Hello Gentle Readers. As I compose, the sun shines brightly and the days are unseasonably warm and dry. Moisture in any form is needed but I am enjoying the sun's rays. Covid came to call at our house last week so we are home with mild symptoms, soup, and hot tea. Mostly, the vaccines are doing their job and for that I am grateful. Soups in the freezer have come in handy. I feel ok if I stay quiet, so knitting and an audiobook are the order of the week.
I'm joining Kat and makers for Unraveled Wednesday. Last week I finished the Comfort and Joy socks. The KnitPicks Stroll made a nice sturdy sock and the colors do not bleed. The socks are tucked into the drawer for the next holiday season or sooner if I decide to wear them for a bit of green in my landscape.
I also finished the gray "Green Thumb" mitts. They aren't exciting but they will be warm and I hope a hug for a friend's hands. In a few weeks I'll wash them so they are germ free.
Saturday, I needed some comfort knitting. I got out a bag of sock yarn leftovers and mini-skeins and cast on a Habitation Throw. I could manage garter stitch and a big easy at-home project to work on now and then appealed to me. The bright colors cheer me. Maybe one of my grandchildren will like the wild crazy combination. If not I will find another home for it.
Currently I am listening to The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng. The story begins in Malaya in 1949. All of the main characters have been touched by the brutality of World War II and it's long aftermath. The narration is excellent. The writing is lyrical and the characters are scarred yet resilient and strong. Stories about building a garden, healing, redemption, and forgiveness weave through the narrative. Gardens connect life and death and the one in this novel is no exception. The book validates my thoughts about the absolute waste of war and violence and the value of small kindness and all kinds of love. I'm enjoying it and plan to read another by this author.
It's been a week. Be careful out there. I hope you are all well and finding some peace at the end of January.
I am sorry you have been unwell and will hope for a full recovery very soon. I have started the Habitation Throw three times and each time I am unsatisfied with the colors or the fabric. I was thinking I might start again with a very low contrast grouping of yarn and a smaller needle. This has been a hard knitting month over here - lots of unknitting and restarting.
ReplyDeleteOh geez, sorry to hear about Covid visiting you. Our neighbor Rob had it last week and now his partner, Eva has it. Rob is better and back to work. I sure hope you feel better soon. Isn't it wonderful to be able to pull soup out of the freezer?
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, your socks are gorgeous and it looks like you have pulled some nice yarn for a fun Habitation. I hope you enjoy knitting it.
I'm sorry to hear that you have covid, but glad that it is mild due to vaccinations. It sounds like you are treating yourselves gently which is what is needed. You have certainly made good use of your time with those lovely socks and mitts and now the Habitation Throw. I have The Garden of Evening Mists in my Audible library but for some reason I haven't listened to it. Your review has made it sound like exactly what I'd like to read now so I'm off to download it. Thank you and I hope you continue to feel better.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear your symptoms are mild and you are resting as comfortably as you can. Keep up with the tea and soup and get plenty of rest! Those sock will be a lovely pick-me-up when you pull them out to wear them the first time. I thought The Garden of Evening Mists was beautiful and devastating. I also enjoyed the author's House of Doors, though I thought the earlier book was better. Wishing you better health every day!
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better, soon! A Habitation Throw sounds like a nice comfort knit.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Garden of Evening Mists and felt the same as I read it.
First, I am so sorry to hear that Covid has come to call. It sounds like you have all the "ingredients" handy to help you deal with it as best you can. I hope you're feeling better and stronger every day - and back to full strength soon! I'm really charmed by your Christmas socks. They will be perfect when you pull them out next December -- and so fun to wear. The Garden of Evening Mists is one of my favorite books, so I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it.
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ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the name of the mitts. I did purchase the pattern. Your mitts really turned out nicely. My daughter will like them.
I am ever so sorry that Covid has stopped by your house, sigh. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to encourage it to move on quickly! I also really think those Christmas socks are just the thing... what a delight your future self will have when you pull those out to put on! I also really enjoyed The Garden of Evening Mists! I am glad you are as well!
ReplyDeletemay you feel better soon!!! love the socks and the mitts which I think are exciting!!
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