Another day of non-achievement. I am comforted and
encouraged by your comments. The trouble is: I am so old. Lots of people are
dead by the time they’re my age, and nobody regards them as having died young.
Do I have time to recover some oomph?
I’ve finished the seventh, of nine, ribbons on the
yoke of Miss Rachel’s Yoke, and am beginning to wonder if the torpor with which
I am struggling could have something to do with Buachaille itself, KD’s
wonderful yarn? Is it perhaps slightly too heavy for utterly blissful
two-colour knitting? The effect is beautiful, no complaints there.
In any event, the sweater is nearly finished. The next
ribbon is the one where the main colour reappears. I am going to take the risk,
and knit it as charted. When the final ribbon is done, there remain six rounds
of rib in the main colour. I’m pretty sure I don’t have enough for that, but
there’s plenty of everything else. The cats made a thorough mess of the
remaining main colour while I was in London, but I have re-wound it. Ready to
press forward.
Mary Lou, I didn’t answer your question from a day or
two ago, a propos the picture of
Paradox on the sitting-room chest of drawers. There used to be lots of
ornaments there of various sorts, all stowed away now for fear of cat. Our Dear
Old Cat used to do it deliberately – if we didn’t get up, when she suggested
that it was time for Pussy Cat’s Breakfast, she would start gently pushing the
things on the chest of drawers towards the edge. It worked, every time.
Helen is having a tough time in Kirkmichael. She has
found a whole nest of dead mice under the kitchen sink. (The mice in
Strathardle are Timmy Willie rather than Johnny Town Mouse, which helps a bit.
The two species won’t share premises.) Apparently someone left a Pot Noodle
behind. The worst mess I ever had when was I left a banana on the kitchen
windowsill. Timmy Willy loves
bananas, and word went out up and down the glen.
That time, though, the result was just utter mouse
mess throughout the house, no little corpses.
I watched an episode of Victoria this afternoon – the one
where they go to Blair Atholl. I gather midges hadn’t been invented in the 19th
century.
As has been my habit for many years, I read your musings each day, although I rarely comment. Not sure why really I keep silent, although I probably feel that I can't match your inimitable way of speaking. Many years ago I lived in the US of A where a delightful lady from the north-east was my designated host family. She was a lively, intelligent and inspiring woman, one I will never forget, already at retirement age when I was in my late 20s. You remind me so strongly of her, I actually often have pictures of her in my mind when you speak. When you talk of being old, well, I guess that's true, as am I now, but you have such a wonderful way of getting on with things both old and new. Always looking forward, whether it's family or fibre, travel or the invitation of a new cat into your life. Please excuse my waffling, but I needed you to know how important you are in my life, and, I'm guessing, in the lives of many.
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ReplyDeleteOh, and I meant to add that, at my holiday house, I recently found the devastation caused by a family of rogue field mice, too. They had a lovely time going through the kitchen cupboards and spreading their loot throughout the house. Lots of mess, but no corpses.
ReplyDeleteEvery do often I write another short portion of what might eventually become a novel. You have reminded me that there is to be a chapter about an incursion of mice in an empty house which is still in my head waiting to be written!
ReplyDeleteEvery so often I write another short portion of what might eventually become a novel. You have reminded me that there is to be a chapter about an incursion of mice in an empty house which is still in my head waiting to be written!
ReplyDeleteAt least they were dead. We had quite a mouse incursion one fall, and I stopped feeling squeamish about throwing the little bodies and traps out. Sealing a lot of tiny holes helped here. However, this spring i found a baby skittering around the kitchen floor. I think it came in on a plant that was getting acclimated to being outside.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that house and outdoor mice wouldn't share premises! This old house has a mouse incursion most years but so far traps have taken care of it.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to midges, I wonder if people simply accepted them as part of existence, the way people seem to accept wasps in novels set in England, while over here wasps are a reason to scatter and go indoors. Or maybe it was being nearly completely covered and veiled that helped.
Age alone is not a complete indicator. I seem to recall an 85-year-old marathon runner. I think it's more likely the days drawing in.
Don't forget you often have a case of the "blahs" at this time of year when the light begins to go, and you have had a very eventful year. Be gentle with yourself and we will be here waiting for you to pop in and have a chat.
ReplyDeleteI am struggling with the two-color brioche. I haven't even attempted the scarf. I don't know how you did it.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if you have had a blood test recently. It might be that your iron stores are depleted. It can be worth having them checked.
ReplyDeleteIt's that time of year when all our aches and pains seem worse and the darkness of the coming winter looms ahead. I read an article lately about how Swedish people combat this winter gloom. They get out in the daylight (such as it is) at least once per day; they bring light into their houses in the form of candles, lamps and glowing fires; they keep warm and cosy with wool throws and warm socks; they keep their hands and minds busy with crafts and books and puzzles. None of this sounds too unlike what you're doing already and maybe that's what's keeping you going? Okay not as fast as you once did but really, there's no need to. And you have a wonderful, attentive and supportive family and the two cats to snuggle, all of whom are great blessings. Keep fit, keep active, keep busy and keep looking forwards. That's all any of us can do. I think you're quite amazing for your age, there's women twenty and thirty years younger who have already given up and barely move out their chair or house.
ReplyDeleteLike the commenter above, Jean, I wonder if you are deficient in minerals or iron. My 42 year old daughter has recently been advised to take a magnesium citrate supplement ( quite expensive) and the difference it has made to her energy levels and general wellbeing is amazing. Catriona
ReplyDeleteDear Jean I think we have all considered your years when offering encouragement but we all probably also realize the very common tendency to expect too much of ourselves whatever our age and want to spare you that anxiety. Also when your husband was around you didn't have time to think of yourself and this fatigue may not be as sudden as you might be thinking, just more obvious. The Iron levels might be worth addressing if not already done so. And apparently too much sugar saps energy in case you have a sweet tooth. Some problems have an easier fix than we realize. And like Lyn and others it only took about two days of reading your blog after discovering it through precursor to Flipboard (I've forgotten already!) for it to be an ironclad ritual each morning for me. How many 80-plus year olds can say that! Chloe
ReplyDeleteI concur with the other readers that you accomplish a LOT and also deserve a break. Maybe do some more Sicily planning for fun?
ReplyDeleteI really like those Swedish rituals for the lengthening dark! Our time change is this weekend and I am not looking forward to it. More darkness.
A short brisk daily walk is supposed to be truly optimal for health - and exercise is supposed to lift one's mental state. I keep telling myself that!
As for two-colour brioche, I never thought I would do it or enjoy it. I watched some videos and read some articles. Perhaps rip out the problem section and try again one more time? Two-colour seems to me much easier to see an error than one colour - and to correct it. I am working on Veera Välimäki's Flyway Twist scarf. I really enjoyed the brioche section ...
Enjoy the weekend Jean (and your readers)
LisaRR
You are allowed to be tired, even a bit depressed. Surely this has not been the easiest of years for you?! I so agree with Lyn, who along with many of us, delight in your will to go on. Every day grows darker now, but the Spring will come again.Peace.
ReplyDeleteP.S. And I for one, delight in your beautiful knitting and your willingness to keep on learning!:)
ReplyDeleteadding my agreement to all that has been posted.. especially a good checkup with your doctor. there was a lot of focus on your husband and his health in the last few years... time to take yours in hand!
ReplyDeleteplease keep posting. i read you religiously
Lovethis:)!
DeleteI think I pressed SEND too soon yesterday. My two-colour brioche comments were meant for commented Jane. But no pressure - Jane, maybe you are enjoying other kinds of knitting and do not need to add two-colour brioche to your list of knitting skills.
ReplyDeletetime for a coffee over here!
LisaRR