Thursday, December 07, 2017

I feel a bit more hopeful about Palermo.

Today has been strenuous, by my feeble standards, but very successful. The various people mentioned yesterday came here, and ate their sandwiches, and I think the conversation has moved things slightly but definitely forward towards the publication of my husband’s magnum opus.

After the sandwiches, and with no prospect of a nap, I thought for a while that I might expire. But I revived, and here I am still in gamba at half past eight – although more than ready for my bed.

I have knit only three scallops, I think, but that was enough to take me past the half-way point on the 4th and final side of the shawl edging.

Blackwell’s have emailed to say that the Japanese Stitch Dictionary is on its way.


And there’s only a fortnight to go until the solstice.

11 comments:

  1. I wonder, are you your husband's literary executor? Quite a responsibility; no wonder you are exhausted.
    Have you considered your wardrobe for Palermo at all? Will it be warmish there, do you think?

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    1. No -- a good friend from our Birmingham days is the literary executor. He now works at the Yale Centre for British Art in London and it is they who are in charge of publication.

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  2. Jean, you have probably already considered this, but just in case you have not, what about building a siesta into your daily schedule for Palermo? Archie may enjoy having a little time on his own for a coffee or a swift half, or to e-mail friends. We had American friends visit us here in Rome a couple of months ago who napped for 20-30 minutes after lunch every day. It helped them adjust to the pace of sightseeing and the lateness, by US norms, of the evening meals. Even if you retire early, and short nap will help!

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  3. I'm glad to see you are making days more active. I believe you will build stamina as time passes, and be more ready for your trip to Palermo.

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  4. Please, what is a “Swift half”. I think I might need one. Or more....

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    1. I believe she refers to a half pint of beer or ale, but I've been wrong before...

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    2. Tee-hee. Yes, indeed a half pint of something ale-like. I don’t know if that is an expression in general use these days in the UK. I have heard it more often on British TV series than during my own time in Britain (mainly England).

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    3. Oh, and Pattie, if you are in Geneseo, NY, we are almost neighbors! I live in Geneva, although I have been away this fall for work.

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    4. Yes, Geneseo, NY. Hello, neighbor!
      I feel as I've been away tho I've been no further than Rochester. I'm having my home reno-ed and have not slept in my own bed for 4+ months. Hope your work travel was fun, too.

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  5. It would be such an achievement to see your husband's work published. I hope you reach this goal - but if not I'm sure your children will complete the task. Meanwhile, naps are great! I just had my 81st birthday and I try to spend each afternoon resting and reading and knitting. I love my reading time!!

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  6. I don't know how much you walk now, but a little walking every day will help build some stamina and is very good for uplifting of the spirits also. The same route is good, where you can do a few extra feet every day or so. I'd only start with where you feel comfortable, like once around the block or even less and build from there.

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