Unraveled Wednesday: 11/27/24

I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers today with the re-knit, improved, and finished blue hat. 

After unraveling the original blue hat, I re-knit it with size 5 needles for the ribbing, added the fold line in the ribbing, and repeated the cable pattern a second time. This made the hat 9.5" deep which is so much better than the original 7.25". 

Now I've got two hats for Justin for Christmas, and the only thing on my needles is the Sparkly Hitchhiker. It hasn't yet reached the boring stage but I would like to finish it up before it becomes a tiresome knit. I've been working on it while I bake pumpkin pies, apple crisp, and croissants for our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. And speaking of giving thanks, I'd like to offer a big thank you to Kat for hosting Unraveled Wednesday every week. I'm grateful that she provides a place for all of us to connect, along with talking about our making and reading. It's truly one of the highlights of my week and I thank you, Kat!

 

Last week I did a fair bit of reading. The first book was The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It is a poetic and thought-provoking exploration of our relationship with nature, community, and the concept of giving. In this essay-length work, Kimmerer, who is known for her blend of Indigenous wisdom and scientific expertise, asks readers to reimagine their place within the natural world.

Using the serviceberry tree as a focal point, she reflects on the idea of reciprocal relationships, challenging the scarcity mindset of modern economies. The serviceberry becomes a symbol of generosity, as its fruit nourishes birds, animals, and humans alike without expectation of repayment. Kimmerer draws from her Potawatomi heritage, blending ecological insights with stories that emphasize interdependence and gratitude. One of the most powerful aspects of the book is its call to embrace a "gift economy," where the act of giving nurtures bonds between people and the land.

At just over 30 pages (two hours for the audiobook version read by the author), this small but impactful work reads like a meditation, making it perfect for those who appreciate reflective, nature-focused literature. It doesn’t delve into as much detail as her other works like Braiding Sweetgrass, it serves as an accessible introduction to her philosophy and writings. This essay is ideal for readers who want to deepen their appreciation for the natural world and consider the broader implications of generosity in both ecological and human communities. I gave it three stars.

I also finished The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.  It is a gentle, poignant continuation of the story that began in The War That Saved My Life. This sequel dives deeper into the emotional complexities of Ada, as she navigates the struggles of World War II, trauma, and healing, while also confronting and accepting her own growth and newfound sense of family. In the first book, she found her strength and voice; in this one, she learns to face her fears and embrace her place in the world. The war may be on the horizon, but Ada’s personal battles—against self-doubt, guilt, and the scars of abuse—are just as formidable. It’s a reminder that courage isn’t just about facing external battles, but also about confronting the emotional scars we carry inside. Bradley has written the setting of wartime England, with its small yet significant moments of joy amidst the chaos, with care and detail so readers can almost feel the weight of wartime anxiety. I enjoyed this four-star read almost as much as the first book. 

Lastly, I read an ARC entitled Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett. It tells the story of 40-year-old Peter Fischer, an immigration lawyer, and his mother, Ann, an Episcopal priest who runs a spiritual retreat. Anne and Peter have been estranged since Peter was a teenager, and Haslett very slowly reveals details about their sexuality (they are both gay) and the harrowing event that drove mother and son apart.

The author has woven many heartbreaking details about Peter's work with those seeking asylum into the story. Ann has been hurt by the distance from her son but she also enjoys the life she has built after leaving Peter's father. When Peter becomes unusually involved with Vasel Marku, a young gay Albanian man seeking asylum over fears he’ll face homophobic persecution, the estranged mother and son are forced to face their own fears and guilt. Haslett takes the long way around to tell this tale, and while I kept reading to see what had driven mother and son apart, I'm not sure that the slow narrative was the best way to tell their stories. Three and a half stars rounded up.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on January 7, 2025.

What are you making and reading this week?