Wednesday, December 20, 2017

We had a nice day in Glasgow – no need even to think of productivity, although I did get those presents wrapped in time. Paradox hadn’t been thought of, this time last year. This is her first Christmas, and she thinks it’s great fun. She was a very great help.

Helen drove. Archie and Fergus and I were the passengers. Utter luxury. Good weather, too. Alexander and his family took us out for a rather delicious Chinese lunch. Then they all went off to Loch Fyne – the boys’ term is over, and Ketki seems to be free of banking duties. And we came back.

Despite Paradox’ having assumed the role of the Cat Who’s Always Where I Am, and who sleeps with me at night, Perdita’s is still the anxious furry face which greets me when I get home.

 I now have two unscheduled days in which, at least, to lay in a good supply of cat food for the festive weekend.

The borders of the shawl advanced last night with no further disasters – and the cardboard is showing through, around which the second ball of yarn is wound.

And the big knitting news is that I’ve had an email from Kate Davies to say that my yarn has been dispatched – that is, the samples of her new tweed, to go with the new yarn club. She had last-minute trouble with the supplier. I’ve sort of forgotten – one of the colours was short. When she was able to start dispatching yarn, she started with those of us most distant. If she’s worked her way all the way down to Edinburgh, the job must be very nearly done.


I’ll write again tomorrow (insh’Allah) just to record a high-fives for the passing of the solstice. And perhaps I won’t be able to resist telling you about the yarn, when it comes. Otherwise, I think it’s time to knock off until I get back from Palermo.

22 comments:

  1. My yarn came yesterday (San Francisco). No spoiler other than it is quite beautiful. Of course.

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  2. May you and your kitty girls have a wonderful Christmas, and may you enjoy your Palermo adventure!

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  3. My yarn arrived yesterday (Canada). I am delaying opening it until I have some time to play with it,

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  4. Safe travels and Happy New Year!

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  5. Merry Christmas.. I am envying your trip to Palermo! Enjoy the holiday

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  6. Merry Christmas, Jean. What a wonderful treat to be traveling with your grandson. Life is good. Enjoy!

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  7. Jean, Merry Christmas, buon viaggio! We'll all look forward to hearing about Palermo.

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  8. Merry Christmas and Safe Travels!
    I can't wait to hear the stories from Palermo.

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  9. We're going to miss you and will be so glad to hear all your adventures when you come back. I wish I lived near enough to come and amuse the cats while you are gone. As it is, they will probably just sleep a lot and be very excited when you return.

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  10. Good Solstice and bon voyage!

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  11. I hope you have a lovely time in Sicily and wish you Merry Christmas.

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  12. Merry Christmas, Jean! And have a wonderful time in Palermo!! I’ll miss you and will be here waiting to hear all the stories of the fun times you and Archie are sure to have.

    My yarn from Kate arrived last Friday, I think it was....so nice of her to make sure all of us over here received it in plenty of time. It’s very nice and soft, I haven’t done anything with it other than look at it and pet it yet! I’m looking forward to seeing her patterns and trying it out. I visited the mill shop in Kilcar, Donegal, where it is produced, back in 2003 and still have some of the yarn I purchased then in my stash....it’s not nearly as soft but then it isn’t Merino and Mohair like Kate’s is.

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  13. Happy Solstice, happy holidays, bon voyage! Hope to hear all about it upon your return.

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  14. Anonymous4:56 PM

    Best wishes for a very lovely Christmas with your family as well as a terrific vacation in Palermo.
    I really look forward to your reports as I will visit Palermo in May.
    Thanks for all of your hard work on this blog over this tough year - your readers are addicted to your postings!
    Congratulations on all of your knitting success in 2017.
    Here's to a happy and healthy 2018!
    LisaRR

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  15. Anonymous4:57 PM

    and yes the solstice today is very exciting!
    I am ready for more sunshine.
    LisaRR

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  16. A very Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, Jean:)!

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  17. This difficult year my comforting practice each day was to make coffee and then open your blog. Even when you said that you had nothing to write about, it was good to "see" your voice and, what you call nothing the rest of us call interesting. Your blog is always thought-provoking and often causes me to head to the dictionary or Wikipedia. Merry Christmas to you. I looking forward to hearing about your trip when you return.

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  18. Anonymous8:10 AM

    Happy Christmas Jean and thank you for your wonderful blog. Have a lovely trip with Archie.

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  19. Anonymous11:33 AM

    Merry Christmas, Jean, have a wonderful time in Sicily. Maureen Takoma expressed my sentiments exactly. You will be missed but it's for a happy reason, so we are all glad about that. Chloe

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  20. Anonymous2:00 PM

    Ditto! will miss you and wait & look forward to your return! I suppose with the solstice, winter is here, so stay warm and sassy. You and Alexander have a blast in Palermo. See you soon! pgnitter

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  21. Agreed — Maureen Takoma has perfectly captured the role your and the blog play for many of us. Buone feste, buon viaggio!

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  22. Anne C. in Bethesda10:00 PM

    Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and safe travels!

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