Musings of an avid knitter, middle-of-the-pack runner, and native New Englander
Adding to the sadness and loss of this wacky time we're all living in is Mom's slipping away. It's a normal part of dementia's progression, but it is truly brutal, especially since we've not been able to visit her for the past six weeks or so. The wonderful staff at her memory care residence have … Continue reading Bit by Bit
If you'd asked me a month ago what I'd do with two weeks at home with no outside obligations except my regular freelance work which is done from home anyway, I'd have given you a list of projects. Knitting projects to finish and new ones to cast on (duh!), recipes I'd like to try, a … Continue reading Restless
My knitting time has decreased significantly over the past six weeks or so because I'm no longer spending hours every day with Mom. I'm delighted to report that she is adjusting has adjusted really well to life at her new home, a nearby memory care residence to which my brothers and I moved her. She … Continue reading Non-knitting Lace
My routine for the past year or so has been pretty, well, routine. Early morning exercise, a few hours of business -- my consulting practice and/or household business -- then off to Mom's for the afternoon, and home again. Weekends are similar -- more Mom time and usually less work time. But over the past … Continue reading Here and There
When I expressed concern about a recent too-short sock, several readers offered advice for remedying the situation. My decision not to act on any of those suggestions is not a reflection of my sincere appreciation for the tips; it's more a result of my desire to just be finished with the socks. FInished so I … Continue reading WIP Wednesday: Patience
Since it's now too big to be a traveling project, the Log Cabin Throw hasn't been getting much attention lately. Every day, I tuck my latest sock into my bag as I head to Mom's home and spend at least a few hours knitting. She'll often knit her latest garter stitch scarf or will putter … Continue reading WIP Wednesday: Log Cabin for Baby
No matter how cold, snowy, or long the winter, Spring always arrives eventually. And the glory of the season never fails to amaze and lift my spirits -- and, based on conversations with friends and chats with strangers on the street, I'm not the only one. Last Saturday, Patrick, Mom, and I drove to Castle … Continue reading Out and About
Every so often I remind myself how fortunate I am to live near many members of my extended family and, even more so, that we love and enjoy spending time together. Saturday evening, we gathered to celebrate Luke's birthday with the usual delicious food, lively conversation, laughter, and of course, cake. His family has a … Continue reading Family Weekend
I've got two projects for babies-to-be going at the moment and am this close to casting on a new pair of socks with some lovely yarn that I got at the knitting guild yard sale. But baby knits have deadlines, so the socks shall wait. As would be expected with bulky yarn, the log cabin … Continue reading WIP Wednesday: Log Cabin Throw
One of my life's treasures is friendships that span decades -- women (mostly) who've shared the ups, downs, and in-betweens, who can burst into laughter at the mere mention of a childhood memory and whose knowing glance and touch at long-ago or present pain is a balm. Trusting these friendships will last into our old … Continue reading Hands and Hearts
On Monday, after learning that Kevin's first final exam will be this Saturday, I raided my stash of Christmas socks and mailed a pair to him. As he knows, the academic benefits of handknit socks haven't been scientifically proven, but it certainly can't hurt to have your feet wrapped in love and know that you've … Continue reading WIP Wednesday: Socks in a Flash
I'm happy to report that Mom's been home for a few weeks and has regained her pre-pneumonia strength and balance. It helped that she was quite fit before she was hospitalized and that we walked with her around the hospital floor several times a day whether she wanted to or not. Last week, we introduced … Continue reading New Normal for Now
The past week has been a bit of a whirlwind in this little corner of the world. And as I've wondered many a time -- including on the blog -- how do non-knitters weather the storms of life? For example, when your brother drives your Mom to the doctor's office after she's woken with a … Continue reading Knitting in the Whirlwind of Life
As Mom's ability to process the world around her declines, I've been trying to find activities to occupy our time together. We regularly visit a nearby thrift shop, which is full of items that spark conversation and questions. On a recent visit, she got the giggles trying to explain why she thought this little tchotchke … Continue reading Shhhh, Knitters at Work
Spring has been a long time coming here in Greater Boston with last month's temperature averaging a cool 55F (13C). If yesterday's weather is any gauge, we've had the shortest spring on record and have jumped right into summer -- sunny, dry, breezy, and a hot 88F (31C). I figure we've earned it and have … Continue reading Bursting Out All Over
As a change of pace from our usual walk into the square for marketing, errands, and lunch, Mom and I took a field trip to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Perched on the edge of Boston Harbor, it's a beautiful, powerful, exhilarating, and somber place to spend a couple of hours. I'm … Continue reading Back to the 60s
The warm detergent-scented air, steady rumble of washers and dryers spinning, metallic jingle of the change machine, fellow customers folding, chatting, reading. It's been nearly a decade since I've been to a laundromat, but not much has changed. As often happens when I knit in public, my project (Second Sock) sparked curiosity and conversation. As … Continue reading Power of Memory
Dropped-stitch shawl hanging out in the shade. Thanks to Sister-Friend Cathie (she of the knitting cruise and Ontario road trip), here's a photo of the shawl "in action." What a wonderful evening we had with my our Mom and our unphotographed husbands! on Instagram: http://ift.tt/29npb97
The Sheep Ahoy Knitter's Cruise (and all the non-knitting Muggles) docked at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda for 2 1/2 days, giving us plenty of time to explore and work on our shawls. Mom, Cathie, and I walked around the dockyard, a former military installation that's been converted to highlight historic, artistic, and tourist … Continue reading Knitters Not Knitting (At Least, Not All the Time)
The fourth annual Sheep Ahoy Knitter's Cruise has just set sail for Bermuda! Mom (Nancy) and I are on board for our second trip together. She's a veteran of all four! Dear friend Cathie has come from Vancouver for the adventure. We are very sad that fellow Canadian and dear friend Barb had to cancel because of … Continue reading Sheep Ahoy & We’re Off!
Saltwater Hill Knits 