Early Spring

Hello Gentle Readers. Last week's snow melted in two days. Here, daffodils bud and bloom along with purple crocus. Monday a junco perched in the birch tree and another out back. Soon they will be gone until next fall and winter. Now I'm watching a flock, and I do mean flock, of cedar waxwings in the birch. I've never seen them in this tree. The striking black and white masks and yellow strips of color on the tail feathers are a treat on a gray morning. Early Spring has arrived. I need to make some gardening plans. 

Wednesday is the day to link with Kat and the Unravelers to post about making and reading. This week I ripped out the yoke of the handspun sweater and was able to save most of the yarn. 

Apparently, I need knitting that has some detail but also rows of stockinette in the round. I cast on the Forager sweater in some yarn I bought with a birthday gift card. I've knit this pattern previously and so far so good. The red has just a little bit of a blue undertone. As a friend remarked, the red is in honor of the University of Nebraska Volleyball Team. This season is over but they will be back next year. Those young women are a powerhouse and fun to watch. Otherwise I finished the first sock of the Garden Sprinkles socks and cast on the second. The knitting is much like the Forager with some texture but plenty of stockinette. 

As for reading, I'm rereading There Are Rives in the Sky  by Elif Shafak as it is this month's selection in my local book group. I'm enjoying it as much as I did the first time. Perhaps because I'm familiar with the story, I'm reading more slowly and picking up even more of the references to water and savoring the winding ways the three stories come together near the end. I love a novel with layered themes and references and this one is excellent on all accounts. 

The waxwings have moved on, a junco and a pair of bluejays remain. What a glorious morning for birdwatching out my window. Now, sap and/or moisture drips from this tree on our front steps and driveway so maybe that attracts the birds. The Cornell Lab states that "The pigment of blue jay feathers is melanin which is brown. The blue color is caused by scattering light through modified cells on the surface of feather barbs." This is so interesting to me and a good reminder that things are not always what they seem at first glance. 

We are marking time until next week when my husband is scheduled for hip replacement surgery. I may not post next week but for sure I'll be knitting. Happy Early Spring.