knitorious

Next up

I didn't photograph even half the stash the other day.  I'd really like to, though, mainly to document my intentions for a particular batch or ball of yarn (if any) because I do tend to forget about stuff, especially if it's not in plain sight.  Some stuff just won't be forgotten, though, no matter what, and that's the case with this Donegal Tweed -- "leftovers" of a sweater kit that my sister made (enough for another sweater!) and I knew its destiny the minute I saw Fibonacci in Magknits (check out the latest issue).  I have never wavered on that, but I have never started...  I think it's time to get crackin'.

I finished the back of Trellis last night, and I think it's going to be too small for the Mackster.  I could be wrong -- maybe it'll bloom and grow in the blocking -- but I'm prepared to tuck it away and save it as a gift for another baby.

I'm also thinking pink for Warming Grace (working title; button forthcoming).  Grace is Cynthia's brave and adorable niece (oh, those EYES!) who just celebrated her 5th birthday.  When Cynthia writes about Gracie being "a very special girl," she's not kidding -- Grace is in the midst of a long treatment program for leukemia... oh my goodness, with personality!  In the spirit of Comforting Jef and Mike, Cynthia has put out the call for 5" pink squares in cotton or soft wool for a blanket for Grace.  Check it out.

We're such babies, yeah, the catfish makes us cry...

(Apologies to Hootie & the Blowfish.) One of the ways the pent up emotion of a horrific tragedy, numbing uncertainty, blind hope, and joyous yet guarded relief of the past month can be released is in sharing a good cry over how good the hospital cafeteria catfish is.  My brother, my sister, my SIL and me -- passing 'round the tissues and sobbing over the catfish yesterday.  It turns out that, while I am the eldest sibling and definitely "the boss," I am not the one that our brother fears most.  The one who makes him tremble in his boots happens to be the most mild-mannered, least confrontational of us all!  Apparently, she once took him to task and pushed his back against the wall to tell him what-for and, while neither of them can recall when or where or even what it was all about, it obviously made an indelible impression (the expression on his face when he described it said everything).  She struck such fear into him that when our parting words to Michael on Saturday were that this sister would be visiting on Sunday, he had another horrible night's sleep, worrying over her visit and fearing that she'd yell at him again.  Even though he knew it was silly and irrational and that he didn't do anything to warrant being yelled at, the dreadful feeling just didn't go away. He could laugh about it with everyone yesterday, but it was truly a huge relief when she finally came and didn't yell at him that when the conversation turned to catfish and how good it was -- we all had and enjoyed it weeks ago when Mike was still in ICU, but he'd just had it the day before -- his relief at not being yelled at, combined with his renewed appreciation for the little things (like catfish) and tender, humble emotions that have been pretty much laid bare, well, we all got caught up and the tears just started to flow.

I formatted the relevant blog posts down to fewer than 70 pages and printed them out for my SIL.  I gave them to her on Saturday afternoon with an explanation of what a blog is, who bloggers are, and a heads-up about the blue blogger blanket that Michael will be receiving, and she took it home to read it that night.  She was so moved that Sammy, their black lab, became concerned.  She would like to tell you all:  "THANK YOU," with more tears in her eyes, "...just 'Thank you'."  (During the catfish incident, I turned to her and said, "You don't even bother putting makeup on in the morning anymore, do you?"  It's true.)  My brother isn't yet ready to know the details of the accident -- he said that he wants to wait until the pain is gone -- but I think it will help him, too, especially wrapped up in the blue blanket of love while he reads.  Have you seen all the gorgeous blue squares???  Christine is amazing.

I finished a Trellis sleeve over the weekend and started on the second -- I love that little two-stitch TBL magic on either side of the central motif that makes a nice mock cable!  So simple and so fun!

Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!

*Auntie Meme Mame!

1.  A blog which you think people have not discovered.

Just a few, new to me and maybe to you, by no means a complete list:  if we shadows, Oiyi's Crafts (bonus: one of the cutest pup pics I've ever come across), Po Mo Golightly -- my list is always changing!

2.  A blog whose author lives close to you physically.  Just get as close as you can, it's all relative.

Amy Lu!  I was lucky enough to meet her last April at the Midwest Masters Seminar (no, I haven't signed up for this year's and yes, I'll probably be kicking myself next month), and I played "Where in WI is Amy Lu?" last September -- that was a really fun day, by the way.  ; )

3.  An unusual or weird animal picture.

Surely there's something at Ann's... Pug on a Rug?  It's not a weird or unusual picture, but the title makes me giggle.

4.  An entry that made you laugh and got strange looks from family or co-workers.

JenLa Jenifleur's Stash Wars -- That was a challenging morning at work!  I laughed 'til I cried -- in a very business-like way, of course.  So funny.

5.  An idea you wish you'd thought of.

Bagged salad.  Or Post-its.

6.  Something you'd like to knit.

That darn Rogue, some blasted Latvian Mittens

7.  A picture of something you consider beautiful.

Katie has shared only a fraction of the pictures she's taken in the U.K. -- and a quick tour of the continent (France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Germany) is still ahead -- and I am so looking forward to seeing them all.  I am preparing to be verklempt.  This is a favorite among favorites so far:  Tintern Abbey in Wales.

8.  A blog whose author you would like to someday meet in person.

Celia, Margene, Stephanie -- and 792 others.  ; )

9.  A blog of someone you have already met in person.

So lucky to have met so many already.

* * * * * *

When I arrived at the hospital last night, my brother Michael was in a wheelchair, all his stuff was on a cart or in someone's hand, my SIL and uncle were there, various nurses and aides... they were movin' on up -- to a de-luxe apartment in the sky!  Heh, pretty darn close -- a 6th floor room with a westerly view (and a private bath) of the river, the teensy city skyline, sunsets, and lots of activity!  He was being moved out of Neuro and into Rehab!  Yahoo!!!

The #1 really huge thing that I noticed new yesterday was that he was asking questions and initiating conversation (okay, maybe that's TWO!) -- "Hey Vick, whatcha doin' here?"  He is wondering about the brace and collar (and when some of that can come off), and how things work.  He is still mighty confused and befuddled -- he answered "June" when asked which month it is, and he didn't know the name of the hospital, even though he's been asked and told these things 10,000 times.  But get this...  My SIL had explained to him that he'd be moving to Rehab and that they'd be working with him in different ways, asking him questions to get him thinking more, and he smiled and said, "Yeah, like what day it is?"  HILARIOUS!!  He's asked that question 50,000 times a day!  He may not remember what frickin' day it is, but he remembers being asked and that's HUGE (at least to my reasoning)!

Having finished the gusset and made progress on the foot of the sock yesterday, I celebrated Michael's progress by casting on Trellis last night.  This is a sleeve, one repeat -- LOVE the School Products wool-cotton yarn from NYC that I mentioned a few days ago.  I am so happy, I might even cast on something else tonight.  ; )

Thank you all, again and again and again and again, for your amazing support, words of wisdom and kindness and encouragement these past few weeks.  I've really sucked at writing back, and I'm sorry about that.  Please know that every single word has been a huge help.