First Day of Spring

Happy Spring!!  It is finally here (even if we do still have snow on the ground…it is melting quickly).

 

I am wearing my new shawl (really more of a scarf in my opinion) today and I do love it.  The colors are wonderful.  A craptastic selfie, but the best I can do at work:

 

 

 

And today, in addition to being the first day of Spring, is my Mom’s birthday.  If she were alive, she would be 98!  She was a pretty amazing woman…very independent and adventurous.  When she was 19, she rode her bike from Vermont to Canada, camping out along the way.  The following year she and her girlfriend, Jennie, rode their bikes from Vermont to California!  They camped in fields…or in bad weather spent the night in barns.  Keep in mind these were bikes from back in the 30’s – balloon air tires, etc.  What an adventure.  I have a copy of the scrapbook she put together after that trip (the original one was disintegrating).

 

She was equally adventurous when she was raising me and my three brothers…always up for a trip somewhere.  She loved to hike, play tennis, swim, etc.  My Dad always said that one of the things he loved about my Mom was that she wasn’t afraid to try anything.

 

Here are two pictures of my Mom taken way before I was born.  We found these in a box of photos after my Mom passed away.  I love them.  (Excuse the flash spots --  I took these pictures quickly with my phone at 5:30 this morning.)  These are hanging in our stairway along with other family shots.  Look how skinny my Mom was!

 

 

 

The first one we kids have named “The Gunslinger” – lol.  One of her brothers was an avid trapper and hunter (though usually with a bow) and I’m pretty sure the gun was his.  The second one is a shot of her all suited up and ready to ski.

 

Sadly my Mom’s health deteriorated when she was in her late 70’s, and she passed away in 2004.  I miss her laughter and spontaneity and how she and I would be so silly together.  Happy Birthday Mom!!

 

 

If It's Tuesday....

Hey, does anyone remember that movie?  "It It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium"  I have no idea why that popped into my mind a few seconds ago (like so many other things that pop in and then out).


Friday I did leave work by Noon.  It was just too lovely to stay in my office.  And this is what I saw at the edge of my driveway when I pulled in:

Such pretty flowers.  There are some blooming by our front door as well.


I managed to get all the bills paid (I HATE that chore) and then picked up the Oaklet shawl.  It was ok!!!  Woo-Hoo.  I finished the main part and actually started the lace border over the weekend.  I've done only 4 rows, but the border is only 21 rows.  And no more knots in the yarn.


Saturday was a lot of domestic chores - laundry, dusting and vacuuming, etc.  I also managed to pull all the tax stuff together and called the accountant and set up a time to bring everything to her.  Glad that chore is done (well, at least my part of it).  Then I (finally) tackled the filing cabinet and cleaned that out.  Whew!  A lot of papers went into the trash and I can now open the drawers and actually move files and see what is inside them!


Fletch and I played with our bows and arrows again on Saturday before the big storm moved in.  No more bulls eyes or splitting twigs, but I did manage to plant an arrow in a tree a distance behind the target.  We wrapped up our play time around 4 p.m. and by 5:00 the storm was rolling in.  Wind!  Thunder and lightening (in February!!) and rain.  It was all over by 6:30 or so and the temperature had dropped 20 degrees.  Sunday was nasty cold and windy and now it is supposed to be back up in the mid-70's by tomorrow (with more strong storms in the afternoon).  Crazy!


I've pulled out yarn for a pair of socks for Colin, but my first cast-on was awful - loose and ugly.  So, I ripped that out and I have yet to cast back on.  Maybe tonight.  No pictures till at least a few rows are completed (and look good - lol).


It's March tomorrow -- only 3 weeks till Spring!!


And, happy Mardi Gras!!

A Chilly Day

Hello All,


It is COLD here today...or maybe chilly and really raw.  Hard to believe last week I was in 80 degree Naples!


I've been cold all day at work...I need to make some fingerless mitts to keep here.  But meanwhile today's knits are socks and a shawl:

Almost quittin' time!!  And I think there will be a Christmas tree at home when I get there (hoping).