Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Wednesday Unraveled


Last evening, strong storms blew through. The temperature dropped about thirty degrees. Early this bright clear morning, I walked in jeans and a jacket. The wind was from the north which means a cooler day. I won't complain. Heat and humidity are my least favorite weather. The tomato patch survived but I need new cucumber seeds. The zinnias grow bravely, as they do through heat and wind and heavy rains. The ground is too muddy for weeding so this might be a day for sitting on the deck with knitting or a book. I choose to think the universe is telling me to take a break from chores. 


Since this is Wednesday, I am linking with Kat and the Unravelers to write about knitting and reading. I finished the first sock of a pair and cast on the second. Because the next project is always calling, I cast on this purple scrappy shawl. I almost frogged it and may still do so. The pattern calls for two skeins - one solid and one variegated or speckled. I used the small scraps in the section above as the multicolored yarn. What I notice is the scraps fall into two color groups, one with red undertones and the other with blue/periwinkle shades. The deeper color, of which I have a full skein and was going to use as the solid (latest knitting) across the widest part of the shawl is in the blue category. So what to do? The knitting looks better to me in daylight. It's interesting to see the shawl in a photo. I wonder about taking out that last swath of solid light violet and using up some of the other more blueish yarn scraps. I am also reworking this cowl with fewer repeats. The texture pattern is fun to knit and I like the color of the yarn. It's blue. So I've had a cast on party.


I finished reading Toni Morrison's The Source of Self-Regard. This gifted woman's insights into literature, race, and her own writing are so thoughtful. One or two essays touch on globalism and migration of people in various times in history. If you read the collection, know that the bibliography list at the end gives the dates of publication or speech. I would have enjoyed a little more context with each essay or speech but the dates in the list provide some reference. I will think about this book for a long time. I set the essay collection, The Bells of Old Tokyo aside for now. Sometimes when I read a book I really enjoy, my next read needs to be completely different.

Norah and I read together for the first time last week. She is just beginning to sit still long enough for a story and has discovered Good Night Moon. I got out my old worn copy and with her Mama helping we read a few of her favorite pages together. Watching a little one discover the joy of books is magical. By the time we can be vaccinated for Covid-19 and travel, she will think we live in the iPad.


I hope your week is filled with fresh breezes and a special moment or two. Thanks for all your kind comments on the previous post.

13 comments:

  1. Sometimes a day to just sit a work on projects is the PERFECT kind of day.

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  2. I do not like the heat either - I am glad it is winter here! I absolutely love the yarn in your socks. And I love the purple as well. I think it looks great as is. Happy knitting!

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  3. I used to have Goodnight Moon memorized when Colin was little. That and Runaway Bunny. Cute picture of Norah and your shawl looks lovely. The sock looks great too - love the colors in the yarn.

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  4. I miss reading aloud and am glad you are finding ways to do it with your grandchildren (even if you do live in the ipad). I hope today is our transition day after 94 degrees yesterday. It's raining now, but still quite muggy. I think your shawl looks lovely, and I'm sure the universe is telling you to take a break and enjoy the weather, a book, and some knitting!

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  5. Thank you for the recommendation for the Toni Morrison essays. One of my bingo squares is a collection of essays, so I've just put it on hold at the library.

    Goodnight Moon is a favorite, both from when I was tiny and when my daughter was. We went through a phase where I read it to her so much that I could recite it from memory, which was great when I was exhausted -- I'd turn out the lights and close my eyes while I "read" it to her.

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  6. I am off to find those Toni Morrison essays as well! Thank you!

    I am chuckling at Sarah's Goodnight Moon comment... and nodding in solidarity.

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  7. Goodnight Moon, a great book, still reading it here with our grandkids!
    I'm with you, I am NOT a summer person! I get little done but complaining!
    Love your socks and I really like that shawl. Keep going a wee bit more before you decide to rip back.

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  8. That scrappy shawl has such great colors. I love it. Norah, such a cutie!!!!! Little pudgy knees!!! Squeal!

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  9. beautiful knitting! I would read that goodnight moon book over and over to my preschooler charge when she was 2 1/2 years old. She loved it!

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  10. fun scrappy shawl....great idea for use of more of these odd skeins kicking around!!!

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  11. that polka dot ruffled behind is the best thing I've seen today - LOVE LOVE LOVE!

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  12. Norah is just adorable. I know so many people are missing their grandchildren. One of my friends is seeing her two grands, bothy of whom go to day care, so I worry about her.
    I like the scrappy shaw. I say you should stay with it!

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  13. Juicy post, filled with goodness. Liking the shawl's colors very much and Norah's adorable - love the idea of "living in the iPad!"

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