First Friday in the New Year

Mittens from long ago

Hello Gentle Readers, 

Although this first Friday of 2024 is gray, the year feels new. I'm going to enjoy the newness for as long as the feeling lasts. And, as my Mom and I used to tell each other, "It's Friday." So I'm writing a TGIF post. 

I am thinking about my maternal grandmother, Helen. Today is her birthday. Gram grew up in Omaha was definitely a city girl. She was lively and outspoken. No one every had to wonder what she was thinking. She was also very pretty and enjoyed cosmetics. I believe her natural hair color was auburn. She drafted dress patterns that she sewed in order to have a stylish wardrobe. She thought nothing of cutting fabric from furniture and using it to create and sew new coverings and upholstery. She wall papered every room in her house and was still climbing ladders at age 70. Although patience was not one of her virtues, she did teach me to knit and sew. 

She and my grandfather lived twelve from us so I frequently rode my bike or walked to her house. Unless she was hosting bridge or Violet Club, she was happy to see us. She lived until my children were 8 and 6 so they have memories of Grama Grama. She knit the baby/toddler mittens in this basket for Kate and Aaron. They were born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and she wanted them to be warm. She loved family celebrations but never wanted anyone to know her age so in her honor I'm not noting it here. 😊

I am grateful for my healthy stash of pretty yarns. Heeding Gram's advice, "I buy the best yarn I can afford." Last week I tossed the stash and reorganized the bins. While I worked I made a list of possible projects. "Possible" is the operative word. I don't believe in rules for my making. If I glance at the list now and then, I can recall what is tucked away in the four bins. 

I am inspired by the kindness in my neighborhood. We live near a sweet little family who are immigrants. Recently when the father was out of the country, neighbors of various political persuasions pitched in to help the young mother with mowing, scooping snow, a dead car battery, a key locked inside the car, writing letters of recommendation so he could get back home, and other things. I helped the eldest little girl with a bit of knitting. After a long period of time, the family has been reunited. This year they delivered small holiday gifts to their neighbors. In this way, lies hope. 

Today's fun is packing up a birthday gift for Jonah. He got a fishing pole from Santa. We are sending a small tackle box with a few items of fishing gear like a bobber, weights, and a pair of pliers. No hooks, though. Those can be added when absolutely necessary.  

The birch and the ornamental pear were quiet when I started this post. Evidently 11:45 a.m. is lunch time. The quartet of cardinals is back as well as a chickadee and a pair of downy woodpeckers. Two sparrows fling seed from the feeder tray. Across the way, I see a beautiful blue jay. 

Happy Friday.