Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Watching and Waiting

On Monday my sister and I spent the day together. We planned to pick apples and share a picnic lunch. Although our apple picking wasn't the quintessential outing planned, we had a nice day. I had missed the notice on the orchard website stating they were closed on Mondays. Even so, the owners graciously let us pick and buy apples. The recent hot weather and above average rainfall made for abundant apples and mosquitoes. Although we dressed in long sleeves, long pants, and hats, they swarmed around us. I used a little insect repellant (I hate the stuff) on my neck and around the bottom of my pant legs but it didn't phase them at all. We picked as fast as we could and took our picnic lunch home to eat indoors. The apples are tart, crisp, and delicious. We escaped without bites. Thank goodness as West Nile Virus is reported in the area.

Mosquitoes or not, we chatted away about our knitting and our families. Naturally we talked about the baby my daughter will deliver any day. We are eager to welcome this new little child. Though there is no reason to expect anything but a safe delivery, I am a little anxious. My sister, who knows exactly what I need to hear, remarked, "We will knit this baby safely into the world." So we shall. I used to tell my son nearly the same thing when he went to school in Laramie, Wyoming. He thought nothing of setting off at 5:00 p.m. and driving home through the night. I usually talked to him before I went to bed and would tell him I was knitting him safely home. That winter I knit him a sweater. One winter evening, I knit so furiously I overshot the body length by ten inches.

My sister and I are knitting this week while watching and waiting for Baby Coconut. Last week I reknit the infamous mitten, managing to get the cable and thumb in the correct place. I ripped out the rose colored shawl and cast on in yet another pattern but will create Ravelry notes when I know it is a go. Yesterday I needed some easy knitting so I cast on a baby hat. I don't have a pattern. I adapted the color work from a free mitten pattern and am using a tape measure frequently. I plan to knit matching mittens.


I am thoroughly enjoying A Gentleman in Moscow. The story "shows instead of tells" as the main character creates an interesting life in spite of house arrest in a hotel. Call me old fashioned but the characters' good manners and courtesy are refreshing. The writing, dotted with sly humor and asides to the reader, is excellent.

Linking with Kat and the Unravelers today.  I am looking forward to see what others are knitting and reading.  Then I am off to make some applesauce.

7 comments:

  1. I just love the notion of knitting someone safely home! What a wonderful way to focus the worried mind. XO I'm so happy your sister-outing worked out so well, and that you enjoyed your time together AND ended up with some tasty apples, to boot. (Dang mosquitos. Such horrid pests.) I'm looking forward to your new baby's arrival. (And I, too, graduated from the University of Wyoming. Go, Pokes! Go!) :-)

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  2. I too love that knitting analogy! It is a beautiful image! And, yes... A Gentleman in Moscow was so very good, with an ending that was so very surprising in so many ways!

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  3. Count me as yet another reader who loves the idea of knitting someone safely home! I've used this same idea to safely knit Justin home from road trips to MT and TX, but I didn't have your lovely heartfelt way with words to express it so beautifully. I'll be thinking about Baby Coconut, your daughter, and your family this week. Enjoy your applesauce!

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  4. Best wishes to your daughter....hope Baby Coconut shows up right on time and in good health!!!

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  5. Oh I hope babyC comes quickly. How fun you are having fun with your sis, I love sister time. The mosquitoes are horrible here as well, usually they are not. I do not use insect repellent either, but you already know that. Lovely mitts!

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  6. We will knit this baby safely into the world!!!!! I'll say a prayer too! how wonderful. I have to cover up completely to stifle the mosquitoes. I heard they die at 40 degrees, but clearly that is not truE

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  7. Those mittens are very pretty! I love the colour, too. It started to be quite cold here in the mornings, I was thinking about wearing mittens on my bike comute today again.

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