Happy Friday

Happy Friday. Back in the days when long distance phone calls were a treat, my Mom and I took turns calling each other on Friday evenings. Whoever placed the call greeted the other with "It's Friday!" When I taught, Friday evening meant two days breathing space. I think of Mom every day but especially on Friday. I've been away and a TGIF post feels like a good way to catch-up.

Thinking about: I have been thinking about how to live with a lighter heart; how to balance the fortunate life I have with a world full of pain and injustice. Sending constant angst out into the world is just sending more angst into the world. Fretting and worry isn't healthy or constructive. I don't have answers but I am pondering the idea. I do know my heart benefits from being outdoors and by noticing. Yesterday as we drove home from north central Minnesota, the skies were beautiful and the roadsides were sprinkled with wildflowers. On the drive up, we stopped to eat lunch at a lovely rest stop outside Worthington, Minnesota. The stop is home to a path around and through a wildflower meadow. As we set up our picnic in the open shelter, we noticed a nest up in the corner. A swallow swooped in and out feeding three chicks. We didn't seem to be disturbing the birds so we sat on one side of the table and watched them as we ate our lunch. Lunch with the swallows was charming. 

Grateful:  Recently, rain has fallen in our area. The area is still in drought status but the Platte River was full when we drove over it yesterday. My garden benefits from the rain and I am happy to water less often. Hooray for the clouds moving in again as I write. I picked the first cucumbers before we left and I could be making pickles Sunday or Monday. I am so grateful for a few days with my sister and brother-in-law and my brother and his daughter in a beautiful lake setting. We don't see each other often so days together are treasures.  

Inspired by: I am inspired by the Tour de Fleece spinning. Some gorgeous interesting yarn is coming off spindles and wheels. I finished a big spinning project that I'll write about soon. While in Minnesota, we went to a local flea market in Hackensack. I found a booth with a spinner and an independent yarn dyer. We had a pleasant conversation. I didn't buy yarn but I did pick up some undyed Targhee Silk roving. It is quite soft and a pretty cream color. 

Fun: - Tomorrow my niece and her little girl are coming for lunch. My niece is a law student and needs a little study time so after lunch she will go find a study spot and my great niece and I will play. We are going to have great fun.

I wish you all a good weekend and look forward to catching up on your posts. 

Oh yes, a 1000 mile road trip (round trip miles) meant plenty of car knitting and on these long trips I do take an old fashioned map. Yarn from Must Stash. Pattern is Impossible Girl.