I have had to frog the shawl (that simple shawl!) so many times now that I’m almost afraid to pick it up! While the sock experiment was partially successful, it wasn’t conclusive. I’m not prepared to let it go however, and I expect to start on another one sometime in the near future. I keep feeling that I’d like to cast on for a sweater, but I can’t decide which one and every time read through the patterns, I get panicky. I know the only thing to do is go for it - and I will.
Soon.
Given that my knitting angst is, for the time being, getting the better of me, I’ve been reading this week. In point of fact, I’ve been reading “The Keys of the Kingdom” by A. J. Cronin, one of my favorite stories ever. It’s a sort of fictional biography of a man named Francis Chisholm from his childhood in late 19th century Scotland through his entry into the priesthood and his subsequent years building a mission in China before he is able, finally, to return to his beloved Tynecastle.
The major theme of this book is tolerance. While Francis is a faithful and devout Catholic, his best friend, a doctor and a good man, is an atheist. In China, Francis comes to feel that though Christ was a perfect man, Confucius had a better sense of humor. As an old man, he tells a monsignor who has come to persuade him to “retire”:
“The church is our great mother, leading us forward…a band of pilgrims, through the night. But perhaps there are other mothers. And perhaps even some poor solitary pilgrims who stumble home alone.”
It didn’t occur to me until today that my decision to re-read this favorite might have something to do with it being Easter week. Ahh, the amusements of the subconcious mind :)
We had a visitor today.
Bright Eyes
He was sitting in the critter feeder making a meal on crumbs and bits too small for the squirrels and pigeons to bother with. In keeping with the season, I have to admit to being glad we had something to share with him.
For those who celebrate, I wish you happy and holy holidays! And for the rest of us heathens - have a great weekend!
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Last week in my blog I talked a lot about knitter’s anxiety—you NEED something to knit, the current things on needles are stalled and you don’t know what to do next. And yes, just like you said, the magazine and book search for the next project just provoked more anxiety. Very disconcerting feeling. And I was worried I had fallen into hats the way a lot of folks do socks or washcloths—it’s sort of automatic, no thought needed. My wave of anxiety was resolved by reading a few books (same technique as you), and then I did in fact start a hat, but as a way to do a gauge-in-the-round for the next project. That broke the paralysis, and I am making progress on several WIPs. Enjoy a gorgeous weekend. The knit glitch will resolve itself.
Thanks Rob :) I’m pretty sure it’ll work itself out but it’s always nice to know others have been there and done that!
Love the little critter. Happy weekend to you too :)
Pam - If he keeps showing up, we’re going to have to name him :)
He’s so cute! In my first apartment, I wasn’t allowed to have pets, but a bat would hang outside my hallway window. They’re really just mice with wings. He was cute, too. Anyway, he’ll probably be shedding soon and you could collect his hair and spin it! It would be an exotic luxury yarn!
LOL Laura! Imagine how much mouse fur you’d have to collect for an ounce of workable fiber!!
I love bats; we have lots of them in this area and they help keep the insect population under control, bless their hungry little hearts :)
Oh, what a sweet mouse! I had to take one who wandered indoors and met my Abby cat to the wildlife rehab center this week - 45 minutes each way! But… what else could I do? He was too young to be put outside… they think he will make a speedy recovery. :-) That guy must be pretty tame for you to get a pic! Have a GREAT week!
Stasia - He’s wild, alright. Myria took the picture through the closed kitchen window with the superb close-up feature on her Fuji digital camera.
But that won’t keep us from thinking of him as a pet :)
