Saturday, February 20, 2016

Nature Walk :: Fifty

Geoff and Maria, taking the trail at the Lagoon before work. Most memorable: meeting Hadley the Corgi, seeing the pair of doves, the pair of ducks, watching the water sparkle.
{2:7 Nature Photographs} *Also: I tagged Maria~

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Poppy :: Forty Nine

From wildflower seeds, the first poppy is waking up.
{1:7 Nature Photographs}

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day. Happy Birthday, Jennifer~

Thursday, February 18, 2016

How To

When Mister Foo made himself comfortable on the squares I was trying to lay out, it felt as though he was accusing me of not knowing what I am doing. At long last I've made enough granny squares to decide on a final layout and begin joining them together. But. Foo might be on to something.

First, I played with a single crochet between squares, but it creates a ridge along the seam, and I am not liking how that looks or feels. I suppose I could take a tapestry needle and sew the squares together. I suppose I could Google it, watch some YouTube tutorials... but. But the truth is... I am secretly, in my heart of hearts, imagining an afternoon with Alicia Paulson, the two of us sitting together, cozy as posies, and her teaching me how to join granny squares. After tea, we could walk in the rain to some fabulously Portlandia spot, while our daughters kick puddles and giggle together. I am thoroughly convinced this would be the most effective, and most dear, way to get this granny square business figured out. Anything less will be a bit of a letdown.

Well. Here they are. Seventy-four squares. 80% acrylic, 20% wool. The woman, at the shop where I went for advice, declared with finality and a bad taste in her mouth... "Acrylic. No, it will never lay flat. It's always going to be misshapen."

Le Sigh. {Mournfulness sounds more tragic in French. Oui?}

{**Update, February 23: Well! Obviously, know-it-all lady doesn't know it all, because I have found several references and tutorials for blocking acrylic. "Pooh and bah," to pompous yarn shop ladies!}

You're on to me, Mister Washburn Foo. I do not know what I am doing!

Blended :: Forty Eight

Bunch of chard from the garden, frozen strawberries, and frozen blueberries, two bananas, and a splash of apple juice. {All Organic, which is kind of annoying to have to say, because shouldn't "organic" be the default, and "sprayed with toxins" be the exception?} This and popcorn {Organic.} Eating like it's as hot as July, because it has been!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Golden Girls :: Forty Seven

Tioga, and Curry were over for a visit. They brought Grant. Maria loves these two golden retrievers. Don't let their long faces fool you... we ran around the yard with them, watched as they investigated the goat and chicken situation, supervised their visit with Hazel Nutt, fed them treats. Then Maria finished her homework with them, practicing her George Washington lines. They were really moved by Maria's dramatic reading: "These are the days that try men's souls!" {Hopefully, the creators of this "educational" program can explain why George Washington is speaking Thomas Paine's quote.}

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

For Reference :: Forty Six

At long last, his visit to the nautical antiques store. William is measuring the details of the dive suit.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Looking Up :: Forty Five

Yesterday I took the occasion to mindfully, guiltlessly, enjoy my loves. I fixed everyone a big breakfast, and Geoff sat with us before leaving for work. I baked bread, prepared a pot roast, and made lemon bars. I visited a bit with each of my children, listened to them, watched them, loved them. I let the chickens run in the yard... away from their run, because the fence is still down. I crocheted, and crocheted. This I did between washing dishes, or while onions sautƩed, the crust for the lemon bars par-baked, the dough was rising. And every time I felt apologetic, or contrite, I said, 'Never mind. Love what you do, do what you love.' It just seemed like the right thing to believe. I finished watching Ken Burns' The Roosevelts, falling in love with Eleanor. {Toward the end of her life she returned to Campobello Island, and there was a photograph of her picnicking in her favorite spot. I would love to have that image hanging in my home, to remind me of how accomplished and lovely she was, to see her looking inspiring and remarkable, just sitting against a tree. She looked serene, in spite of tragedy, and long years, and the image gives me a feeling of aspiration in the grace of her countenance.} After dark, we opened packs of cyalumes, tied them to strings, and twirled them, spinning them into glowing light shows. We discussed how many minutes it was before our display could be seen from Mars. I admit, throughout the day, I felt something a bit between melancholy and woebegone, akin to hiraeth. I miss family, I struggle with my sense of purpose and worth. I hesitate to say 'it's been a hard year,' because haven't we all suffered a bit? And besides, it feels as though some weights are falling off, and things are looking up, and reaching for that, believing, offers solace.

Perhaps this would be a good place to add some Eleanor quotes...

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.

The giving of love is an education in itself.

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.



With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.