I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers today with a finished green hat and the beginning of reknitting the blue one that was originally too small.
I was completely happy with my modifications on the green hat, so I unraveled the blue hat and started reknitting a modified version. That lovely blue yarn was just too nice not to use, and four inches of K2P2 ribbing is the perfect way to keep my hands busy so my mind doesn't wander too far into Anxiety Land.
I read an interesting book last week, Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner. It is a captivating and raw exploration of sisterhood, mental health, and resilience, narrated from the perspective of Amy Shred, the quieter, more responsible younger sibling who tries to manage the chaos her sister Ollie brings into their lives. Set in the 1970s to the early 1990s, the novel follows the sisters as Ollie’s bipolar and borderline personality disorder cause disruption, chaos, and heartbreak throughout their family.
Amy’s journey, which is marked by her struggle to reconcile her loyalty with frustration toward Ollie, forms the novel's emotional core. Betsy Lerner powerfully captures Amy’s internal conflict as she feels both love and resentment, especially as Ollie’s disorder brings instability to everyone around her. The narrative is laced with bittersweet reflections on unconditional love, personal boundaries, and the complicated bonds between family members. It felt like Lerner brought authenticity to her characters, rooted in psychological insights and nuanced portrayals of mental illness. The book felt emotionally intense but not terribly hopeful. The familial bonds did remain strong despite constant challenges in this debut novel. The characters in this novel had access to mental health professionals and enough resources to deal with the mental health issues for the long term. These are not always the case in real life. I gave this book three stars.What are you making and reading this week?
(I thought about not posting today as there is honestly not enough knitting, reading, or vodka to make this okay. But I decided to keep calm and carry on because I'm going to have to start figuring out how to navigate the next four years without becoming angry, bitter, and disillusioned. Right now that's about all I'm feeling.)
Hello there, Bonny. I got up at 3am because I couldn't sleep, and I have been practicing reality avoidance since. Thanks for the post. I think it is very wise and therapeutic to keep calm, carry on, knit, read, and ignore all media that will make you grit your teeth. And today is the perfect day to start! Remember, we will survive. We just need to develop some coping mechanisms that actually work. I think I need a project. I am not bitter or angry, I found out last time this guy got elected that it didn't help. I don't want to give the situation any energy I need elsewhere. I am disillusioned, but that's nothing new. Love the hat! Remember what Elizabeth Zimmerman said, "knit on with confidence and hope in all crises".
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling completely numb right now and can't believe we're here again. I am truly scared about where this country is heading and am not sure what I can possibly do about it. But as Elizabeth Zimmermann said, "Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises." It feels useless, but it's what I can do.
ReplyDeleteI also downloaded that Fredrik Backman short story -- I figure that I've liked everything I've read by him before, so I didn't have much to lose. I'm glad to hear it was good.
Beautiful hat!! I think you will love that the blue one will be altered like the green one. I'm glad you posted :)
ReplyDeleteI am also glad you posted. We must keep going.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of this, Bonny. Normalcy in a sea of confusion. I am off to find the Backman short story.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the green hat finish! Taking the blue hat to the frog pond looks scary but I know sometimes it just has to be done.
ReplyDeleteI was up all night. At 4 am I went out on the deck and built a big fire, made a pot of coffee and burned stuff up all night. I don't know where to put all these feelings. I agree that staying calm and knitting on is what is needed. Spinning is my stress relief so I'm loading up my little wheel today with something pretty.
I fell asleep about 2:00, was up twice more to check my phone, and finally gave up and got up at 6:00. I'm not sure where to put these feelings either, but I like your idea of burning stuff. I rage cleaned the bathroom, and will use my simmering anger to vacuum in a few minutes. I wish you some soothing, pretty spinning.
DeleteThat's a great hat! I chose not to post today. I know I will eventually but I need time to move through some feelings or all of my anger and bitterness and rage is going to show up on the blog and I don't want to use that space in that way.
ReplyDeleteI love your hat, what an attractive design.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy.
DeleteI intended to download "The Answer is No" and then I forgot - I'll look to see if I can still get it for free. I don't want to pay for a short story (yes, I am cheap). I'm not angry. I am disappointed and frustrated, but we've been through this before and we will get through it again. As my audiologist said this morning...for the next 4 years I will be shrugging my shoulders and saying don't blame me, I didn't vote for him. The green hat looks wonderful Bonny and I know the blue one will be just as nice. Quiet knitting can calm the mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm still shocked. I went to bed so hopeful and work up and just didn't have words. I love your hat. I need to pick up my knitting to see if it helps but right now even reading is hard and I just stare into space.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much how I feel, too. I don't think I'll ever understand how so many people could choose to vote for that racist, misogynistic, fascist felon.
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