Early May

As I walk this week, the sky changes from blue to partly cloudy and back again. The wind blows a gale and the air feels like early April. In April we had snow and warm May-like temperatures. The world continues to feel strange. After listening to Grandma Gatewood's Inspiring Walk, I decided to increase the distance of my walks. As I approach a city park next to a large elementary school, I walk a slight incline. As I turn the corner, I have a panoramic view of the sky and racing clouds over a mostly empty park. The dandelions bloom on the soccer field and a broken kite swings from an old elm.

I had never heard of Grandma Emma Gatewood. The writing in this book is average or slightly below. However Gatewood was a remarkable woman and her story is fascinating. After years in an abusive marriage and raising her large family, she through-hiked the Applachian Trail three times. At the time of her first hike, she was sixty-seven years old. After the third hike, she walked the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri to Oregon. I am currently reading The Women of Copper Country. Russell writes well and tells a good story. I have enjoyed some of her other novels. Given the state of the meatpacking industry in this country, the historical fiction about a copper miner's strike in 1913 feels timely.  As I read about the owners of the mine, I wonder how much has changed.

I'm also knitting away. I unraveled this cowl this week. I didn't bother to check gauge (it was only a cowl - right?) and the stitches were scrunched together on a circular needle. As per pattern, I used a dk weight yarn. It is just too much cowl for me. I tried putting it in the dryer but it didn't snug up at all. The superwash yarn would have continued to stretch with wearing and I knew I'd never wear this piece. I considered giving it away but couldn't think of a suitable recipient. The re-skeined and washed yarn came out quite nicely. I plan to knit the pattern again with fewer repeats. I enjoyed the knitting so this is one of those opportunities to get more time and money's worth from the yarn. Superwash yarn is great for kids and babies but I need to think carefully about knitting with it in the future.

I finished the scrappy leg warmers. This photo isn't exciting because it's hard to photograph your own legs. I tried. Of course I didn't use up all the scraps. I honestly think they multiply in the dark of night. These socks are my current carry around project and I enjoy picking them up from time to time. It's always fun to see another stripe appear. Although I didn't plan it, I kind of like it when my knitting and book match. I am easily entertained.

Since the weather cooled off and I've had my fix of textured knitting, I am back to knitting on this sweater. As I learn over and over, progress comes from steady knitting. I decided to try and knit at least one inch a day and see what happens. This week I've done quite well. If my shoulder protests or it gets too warm or I get bored with gray stockinette, I'll pick up something else like the second version of the Bluet Cowl.

Life goes on in spite of pandemic living. We plan on being cautious and watch local stats as restrictions are lifted. I find it curious that as cases increase, lifting restrictions is also occurring or being considered. Meanwhile the lily of the valley and the lilacs bloom. I finished all the winter clean-up and preliminary weeding so my garden patches are ready for planting. I hope I can find my last summer's notes about tomato varieties planted. Take good care.

Look at the link to Kat and the Unravelers to see how other knitters and readers are marking their days.