Autumnal Musings...

It's fall... well, actually it's been feeling like fall for a few weeks now. Digging out the scarves and shawls and capes and all the while wondering where summer went... and dreaming of summers past. Why is it that that first chill in the air brings on feelings of melancholy? Where did the summer go... what did I do... did I accomplish anything... did I have fun? Why can't I wear summer dresses anymore?! Then my thoughts turn to "Christmas is coming and I haven't really started knitting the presents that I want to give". What a conundrum I am in. Oh, the yarn is purchased for all the various projects and the patterns picked... but nary a thing is cast on. Too busy doing test knits for Meagheen or finishing birthday presents. Mind you... some of those test knits will become Christmas presents... but still... I'm so far behind I can see me own arse! But now that Fall is here... time to start thinking about those other knitty things that I'm so far behind in. So what did I do... well, that brings me to my latest fun knit project. And it has nothing to do with Christmas or presents of any sort but everything to do with battling the soon to come winter weather. Squirrel!

Introducing the Laptop Sweater! Well, actually this was more about knitting up a laptop cover that was more portable than the briefcase thing. Getting ready for a road trip holiday and yes, I intend to bring the laptop for whom I've named 'Sir Arthur'... Guinness that is, not the Round Table dude. Sir Arthur holds all the patterns I intend to knit while on holidays... yes, I'm trying to be ecologically friendly and all. So, while I dig around for more scarves and knit up more shawls... Sir Arthur can be just as cozy as the rest of us.

The importance of being family...

There is something to be said about having friends with the same likes...

I have grown rather fond of my knitting buddies. Some I have met and knit with regularly in my local area. They are an amazing group of ladies and I have learned so much from them... some of it is even about knitting! We meet in the coffee shop, the pub, the fish n' chip shop, the LYS... we seek advice on Ravelry and some of it is even about knitting! They have become a group of sisters by choice... my world has changed because of them and I am grateful.

Then there are others that I have only met on line but my friends they still are. Let me tell you about the Ryan Clan... I first met on Ravelry on one of the "Father Ted's" fan group... love that feckin' show! Through conversations and life circumstances I was invited to join the Ryan Family group... and me world has changed... again.

The Ryan Clan is about family... some are blood... some family by choice and I am honoured to be one of the chosen. One of the chosen sisters posted the following: We all have found such a wonderful home here with the Ryan’s. No matter what has ever gone on either on-line or in the real world, here we always find a kind word, a yummy recipe, lovely patterns and many, many kind words and stories. So let’s return the favor in kind... and we were then asked to share a kind word or two about the family. I couldn't single anyone out for I knew I would miss someone. So, here is my favour in kind...

The Ryan Clan... we are a very eclectic group! Some live on this side of The Pond... others live across The Pond; some have visited Ireland (the Ryan homeland)... others dream of doing so; some are under 50... some are over; some have children/grandchildren... others do not; some work outside the home... others work in the home; some knit... some crochet; some design... others test knit the designs.... I could go on and on but as you can see, we are like any other family. We chat, we question, we cry, we laugh, and we tease... oh, do we tease! There is always one in the family that the teasing is focused a little more on... not that we love them more or less... but the shoulders are broad and the teasing... well, frankly is encouraged.

This takes me to Murphy the Sheep with his pink bum (that's another story)... and to Meagheen who designs these very special and funny mini socks. Murphy gets into trouble where ever he goes... and that's half the fun. The other half is helping Meagheen finding different ways for Murphy to get into trouble. Then off she goes to design the story onto a wee sock! I'm not very good at two colour stranding let alone all the millions of colours she uses... well, not millions but it feels like it... so others in the family will test knit! I wanted to give back to the Ryan Clan who has welcomed me with open arms and loving hearts... introducing "I Heart Murphy" shawl pin. I giggle when I wear it, giggle when I think about his mishaps... and I feel love from the whole Ryan Clan.

One day we will meet over a pint and laugh and cry like we've known each other for years!

Scooch down...

Well, it was time for me annual once over at the doctor's office and contrary to popular thinking... I don't get all veclemped about it. I actually look forward to it. It tells me another year has passed and I'm still alive with no major health issues to chat about with Dr. D. I am always amused when I go to my appointment. This wasn't always so...

I have vague memories of the 'first visit' with a much older male doctor. I never spoke unless he asked me questions. The only woman I could talk about the women issues was my Gram but sadly passed away when I was in my early 20's. Mum... poor dear taught by nuns in a Catholic school... was not helpful. Heaven forbid women understand their own bodies.

Times have changed... or maybe I have. And it took being in the cast in Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues to help bring about this change! Who knew a play about a bunch of women's stories from around the world would awaken the senses.

My favourite monologue that I was privileged to perform... The Angry Vagina... well, lets just say no twenty something can do this piece justice. She hasn't been around long enuff but she will learn. Anyways...  it was this bit that got me less stressed over the doctor visits and those mean cold duck lips!!! It didn't happen over night... a chat with the nieces helped. The poor young dears found it hard to say the word 'Vagina"! Boy, did we talk. And I discovered that I was no longer afraid to say vagina let alone the visits.

So the visit this time around included laughter, daring Dr. D to say "scooch down", chatting about my "fluffiness" and the beginnings of "the pause"... oy! And while I was staring up at the ceiling I thought... "I should knit him some stirrup cozies"...

knead: to mix and blend

Let me begin by saying... I'm just an ordinary gal who wants to do extraordinary things. I have a little time on my side so there is hope... one small step atta time.

I started knitting in the fall of 2006... a few short months after what was the love of my life running off for another. What began as a means of keeping the mind busy and supplement the therapy sessions soon became a passion. In the class I was told I knitted with frenzy... I laughed!!! They were right... my stix were going as fast as my brain. My knitting has calmed down (as well as me brain) but I fear I may begin to yarn shop with frenzy... good thing I only have one credit card and no line of credit!

A few years have passed... new love in my life has helped to mix things up a bit (he's my Knit-Picker), journeys to Ireland (that story is for another time), dear old friends and an amazing knitting family have all blended into a brilliant support system that... if it wasn't already mine... I would envy!!!!!!

So what was my first real knit after an Into to Knitting class at my favourite LYS? Scarf? Dish cloth? Nay... felted slippers... one step towards something extraordinary.