The EYES Have It

Today is May 1st!  The Lusty Month of May--according to Lerner & Lowe in their Camelot play and movie.  Had to watch the part where Lancelot shows up and the picnic is in full swing.  A bit dated but still has a spot in my heart.  It was the first movie Murray and I went to way back...1968 or so.

He is my Lancelot and King Arthur and today he has two eyes that see clearly.  He had his cataracts removed and can't believe how much brighter everything is.  Who knew?  It was more or less painless although the right eye which was the one done last and on April 29th was a bit painful but only the first night.  Now his vision is almost perfect.  So, while he recovered and couldn't work outside he worked on the movie he is making of our Cruise Up The Rhine River in June 2018.  Keeps him out of trouble.  It is very complicated making movies but he seems to enjoy the challenge.  Me, I stay frustrated with frogging my latest crochet project which didn't work out. 

Made a wrap using some beautiful yarn that turned out to be difficult, 4 strands unplied so they separate at the blink of an eye or the slip of a hook.  Anyway, I made the first project using a pattern from Red Heart--turned out the length is 114 inches and the width is 23 inches.  It would make a nice decoration on a long window.  So...I decided I would frog it and start over.  Well, I am a very good maker of knots and tucks of loose ends so they will not unravel.  In this one I was exceptionally good.  I never intended to unravel it so I even separated the 4 strands and tied them in different locations.  What a mess.  So now I'm unraveling them and cutting where I can't untie.  Sigh.  My work is cut out for me.  No pun intended.  Here is the project. 

While I was trying to decided what to do with the four other skeins of yarn I had, I found a tried and true pattern that works with any weight and any amount of yarn.  You can stop when you need to so I made two shawls using 2 skeins of the Sea Glass.  They are lovely.

Morpho Shawlette - 72x36 inches

Morphy Shawlette - 70x33 inches

The difference in size is due to yarn remaining.  The first one was larger nd I had to use some of the yellow-green from 2nd skein to finish it.  So, I had to make the 2nd shawl a bit smaller so as to not run out of yarn.  Tricky but worked out.  Now I have two skeins of a different color mix to make up.  May use the same pattern.

Keeps me out of trouble.  Shaunti on the other hand is almost 9 and we got some pictures of her a week early fresh from the groomer.

Shaunti with Mom and Dad.  She's a lucky dog.

###

LOTS OF YARN AND SO LITTLE TIME--BUT I'M TRYING

Today is a cloudy day but it may not rain.  I'm looking for patterns that I used years ago and finally found it.  A very pretty Vintage Shawl

pattern that I only used for one shawl.  Turned out very pretty but was a tedious project.  Today I am making two shawls for my sister-in-law and niece.  Had to find a pattern that would match with the bulky yarn.  Found one and will be crocheting tonight on the first shawl.  It is a pattern that can be adapted to any weight yarn.  How nice!!!

Shaunti is almost 9 years old.  She came home from the groomer on Saturday, looking very spiffy.  She goes every 3 weeks.  I expect she gets better treatment than most children.  Her annual exam was last week and I have been trying to get her to pee in a flat dish ever since.  It got so bad that when I opened the door for her to go out, she backed up instead.  Finally after this happened several days, I decided to give up.  It wasn't going to work and I didn't want to totally intimidate her.  So, today was the day.  I carried her out to her favorite 'spot' and eureka, was able to capture the specimen.  Then we had to put it in the container provided by the vet and take it to the vet while it was 'fresh.'  I swear most people wouldn't bother but we are responsible paw-rents. 

Now it is time to make brownies for dessert.  Yum!

Life continues to bring good things our way. 

FURNACE QUIT -- COULD NOT RESTART--NEW ONE BEING INSTALLED

Well, today is December 4th, 2018, and the installation of the new furnace is today.  YEA!!!  We have been wrapped up like skiers (thank goodness for ski outfits from our distant past), using space heaters and the oven to keep us warm.  I now know why central heat was such a wonderful advancement.  When you have to move your heat from room to room, you are never warm.  Fortunately, the last 3 weeks have not been very cold or we would have been miserable. 

The good news is that I made lots of hats and scarves for the Yarns 4 Warmth project at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.  Shipped off 23 hats and 22 scarves yesterday.  So I'm ready to start anew.  Glad to be able to make my hobby useful for those in need.

Bad news is that my left hip is causing considerable pain and discomfort.  The chiropractor said his fix would be temporary and that a replacement was the only cure.  He was right.  I had 3 months with no problems and then WHAM!  it became very uncomfortable.  I have an appointment to get it checked and to find an orthopedic surgeon.  Guess I've been living a charmed life to get this far with no joint issues.  (Knocking on wood to hope this is the only problem.)

Waiting for pizza to share with the installers.  2 large extravaganzas!  Yum!!!

First is me wearing Murray's U of Oregon sweatshirt with one my the hats I donated.  It matches the letters.  And, it is warm.

 

Next is Shaunti in her bed under Murray's desk in her sweater.

And last are the scarves and hats recently. donated.  Life is good.

HALLOWEEN IS HERE!!! BE YOU!!!

Well, today is a beautiful fall day so I decided to get in the spirit of the day...Halloween Spirit...that is.  I've been making hats and scarves for a local charity and just finished a had that is a perfect fit for the day.  Ran out of pumpkin yarn so had to finish with autumn but it still shows up as a pumpkin.  Hope you have a wonderful day and get in the spirit for Thanksgiving.  We can find something to be thankful for even if it is just that another day has passed and we are closer to 2021.

NOW OCTOBER 24, 2018--HALLOWEEN!!!

My, how the time flies.  Good thing I don't depend on my Blog to survive.  No excuses.  No disasters in my life so have no one to blame for my lapse of blogging except lack of interest on my part.  Hmmm. 

Been crocheting lots of scarves and hats for the Yarns for Warmth project at a local hospital and hanging out at home.  All is well so maybe that's why it was June 2017 when I added anything here.  My traveling companion, Murray, and I did manage to go on two cruises this year.  The first in February to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Dominican Republic and Bahamas.  Long cruise but even longer ship.  This was a really, really big ship with over 3,400 passengers.  Way too big but we enjoyed the warm weather.  Photo above left is taken at Amber Cove, a specially created stop for Carnival cruise ships. The picture on right is as we were going ashore at Bonaire.

In June we flew to Amsterdam for a few days before departing on an 8-day cruise up the Rhine River with stops at Cologne, Germany, and other locations.  One stop was at Strasbourg, France.  It was a lovely trip but very intense.  First time we took a river cruise with scheduled stops and tours.  It was necessary because of the type of cruise but it did require setting an alarm.  Ugh!  Glad we did it but it is a once in a lifetime cruise for us.  We prefer our own schedules but we had to do this river cruise so now we have done it.  It had been on our bucket list for years.  Not sure where the next adventure lies.  Shaunti hopes it is right here at home with her.

 Photo at left is of Basel, Switzerland as we were arriving the last day of the cruise. All of the stops along the Rhine were historical and beautiful.  Lots of lovely castles too. 

 Below is Murray on the dock waiting for the cruise around the Zurich Zee.  Beautiful day to visit Zurich before flying home to Shaunti.

Now it's time to finish up some crochet items to donate.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

SCARVES FOR ABUSED AND/OR HOMELESS WOMEN IN CALIFORNIA

Scarves are perfect for saying 'I care' so be warm and comforted.  A wonderful woman in California started a small organization to give scarves to women's shelters.  As of the last distribution, she had donated over 9,000 scarves.  Wow!  And she is still going strong.  With volunteers from all over the country she has made many women feel loved.  This year she branched out and made baby things and hats for the kids.  Yarn is an amazing healer.  Of course, the human factor is important. too.  I am just happy to be a small part of her big heart.

While making the scarves, I listen to books and generally enjoy my time.  Retirement is a wonderful thing but you need a hobby.  Who knew that when I had foot surgery years ago and needed something to do while keeping my feet propped up, it would involve crocheting.  That was in 1991 and the hook is still working.  How many thousands of yard have passed through my hands?  Might be fun to add it all up but not today.  Anyway, if you're looking for a hobby, think about knitting and crocheting.  I've met many lovely women and a few men who have taken up the hobby.  Some have turned it into a profession.

Now, here are a few pictures of my latest scarves.  All made with Red Heart's Boutique yarn.   A beautiful blended acrylic, wool, nylon, with just a touch of metallic for shine.  Unfortunately, it has been discontinued.

SEEMS LIKE SPRING SO LET'S ENJOY

Hooray, Hooray....it feels like spring so kick up your heels but keep your jacket and gloves close.  It isn't really spring.  It's just warmer than usual due to climate change maybe?  Or politics maybe?  Here in D.C. it's warmer than usual  due to all the politicians, pundits, and people talking.  And talking.  And still talking.  It is hard to get a word in these days and who would listen anyway???  So, those of us who can just read and crochet and try, I say try, to stay away from Facebook, Twitter, and all social media...try I said...not succeeding but still trying.

I find that if I can focus on a book and crochet I can pretend all is well.  Sometimes, all really is well.  I just finished making 16 hat and scarf sets for a nearby homeless shelter.  It keeps me busy and provides something nice for people who might be down on their luck.  Anyway, I enjoy the activity.  

It is amazing all the stuff on Facebook.  This posting by Patrick Steward, aka Captain Picard, says it all.  This is what strong men believe.  

On that note, I'm off to read and crochet.  Hope your day is beautiful, your life serene, and your future secure.  If not, maybe you want to look around and join a group that will help make it that way.  Life is good...let's make sure it stays good!