New England New Year

It's dark and rainy and just plain ugly around here. Certainly not a Christmas vacation to remember. Progress continues on the Jaywalker but no picture this week. Hopefully next week there will be one complete sock and another well on it's way. I'm liking the look of the sock and may want to keep them rather than gift them! Happy New Year one and all.

Ode to a Friend

I think she was around 7 when I met her. She had a big smile and long brown hair. It seems as though we became friends immediately. It's been almost 22 years and our friendship has stayed the course. She is a wonderful part of a family initially comprised of two tip top parents and a great brother. Meet my niece and her handsome Swedish husband. They will be moving to northern California, setting out Christmas Day on a cross country adventure that will bring them to their new home. They are young and bright. They are happy. They are excited. They will do well. I didn't realize until today how much I will miss her. It's not that I see her that often, but she's always been there. She was there as a child, as a babysitter and cousin extraordinaire to TLP, a college grad, a world traveler, the first bride, and now a remarkable young woman with a life of her own. I wish them well. I'll miss you my friend!

Jaywalking to January

I've been making progress on my Jaywalkers. The date I was looking for was January 9th. I think I'm on track, though once the baking, wrapping, partying extravaganza of the holiday season really kicks in they may get put on the back burner until the 26th. I'd like to read a book during this season too. It's been a real compromise, putting most reading aside in favor of knitting. I'd like to finish East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I've got 100 pages read and am finding it wonderful. DH and TLP will be headed to the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston for a track meet on Saturday so maybe I'll sit down and turn the heel...or read my book, or write out the Christmas cards I bought, or bake or God forbid...clean the house! Happy Holidays!

The Purly Spaniel

This is Rocket - the Purly Spaniel. Not a fabulous picture of him but he was in his "it's Monday and I know you're all leaving me" mood. Plus, he's a little freaked out by things he can't identify - like the camera. He's a good dog, an exceptional running partner and great friend to his other dog friends and dog cousins!

Just Thinking

As I knit along on my Jaywalkers I'm wondering if I'm the last knitter to realize that it's okay to leave mistakes in your work. I mean, it is okay isn't it? I've screwed up here and there on the pattern but not that anyone would really notice if they weren't looking. So, rather than rip out, I've continued on. The other question is, God forbid, will they be looking? As we begin to realize how global this knitting community really is, am I now running the risk of meeting up with other Jaywalker knitters, say on the MBTA or in a restaurant? Could the individual possibly glance over, see the beautifully hand knit sock, and exclaim Jaywalkers! I'd be caught. I'm as guilty a Catholic as they come so I would immediately assault the fellow knitter with a katrillion apologies, pointing out each and every flaw in the sock. Maybe we've come on to something here. 2006 - the year of keeping it to myself. Thanks, I like my kitchen too. Thanks, yes I did make that, isn't it nice? Thanks, this old crappy sweater that I've worn for 10 years is nice isn't it? I'll have to think on this one. I'm not big on resolutions but this one could work. I'll let you know how it goes, really, and I won't apologize if it doesn't work out!