"A baby's an inestimable blessing and bother." -- Mark Twain

I wonder if Twain knitted... probably not. But he had a point. You have absolutely no idea how difficult this knitting for baby project has been! I initially had planned on doing a hat, a sweater and a blanket using the free patterns from the Lion Brand website. There was a set of patterns, all called "Glamour-Baby" and the yarn called for was Lion Cashmere Blend. I didn't want to use the yarn called for. It's not easy to find, it's expensive and the recommended care doesn't allow for machine drying and the last thing a new mother needs is infant wear and accessories that isn't easy to clean. I tried the hat, and I really did try to match the gauge but it was a disaster. I tried a second time and still no success. I gave up on the hat, and decided to work on the blanket. The pattern Glamour-Baby 's First Blankie is easy and very attractive. I'm still concerned about the completed size. I've gotten about half of it done and it doesn't seem very wide, though I think it will match the dimensions listed in the pattern which is 18" x 24". I like the pattern created by "blocks" of knit stitches alternating with "blocks" of purl stitches.

I'm using the Caron Simply Soft Baby shown in the picture with the half that's completed. The color "Soft Yellow" is very pretty and a nice alternative to the solid pink I'd started with and so far I've used 2 skeins. The yarn is truly soft and totally washable according to the care instructions. It's also working out well as a substitute to the yarn called for in the pattern. I'm using bamboo US 10.5 needles.

I will finish this soon and the question still remains, will I make a hat and sweater to go with it? I really love some of the cute kimono patterns out there for babies. The kimono would be a nice sweater (and very easy!) to put on a baby.

I have also started on some Christmas presents. So much to do and so little time!

An A-Mazing October Day

No, sorry... no misadventures on a bike for this Sunday. Oh no... against my better judgment, I let Patrick talk me into our annual disaster of a corn maze. Patrick, me and corn mazes are just not something that should usually be mentioned in the same sentence... until today! WooHoo!!!!!!!!

We spent the 80+ degree, late October Sunday (we're in Southwest Ohio... can you say "Global Warming"?) at Tom's Maze and had a pretty good time of it. It was not nearly as difficult as the other mazes we had tried in past years, so it was actually fun. No exhausted mom, no overly stimulated kid, no frustrated map readers desperately looking for a boy scout group to slip into just to find the exit. The maze, which according to the website has the distinction of actually being grown in the configuration rather than cut, is 8 acres of inedible corn (Patrick had to ask one of the workers and they explained that the corn grown for corn mazes is special maize). Broken into 12 sections, each section is outlined in a different colored plastic tape (and no, no tape was yellow and black with "Crime Scene" stamped on it!). Also each section contains a mailbox that held a piece of a puzzle. We were to find the mailbox, get our puzzle piece, tape it onto the appropriate section of the "playing card" we were given when we bought our ticket and then move on to find the next puzzle piece.


The most challenging part of the maze, well other than dealing with obnoxious children and the parents who paid little attention to their rude little beasts, was finding the exit. Called "Victory Bridge" it towered over the maze, but finding the right path required using the completed puzzle and a lot of luck for those of us who are directionally challenged and unable to find a boy scout troop to mix in with. But, we did it! And happily enough, we didn't follow anyone! We used more logic than map reading but, hey, we got out! And whole thing only took about an hour.

Afterwards we basked in the combination of our successful finish AND the summer-like October afternoon sun.

We also watched Tom, who is apparently the Tom of Tom's Maze, operate the hourly firing of the Chunkin' Punkin' Cannon -- some sort of old fire truck outfitted with an air compressor, large tank and a very long "nozzle". With great anticipation, Tom puts a small pumpkin in a chamber in the nozzle, turns on the air compressor for several minutes, whereby the large chamber fills and when released, the pumpkin sails high and far into the air, ultimately crashing to earth in a smattering of seeds and pulp Washington Irving's Headless Horseman would envy.

It was a very nice day. One in which my legs ached instead of my bottom.

Covered in Cat Hair

I've found a book that has changed my life. OK, a little dramatic, but it really has made an impact: Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair: The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split. Yes it's a knitting book... there are some really cute patterns in it, which I will get to in more detail later, but it's so much more than a book about knitting. The author, Laurie Perry relates her experiences of her divorce and dealing with the end of the relationship. Being all too familiar with a lot of those feelings, a book of just 198 pages of text (a chunk of the book is patterns and projects, and a few pages are provided with book club discussion topics), spoke volumes to me. I've recommended it to several friends who are dealing with similar situations. Sadly, there are way too many of us out there.

The book does include patterns for a few cute hats, a few scarves, some small bags and one huge cat toy. I laughed and I cried with the author, who, btw has her blog: Crazy Aunt Purl. Quite funny and inspirational.

Posterity and Escape

The success or failure of a life, as far as posterity goes, seems to lie in the more or less luck of seizing the right moment of escape” -- Alice James

I seemed to have seized some sort of escape Sunday and now my posterior is in failure... Another visit to the bike trail, this time alone and I'm not sure I'll survive to pedal such folly again. I rode 10 miles one way, which meant to get back to my waiting citrus fruit and make my way home, I needed to ride another 10 miles.

There's my bike, and the 44 mile marker. I started at the 54 mile marker. The ride took me a little more than 2 hours. Along the way I took some pictures:


Not as hot as last week's ride, it was a gorgeous autumn day. I started out thinking some sad thoughts, but it wasn't long before my focus was on distance and pain. I passed some people on the trail, but more often was passed by "real" cyclists. Maybe I should look into getting real cyclist clothes, though my bike isn't anything like theirs either. I did get a compliment about my basket. She was a mom too -- I've got a "mom" kind of bike. Lots of dads out jogging, pushing their little slackers in those jogging strollers. Many people rollerblading, several people just out walking, lots of squirrels playing in the fallen leaves, a large vulture and one chipmunk also all shared the trail with me. This time Patrick wasn't with me, I missed his friendly greeting each person that passed us slow enough for him to wish them a terrific day. I was able to keep going, with fewer stops though since he weren't with me, and I did end up doing 20 miles.

My weekend was one of quiet, one that I did pretty much only what I wanted to do: sleep, knit, watch movies ("For the Love of the Game" and "Working Girl" to note a few of several) . I was going to upload a picture of the baby blanket I'm working on, but I think I'm still struggling with gauge and am not sure this is going to end up being big enough for a human baby... the yarn is wonderful. It's just lovely and soft, but I'm half done and I don't think it will be the right size. More to come on that.

These are stirring autumn days... amid the rustle of leaves like migrating finches

Today the thermometer read 94 degrees and I am sure I just awoke from the kind of nap that follows a sunburn. Patrick and I spent a few hours on a bike trail today. Yes, the bike rack made it onto the car and I have proof for the doubters in my peer group!


And, we made it onto a bike trail! 13 miles on the Terrace Park/Milford portion of the Little Miami Scenic Trail.

It's a gorgeous bike path and we entered it on Rt. 50 just beyond the turn for Newtown and took the trail all the way up to the little carryout in Miamiville.

Saturday I found Biking Ohio's Rail-Trails: Where to Go, What to Expect, How to Get There at Half Price Books and we're anxious to do a lot more exploring. Of course, I need to figure out how to make the bikes a bit more secure on the bike rack which is precariously hanging on the sloped rear of a lime on wheels. They tend to teeter too much for me, even with the addition of some of those bungie thingies. Now that we've done it once, the next time should be easier. I'm looking forward to time spent on the bike as well without Patrick... He's a bit too impetuous for a relaxed ride yet, but his enthusiasm scores points. I don't even want to consider trying to put Mickey in the basket and expect him to stay in it. He would look good in one of those baskets that Margaret Hamilton had Toto in as she cycled away with him to the Sheriff. Heck, he'd be perfect in that exact basket!

OK, just a quick blog to assure my friends that we finally made it out on a major bike ride (13 miles is no lark ya' know!). I know, I'm slow in adding more knitting stuff. I'm slow to do any knitting right now, but Christmas is fast approaching. I've gotten another step closer to felting my Booda Bag, so I think my next pictures and post will be a before and after. The colors are perfect for autumn, I just need to find what box it ended up in during the move. The baby layette items are still WIP. I've experienced my first quandary with gauge issues, so I've had to start over and starting over anything throws me for a loop!

An Awesome New Knitting Book!

For those of us who get excited about new knitting books, this post is dedicated to you!

Despite my knitting activity which is relatively busy I'm still struggling with moving beyond simple rectangular-type projects. Scarfs, hats, blankets and afghans, a lap top cover, a nice little soap sack, a purse here and there... several more scarves, a few more hats... I've looked longingly at sock patterns, I've admired sweaters, but so far, I've not gone there.

With a yen to do more (ok, bad pun, but I would have been remiss to not even try), I saw KNIT KIMONO by Vicki Square on Amazon. I patiently waited for it to move beyond pre-order status, and when it was finally released, I splurged on a treat for myself and bought a copy. I'm so glad I did!

I found the history information about the kimono really fascinating, and the projects are wonderful! A kimono is basically just rectangles, so it's perfect for knitters like me. A variety of styles in this book, the author provides simple instructions for those who are bold enough to go out on their own and design their own versions, as well as pretty and practical projects for the less adventuresome of us who want something that will look darn close to the picture accompanying the pattern. I can focus on learning new stitches and knit my rectangles! There's one gorgeous pattern I think I'm going to try first. Keep your fingers crossed for me and hopefully I'll be posting a completed kimono variation here very soon!

The drawback is several of the projects are oversized or long... this means lots of yarn and lots of yarn can be expensive. This has its upside too. For those of us with very limited yarn budgets, it does force us to be more creative and less lazy. Can't just rely on the pattern. We've got to work to come up with more frugle yarn options, perhaps changing a design, carrying a "yarn needed list" around with us when we happen across the perfect sale. But I'm excited about the possibilities this book brings to my knitting future. I've only felt this way about one other book: Mason-Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Meador Shayne.

Long Over Due

OK, I'm out of my funk and getting back to doing fun things, getting back to being productive again. I finished the prayer shawl and gave it to my friend for her birthday. The color was perfect for her, and I'm hoping the shawl brings her some comfort in the coming months of autumn.


I knitted it using a Feather and Fan stitch, 3 skeins of Homespun "Waterfall" and US 11 bamboo needles. I loved the feather and fan pattern, especially how nice the scalloped ends of the shawl were without me even needing to be aware that's what was happening. I found the free pattern on the internet.

Once I finished the shawl, I went back to an afghan that I had started before last Christmas and never finished. I had decided to donate a completed afghan we're having at work for a fundraiser so, it was now or never to complete it. I ended up taking most of the stitches out and starting over, but today it was completed, almost two weeks before the fundraiser. There's a first for me!


The afghan was knitted with 2 skeins each of Homespun colors Gothic (kind of a black & purple), Quartz, Bubble Gum and Lavender Sachet. I used Speed Stix needles (US 50, or perhaps pointy broom handles!) and a Lion Brand 6 Hour Afghan . Instead of only 3 colors, I used 4 and I decided to go without the fringe. The other afghans using this pattern that I had made (and I've made several of these for Christmas presents last year) had the fringe and it was messy. My friend Jane had improvised on the pattern and we decided to go without fringe and make a border for the ends and sides. It's a much better afghan! (Thank you Jane!!!).

I'm starting on a baby set, a gift for a friend's new granddaughter. There's a hat, a blanket and (drum roll...) a sweater! Yes, I'm going to try a sweater. It's a baby sweater, but it's still something that is more than a rectangle. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Of course, pictures will be posted when I'm done. I'll also post more about the patterns.

"I have always imagined that Paradise...

will be a kind of library." Jorge Luis Borges

Borges is right in my opinion. Another quote that seems particularly apt in my situation right now, but this one appears to be unattributable to anyone: "A library is a hospital for the mind."

I had finished the 13th Stephanie Plum novel and took up Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Not able to put it down, I devoured it and reluctantly left Rowling's wizarding world to revisit the court of Henry the VIII for the next group of headless romps with The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory. First, I was so sad to leave Harry. Another ending to deal with, and one that had the realization, we'll never see Hogwarts again or never start the school year again with a trip on the Hogwart's Express. We're stuck with starting the school year shopping at Walmart or Target. I certainly won't ruin the book for those who have yet to read it, but if you haven't read the series, you should. The movies are just glimpses of the books. But, on to the continuing saga of the Tudor pursuit for a son!

The story telling technique in The Boleyn Inheritance for me, leaves a little to be desired. I'm having trouble moving with a fluid reading manner because the author is telling the story from the perspective of three women at court, each woman getting a chapter in turns. I've got a friend who told me to hang in there... The Queen's Fool would be next and it's her favorite. So, another book for the queue!

I rarely mention music here despite that I have it at the top of the blog page. Music is important to me, just as much as words. At times when things seem overwhelming, burying myself in a book with music in the background makes sadness seem so far away, though I know ultimately it's a momentary escape. Anyway, I've turned Patrick onto Vince Guaraldi. Yes, my 10 year old enjoys this jazz pianist who died way too soon and left behind wonderful music beyond just the soundtracks for the Peanuts cartoons. As a treat, I got Patrick a copy of this album:


He loved the caricature of Guaraldi. While the music is all Peanuts related, it is very good. A nice album to sit and listen to. As someone who grew up at the time the Peanuts cartoons were being shown (for the first time, not repeats!) there are some moments that remind me of the cartoons, but just some. A few if the pieces were recorded live and "live" jazz is always a treat. I'd initially looked over this album in gathering my collection of Guaraldi's work. I'm glad I didn't totally miss it. Besides, the album ends with "Cast Your Fate to the Wind." What a wonderful song to listen to and feel your soul a little more free.

The Ebb and Flow of Life

I sit here in Cincinnati, thinking about what it must be like to sit on a beach and watch the true ebb and flow of the tides. The water rushing in, wiping out the marks in the sand, making it a blank slate, and then receding back into the ocean, leaving momentarily so new footprints can be left on the beach before rushing back in to erase the evidence that someone once walked there.


This past week, I've felt my life was like that...

Yesterday my son and I emptied the apartment we'd been living in for the last three years and turned in the keys. We'll never be driving back up that hill, we'll never be climbing the three flights of steps with our laundry or groceries, I'll never sit there in the dark and quiet of the apartment at 3AM and hear the variety of bird sounds that the surrounding woods and nearby river attracted. We've moved into our house, he's enrolled in school and is excitedly looking forward to starting in about a week. There's so much to do, so much to put away and a good deal of "maintenance" type things that I've got to figure out how to do and would normally rely on a male to be more capable of handling. I should be happy. I set out to buy this house and now, well, my first payment book showed up in the mail yesterday. I was successful in the first phase of home ownership. Today I have to figure out how to work the electric lawnmower, I have to decipher the instructions for installing the trim line in my weed trimmer, and I've got to figure out which cabinets in my kitchen will be used for what.

In the midst of all this change... I had two VERY important people in my life tell me things that remind me of that tide flowing back out, that make me wonder about whether footsteps will reappear in the sand of my life. One friend is dealing with something that I can't fix, something I don't know how adequately comfort them for. All I know to do is give this friend something that I hope as a symbol of my feelings will comfort them when they need it physically and emotionally. I've put getting our new home in order on hold a bit so I can finish it.

The other person... I started writing this because I thought I knew what I would say, that if I wrote things down I'd feel better, and now, I'm just at a loss for words. I think of this person in my life and I picture one of those little heart necklaces. The kind where the heart is split zigzag down the center. Together, it is a complete, familiar object. Apart, and the half I hold doesn't look recognizable as anything familiar. This person who was my best friend for the last four years of my life needs to go away. They need to pursue other things, go places they don't think I can't go. They'll follow that setting sun on the horizon over the sea and I'm trying to find the strength to stand on the beach and watch them, wish them well, hope they find the happiness they seek. I watched them leave with the water that just wiped out our footsteps in the sand, my fantasy always was to be with them when they set out, to share those adventures, but now, I have to go forward leaving just my prints. I'll never knit that person gifts again; they needn't worry about dealing with the ill fitting sweater or wearing a funky pair of variegated socks. I can't fix this situation either. I can't work harder to make the outcome one I want. Right now I can't seem to bear to rip out the pattern I've spent so much time working on to start over, but at some point will need to be done.

Please bear with me while I try to find the strength to take that first step, to leave that first footprint in the sand. I have an idea for a window treatment I want to knit for my bedroom. I'm looking forward to sharing that here...

Summer has set in with its usual severity.

The ever upbeat Coleridge said that about summer and I must agree with him. Now I wait for the calm after the storms... that time when things slow down, when life settles into a peaceful ebb and flow. I've neglected my blog for too long, maybe because I didn't have any finished project to report, but mostly do to lack of time. I've started a new job, continued working on my old job to help a friend get started in my previous position, and we've bought a house.




In my little down time I've been adding to the prayer shawl I started and I've been reading. Going from James Rollins' Black Order, then taking on Brad Metzler's The Book of Fate, and now, enjoying the bodice ripping of King Henry VIII's attempts at breeding in The Other Boleyn Sister by Philippa Gregory. And yes, I succumbed to the Harry Potter mania and bought the last book which is calling to me. I've heard so many good things about it, but am careful to avoid any details... ABSOLUTELY ANY!!!

I will post a picture of the prayer shawl in the next few days. I think I'll have to bind it off well before I finish knitting the third ball of Homespun the pattern recommended. At this point it would end up being an afghan for a twin size bed! I still have goal to work on socks, but I keep putting it off. I've found what is supposed to be the perfect sweater for a beginner to knit in a picot cotton (I'm using periwinkle colored yarn). And, as the dog days of summer fast approach, I know that too soon Mickey will be needing a sweater to wear outside, so I'm going to give that a try as well before I get back on track with socks.

I did get my July package into the mail for my yarn swap pal. She should get it early this week. I'm hoping she enjoys the yarn, I'd splurged on yarn that was made from recycled sarongs, a portion of the money going back to the women who made the yarn to help them. I'd like to get a skein for myself some day and make something from it, but I have no idea what. I'll watch for something that is just right. Right now, my spending money is going to buy items needed for the house. I'm in the hunt for the perfect chair to sit in for knitting!