Wednesday, February 01, 2017

Again, little to report. I’m well into the third pattern repeat (of 14) in the centre of Mrs Hunter’s shawl, but haven’t photographed it yet. Nobody on Ravelry has responded to my invitation to reveal to the world the amount of yarn we bought at the EYF last year and haven’t knit yet.

I suppose most of us by now have read Kate Davies’ blog post about the 7th anniversary of her stroke. Only seven? It is very remarkable what she has achieved in that time, quite apart from recovering physically. She wasn’t happy in her academic role before the stroke. She says herself that she is now in a better place, with a better life. But she also says that the stroke underlined her belief in the “randomness and raw brutality of life.”

She’s probably right about life being random and brutal.  But I am sad to see someone I admire so much, so devoid of hope.

Beverly (comment yesterday) you’re absolutely right that keeping my husband here at home for a month is an achievement worth recording with the others. Thank you for that. And I did get the 2015-16 tax papers neatly stashed away today.


My sister will be here tomorrow, insh’Allah. I don’t know how much I’ll post in the next six days.

11 comments:

  1. Sad to hear that you haven't had a response to your Ravelry post. That group does seem to be more about EYF organisation than chatter, and of course is now totally distracted by the news that advance tickets are sold out and there may not be many available on the day. You might have more luck in another thread - many of the UK-based ones have EYF discussions. The Arnall-Culliford knitwear group is very chatty, as is the Brityarn group and KnitBritish

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  2. I hope you enjoy the visit with your sister. You are lucky indeed.

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  3. How wonderful that you have a visit with your sister! I have 3 sisters who all live far from me and I am grateful for whatever time I have with them. Enjoy.,

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  4. Anonymous10:36 AM

    I don't agree that Kate Davies is devoid of hope. Not seeing a "reason" for her stroke is a different matter, and no one without hope could take the road less travelled as she has done. "And that has made all the difference." CarolGilham

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    1. I agree. Believing life is random and sometimes brutal is not being hopeless. It simply makes it easier to take what comes. Knowing that we are not promised tomorrow is not hopeless; it's reality, and sometimes it makes it easier to be in the moment, which is good.

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    2. Anonymous4:14 PM

      Well said, Carol and Kay. You have expressed my thoughts better than I could have.
      -- Gretchen (aka stashdragon)

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    3. I agree. It is a pragmatic and eminently sensible point of view.

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    4. I can see both ways of looking at things. Can understand Jean's reaction, though. Mine was much the same.

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  5. Anonymous1:06 PM

    Apparently Mother Theresa experienced similar doubts and lack of hope throughout her adult life. When her words were discovered it caused quite a wide sensation. Maybe it's all part of not be able to make sense of the terrible suffering there is in the world. I have seen pictures of Kate Davies smiling and laughing. It seems to me there might be hope there. Chloe

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  6. Lucky to have your sister visit, no matter the fare. (food, not air...) I agree that keeping your husband at home WHILE doing all the rest is quite the accomplishment. I didn't find Kate Davies devoid of hope. Adventitious, a new word to me, was the aspect that stood out. Luck and chance are so often the prevailing wind that pushes the boat. How we steer? That's another story.

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  7. Anonymous6:19 PM

    "Luck and chance are so often the prevailing wind that pushes the boat. How we steer? That's another story."
    Thanks for putting it so neatly, Mary Lou.
    -- Gretchen (aka stashdragon)

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