Thursday, August 31, 2017

Again, not much. I’ve knit 8” or so of the 14 ½ needed for the body of Miss Rachel. I’m nearly finished with the third ball of yarn – that always feel like progress.

I’m having a terrible time deciding what to ask Carol Sunday for. I’m sort of tempted by the Soutache scarf/stole, a two-colour brioche affair with the reverse side done in a set of tasteful gradient greys. But the Pueblo stole which Carol herself suggested is also extremely tempting – I think I’d go for the Hacienda del Sol colourway, but that, too, is not an easy choice. High Country will make a very nice Fair Isle, Maureen.

One thing I got done today – I don’t know why I was finding it difficult to take the plunge – was to book flights and a hotel for Archie’s and my week in Palermo at the start of the year. It remains to book trains – we’re flying from London – and our entertainment on the spot: the Gattopardo walking tour, “Cooking with the Duchess” (Tomasi de Lampedusa’s daughter-in-law) and a half-day excursion to Monreale.

Google Maps has already shown me how to get from our hotel to the Catacombs of the Capuchins, clearly a must-see. It’s not an over-long walk.


Today is my 60th wedding anniversary. We never celebrated any of them, so it doesn’t much matter.

15 comments:

  1. 60 years! Wow! God be with you today, Jean.

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  2. It was my (our) 50th anniversary last weekend but we had given up celebrating many years ago when my late husband had progressed so far into Alzheimer's disease that he no longer had any conception of what marriage was. The memories of the good times are still there though so I was not sad. The holiday plans seem to be progressing nicely.

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  3. It sounds like you and Miss Rachel are continuing to enjoy each other's company. That was a lovely offer from Carol Sunday. Making a final decision is going to be tough. Your comment about never having celebrated any of your wedding anniversaries made me feel sad for you. I'm sorry that was the case.

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  4. 60 years is a long time. Life must be so strange without him. It's those little moments when something happens and all it takes is a look or a word and both of you know just what the other is thinking. Nobody's marriage is perfect and different couples have varied ways of being together. Whether you celebrated your anniversaries or not, it must be quite a gap (for want of a better word) for you.
    Wishing you well and many congratulations for having lasted together almost 60 years. That is an accomplishment. None of us is perfect to live with! I certainly give my husband credit for putting up with me at times:)!
    Take care of yourself:)
    Joan
    fuguestateknits.blogspot.com

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  5. you deserve a TREAT today for your anniversary - that is a milestone! but perhaps the holiday trip is your treat? if i were there i would bring you a cake or at least a cupcake!

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  6. Anonymous10:32 PM

    I often wonder how other British-American couples met. My husband and I were the only two post-graduates studying Anglo-Saxon in 1974 at York. We married in my family church in Washington DC, but have lived in York ever since. For what it is worth, we seldom celebrate our anniversary, but that doesn't seem to have affected the ups and downs of daily life, family occasions and festivals that come round with increasing frequency. Sometimes just counting the years is enough of a blessing. Carol

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  7. Anonymous2:44 AM

    So glad you are making Sicily plans!
    Congratulations on the wedding anniversary - even if not often celebrated.
    LisaRR

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  8. I have made Soutache from stash but with just a plain grey background - it was a fun knit, and the result is very wearable. But if you like colourwork, then the Pueblo stole might be more satisfying to make. Sicily sounds wonderful, and it's great that you've got a grandson willing to be your travel companion.

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  9. You and your grandson will have a wonderful trip! And Happy Anniversary anyway!

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  10. Oh I can't wait to hear about the Sicily trip. I'm saving Il Gattopardo audio book for a long trip, maybe it will coincide! Just looking at the possibilities from Carol Sunday is pleasurable. Enjoy it.

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  11. Anonymous1:44 PM

    It's the memories that count. I hope yours were mostly good ones, Jean. What a delicious dilemma. Hacienda or Pueblo. I am curious which one you choose. Chloe

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  12. Anonymous1:48 PM

    Oh, I forgot Soutache. That would be stunning too. Chloe

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  13. 60 years it is a looong time. We are nearly at 50 years here - we try very hard not to celebrate the anniversary. It was a day we would rather have avooided, but had to endure in order to have what we did want. In other words, we didn't want a wedding, but did want a marriage. Still do!
    We know something about you, Jean, you are a person who keeps her word. Enjoy the next chapter of your life!

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  14. Each anniversary has been bittersweet for me since my husband died two years ago shortly after our 44th. You will be in my thoughts especially today.

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  15. We are approaching our 50th. No big plans yet. Just hope we make it! Happy Day to you - treasure all the memories and continue to stride (and knit) forward.

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