good Morning!

Once again (thanks to Mabel and the LOUD birds this morning) I got up early.  Actually, I like doing that.  As long as I feel fairly rested the early morning hours are some of my favorite.  It's quiet (except for bird song) and peaceful.  I consider it found time!

Speaking of found time...I did wind a skein of sock yarn and started another sock last night!

This is one of the skeins I recently bought from Lisa (Fibernymph Dyeworks).  It is Mountain House - Winter.  The yarn base is "Heavenly" and it is lovely - an 80-10-10 blend of SW Merino, Cashmere and Nylon.  It does feel heavenly!

Yesterday ended up being a longer day with Iris which is not a bad thing.  Colin had a conference call that went later than normal, so I was late getting home.  I was beginning to feel a bit rushed trying to get dinner going and doing a few other things, so I decided to skip yoga.  My shoulders were bothering me anyway.  So, instead, after dinner and listening for 20 minutes to "The Long Ships" with Fletch I cleaned up the kitchen and then pulled out the skein of yarn and caked it up.  I've only done about half the cuff so far, but it's a nice start.  Then Fletch and I started Season 2 of "Drops of God" - if you have Apple TV, I highly recommend this.  I don't knit while watching TV (we usually turn out the lights) and this show has subtitles anyway (it's in English, French and Japanese).  But so good!  About wine!

Does anyone know what this flower is?

It's blooming in one of Colin's front beds and I love it.  He doesn't know what it is - it was already there when he and Mailing bought the house.

Finally, I mentioned that I had picked up a few poetry books from the library.  These are two of them:

"The Beauty" by Jane Hirshfield and "The Unswept Room" by Sharon Olds.  After reading a volume of Ada Limon's poetry and not being won over, I mentioned that to both Leslie and Connie - two published poetry writers who are friends of mine.  Leslie said that one of her favorite poets is Sharon Olds.  Connie recommended Jane Hirshfield...and recommended staying away from Sharon Olds.  Ha!  Of course, I needed to get books by both.  I've only read a few poems from both books so far, but am enjoying each of them.  I know that some of you are familiar with Jane Hirshfield.  Has anyone read Sharon Olds?

The other poetry volume I checked out at my library is The Essential Haiku Versions of Basho, Buson & Issa.  This is great!  I love Haiku and am familiar with Basho and Issa, but not Buson.  Fun to explore.  Along with these 3 poetry books I have 8 (!!) other books checked out from my library.  I guess I'm set with reading for a little while.

Today is my last day of watching Iris for a bit.  They head to China tomorrow.  They will only be in China for 4 days or so (seeing some family, going to The Great Wall and the Panda House at the Beijing Zoo among other things) and then they fly to Taiwan for the balance of the two weeks they will be gone.  Iris has been such a love this week and I am going to miss being with her so much.  I will still be heading over to their house twice a day (starting tomorrow afternoon) to feed Talbot and show him a bit of love.  He will be missing his family.  That will give me more found time!  I plan to take a book (or two) and some knitting with me when I go over and that way I will have something to do while spending a bit of time keeping Talbot company.

This is the last Friday in April!  Let's make it a good one.

A Finish on Thursday! 4/23/26

 Good Morning my Friends!

It is a pretty and sunny morning here with temps forecast to get up to 74.  Ahhhh, this is the kind of Spring weather I really like.  Cool evenings - great for sleeping and then warm (but not HOT) days.  

The birds were quite noisy this morning and I woke up a little early.  So, as one does, I put the coffee on, fed Mabel and then pulled out my knitting.  And voila!  My Panning for Gold socks are now finished.

I love everything about these socks.  The yarn is from Twisted Owl Studios in Longview, TX (I don't believe they are in business now) and was bought at a fiber festival for only $11 per skein!  The color way is Gold Panning and the yarn is 75/25 SW Merino and Nylon.  There is still 27 grams of the yarn left - so plenty to use in a scrappy cowl or for heels and toes on another pair of socks.  They knit up quickly (for me) and now I need to figure out what yarn for my next pair of socks!

Most likely I won't figure out what sock yarn to knit with next until tomorrow night or over the weekend.  I have a yoga class tonight so will not have time to dive into the stash.  But, no rush.  I have a book I'm reading plus severeal volumes of poetry that will go into my bag when I drive to Colin's this morning.

Yesterday was a fun day with Iris.  Zhongren came over in the morning for a couple of hours to play with Iris.  Although I was right there, it gave me a bit of a break.  Plus, it was just nice to have time with Zhongren to chat (Colin was in the office room on a number of conference calls).

Now I'm in need of some more coffee and perhaps a clementine or two!  Have a wonderful Thursday.

Unraveled Wednesday 4-22-26

 Good Morning!

It's a little wet outside this morning.  I heard heavy rain during the night, but looking at my phone, it appears that the rain is over for the day.  However, a sweatshirt and leggings will be my outfit today for watching Iris.  I tend to feel cold when it is damp out.

The other day when I pulled out of our driveway heading to Colin's I stopped and stared.  At first I thought I was seeing a wild turkey (we used to have them all around the neighborhood).  But, it turned out to be a turkey vulture.  Friends, these birds are HUGE!  He/She was in Rob's yard pulling up something with a bone attached.  He/She flew off as soon as I snapped the picture and that wing span was just amazing!

Happy Earth Day!  It also happens to be Wednesday, the day I usually link up with Kat for Unraveled Wednesday, but Kat is taking a little break from blogging, so there is no link up today.  I'd still like to show you my knitting and talk about what I've read.

The second Panning for Gold sock is progressing nicely.  I'm a little more than halfway down the foot.  Some mornings at Colin's I can knit a row or two as Colin and Iris finish up their morning walk.  And, usually when they have lunch I can manage 5-8 rows.  Not fast progress, but it is progress.

This sock will be finished up in good time. 

Reading has again been great!  I finished our next RWU book (our discussion will be in June).   Good People by Patmeena Sabit is a powerful book.  I wasn't sure that I would like the format, but I thought it worked quite well.  Even though I would have liked to hear the voices of the family, I think the absence of those voices gave a certain strength to the novel.  I'll reserve my other thoughts/comments for our discussion in early June.

Next up I read Everyday Sacred: A Woman's Journey Home by Sue Bender.  I read and enjoyed "Plain and Simple" by the author decades ago when it came out and enjoyed it.  The story of the Begging Bowl in "Everyday Sacred"was interesting.  The book is a very quick and peaceful read.  Looking in one of our bookcases, I found a copy of "Plain and Simple" and I may re-read that some point (right now I have way too many library books on my nightstand!).

The last book I finished this past week is The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey.  Oh my!  I absolutely loved this book.  So many fascinating details...I almost want to find a snail of my own!!  A very beautiful and thought provoking book.

As if I don't already have enough library books on my nightstand, yesterday on my way home I picked up 3 more!  Two are poetry books that I'm looking forward to reading.  One will go in my bag today when I head over to Colin's.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and tell me what you've been making and reading lately.

  

Tiny Needle Tuesday 4/21/26

 Good Morning!

Another chilly one - perfect for snuggling with Iris!!  And, it's Tuesday - time for an update on my Appil sampler.  A bit of stitching was accomplished during the past week.

The tree is fully outlined and one leaf has been filled in.  There was also a bit of ground work completed, but that might not be as noticeable.  Here's the obligatory overall shot of where things stand.

Lots of filling in to do...the tree trunk, branches, leaves, etc.  And then, of course, more creatures as I keep promising.  My mantra is:  I think I can, I think I can.....  Still enjoying this piece and having fun stitching it.

Time for me to get moving.  My head is cold so the first order of business is to dry my hair (while sipping some hot coffee).  Hope your day is a good one!

Weekending 4/20/26

 Good Morning All,

A bit of a change in the weather.  We have a freeze warning for tonight!  Yup, it's a chilly one and yesterday was a wet one in the morning.  I ran out to CVS (of course) and I nearly froze!  On the flip side, we had dinner at Colin & Mailing's on Saturday and were able to eat outside.  We also enjoyed a fire in the pit later that evening.

I noticed that our iris are now budded and the wisteria has begun to blossom.

Our lilac is finally beginning to open its buds.  I wish those would last longer when cut...they always droop within a day or so.  I most likely won't bother cutting any this year.

This week I'll be watching Iris every day.  Bonnie (Mailing's Mom) is in China.  The kids will fly over on Saturday, so I'm going to cherish this week and enjoy all the snuggling I can squeeze in!  They will be gone two weeks and I will miss them so much.

Not much else to report.  I was successful in avoiding most chores (I did do laundry) over the weekend.  A little cooking was done.  A delicious shredded raw beet and carrot salad was made and this will definitely be made again and again.  Wonderful!  (I did not put the walnuts in, though I may add them next time and I used Agave rather than date syrup).  One beet and two carrots made the perfect amount for the two of us.  I don't think I had ever had raw beets, but it was a very yummy dish.

There was time for some knitting and some stitching and a bit of reading.  Overall a great weekend.  I hope yours was just as nice.

Winding Down 4/17/26

Good Morning!

It's Friday and time to prepare for the weekend.  Yay!  Our redbud is in full bloom right now and is gorgeous.  I see a lot of red buds as I drive through our town.  I used to see them along a creek when I would drive to work but...I'm retired!  I have not been driving to work for two years now!

On this fine Friday in National Poetry month, I do have a poem to share with you.  It's one that my friend Leslie Parker wrote.  Leslie and I met when we were 12 and have been best friends ever since - 60 years!  How lucky I am to have her as my friend.  This poem is one that was published in NC Bards 2025 Anthology and with Leslie's permission I am sharing it with you.

Dandelion

 

Wishes 

sail on a breath, 

scatter, take root,

shoot skyward. Yellow

blooms command attention

in envious lawns—

shaggy-headed stems

childish hands pluck,

weave into halos—

before they shrivel 

in the sun, 

sprout anew.

 

My mother curls, close-eyed,

breathing slow

and shallow

in a wrinkle of green sheets.

Her hair,

gone to seed, stirs

beneath a breeze

whispering through 

the open window,

as if ready,

at long last,

to take to the air.

 

I hope your weekend brings you much joy.  We will be having dinner at C&M's tomorrow night and I know that will bring us joy!

Unraveled Wednesday 4/15/26

 Good Morning and Whoosh! 

Halfway into April which does not seem possible at all.  Time (and days) slip away faster and faster.

But, hey!  It's Wednesday which means time to link up with Kat and her Merry Band of Unravelers.  Let's see what everyone is making and reading.  I'm betting you find inspiration and, perhaps, a touch of enabling (I know I will).

Last week I showed you my first Panning for Gold sock which was at the toe decrease point.  I did finish it that night and started the second Panning for Gold sock immediately.  No second sock syndrome for me!  The second sock is almost at the heel flap.  I think I have maybe 10 more rows or so and then the flap will commence!

This yarn is just so nice to knit!  It is from Twisted Owl Fiber Studio in Longview, TX and was bought at a fiber festival.  Quite a steal at $11 per skein (100 grams).  I bought two other skeins as well.

On the reading side of things I listened to Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.  Oh my!  Although Brooks' writing is just so good, The Plague is not a happy topic.  Some of Brooks' descriptions were a bit much.  I didn't really feel as though the ending fit, but that's me.

With my eyes I read Sex of the Midwest by Robyn Ryle which was laugh out loud funny.  It's not about sex, but rather about the lives of folks in a small mid-western town post Covid.  In some ways it reminded me of Olive Kitteridge.

The last book is a volume of poetry by Ada Limon that I found at my library.  I found Lucky Wreck to be pretty raw and at times almost angry.  Not familiar with Limon's poetry, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was not really for me.

Lucky me!  I get to have a mammogram this morning...a necessary evil.  Here's hoping that your day holds better surprises for you!  It's going to be pretty warm here.