Whew!

Have you ever had a pressure that has been on your back for a long time? That you just can't seem to get rid of? That you finally take steps to eliminate? That's how I feel today. First baby steps taken. Whew. Any journey is full of steps, and Howard and I are taking the first ones together.

On the knitting front, my project is growing. It will soon be done, and I'll be back to things that can be displayed here. It is nice to be able to show off progress.

Last Thursday was the first day of Autumn, and we may get our first frost tonight? Sheesh. I am not ready to bring in the plants yet -- as in, the spider plant has grown in the last two years to be HUGE (from a 5 inch pot to this!) We repotted it at the first of the summer, and it decided it liked the idea. I think this is an 18 inch pot. The lovely lavender concrete (at least on my monitor) is compliments of the overcast skies. It isn't actually that color. What a nice idea, though, don't you think? grin The tomatoes are reaching the end of their growing season.

Exasperated

Okay, I'm exasperated, as I'm test knitting something, and ran out of yarn. So, that project has come to a major screeching halt (you could hear the screech as I stopped couldn't you?) and I'm trying to decide what to do next. Whatever I start, has to stop again as soon as that yarn gets here, so it gets finished. Maybe a pair of socks, they sound fun. Or another helmet liner. I like the idea of socks better.

Actually, Murphy has been having a wonderful day. But I can safely say that the universe has been against me today. Well, not really, but it feels like it. A cascade of things going wrong. Nothing earth shattering, but still!

I did finish another helmet liner. I had one a couple of inches along, so this one was picked up and I finished it tonight.

A Wreath of Helmet Liners?

This is what is going in the mail tomorrow -- a pinwheel of them! They aren't colorful, but I could have SWORN that Sandy's friend sent two grey ones, and spend some time yesterday searching the house for the second one. Finally counted, and had them all. sigh They are NOT models of loveliness, but they represent warmth and caring. That is 18 more who will be warm this winter.

Derek shipped out yesterday. Shirley stopped by today for yarn to make at least one while taking her husband for treatment next week. It felt like a hug.

oops

Sorry about the delay in posting. I've been trying to knit up helmet liners before some commission knitting gets here. I won't be able to post that, but it was nice to hear compliments about my knitting from another source! Right now I'm up to 13 helmet liners knit, plus 4 that arrived today in the mail from San Diego! I'll finish another tomorrow. I think the helmet liners are a way of praying in the dark, as our nephew Derek heads for Iraq.

Our local church just celebrated its 150th anniversary this past weekend, with many former members and pastors attending to celebrate with them. They all seem to have had a marvellous time.

and the days turn toward autumn

Wow! We had two storms blow through today, almost two inches of rain between them. It became dark enough both times to seem to be night in the house. It was nice, because Howard was home during the second storm, we sat in the living room, and read quietly, while thunder boomed overhead, and rain pummeled the windows. Of course, it would have been VERY uncomfortable if we had to be out in it (and Howard had to for the first storm -- he waited it out and then walked home.)

The heat had been less, but the storm broke the heat even more, which makes me start thinking of fall and the coming of winter. How are the people who have moved here from New Orleans going to to handle the cold of winter? It is something to be experienced, not described. Already the talk is that we must keep our houses cooler this winter, to conserve energy. Joy. Lots and lots of hot tea all winter long, to keep the insides warm, while layers and layers outside. Heavy socks anyone?

Onwards

Please remember that in times of great disasters elsewhere, the local foodbanks wind up going bare, because contributions dry up. The people who rely on them are still in need, but they have no place to go. We have a responsibility to them as well. Poverty doesn't take a break.


I made one last effort with the sweater, and here it is.





The shingles are clearing up. Whee. This has been an experience, which I hope I don't repeat!

It is Saturday Morning and the brain hasn't started yet

Some mornings the brain doesn't start well. Today is one. Howard was a sweetheart and brought tea to me, otherwise, my brain may not be functioning at all! LOL

The images of New Orleans are haunting me, as I'm sure they are most people. Knitters are coming together again for the common good at Give a Little This time, for the Red Cross. Donate to the Red Cross, tell Margene and Susan at the the address given on the blog, and other knitters are donating incentives.

I'd also like to remind you that there are other charities that are working their butts off at this time. Many houses of worship/denominations are taking up collections this weekend for the disaster, and will be sending the money directly where it is needed. No administrative fees.

As promised, the pictures of Dôra's jacket. Hm, the back doesn't want to be uploaded. One more try (I've tried several times) and I'll decide you don't want to see it! LOL That's it! You don't want to see it.



Three helmet liners down. Howard is shown "graciously" modeling one of them. My cohort on these couldn't figure out what they looked like from the pattern. Unless I hear otherwise, I'll post a final total when done with the others who have contributed to my totals, and not keep posting my results here.

Helmet Liners

Helmet Liner Number 2 done! It would certainly help if I could do 2 by 2 ribbing mindlessly, but with the medication for shingles (hey, they really are getting better, I'm seeing improvements, but still...) right now. I'm all right with the knit 2, but somehow, I keep finding a purl 3 somewhere in the mix, and have to tink (knit backwards or unknit) back until I fix the error (and it is NEVER just a few stitches!) I'm going to try to con, er, persuade Howard into having his photo taken modeling at least one of them tomorrow, as Serena doesn't have a clue what it is supposed to look like. Serena is in on this grand scheme of outfitting her cousin Derek's group (Howard and my nephew)with helmet liners shortly after he gets to Iraq next month. It would help tremendously if we knew how many were going to BE in his group, but as HE doesn't know, WE don't know. This is called knit/knit/knit/knit. So, tonight I finished number 2, and started #3. I have this sneaking feeling I may be really good at these after a while. The first liner was from leftovers from Do^ra's Jacket. And there is enough left over for at least one more liner.

Do^ra's Jacket arrived today. Good news, she likes it! Whew! That is always a relief! I don't know about anyone else, but I always worry, unless the person is right here for immediate feedback as the item is being made. Otherwise, it is so easy for a disconnect between what I think they want and what they actually want. Not to mention a problem with measuring! Hopefully pictures soon!

Howard made some absolutely wonderful bread today in the machine, blueberry, pecan and oatmeal. Wow! Something to remember! I hope he wrote down what he did, because it is definitely a "recipe to remember!" Not to mention filling the house with a delightful fragrance.