Recognizing Gifts and October Yarn Along

 

I received a wonderful gift this weekend.  Instead of politics, campaigns, and endless emails, and because it was our daughter and son-in-law’s anniversary, we had a sleepover.  Until then, I didn’t realize just how much I needed one.

Instead of the news, I watched Casper the Friendly Ghost, and Peter Rabbit.  I played board games.  I took long walks to visit the neighbors, no matter their politics. I collected leaves, flowers, and found sticks to serve as magic brooms. 

I played Ghost Busters, when each falling leaf was an encroaching ghost and we even needed to defend our headquarters and stop a ghost invasion.  I read Halloween books when I kid you not, hand to God, a fox trotted across the yard just a few feet in front of where we were sitting outside the playhouse/headquarters; showing up one page earlier then in the story we were reading!

At a time when we, as a county party, are busy replacing Biden and Bollier signs because the first ones have been either stolen, vandalized, or even wrongly removed by the state’s department of transportation, it was wonderful to live in the world of children again. Just today I pulled the Biden and Bollier yard signs from our own yard to replace the two highway signs stolen on Friday night.  Until social media and working as the county party chair, I had no idea what division and nastiness resided in this county.   

I’m looking forward to November when after the election Paul and I will be stepping down as chairs of the party.  And no matter who wins, I intend to go into seclusion.  In life before Covid 19, I would have wrapped myself in the warmth and comfort of family.  It breaks my heart that we have not been able to be together as a whole family group since it began.  I suppose we will see what the fall and winter will bring.  But in my heart of hearts I know it won’t be possible.

But I will find other things to bring me joy, and possibly frustration.  This fall we installed a greenhouse.  I am sure I will spend many hours learning through trial and error.  There will be time again for drawing and painting.  While I did start knitting a sweater in August I’ve really not made any progress on it.  So I’ve settled for knitting leaves; because unless I’m knitting while sitting on the sofa, I’m sleeping on the sofa.

I am making time for books.  I just started Elizabeth is Missing, by Emma Healey, to prepare for the upcoming Masterpiece series.  I read the kids The Widow’s Broom, by Chris Van Allsburg.  I’d forgotten how wonderful it was.  And we were reading The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales, by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, when the fox trotted by; both of them leftover from when our kids were young.

So, as Rowen said to Jools yesterday, "Is there room on the broom for a girl like me?"

 

Next Generation

Finally, this summer we were able to work on a long-promised project. 

This playhouse was originally built for our four children 28 years ago.  After they grew it evolved into part pool house, part shed.  Once we had grandchildren we often talked about cleaning it up and returning it to a playhouse again.  And then a couple of summers ago we actually got around to putting in new windows and paneling.  However, somehow we never finished it, until this summer.  But of course, this summer was different.

 And now, here we are!  I can’t tell you how happy it makes me seeing children running in and out of it again.

 I let the two older granddaughters, 9 and 12, help me paint.  So there’s a half gallon, (at least) of paint that needs to be sanded off the floor.  And maybe we'll build a new porch, or possibly a loft.  But that’s a project for next spring!

 

Stepping out of my box

It's been nearly a year since I've posted here.  Maybe there's too much to be said, too private, just too much.  Retirement and where we live makes the virus a bit easier to navigate.  

With this newfound time, I've found several free courses to take on the internet.  I started this one yesterday.  This morning I posted my poem from yesterday's lesson in the class community room.  Much to my surprise, it was well-received.  The lesson, finding awe in everyday moments.

the first glimpse is dark

the scoop, like sand

the smell familiar

memories triggered

the anticipation

it’s our choice not to hurry it

but sleep is not so far gone

it threatens to return

and yet, it’s so much better to wait

when allowed to percolate

the weight of the cup

the softening of the milk

the warmth of the swallow

the fog begins to lift and

sleep retreats

If you're interested you can find the course here.

How I Spent My Summer / August Yarn Along

Wow.  Not a single post here since the beginning of May!  I realize summer isn’t over, but today is the first day of school for three of our grandchildren. Since my own children were small, the first day of school has always made me a little sad.

I suppose I could blame my absence on the fact that I am just now finishing the sweater I was knitting for myself back in May.  And other than a knitted, stuffed horse I knitted for number 7 grandchild’s birthday in June, (and failed to photograph), I really didn’t knit much until last week.  What a surprise!  It was like spending time with an old friend.  I didn’t realize how much I missed it. 

Grandchild number 8 turns three this week.  I knitted her a sweet little sweater, Tartelette, by Frogginette Knitting, and a birthday crown.  I also made her a lion, (no pattern) to commemorate our seeing Lion King together.  Lisa Chemery has wonderful knitting patterns for kids.  The jumpers I knitted at Christmas were from a Frogginette pattern as well. (#yarnalong)

Since my knitting has been slow, I have been spending a lot of time drawing, trying to practice as often as possible.  And I have been reading a lot, mostly the summer’s best sellers:  Where the Crawdads Sing, The Guest Book, The Dreamers, and I just started Lady in the Lake.  But my reading list just became huge because I came across the book and website 1,000 Books to Read BeforeYou Die, a Life-changing List.  And it is!!  It has made my head spin with happiness not to have to wonder what to read next.

We’ve been continuing our work with our local Democratic Party which gives me hope.  We had our weekly brunches and lots of playdates with grandchildren.  And in late July our ninth grandchild was born!  Our hearts are full.

I hope your summer has made you happy.  I will do my best to cherish these last few weeks.

P.S.  Check out this short little video for a wonderful feel-good moment.  It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. https://vimeo.com/259818647