Tuesday, August 09, 2016

All is more or less well here, although I fear I’m falling apart. My husband is progressing well, but still very tottery on his pins. Lizzie and her friend have gone, before I got the socks finished off. I thought they were going to take the overnight bus on Sunday – that’s how they got here. But they travelled down by day, wisely. Both had to be at their desks on Monday morning.

Archie is here, but he’s leaving today for Athens. His family are in the very throes of leaving Athens – Helen emailed yesterday that her house was full of men in tight t-shirts with wires in their ears. They – the family, not the men – will go to Mount Pelion and on to Thessaloniki, thence across Europe by car to Edinburgh.

Archie will be away from here, and with them, when he gets his A-Level results. I’m glad not to be in charge that day, although I have every expectation that it will be a happy one.

Comments

Janet, I think you’d enjoy “The Double Helix”. It’s not popular science, in the ordinary sense. He doesn’t try to explain what they did. The science is there, but not much of it, and it is (to me) incomprehensible. You just slide past it. The fun is in the pursuit. The BBC gave us a splendid television transcription of it, years ago, with Jeff Goldblum (of all people) as Watson. I’d love to see that again.

Maria, yes, we had a very happy year in Northampton, 1960-61. We were there to see Kennedy elected. And despite the presence at my ankles of Rachel and Alexander, and the weight, for half of the year, of the unborn James, it was a time of ease and comfort, compared to life in Glasgow. 

My husband was filling in for a friend on sabbatical. While we were there, the directorship of the Smith Art Gallery became unexpectedly vacant and he filled in (having museum experience) for our last couple of months there, and enjoyed himself, and was invited to stay.

It was tempting.

When I went to Camp Stitches on Lake George in 2000, I wanted to go on afterwards to see my sister in Old Saybrook, at the mouth of the CT river. Investigations from here revealed that it was easy enough to move up and down the Hudson, or the CT, but not easy – by public transport, anyway – to cut across. I didn’t want to go back to NYC and out again. So I advertised on the Knitlist and got a lift from a woman who remains a friend, who lived in Lyme, practically on my sister’s doorstep.


We came through Northampton. We went to Webs, of course, which hadn’t been there in my day. And saw the house where we spent that year. I have the very fondest memories of Northampton.

8 comments:

  1. I, too, have fond memories of that part of the world. The connecticut river valley with its oxbow and rolling hills is so beautiful, and the seasons are so lovely and distinct. Thanks for the virtual vacation. You have been in my thoughts and in my heart these past weeks. Please take care of your own health, as well. We knitters find connection and community in your presence.

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  2. P.s. My own sous sous remains on the needle, I have not, as yet, abandoned all hope, but the repeated frogging has left the yarn slightly thinner in the front section...(sigh). I am knitting with a lovely merino, but it is, perhaps, a bit too delicate for the many mistakes I have made... Soldier on? Or frog once again, and use the worn yarn in the sleeves, where the difference in weight will be less noticeable? I'm not sure I can fave frogging again...

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  3. Janis in Lyme1:42 AM

    I still have fond memories of that day in Northampton and think of you every time I visit.

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  4. I hope that being on your own (well, not completely alone, there is Perdita) is a bit relaxing at least.

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  5. Since Mount Holyoke is so nearby, we'd go to NoHo on a regular basis. Western MA is really a beautiful area, but I'd take N GA over it any day. Same mountains, less COLD, and more green in the winter.
    Hugs, and if it's any consolation, you're not the only one kinda failing apart. Just got diagnosed with fibromyalgia, so I'm having myself a nice pity party. I knew it might be coming (mom has it), but still.... Anyone ever find the body warrenty place? I have a few complaints about build quality ;)

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  6. Getting worried about you. You could also use a rollator to help you get around and have a place to sit when you need to rest. I am only in my 60's and have been using it for years for balance and security. It is not the same as the Zimmer frame. It has a seat....and it folds and fits in my car. Please be careful. Lots of us love reading your page every morning with a cup of coffee (or tea). Your camp Stitches friend....Leslie

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  7. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! hope you are celebrating and that is why there is silence. We all love you and worry about you... hope all is well with your DH and you.

    sending good wishes from the Hudson Valley!

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