Weekending

This weekend was one for chores, saboteurs, and out of doors. Chores included the usual grocery shopping, a bit of housework, some ironing, and a mountain of laundry. The saboteurs were my washing machine that chose the spin cycle to die and a malfunctioning change machine at the laundromat that made it darn near impossible to get the cursed laundry done. Thanks to The Golden Bowl next door, I was able to get quarters and delicious shrimp with lobster sauce.

Out of doors was the best place to be to rid myself of lingering frustration, so I drove to the scenic campus of Delaware Valley College (where Justin went to school), took a long walk, and enjoyed the last of the autumn color.

I felt like I also deserved some sitting, knitting, and committing (to several episodes of The Crown, which is absolutely stunning so far). The opening sequence, haunting music, the clothing, stories, actors, and reminders of how much I don't know about Queen Elizabeth II and her family have made The Crown a new favorite.

All in all, it wasn't a half bad weekend. Here's hoping your own weekend had more good than bad!

Sunday Selection

Sundays during November will be for my Sunday Selection - a recipe that sounds good, a book that I love, a quote, poem, or photo that speaks to me ... whatever strikes my fancy!

Today it's roses in November.

These are at my father's facility, and I admire them every time I'm there. Some of the blossoms have succumbed to frost, but there are plenty of stunning ones remaining, along with hips and still-to-bloom buds on the same bush. They may be blooming in November because of global warming, and I don't know how long they'll last, but these lovely roses certainly started my November beautifully.

Saturday Sky

It was so much more beautiful in person!

Gratitude Week - Day 5

For my fifth and final post for Gratitude Week, I'm grateful for my blog and everyone it has brought me into contact with.

I never imagined that I had anything of consequence to say, but in 2013 Ryan moved 1700 miles away for grad. school and this brought some big changes to my life. While I was thrilled that he was pursuing his dream in beautiful Colorado, I was also feeling a bit bereft. I thought that maybe keeping a journal to chronicle the changes would help me deal with them in a positive way, but I also know myself well enough to understand that I would probably quit writing after a dozen entries. Typing and being able to edit my thoughts on a keyboard was much more attractive to me than actually putting pen to paper, so the idea of blogging took root. Justin moved 1900 miles away to Texas earlier this year, so I need to write more than ever.

I truly never expected anyone to read my ramblings, let alone comment and care one whit about what I had to say, but that has certainly not been the case. I'm somewhat embarrassed by my posts in the beginning, but they were so bad that I could only get better. After a while, I began to improve (hopefully both my words and photos) and kind people began to comment. I encountered many people through ravelry and the now defunct Ten on Tuesday and even though I haven't met any of them in person, I think of them as real-life friends because of all they have unselfishly given.

I'm grateful that my blog has given me a place to to write, ponder, think, share, and grow, and I'm incredibly grateful to all of the lovely, friendly, creative, wonderful, and supportive people I've met. The photos I've included today don't really have anything to do with this topic, but they are a couple of my favorites, just like you are some of my favorite people. Some day maybe we'll actually have a knitting retreat with lots of food, drink, fun, and laughs, but until then, THANK YOU!

Think ... Write ... Thursday!

See Bonny read. Read, Bonny, read.

My favorite teacher?  Today's Think Write Thursday poses an easily answered question for me, and one that also serves well as my Gratitude Week - Day 4 post. I owe Mrs. Neusch oodles of gratitude, and I think of her often with deep appreciation.

I didn't go to kindergarten, so first grade marked my first school experience. I was very nervous, but my mother had promised that I would learn to read, so I climbed on the bus with apprehension, my new bookbag, sharpened pencils, and an apple for the teacher (really!).

Mrs. Neusch greeted all twelve of her students with a kind smile and thanks for the half dozen apples on her desk. We sat at our assigned desks while she handed out paper and pencils that looked like size 15 knitting needles. We painstakingly made pages of upper and lowercase As.

Lunch and recess interrupted the boredom, and I returned to the classroom with a sense of excitement. When Mrs. Neusch handed out our Dick and Jane readers (really!) I could barely sit still. But then she told us that were going to make book covers for them with paper grocery bags and I began to get concerned. Books covered and placed carefully in our desks, it was time for an arts and crafts project and several of my classmates discovered how tasty paste could be.

The afternoon dragged on until we lined up to go home and I burst into tears. Mrs. Neusch calmly asked why and I stammered that my mother said I would learn to read, but after one whole day of school I still didn't know how. She hugged me and said that we would all learn together and I would be reading very soon.

And she was right. 

I don't remember how far into the school year it was before it actually happened, but soon

 I was reading action-packed books about Dick, Jane, Tim the bear, Sally, and Spot all by myself.

Thankfully we did move beyond simplistic Dick and Jane once the whole class had learned to read (or had at least memorized 100 words by sight) and we then started the process of "sounding it out" with phonics. It was probably slow, laborious and mind-numbing for poor Mrs. Neusch, but I remember her infinite patience. My favorite teacher is the caring one who taught me to read (and that eating paste wasn't a good idea).

Read other Think ... Write ... Thursday! posts here, and sign up for Carole and Kat's great idea here.

Gratitude Week - Day 3

Today's gratitude goes out to books. They have been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. My grandmother was a schoolteacher and she told me that if I could read, I could learn anything and everything. I took this advice to heart, and have been learning through fiction, nonfiction, textbooks, picture books, YA, and audiobooks ever since.

Childhood favorites gave me pleasure decades ago, and I have appreciated them even more after several rereads as an adult. Even though I never did find a spider that could spell, have a sugaring off, run away to the Met, or drink raspberry cordial, I could do these things in my imagination.

Books have given me a way to spend quality time with my sons. When Justin was learning to read, he was obsessed with Mr. Grump. His teacher finally gave us a copy and I remember getting teary-eyed when he read it by himself for the first time. My boy could read!

Ryan and I shared the Harry Potter books. I had to order the first books in the series from the UK because I was so anxious to read the next one and they were published in the UK six months earlier than in the US. I started ordering two copies when Ryan began reading them himself and we had great discussions after we had both finished. We share an Audible account now, and he called last night to tell me that he had finally started The Nix, which I've been urging him to do for several months. I hope he loves it as much as I did, but even if he doesn't it's still wonderful to talk about books with him.

I'm currently reading Faithful, and one of the characters expressed my feelings perfectly, "I'm sticking with books. They never let you down and they don't judge you." I'm so grateful for books, reading, trips to the library, meeting other readers, the thrill of a new book, and the excitement of turning the page. I'm sticking with books, too.

Gratitude Week - Day 2

Today I'm expressing my gratitude for knitting and all that it has provided for me, and hopefully others that I've knit for.

Knitting has given me a way to express comfort, love, and care.

It has helped me welcome new babies and keep them warm and snuggly.

It has helped keep my sons' heads warm,

and their hands, too.

Knitting has kept me amused with narwhals,

and given me comfort and happiness with a seemingly endless string of Hitchhikers.

Knitting allows me to feel the softness and see the beauty of yarn, and admire the creativity and fearlessness in the projects of other knitters. Through knitting, I've been given camaraderie and friendship with other knitters, in addition to greatly appreciated support, encouragement, and many words of wisdom and caring.

Knitting is always there when I need it, and waits patiently when I don't have much time.
The knitting continues ...

and my heart is full of gratitude.