Hello Gentle Readers. Well, it's been a week. I am thankful for air conditioning, making, and reading. As I compose, I'm watching a blue jay perched on the deck railing watching a gold finch eat from the tube feeder. Is it a stretch to think the blue jay with cocked head is trying to understand how the finch can balance on that perch and ingest chipped sunflower seeds from the tiny hole? Maybe I'm not the only one who feels like life is precarious and hard to understand.
The garden is growing. I harvested and froze some chopped basil and made one batch of bread and butter pickles. We've also enjoyed a handful of cherry tomatoes and three garden tomatoes. As my grandfather used to remark, the hot humid days and nights are "tomato growing weather." He would have known as he grew beautiful vegetables.
Today is Wednesday, the day to post and link with Kat and the Unravelers. During the stretch of four extremely hot days, I ventured out to turn on the drip hoses in the gardens but have mostly been indoors. I finished up the neck shaping and joined the stitches of the summer top. I continue with raglan increases in the round. I do like the fabric I'm getting with this yarn and these needles. When my hands need a break, I knit on the bright pink socks. The second sock of this pair has a heel flap. I'm ready to turn the heel, my favorite part of sock knitting. I don't know why I'm amazed that steady knitting on a project or two generally means progress.
I read Pax by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Jon Klassen as the second book in my buddy read with Micah. This is a story about a young boy and a fox that asks some hard questions about peace and war and life. The structure of alternating chapters between boy and fox as narrators is well paced. The relationship between the woman veteran of war and the boy is heartwarming.
Currently, I'm reading Maud Martha by Gwendolyn Brooks, the only novel written by this poet. Mary suggested it to me and I am glad she did. Maud Martha narrates her experiences as a black girl and woman in Chicago in the 1940's. From the first sentence of the opening chapter, a description of Maud Martha, I knew I was in the hands of a lyrical writer. In a few short pages, Brooks tells us much about Maud. I'm two-thirds of the way through this short novel and it is lovely. Poets have a way with prose.
I'm continuing to listen to Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle by Clare Hunter. Hunter's research is meticulous. I was a little frustrated with the chapter about Mary Queen of Scots, wondering why there was no mention of the people who produced and processed the sumptuous fiber and threads used by the queen. Hunter goes on though, to look at the needlework of women incarcerated against their will in mental asylums and prisons as well as native peoples in various parts of the world. She includes makers from many walks of life.
Stay safe and cool friends.
Ravelry Links
Red Bud and Cherry Blossom Socks
I am making a wool sweater during this heat wave and I am so happy I started it. Love your projects and that basil looks so so good!
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a bit of a pink theme in your making and reading! These hot days may be good for tomato growing (we only have a handful of cherry tomatoes so far) and they're also good for drying sheets on the line in record time. I hung mine outside this morning and I think they dried faster than they would have in the dryer. Stay cool, make pickles, and keep reading and making.
ReplyDeleteI have some basil that I need to harvest as well! It makes the kitchen smell so delightful. My tomatoes are immense... I have a few tomatoes growing, but not as many in years past. Sigh. Your cucumbers look delicious though!
ReplyDeleteI am just starting to get a few tomatoes in my garden. I think I got my garden planted about two weeks later than I should have, so everything seems to be a bit behind. I love that you have already made some bread and butter pickles! You are knitting lots of pink things this summer. Fun. I love that you are buddy reading with Micah, who I assume is your grandson. The book Pax sounds like a very good one! Good idea to stay inside in the AC as much as possible. Nebraska summers can be very HOT and HUMID as I remember. See you again soon!
ReplyDeleteThis weather must be good for growing tomatoes -- I've gathered a handful of cherry tomatoes every day this week, and pretty soon we're going to have many more than we can use for salads! Our neighbor has offered us some basil, plus we're growing some of our own, so I have a feeling we'll be making pesto soon. It will be good to freeze some for the winter so we get a taste of summer when we need it.
ReplyDeleteYour projects are looking lovely and I hope you continue to stay cool and comfortable inside.
I always say that pink ice not one of my favorite colors, but your sock and your sweater start are beautiful. Homemade pickles are the BEST. I remember reading Pax and thoroughly enjoying it. I'm thinking of starting a new shawl...just for something different.
ReplyDeleteMaud Martha - yay! and I'm 100% with you about the magic of turning a heel ... I'm still delighted every single time.
ReplyDelete‘Love’ your intro about the birds and their thoughts. I wonder what they think of us….only good for a handout now and again?
ReplyDeleteOur tomato season is ahead of us. Hopefully it’s a good one as it’s the only veg we grow. Rhubarb is the only fruit and that one always seems to have plenty to harvest.
I’ve just listened to a sample of the Clare Hunter audiobook on Spotify. It’s included on the premium plan. Thank you for the recommendation! It’s voiced by a Scottish actress I used to enjoy in a medical drama on tv. Should be good.
ReplyDeleteJane your pink projects are so pretty. I like to switch back and forth between a couple of projects also. Sadly, a woodchuck ate most everything in our garden. I feel bad....my husband worked so hard to get everything planted. I just read a cute book by Abby Jiminez "Just for the summer". It was so good I started another one of her books. Have a good week.
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