Friday, April 30, 2010

The Eyes Of Texas Are Upon You

All the live long day…
Texas is an interesting state. It’s the second largest state in the United States, next to Alaska. With a width of 773 miles and a length of 790 miles, traveling from West Texas (Crane) to Central Texas (Austin) is like passing through different states.

The Permian Basin is what the region where I live is called. According to Wikipedia it is so named because it has one of the world's thickest deposits of rocks from the Permian geologic period. As far as looks, it’s pretty much a desert I suppose. Contrary to popular belief, there are trees out here. We call them trees but in most places they are called Mesquite bushes! It’s an oil and natural gas producing area, basically flat.


If you fly to Austin from here it’s about 291 miles. If you drive it’s about 350 miles and takes at least six hours. Sometimes, because of flight schedules, it takes the same amount of time to fly as drive!

Driving to Austin goes from flat brown desserts to lush green hills and trees. It’s funny how you can see the actual changes the further east you go. The wild flowers this time of year are amazing. I’ll just say again how beautiful they are! This time, instead of so many blue bonnets there are yellow, red, orange and little white flowers. There are still blue bonnets too, and all together they are amazing! The colors remind me of the trees changing in Vermont.




I got to start the day listening to kindergarten students sing the songs of Texas. There’s nothing as refreshing as hearing sweet little voices, singing loudly, on or off key! They put all they had into their program. Of course, I had my eye on my oldest DGS, E, as they were singing. He practiced and he knew all of the songs. He was on the front row! I had my camera but forgot it in the car so I had to use my phone to take a picture. It’s not a great picture and I caught him sideways but he did a “bery good job!”


After the program I headed to Odessa to pick up a friend for the journey to Austin. We were on the way to WHIBSIB! It was a long but good trip and we got a royal welcome when we arrived!

It only seemed fitting for my knitayear to be red, white and blue today, like the Texas flag. I was in a proud mood today, proud this was my first month of knitayear, proud of E for singing his songs, proud to be a Texan and proud to be an American where I can say I’m proud to be a Texan! And…


The eyes of Texas are upon you, you cannot get away.
Do not think you can escape them, at night, or early in the morn'.
The eyes of Texas are upon you, till Gabriel blows his horn!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Anticipation...

Is makin' me late,
Is keepin' me waitin'...

Well, that and the dryer! I’m waiting for some clothes to dry so I can finish packing for the WHIBSIB weekend. WHIBSIB stands for what happens in Buda stays in Buda. Buda is a little town or maybe a suburb I guess, of Austin. Every year a bunch of us meet. It’s always called WHIBSIB whether it’s actually in Buda or not!

It’s a ladies weekend. No kids, no husbands and no dogs! We all have a common interest and that’s yarn. We all know how to knit. Some know how to crochet as well. Some spin, some weave and some dye yarn. We have a lot of fun. Besides yarn things we visit, play and shop. We also have wine but friends don’t let friends knit drunk!


The strangest thing about the weekend is how we all met. Of course some people were friends and knew each other but most of us met through the Internet. We have a knitting listserv and know each other online. I felt a little odd the first time I went. I was going to meet a bunch of strangers who said they were knitters. How did I know? I didn’t. I went on good faith and spent the weekend with a bunch of strangers who have become my friends.

Now when I go I’m excited to see my old friends and anxious to meet new ones. I look forward to seeing new yarn, petting people’s projects and maybe even learning something! I want to see the yarn my roommate has been spinning. I want to see the weaving projects another friend created. I want to see the new sweaters and shawls and scarves. I want to relax and enjoy a fun weekend without anything work related tied to it. I’ll miss the people who can’t come but I’ll be happy to see the Internet strangers who have become my friends. And I’ll remember another WHIBSIB!

My knit a year has almost become one month old! I was so tired Wednesday I chose a gray with a little sparkle. It’s Moonlight Mohair so I thought it was fitting. For Thursday I found some orphan yarn called Ci Ci that looked bright and happy. I couldn’t imagine why I had it in the first place but then remembered it was pretty with a wool yarn in a felted piece. It’s happy colors! I just heard the dryer so I’d best get packing.


We can never know about the days to come, but we think about them anyway, yay.
And tomorrow we might not be together. I'm no prophet and I don't know nature's ways. So I'll try and see into your eyes right now and stay right here 'cause these are the good old days…

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Oh Girls They Want To Have Fun

If you have to leave to travel for work on a Sunday you might as well make the most of it.

My friend Sharon and I, armed with two Garmins, headed to Austin from Midland. We wanted to stop by Fredericksburg to look around on the way. I knew the way; head to Midland then take the Rankin Highway exit. After a quick Starbucks run we were off. Immediately both Garmins start saying “Recalculating”, mine in the annoying co-worker voice and hers in a male voice with an Australian accent.

I got my Garmin for Christmas. It’s one of the best things ever invented! I have no sense of direction. My family doesn’t understand. They all have built in compasses and know which way northeast is, even in a strange city. I turn the wrong way coming out of a store in the mall. I’ve seen many wonderful things I’ll never see again because I was lost and took the scenic route. So the Garmin has been a lifesaver. I named my Garmin after an annoying co-worker who is always telling me where to go and what to do. There is not a restaurant in the United States she hasn’t been to. There’s some sort of weird satisfaction yelling at the Garmin and using her name! But I’ll be nice and won’t use it here.

I had one of my “dark” blonde moments and I’m really not blonde. The Garmin has a clock on the lower right side. It said 3:15. Because pm is very small and I can’t see it without my glasses, I didn’t know it was a clock. I told Sharon we would be there in three hours and 15 minutes. Sharon is blonde. She gave me a funny look and said how do you know that? It’s simple. It says so right there. We had a good laugh over that one!

Because both Garmin’s were saying recalculate we decided to follow directions and turned as instructed. We were on a curvy road and it really felt like we were going the wrong way. Sure enough, we were. We went back to town to turn right on a different highway. Eventually we got to Fredericksburg.

We didn’t have much time in Fredericksburg but we hit the shops that were open. It was a great shoe buying day! The good thing about some of the training we go to is they put us at hotels at malls. It’s convenient and fun and a lot of the time you never have to leave because everything is right there. We explored the outdoor mall to see what was available and planned our attack. After training on Monday we took off and did what we do well. The night ended with Italian food at Maggiano’s Little Italy. It was a fun night.



Tuesday afternoon we headed back, again through Fredericksburg. It was too late to shop so we ate and headed in. Of course, we followed the Garmin’s directions and were taken way out of the way. Our six hour trip took almost nine hours. It was 1:00 am before I got home. Makes for a long Wednesday that feels like a Monday!


By the way, the training was good. I know a lot more about all the changes and what’s going on where I work than I did. Hopefully something good will come of it.


Knit a year brought variegated yellow on the trip down. It was a beautiful day and there were some more wild flowers, yellow and white. It was a long trip, but it was fun and we laughed a lot. Monday was an off-white novelty yarn with balls of different colors throughout. It was another good day and even though the training was intense (off white) the shopping and friendship afterward was uplifting (colors). Tuesday, the drive home, called for a yarn that is black with pink and blue throughout. It reminded me of our journey, blue sky, sunset and dark.


When the working day is done, Girls - they want to have fun.
Oh girls just want to have fun.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

We Gotta Get Out Of This Place

If it's the last thing we ever do…

Do you ever feel like you just have to get away? Not from anything specific, not from anyone specific and sometimes not even from anywhere specific…but you just have to get away? It’s one of those times.

I was told once by a supervisor that I’d do anything to avoid conflict. Well, that’s sort of true. Actually conflict can make me want to retreat. I put up with a lot at work, in personal relationships and just in general. But the older I get the less inhibitive I’ve become and I don’t practice restraint as well as I used to.

Sometimes general confusion makes me want to take flight. Take dealing with the dog for instance. Junior is the new star of the family. He doesn’t do much wrong, unless, of course, it’s just me and him. He’s a six month old Rottweiler and all in all isn’t a bad dog for a puppy. But it’s like he can read my mind and knows just what buttons to push. He has an inner sense, much like a child to a mother, knowing the minute you sit down and become comfortable. Immediately, he needs something. He may snitch something he’s not supposed to have. He may scratch at the door because he needs out. He may get a drink of water then bring the water dish over because he drank it all. He might even put his bone under the ottoman and then try to squeeze in between me in the chair and the ottoman to get it out. It’s almost like he thinks of things to annoy me and make me get up.


Put Junior and two dear grands together and it really is just a ball of confusion. Oldest DGS (E) had to have an operation so Mamye (me) stayed with the other two, C and B. C is a little boy, three and B is a little girl, two. We had a great time but Junior is a little boy too and he doesn’t realize how big he is and that he’s rough so there was a lot of “Stop Junior!”, “No Junior!”, and “Quit Junior!” Mamye, Junior bite me, Mamye, Junior has my doll, Mamye, make Junior stop. Finally it was time for bed. With IceAge on tv, we settled in. Junior wanted up there with us but there wasn’t room. All was well until around 3:45 a.m. when youngest DS calls. When you are old, you always answer the phone if it rings late at night because who knows what might have happened. He acted like it was the middle of the day and chatted away. Since I was up I thought Junior might need to go outside. He wouldn’t. So I think all is well and just when I get settled I hear a noise.






It’s funny the noises a mother can identify. You can tell when a baby cries if it’s a hungry cry or a wet diaper cry or an I’m going to be sick cry. You can hear things when the kids aren’t making any noise and when they are making too much noise. So I hear Junior start to pee on the carpet. I sprung from the bed to see what was the matter and startled him and rushed him outside. But I’m not a morning person and for sure not a middle of the night person so I was a bit disgruntled. It was 4:30 in the morning so I figured he could just stay out.

We slept on til around 10:00 when DD called to say all went well with E and his surgery. The kids were still sleeping but I got up and thought I’d better check on Junior. He wasn’t there. I called. He didn’t come. I went to the front and called. He still didn’t come. I was working myself into a panic.

Junior is my DH’s best friend. In fact there are times I’m certain he likes Junior a lot better than me. I was thinking I was going to have to move if I didn’t find that dog. I called my DD. This one time I was thankful for a small town. She called her friend whose mother was friends with the dog catcher who happened to pick up Junior. $25.00 later he was back, not one bit sorry, but at least I didn’t lose the dog.

On the knitayear project for Thursday, a blue yarn with pieces of ribbon, yellow and pink, coming out of it was knitted in. I was feeling a bit frazzled and this yarn was a good representation of frazzled! Friday, the lost dog day, was a silk sari. It’s a dark maroon with some turquoise and green and red spun in to make a jewel like color. The day started kind of dark for me. I was a bit distraught when I couldn’t find Junior. But it turned out okay and the bright spots of turquoise and green signify that it was a good day after all. Saturday is pink and seed stitch. It was a great day. There’s nothing like hearing “I love you so much Mamye!” and having a little warm body or two or three climb in your lap. The seed stitch shows how the family is woven together thorough generations. It’s a day like this that I know I am in good place. But when the confusion and stress hit again I’ll be thinking…


We gotta get out of this place if it's the last thing we ever do.
We gotta get out of this place. Girl, there's a better life for me and you.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

On My Way To Better Things…


What a whacked out week…and it’s only Wednesday. At least it’s on the downhill side. And I know it will change, hopefully for the better.

There are a lot of changes going on right now. Change is a scary thing. It can be good or it can be bad. The dictionary says:
change: to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.

The most common thing with change is fear. There is fear of the unknown, fear of the future and fear of failure. Change brings out feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. Change brings resistance. If the change is perceived as good then it will be well received and resistance will be low. If not, resistance can be strong.

Some fear of change comes because there are no explanations. One day everything is fine and the next the whole world has come apart. If you are included in the group to create the change, all is well. If not you are left to feel worthless and useless. And most times the number of those not included is far greater than those included.


For some reason, the individuals included in and creating the change are blind to the fears and insecurities of those not included. As long as they are happy and sure things are progressing, all is well. The others are looked upon as weak, or even ignorant. That’s when the walls are built.

If you disagree or question the change you are not a team player. Then you are ignored. You are no longer included. You become a piece of furniture, occupying space until you are needed. Or you are overly scrutinized, watched in hopes of a mistake. What is your choice? Accept it, or, as they say where I work, “Get off the bus”.

Communication could solve a lot of the insecurities and fear. Explaining the problem and the need for change could encourage people to voice their fears and their reason for the resistance. With understanding fear is lifted. It could get everyone on the same bus.


I saw a quote once that said, “If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change.” All we have to do is wait.

The pictures are the highway home which looks like it goes forever and nowhere at the same time, the sunrise this morning on the way to work, through my dirty car window, and a pretty yellow flowered bush in someone’s yard.

I’m in a bit of a knitting slump. I need to finish a scarf and I don’t want to. So I started a crochet project just for variety. I’m not sure it’s turning out how it’s supposed to but I’ll keep on and see.


For knit a year, yesterday had a lot of surprises, some not so good. The yarn is one of those that is made up of many yarns and signifies the different things going on. Some smooth, some bumpy but it works when they are mixed together. Today is a black yarn with specks of color. Black for uncertainty and the colors for hope that tomorrow brings about good change.


Seasons change and so did I. You need not wonder why, you need not wonder why. I'll find myself some wings. There's no time left for you.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Your Candle Burned Out Long Before

your legend ever did.

I lost a friend today. I didn’t know her well. I knew her through work. Yet I consider her a friend. I remember her dedication. I remember her silly questions and how we wished she’d just shut up and not ask anything else. I remember her smile and how friendly she was to everyone. I remember how she was willing to share and to help however she could. I remember her talking about her grandbaby that she loved so.

When I got the news this morning it was like getting hit in the stomach. It took my breath away. Just last week a few of us had an inkling something was wrong. But she sometimes had stress attacks and we passed it off as her ‘twisting off’. And there wasn’t much information. It was kind of secretive, which only added fuel to the theory that she’d just had enough and needed a rest. Then the email came today, titled bad news, with the news of a brain tumor, surgery, and not making it.

I didn’t cry this morning. I didn’t cry all day. I wondered, because we weren’t close, if I would cry. But on the drive home, something triggered a memory and the tears came. I cried for her. I cried because of time lost with her family. I cried because she won’t see her grandbaby grow up. I cried because she leaves people behind that love her. I cried because she wasn’t all that old. And I cried because it doesn’t seem fair.

I know she still had a lot to do. And I think about how it could be any of us, at any time. And it makes me sad. I’ve chosen a gray yarn, kind of fuzzy, with some pink and blue in it. The gray is for the sadness. The pink is for angel wings and the blue for the sky, where I know she’s looking down on us.


And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in

And I would have liked to have known you…

Sunday, April 18, 2010

I Got My Toes In The Water…

I got a pedicure yesterday while I was in town. I can wear sandals! It’s just one of those quirky things that make people people, but I can’t wear my sandals or open toe shoes to work until I’ve had a pedicure and gotten my toenails polished. I don’t care if you want to go bare-toed, but I can’t.


There’s nothing quite like a pedicure. It’s relaxing. The hardest thing to take is when the bottom of the foot is being scrubbed. It’s all I can do to be still! The people who do the pedicures seem to know that it tickles. Sometimes I think they do it on purpose! It’s like an internal pedicure salon joke. They are just waiting to see who will squirm! It always makes me giggle to see a big, brawny male come in for a pedicure. I see nothing wrong with it at all. It’s just funny to see their obvious discomfort to be doing what they consider such a ‘girly’ thing. But I guarantee, one time is all it takes. Ask my oldest DS!

Here's a great toe story. When my DD was little we were at my MILs house. One of her friend’s came over. She was dressed to the nines and had high heel sandals and polished red toenails. My DD, about 3, was in awe! She knelt to the floor and started rubbing the lady’s big toe nail! We were all mortified. Finally she stood up, looked at the lady and said I love your pigs! I knew immediately what she was talking about. The others finally caught on. One of DDs favorite games was This Little Piggy Went to Market. The lady had great pigs!


It was an easy day today. I got some things done but it was all at a leisurely pace. Tomorrow I may be wishing I’d gotten more done but for now all is well. I chose a hot pink ribbon yarn for today because…

Life is good today. Life is good today.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

I Love A Rainy Night

I love to hear the thunder, watch the lightning when it lights up the sky.
You know it makes me feel good!

It’s been a nice week with a welcome rain. It’s been cool for April, with highs in the 60s, another chance to wear a sweater.


I love the rain. It doesn’t rain much here so when it does, it’s a big deal. The news is telling people how to prevent flooding. The police are telling people not to drive if it looks like the water is too deep; Turn Around…Don’t Drown. Umbrellas are being used for the first time in months. And where I am the frogs are singing!

The frogs hang out at the pond and when it rains the songs begin. The sounds are interesting. There are loud sounds, like pigs grunting and low sounds like someone rubbing their hand across an inflated balloon. There are sounds like snoring and sounds that are a chirping, whirring, constant sound. It’s a frog choir! There’s nothing that sounds like it.

Another great thing about the rain is the rainbows. Oftentimes there are double and even triple rainbows. Sometimes you can see both ends and sometimes they just float off into the sky. You have to be quick out here to get a picture because you can look one minute and then when you look again, the rainbow is gone.

Rainbows always look so close, like you could drive or walk to it. And the end of the rainbow, where the pot of gold is supposed to be, sometimes seems to be right in the back yard! According to physics, there really is no end to a rainbow. Rainbows are actually full circles. The ground gets in the way and we can’t see the complete circle. There is probably no pot of gold, either. An Irish fable says a leprechaun granted a wish to a couple who was very poor. They wished for riches of silver and gold. This made the leprechaun angry because he thought they were selfish. So he told them he put all the riches in a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Supposedly the couple is still looking for the end of the rainbow to this day. Another legend says that angels put the gold at the end of the rainbow. Only a nude man could obtain the prize. Hmmm…. But since we all know a man would never ask directions there’s no hope for that! And what does nude have to do with it?

The Discovery Channel says two people can never see the same rainbow. Because the eyes of two people can’t occupy the same place in space at the same time, each person will see a different rainbow. This is because the raindrops are constantly in motion so its appearance is always changing. Every time you see a rainbow, it is unique. So how did they figure that one out?

After the rain there is such a peaceful feeling. It doesn’t matter if it was a quick shower or a big storm. There was one and a half inches in the rain gauge. Almost instantly everything is so green! The grass and trees, well what we call trees, all look pretty. More wild flowers will bloom overnight. Everyone will sneeze with allergies again!


This week the rain influenced my moods. For my knit a year, the night before it rained, when it was a bit cloudy, the sunset with the clouds made the sky kind of purple. It was such a peaceful feeling and I picked purple wool. The next day it started to rain. I chose a blue and green yarn for the rain. It rained all day and was a good day, driving in the rain and then hearing it through the night. The morning brought a day of training then the drive back, again in the rain. It was another good day with good company and we saw a rainbow. I didn’t get to take a picture but I did pick a rainbow ribbon yarn for the day. After a rainy night the grass and trees seemed especially green. It was a new day, a day of spring with new beginnings, and new growth. This was a day filled with hope and the bright green yarn I picked was for the hopeful way I was feeling. Then there was the pot of gold. I was thankful today, for the things I have and am able to do. I don’t need to wish for a pot of gold to have these riches. I added the gold yarn for that pot of gold and to remind myself of all the riches I already have. The forecast doesn’t call for rain tomorrow. But the traces of the rain remain. And the sun is always a reminder that after the rain is a rainbow and the promise of something new.


Showers washed all my cares away.
I wake up to a sunny day
Puts a smile on my face every time.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Don’t You Remember A Long Time Ago…

I saw an Iris in bloom today and was reminded of my Grandmother. We had to call her Grandmother. Granny, Nanny, Gram…no, nothing else would do.

My sister and I used to spend time in the summer with Granddaddy and her at their farm in West Texas. It was surrounded by cotton fields and fruit trees. There were grape vines and all kinds of garden produce. The backyard was a patchwork quilt of flowers. Anywhere there could be a flower there was a flower. Day Lilies and Iris were Grandmother’s favorites and her specialty. She would let us pollinate and cross pollinate the day lilies in hopes a great flower would be created. The Iris would bloom and multiply, seemingly free will. People would come from all over the state to see her flowers and buy her bulbs. For many years Texas Tech University had Grandmother’s flowers on the grounds. There may still be some there.

She taught me to knit. Looking back, it was most likely in desperation to make me be quiet! But she taught me many things besides knitting. She read us stories and poems from the Childcraft books. To this day I can still recite some of the poems. She sang songs. When she didn’t know the last words she sang la la la. She showed us how to cook and sew. She taught us to play the piano and because she was always making some little something, instilled a love for creating in both my sister and I. She had time for us.


Grandmother’s first love was crochet. She made intricate doilies and won many prizes at the county fair. She was a good cook known for her Chiffon cake that she took to all of the community events. After raising her family she went to college. She graduated and became a teacher. She taught English and wrote a published book of poetry.


Grandmother was a lady. It took many years for me to realize all that she gave me. I miss her saying Christmas Eve Gift and lighting a candle on Christmas. I miss carrot and raisin salad and banana milkshakes. I miss the songs and the stories before bed. I miss dressing up to go to town. I hope she knows I thank her for all she did for me. I hope she knows I miss her and I love her.

Knit a year has been going well. I’m really enjoying it. The drive back to San Antonio had more wild flowers. It was a nice day and nice trip and I had sunshine in my heart. I added a yellow yarn. Saturday was the last day of class for my interns. We ate lunch together and had a nice time. There was a birthday party Saturday night. It was a beautiful day and a nice night. I chose a spring green with white flowers in the yarn for spring and for margaritas! Sunday was a blue day. It was a day with a lot of thinking, about some things, not so good. I chose a blue to fit the mood. Today I had two classes with the Texas Tech doctors. It was a good day. I chose a purple and gold yarn, called Iris, for Iris flowers and for Grandmother.


And when they were dead, the Robin so red,
Brought strawberry leaves and over them spread.
La la la la la, la la la la la. La la la la la la la la la la…

Thursday, April 8, 2010

On The Road Again

When you live out here you find out quickly that anywhere you want to go requires a drive. I drive almost 100 miles a day just to go to work. School activities are, on a quick trip, at least 100 miles. The real grocery store is 40 miles away. It’s just a fact of life.

It’s interesting how people measure distance out here. For instance, instead of my 45 mile trip to work it’s 45 minutes to work. It takes four hours to get to San Antonio. It takes six hours to get to Austin. I’m not sure why it’s measured in time instead of distance. Distance is a lot more accurate.


The drive to San Antonio is a solitary drive. There’s not much to see but wide open spaces. When you get closer to the Hill Country there are green rolling hills. And the wildflowers are amazing. It’s pretty here this time of year.


Lady Bird Johnson is probably the reason we see wildflowers blooming along the highways. I don’t know if the wildflowers are a national thing but its fact here in Texas. The Beautification Act of 1965 was a result of Mrs. Johnson’s campaign. Known as “Lady Bird’s Bill” because of her active support, the legislation called for control of outdoor advertising and encouraged scenic enhancement and roadside development. When the wildflowers are blooming there is no mowing in the median or on the side of the highway. Wildflowers are probably just weeds. But they brighten up an otherwise somewhat boring drive.

On the knitting side, I’m keeping up with knit a year, as far as the knitting goes. I need to schedule my time so that I can write about it more often. I am keeping track though.

Monday was a frisky day. Strawberries, chocolate, champagne and leopard print. Enough said! The yarn is a novelty yarn from a magic ball exchange. It is leopard colors with gold and silver threads included. It’s fun. Tuesday was a generally bad day. Work related. Black eyelash yarn. Wednesday was the drive to San Antonio. Purple and green variegated for the wildflowers and green grass and trees. I enjoy the sight.

Today is a bright green handspun with touches of pink and yellow. It’s a Fiesta yarn and is so San Antonio. This trip has been fun so far and it’s definitely a fun yarn!

Tomorrow is the drive home. I’ll be…

Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again
And I can't wait to get on the road again.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Life Has Its Little Ups And Downs

And I guess it always will. If it didn’t I suppose you’d be dead and wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore! Saturday DD and the three DGKs came over. I had hoped they’d make it early but it was after 5. I think this is the first time they have ever come over to spend the night except for a holiday. I wish it would happen more often. The kids make me smile. Sometimes they are the only thing that can make me smile. Their sweetness and innocence and unconditional love are refreshing. And their honesty is so genuine. Not to say they can’t come up with some tall tales! But they aren’t lies like grownups tell but products of their glowing imaginations. The stories and the make believe, the obsessions with dinosaurs and baby dolls and little action figures are all being knitted together to form the fabric of their personalities. It’s going to be interesting to see what comes out.

We had a great comfort food dinner, finally, pretty late that evening. At least the kids enjoyed it. Roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans and macaroni and cheese. And more gravy! The gravy seemed to be a hit. Kids after my own heart! But eating so late seemed to give them a second burst of energy! It was wild for two or three more hours! Junior, the five month Rottweiler puppy doesn’t quite know how to take them. He likes them, you can tell. But he wants to play and he’s big and doesn’t know it and can get a little rough for them. He loves to snatch their things and have them run after him yelling No! Junior! Stop! He snitched a ‘pacifur’ and instead of tearing it up like we expected him to try to do he just sat with it in his mouth like he’d seen baby girl do. It was hilarious! But he wouldn’t stay still long enough for a picture. I guess he was afraid it might spoil his bad dog image!

Sunday after a few hours of getting rounded up, feeding the chickens, gathering the eggs, donuts, coffee (1/4 coffee, ¾ steamed milk with Splenda), bacon and sausage, (the sausage was hot and it was funny to hear the middle one explain that it had ‘cheelay’!), we headed to their house with food and Easter eggs and had a great time. Barbeque, relaxing, family, egg hunts, playing…a good day.

Knitting…I had to take out about 2 ½ inches of my Landscape scarf. It was sad! The marker slipped through a YO and instead of counting like I usually do I trusted the markers. So the holes were off one stitch. Would anyone notice? Probably not. But I did! So ripped it was.



And the Knit a year project is still going. Saturday had some ups and downs. Just stuff. So I picked a bumpy yarn. I think it might be LB Homespun. It has some beige and some green, and pink to remind me I can’t always be looking through my rose colored glasses! Sunday I found a variegated sock yarn that was Easter colors. Happy and egg memories.


And I’ll keep in mind...

Life has its little ups and downs, like ponies on a merry-go-round. And no one grabs the brass ring every time.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Dust In The Wind

It’s so windy outside. It’s awful. You go outside and you’re just beat. Your clothes go one way, your hair the other. And if you happen to have anything in your hand you’d better be hanging on! I only went out on the porch one time today because it was so nasty.

There’s a poem my grandmother used to read to us.

“WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND ?
BY: CHRISTINA ROSSETTI
Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling
The wind is passing thro'
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads
The wind is passing by.

If someone asked me if I’ve seen the wind I could probably answer with an honest ‘yes’. There aren’t too many trees but the dust and the tumbleweeds fly by! I get so tired of it. I heard once that there was a correlation between wind and suicide. I don’t know if that’s correct or not but I could see how it could drive you to something drastic. Me, I just stay in the house unless I have to go out.

I don’t know if windblown is a mood but that’s what I felt today. I chose a fun fur, dark brown, because of my hair blowing in the wind.



It’s interesting how life might be compared to the wind. Like the wind, life blows right by. There are times when things are going smoothly, like a gentle breeze. There are others when life is almost too much, like a hurricane, blowing and destroying everything around you. And sometimes you might find out nothing worked as you planned and you aren’t in Kansas anymore. The thing to remember? There is always tomorrow. Always a time to start again. As the wind blows.

Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
Dust in the wind, everything is dust in the wind.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Everybody Plays The Fool…

So it’s April 1, 2010, April Fool’s day. On this day people typically pull jokes, hopefully harmless, on their friends and relatives. How this custom came about is still a mystery. There are several theories, according to Snopes. Whatever the origin, I’m glad I didn’t have to leave the house today…just in case!

I don’t feel too good today. Actually I haven’t for the last three days, at least. Bad heartburn. Wake you up in the night heartburn. Sit up and sleep heartburn. And nothing is kicking it. I already take a little purple pill but I’ve been eating antacids too. Then someone told me it’s a warning sign for a heart attack in women. That was reassuring! So who knows?

So what kind of yarn goes with a stomach ache? My first thought is green. Or maybe it should be a red. The green spoke louder. This yarn is a combination of wool, alpaca and Donegal tweed and the color is Toad. It’s from a scarf for a dear childhood friend who lives in Alaska. I’m still working on the scarf but since it is Alaska, and probably cold a lot of the time, maybe he’ll get some use out of it! I may make a matching hat. Maybe.


So happy April Fool’s. If you got pranked don’t worry cause…
Everybody plays the fool, sometime…No exception to the rule…