Saturday, July 01, 2017

Perdita and I will soon be going to Strathardle, with Helen and her boys. I haven’t been there this year, except for the day of the funeral, when I didn’t go into the house. I’m more than a bit stressed. Perdita, fortunately, since we don’t have a common language, doesn’t know what’s about to happen to her.

Is there going to be room enough in the car? Helen has a big one, but travelling with Perdita is almost as encumbered as travelling with a baby. Plus we’ll need to lay on food for five.

The plan is to keep Perdita indoors – but Helen and her boys (and their dog) are great ones for striding o’er the heather. It is possible that I will invite her out to help me in the garden.

Whatever happens, we’ll hope to be back here on Monday.

The Northmavine  Hap progresses, very slowly now that the rows are so long. I’ll take it along, of course. Yet another bag, after the Jean bag and the Cat bag and the Nigella-recipe bag,


What a comfort that hap has been, these recent weeks; and what an endorsement for stash-enhancement! As I remember the sequence of events, Kristie pressed it on me (having knit it herself) that happy day in Jamieson&Smith, after I had already bought a great deal. I bought it, and knit a few rows back here in Edinburgh, and stashed it away in a shoe box, and thought that nothing much is ever going to come of this. And now, when I need it, here it is!

12 comments:

  1. Perhaps not this trip, but please try putting a harness and lead on Perdita when she is outside. My cats became accustomed to them rapidly and I didn't have to worry about them running off. Catching cats is not fun!

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    1. I totally agree with you. I have a harness for one of mine who wants to be an outdoor cat but I won't let her. Cats get spooked easily and will take of and hide if spooking takes place. Better to be safe than sorry!
      Have a wonderful trip Jean and Perdita!
      Jenny x

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    2. I totally agree with you. I have a harness for one of mine who wants to be an outdoor cat but I won't let her. Cats get spooked easily and will take of and hide if spooking takes place. Better to be safe than sorry!
      Have a wonderful trip Jean and Perdita!
      Jenny x

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  2. That Hap sounds like perfect travel, visiting and soothing knitting. Plus the colors are gorgeous. I'm sure that the visit will have it emotional challenges, as well. Wishing you safe travels and comfort.

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  3. I have to confess to having been a bit pushy about the Northmavine Hap that day at the J&S shop. I'm so glad you are finding peace and joy in knitting it. I'm sort of hoping you will keep this shawl for yourself. It would be a wonderful souvenir from that very wonderful time in Shetland. And I wanted to tell you that this shawl is terrific at passing the galloping horse test. When I was knitting mine one evening I confused two colours due to poor lighting. It was so hard to see the mistake that I didn't notice for several days and many rows later what I had done. I decided to keep going rather than ripping it out, and even now I have to look closely to pick out the wrong coloured row. I hope you have a great few days in Strathardle.

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  4. I hope your happy memories outweigh the bittersweet ones during your visit to The Centre of the Universe. Having Helen and her boys will liven things up and may help you reminisce about the sweet moments.
    Maybe keep Perdita inside on her first visit so she can establish herself in her second home.

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  5. Anonymous3:34 PM

    Enjoy your time with Helen and Perdita, dogs and all. We just got word of the impending, due this winter, news of our seventh grandchild. So I am busy in my stash to make baby buntings and a readers wrap for our morning sick MAMA plus for 2 o'clock feedings. But I needed to drop in to say enjoy your time away! pgnitter

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  6. By this time you will be settled in at your house. I agree about keeping Perdita indoors. A strange environment after her first car trip will have her a little out of sorts. I would not let her outside. Trying to find her in the countryside would be a challenge and something you do not need right now. The idea of a harness is interesting. I tried one years ago on one of my cats and it didn't work. I will look again because one of my cats gets very upset Ehrman I sit on my patio or work on the garden. Perhaps harnesses have improved.

    Anyway have a grand time albeit dealing with the cobwebs of memories. Good for you on doing this now rather than waiting longer. Hopefully it will be a more frequent event for you.

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  7. Anonymous8:43 PM

    I hope the trip was a very good one. It's only natural you have a bittersweet experience as it is your second home and site of many memories. As for the harness...friends of mine did that with their cats until they became accustomed to the backyard and were eventually able to stop using them. If it helps keep Perdita safe, it may be worth pursuing. Once she has established her boundaries, it may be that she won't stray. However, no harm in being watchful; I always stayed with them outside until time to go in. Take care - Joe-in Wyoming

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  8. Is she chipped and will she wear a collar with an ID disc, just in case she legs it?

    Also, don't feed her before she goes out so that she's more likely to come back in when the food bowl is rattled.

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  9. I like the way you think about knitting and I'm inspired by the way you record your progress.
    I hope your adventure holds great family fun. I wonder if Perdita will yowl in the car.

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