Warm Weather Projects

Hello Gentle Readers. Summer days have arrived. We are in for a week of hot sunny, ninety degree days. Watering the garden plots with the trusty drip hoses is on my list of chores. Many juvenile robins try their wings while the red house finches feed their young. I'm waiting for the fireflies, aka "firebums" as my grandson Emmett, now a seventh grader, dubbed them when he was a toddler. Like most children, he was enchanted by flying insects with lighted "bums." Ever since they have been "firebums" to me. 

Today is Unraveled Wednesday with Kat and friends. My projects this week reflect the warmer weather.  I wanted to try a new-to-me cotton yarn so I bought two skeins (color way Sunshine) of Rowan Cotton from my local yarn shop for wash cloths. It is pricey but has a nice hand. I've worked on the first pink ribbed sock and plan to knit the toe in bright green. They are only socks so as far as bright colors, it's in for a dime, in for a dollar. 

I cast on a pumpkin hat for a baby gift. This little family expects twins in August so I'll be knitting two of these hats. I dither with baby sizes. On one hand, babies seem so small but they do grow and sometimes their head circumference is deceiving. The smallest size looked small. I hope this size isn't too big. 

As for reading, I listened to The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl. Although the story was a little unrealistic, it was an entertaining romp through Paris. I enjoyed the literary references, the time spent in Shakespeare and Company, and the characters. As I expected from Reichl, French food and wine is described with great sensory detail. I'm rereading a like-new copy of  A Sand County Almanac And Sketches Here and There by Aldo Leopold. I found it on the library sale shelf for a dollar and couldn't resist the bargain. First published in 1949, Leopold was a conservationist and wrote with ethical regard for the environment. His was an early voice questioning the loss of wetlands and other natural habitat. The lyrical writing continues to have value. 

Although the official beginning of summer is a week or so away, I send you this first little bouquet of summer.  Happy Summertime.