Musings on a lazy late spring day

There is nothing like a spring columbine bloom to make your heart happy. These are little plants that I had put out a the cabin. We have a lot of shade and are trying to naturalize the area. Got these from an organic co-op farm. One still had a bloom left in it for the spring - most have finished for this year.

I am seeing better after a kenalog shot on my eye. Pushed my blood sugar up a little, but only temporary. Worth it for the results this time. The redness and swelling has cleared up. And that has helped the vision a little, so am able to knit more. Am working on a fuschia kimono wrap for a new great niece due here in early June. Making it in what I hope is a 6-9 mo size so she can wear it this fall, winter. They and my brother go to their house in Red River NM a lot, so cool weather clothes can be worn most of the year for a little one.

Having something new to knit kinda sparks the spirit a little - same-o same-o gets a little boring and I have been boring lately. So here is to a new leaf in my daily life.

Have a nice day and smile at someone!

Can Spring be far away?

I love the first peek at springtime! The weather is fickle - from 22F at night earlier this week to 70's in the day in the next few days. Perfect time to get out the pruning shears, work on the shrubs, Knock-out roses, planting new Clematis bulbs and all of those other early spring chores. Nothing brings back life better than digging and working in Mother Earth and thanking God for the benefits she gives us. I always start out with great plans, but don't have the help to carry them all out. My husband doesn't feel the same "spirit" when working in the yard. It's just about the bottom of his most hated chores list - or guess that would be the top of that list. Our bushes around the back show that. They weren't trimmed back last year, and have almost over-taken it and the walkway around it. He has the impression that planting things as close as possible to both the deck and each other is the way to go instead of allowing growing room for things.

Anyone need any Nandia starts? I have about a dozen from my bush in the front if anyone wants to come and get them! They are cheap! LOL

Life sometimes is a tangle

I realize that I needed to dig down inside myself and pull out the things I am grateful for - instead of letting "life" swallow me up as I have for December, January and February - especially after the eye surgery. It was so so much more difficult than I had been prepared for or expected.

So I need to be thankful and appreciative that I am alive - there are people whose loved one didn't wake up this morning or will not tomorrow. So many take it for granted that there will always be a tomorrow - and it is not for certain. So for this, I am grateful.

I am also thankful for my family. My daughter brought me a beautiful orchid in bloom for my birthday - unfortunately the temperature was in the 20's and destroyed the blooms and buds on it. She was so disappointed - she said she put it in her jacket and thought it would be ok - but didn't cover it in her car or anything. But it was a really pretty color and I will baby it and hope it blooms again next year! She then brought me a bouquet of tulips and lunch one day - it was one of the first things I had eaten that didn't come out of a can or a freezer bag since my surgery. Made two meals out of it all. The boys both called and got me to meet them for lunch on my birthday - so that was thoughtful thing for them to do.

I am finally able to knit a little - getting some sight and improving on the eye hand coordination needed to knit - was a little funny when I first tried. Have one baby bootie finished out of the Koigu KPPM - now to finish the other. Had plans to deliver them tomorrow, but its not going to happen. Knitting has been so relaxing and I missed it terribly.

Someone who I had mentioned and prayed for during her tough time and subsequent surgery wrote in her blog things that made me ashamed that I had let the months swallow me up, instead of facing them head on with the same courage she showed - through a much much more difficult surgery and life altering recovery. Most of you probably read Alison H's blog but if you don't you should!

So I am going to keep the link for this entry, and when I feel that "feeling" coming again, I am going to read this and remember - it takes courage to keep on going sometimes.

Knittalk Secret Santa

It appears that I have success today in getting a photo to load. Photobucket has changed in how it loads pictures and was giving me trouble - both yesterday and today,but think I have it conquered! Thanks to Sharon for such a great package, and to my daughter for the carousel horse to hold it together! I am anxious for my eye sight to improve so that I can try to knit with the Zephyr - really excited!! I can see light and shadow today, so am making progress, and got a little sleep last night, so have improvement in that area to. Sleep makes the days a little more tolerable.

Groundhog, again

I am hoping for Groundhog day in reverse. Yesterday was groundhog day - and my 8th eye surgery in less than 20 mos now. So I am hoping that instead of repeating over and over, it will end with yesterday. I am just a little high on pain medication, have an eye that is swollen shut, that is weeping tears and weeping etc..so that could be my problem with loading the picture in the last post and now bloggers etc.

Will try again in a few days and see if I have better luck! It is cold, but the sun is out - always so deceiving, makes one think of warmth, but hearing the heater come on over and over reminds me that it is quite cold out. Tomorrow is only going to be a little above freezing all day - and this is fairly deep in the SE of the US - we have had a relatively cold winter this year - colder than the past couple. But at least it has been dry - very little to no snow, so life goes on as usual. About this time of the year, I do feel sorry for the people who live in the north and are slogged down in snow and ice - just to the north of us, Kentucky has really been hit hard with heavy ice. Many volunteers have gone from here to help in the restoration of power to people in KY. Chattanooga is always a sharing town - when natural disasters occur, people are always ready to go and help. Always makes one proud to hear that.

Back to bed I go - but one last little tidbit - a dear author, knitter and friend to many, has had her trials for the past six weeks. She is 3 days out of major surgery and was asking for yarn and needles to make a scarf for someone in Stanford hospital who has touched her life. Alison is doing better, and I am sure, amazing her drs with her progress. She is amazing me - but doing something which is such an "Alison" thing to do! Yeah! Go girl!

Life's funks

I have been in a general funk for December and January - didn't get into the "Christmas" spirit this year -even though I did have fun selecting boxes for my two Secret Pal gifts - hope they enjoyed them as much as I did. And I have a wonderful one to post about. Sharon of Calgary Canada sent me such a wonderful surprise. Due to my many allergies, she sent it direct from her yarn store and wowed me off of my feet! A beautiful mini-cone of Zephyr lace weight in Marine blue, with matching silk thread- perfect for knitting some bookmarks. I already had decided to get busy and knit start knitting some for those many little gifts always needed around the holiday season, to say thank you to so many people - and have heard that this silk knits up perfect, so am ready to give it a try. See what you think of the box - it has taken me several tries with my new little digital camera - ALL MINE, I don't have to share! - to get a half decent image. So the more I play with it, the better I hope to become.......there is always hope!

Well, blogger is being contrary - I can't get the picture to upload! Will keep trying - it is too great to miss.

Secret Pal 13 Question of the week

The next question is: Are you doing any Christmas knitting?

NO - have not been able to do much knitting at all for the past several months. My eyesight has not returned as I had hoped and has kept me from knitting very much. I have real difficulty in seeing sometimes. So no knitting for anyone this year - other than a hat for me that is almost finished. It was put aside for a few days for another little project that is finished.

When is a secret not a secret?

About 2 years ago, I created a yahoo email address solely for the purpose as a secret identity for Secret Pal's, Swap-bot, etc. Have used it ever since as such, thinking it was secret and showed the email address – that I thought was cute – and used as other ID's. But……………last week, I used the post to a Secret Pal on my KnitTalk list and got a surprise. When she replied to me on the post, I saw my name there, big as could be! Not the cute ID I had created or expected, but my big fat name! My current hostess in Secret Pal 13 tried to give me a hint, I see now, and I didn't catch it about my name showing. Soo, it has taken me several days to find how to change the name shown with the email address – so it is finally done! And I am sorry to all of the SP's of the past, taking away a little of the surprise!!

Here again!

I have lapses in posting - seems the cause is always the same lately - another eye surgery, and my vision is not rebounding like I had hoped. Makes knitting a little difficult. Started a cute little women's lace hat - Ravelry pattern here- have almost finished the lace edging - so the body part should go fast. But am having difficulty seeing clearly enough to do the lace part - and it is real simple.

Time to get to laundry and housework - doesn't take much vision to do that!

Secret Pal 13 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like to knit with soft, flowing handpainted/variegated yarns. Some natural yarns (wools, cotton) mixed with some acrylic ok. No box store acrylics, fun furs etc. No bling for me.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Everything from a sewn needle case, to a wine bottle cover to a plastic storage container.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? About 5 years - off and on, depending on my RA - I am still at probably the Intermediate stage.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon

5. What's your favorite scent? Allergic to many scents - I like vanilla, but can tolerate candles in small doses

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? A big one, front and center! Love Chocolate, but also like many other Christmas favorites. Don't like licorice - but people probably wouldn't send it!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Don't spin - but can crochet, have dabbled in a lot of other needle crafts -

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Behind the times - only can play MP3's on my computer, like Christian gospel, Smooth jazz, classical piano,

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Love jewel tones-favorite is fuschia, but really like purples, magenta, teal, turquoise - no pastels.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Just hubby and I - lost our Min Schnauzer last fall - I am looking for another one - husband is not!! LOL

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves, hats - a lot of hats, head wraps - I have trigeminal neuralgia and an eye that is very sensitive to the cold air. No ponchos - I am fluffy and don't need more than I already have! Love stoles, shawls

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Right now I am learning to knit lace shawls so that is my favorite at the moment

13. What are you knitting right now? Dishcloths for Thanksgiving gifts, shawl, and Tudora and a hat for Christmas gifts

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Love to - I enjoy thinking about the person who would put time and energy into making something nice for me.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circulars, bamboo, but am also loving my Knitpicks

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I would love a ball winder

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Recently cleaned up my UFO stack so probably only about 2 weeks

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe? Love holidays, like to decorate, Observe Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Angels

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Need some tips for my Knitpicks, currently not subscribed to any mags

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Socks are next on my list if my hands can handle the small needles

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? not yet - wear a size 9 xw

23. When is your birthday? Jan 15

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? kn1tg1rl - working on getting my personal things in - can spend hours window-shopping!

Nice people in the world

I had to drop out of SP12 due to eye surgery. However, my partner sent me a great little box any way - shows that there really are nice people out there - Wendy is one of them!




Some really nice cotton yarns, plus being in the summer, some Welchs fruit snacks.

Then in another swap, with the TeaTime Knitters we had a final swap as the group closed.

I got a really cute little teapot for one, plus some yarn and tea. But the greatest thing was a cute little wrap that Deborah had knit for me. Deborah and I have hit up a great internet friendship that I wouldn't trade for anything. And she knit this shawlette while suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as well as other things. So it is really special to me. Now just waiting for some cold weather to wear it!

Pre-Halloween Fun

Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics

Last night was a nice night for family. The "boys" of the family were in CA on a Sales Meeting for the week so that left the girls here alone all week. So we got together last night and had dinner at our house. One had to work and the addition of our daughter made a fun time. It was also pre-birthday for the Dad of the house - he is a Halloween Baby - so we had a good time.

To me - things like this are what makes good times. It doesn't take dinner out, or a movie or a trip somewhere to warm my heart - it is family that brings the warm willy's to my heart! Just a little softy!

Happy Halloween to all! And Happy Birthday to my Honey!!

Dear Diary…uuhh Blog,

I have been a little AWOL, recovering from another eye surgery, but all is well. Waiting on healing to let me know the final verdict on vision – some improvement but nothing spectacular!

Fall is slowly creeping down into the south. Temperatures went below 70 and saw the sweaters and sweatpants and jackets start appearing – the early birds so to speak of fall. Always kinda laugh to myself at this – is it a race to see who wears the first sweater? Sometimes it seems like it. I will have to get my container of misc fall things down from the attic and put up the shorts and some of the crop pants for their winter sleep. Sure that they are looking forward to a nice long nap. Sounds good to me about now too! Husband woke me up when he was getting ready this morning, not sure why he wanted me up. Guess he felt like it was time for me to get up.

So on that note, will end for today. So have a nice day ya'll – and come back soon! Will promise to write again soon!

Why my blog was lifeless!

I again have let my poor blog's feelings get hurt and lonely! Months and nobody paid any attention to it-especially me, its mama! However I have reasons....err....excuses??
I had another eye surgery, seems to not have helped my vision any, actually it seems worse. Then have had 2 bad falls, messed up one knee, have had fluid drained 2 times, and broke my thumb which had to have a pin put in. So not even knitting time here. So that wimper in the corner you heard was from me. I go back to my hand surgeon tomorrow and will see what he has to say. Maybe will be free from this little velcro cast - am tired of it, and summer does wonderful things to them that even Febreeze cannot help!

So here's to health - each of you please appreciate what good health you have. I really have come to be thankful each day for the good things in life.

Graduation Day

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Today is a nice day to add a new post to my blog - my daughter is graduating with honors from UT at Chattanooga. She will have a degree in Micro-Biology with Highest Honors from the biology department. Months of work on her research project paid off its dividends. I am very proud of her!

SP 12 Question of the week

What's your favorite summertime drink?

I am living in the South and am Texan by birth so Sweet Tea is always the answer. I now drink less sweet because of the sugar but still tea is my drink - even with breakfast at times!

Most southerners drink their sweet tea unadulterated, nothing but tea and sugar. The recipe is simple: Brew 3 family sized Lipton tea bags in two cups of water, pour it in a gallon pitcher, and add a cup and 1/2 of sugar while the tea is hot. Fill the pitcher with ice cold water and ice. Serve over plenty of ice.

That's what a southerner wants when they order tea. "Tea" in the south means "sweet tea."

Here is a recipe for a great summertime special tea that I like to make - Called Summer Tea

6 oz frozen orange juice
6 oz frozen lemonade
1 cup pineapple juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
10 cups cold water
6 small tea bags with 4 cups water

Brew tea. Add sugar and cool. Combine remaining ingredients. Makes 1 gallon.

I am so glad to have a computer again, withdrawal was really rough! I enjoy reading emails from my groups, looking up new knitting patterns, seeing work others have done, all of it is really inspiring and makes me want to knit even more.

Today was the weekly Coffee and Knit time at my LYS Genuine Purl in Chattanooga - a great shop if you are ever in the area! - and I took my new JaggerSpun Zephyr silk/wool lace weight yarn to work the "homework" swatch for the KAL the shop is doing. It is a pretty shawl and I have wanted to jump out and start one for a long time. So the time has come - if I can manage the laceweight yarn. It is going to take some getting used to - I have knit some with the fingering weight, and in comparing the two sizes, didn't feel that there was that much different in them, I went ahead and bought the laceweight yarn. So today was a session of feeling clumsy like when I first started knitting, so I need to practice and get the "feel" for it. It is a beautiful soft pink - called Lady Slipper.

It really is a beautiful yarn! I made my first swatch with size 6 needles but think I will try the 7 for the next little swatch. I knit kinda tight and I think I will get a better fabric with the 7. Wish me luck!

SP 12 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

My favorite yarns are merino wool, cottons, wool blends. Specifics I like: anything by Lisa Souza, Socks that Rock, Rowan. Acrylic mixed with natural fibers are ok if they give it soft smooshy texture (like Rowan Cashsoft, Tapestry or Calmer)

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

A cloth needle roll, my Knitpicks case, a plastic storage bin for my circulars

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting about 3 years, took a class then joined a group that met weekly until everyone kinda went their own way. I am probably a fearless advanced beginner/intermediate - haven't tried a sweater for myself yet.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, need to check and update my Amazon list - the list is HERE


5. What's your favorite scent?

I am allergic to a lot of heavy floral scents. Like some fruity scents like strawberry, apple, or light single floral scents - rose

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

A large one front and center!! Love milk chocolate, or mixed with caramel, mint or peanut butter or, or, or...

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I knit and crochet primarily. Really want to quilt. Don't have a yen to spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Only one around without an iPod, probably can play CD on my computer, listen to cable TV's music - jazz, old rock and roll, Christian, classical, swing

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like jewel tones - fuschia, turquoise, bright colors. Pastels, yellows oranges and lime greens aren't great on me.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married for 34 yrs, 3 grown children in town, recently lost our Schnauzer of 13 yrs.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves and hats - yes
Mittens – no, no fingerless gloves
Ponchos – no, but love shawls - I am "fluffy" so need longer ones

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Learning socks and shawls, baby items for friends and relatives, scarves, dishcloths for quick gifts


13. What are you knitting right now?

A baby sweater, a baby hat, starting a shawl in my LYS KAL

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

They are great - appreciate the time someone spends on me.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I use circulars primarily – have some in bamboo, and my Knitpicks options

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No, unless you count my living room chair!


17. How old is your oldest UFO?

The baby sweater is maybe 1 mo old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I love holidays - like to decorate for them.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

T-shirts from places I visit, like postcards from different places

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I don't have any mag subs right now - they have not been in the budget. But I enjoy them a lot. I really enjoy books too.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I haven't mastered mitered squares, entrelac, am in the process of working with laceweight yarn for the first time.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I am new at knitting socks. I have a large foot - size 9 1/2 WW

23. When is your birthday?

January 15

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

kn1tg1rl - working on my inventory of books, yarn etc. Become my friend!

I'm Back!

I have returned - not actually from the dead, but from the heap of dead computer land. Mine died, rather suddenly, a complete and final gasp, leaving me in severe withdrawal pain. I have had withdrawals from prescription meds that were not as bad as this was. I would go to the library and use their computers, but time was limited and not always comfortable if I got one of the ones on a stool.

So to catch up the past few months - I am slowly still healing from the broken leg - able to walk with a cane and my brace. Have healed from my eye surgery - but have little functional healing. Very little sight in the eye and no one knows why. Very discouraging after 5 surgeries, much much pain, and money to have almost no sight in it. But God knows and holds my future, so am waiting to see what the future holds.
Do have a computer, a cast off from my future DIL, but it runs and after de-bugging it, and ordering more memory it is up and running. Am now in process of ordering software and installing and all of that stuff.

The wedding plans are coming right along - will be Sept 6 so already have dress, wishing I could wear pretty sandals, but am happy I can walk down the aisle. Hope I can dance at the reception - at least once or twice.

Many everyday things have gone on - but will stop here - all are happy and healthy - and getting skinnier - have lost about 30 lbs this winter and spring - being home and not grabbing fast food and cokes while out, I think has helped.

Have a great day - weather here was great - 75 today!

Family Matters

I have been a little behind in keeping posts going on here. Have had a lot of family matters going on that have taken up my emotional as well as actual time. Have had my share of doctors appts - they always seem to fall together for the 3 mo, 4 mo and 6 mo checkups. So have been on the doctor merry-go-round recently.

Also have had to deal with family issues in Texas. My beloved grandmother passed away Feb 19 at the age of 99 years, 9 mos of age. We were so hoping that she would make her 100 birthday. But in the last few weeks of her life, it became evident that she probably would not last that long. I was able to catch a last minute flight from Chattanooga to San Antonio via Atlanta. My sister picked me up and we drove an hour to her house where I spent the next day until she finished her day teaching and her daughter finished class and drove up from TAMU Kingsville. Then we hit the road northwestward, spending the night in Fredricksburg. Would have liked to have gotten there earlier to have seen some of the historic town, but was glad to just have a bed to fall into. Got up the next morning and drove another 2 1/2 hours to Abilene. Just throwing in some town names in case anyone reading is from Texas - gotta share my Texas roots! The service was nice - about 3/4's of the chapel was family. After the service one of my cousins had reserved a room at a local restaurant, and a fajita buffet. There were 3 step-sons left of 7, 29 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren. All but 2 of the grandchildren were there - my brother who was in Hawaii - he isn't getting home until today - and one other. It was so nice to see cousins I haven't talked to in years and years. And to see their families, and pictures were flying all around of various families. Everyone wrote down email addresses, and completed family trees so our book can be updated with new additions, new spouses, and all. It really was a celebration of a great family.

I have now come on out west to Andrews, to spend a little time with my dad and step mother. A chance to visit my mother's grave, and just a time to be with my dad. He isn't getting any younger. And we just got word that his brother that was unable to make the funeral, has pneumonia and isn't expected to recover. He lives so far away, they are deciding if another trip is in them right now or not.