Well, at least Alexander and his family saw a thriller yesterday, with Scotland actually producing some rugby. We were leading by a single point in the final moments, but then France were awarded a penalty and kicked it without difficulty, putting them two points ahead. So it remained. So the Little Boys, despite frequent trips to Murrayfield, have still never seen Scotland win. All the sweeter when it comes.

A Week Is a Long Time

Last Sunday, Archie was here and we contrived to do a bit of picture-hanging before Mass. I was feeling weak and breathless, and you people and my family had persuaded me to ring up on Monday and make a same-day appt with a dr. Which I did. Lent was still in the future, and cider flowed freely.

Now, that Sunday seems an eternity ago. I think I am even weaker and more breathless. Am I really? Or is it just the psychological effect of knowing officially that I have a Heart Condition?

This week will be a long one, too. My husband's publisher and a researcher are coming to see us on Friday. I'll order sandwiches in, and tell them in advance that we need to rest in the afternoon, but it will still be an effort. Greek Helen will be here, to talk to Archie's teachers – she's arriving very late on Thursday. Thursday is also the day when I will see the dr again. So she and I ought to know a bit more by the weekend, and be able to make some immediate and some more distant plans. Alexander is ready to whisk his father off to Loch Fyne at a moment's notice if I need hospitalisation.

Greek Helen is virtually a vegetarian. I must plan a delicious bean-based dish for her. She is glad to hear that I am getting Rose Elliot's Bean Book “as I can't see any point in life without it”.

My sister agrees with you, Cam, that cider may not be a good idea, today. (And Alexander rightly says that it will make Lent harder, to break it up in that way.) I'll go ahead, but cautiously. The calories will be welcome – I don't have much appetite, and weight is falling away. A glass of cider will help lunch down, too.

And if I wind up feeling too good, I may give up Lent altogether.

Knitting

And meanwhile, big news, I've finished the Milano. I don't think I need to block it. Shape is perfect. It's whisper-light and deliciously soft. A pass with the steam iron will suffice.

I resumed the Unst Bridal Shawl without difficulty, too. When I switched to the Milano, the bigger yarn and needles were hard to deal with for a moment. I was afraid that I would have the same effect in reverse, on returning to lace, but no, it was fine.

I am 2/3rds of the way through the 11^th repeat of the centre pattern – 18 ½ repeats are required. The end isn't quite in sight, but it's not far around he corner. The plan is to finish the centre, pick up all those stitches around, and establish the borders, and then think of incorporating Rams&Yowes into some sort of system – a couple of days a week, maybe.

Zite is full, these days, of stories about knitting little sweaters for penguins. I haven't bothered to read any of them, so I don't know what's afoot. But I love Franklin's take on the problem, whatever it is.