December 31, 2010
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Isn’t it delightful to think of the fresh start of a new year? I am sure it will bring its share of sorrows and disappointments, but I anticipate most of its surprises to be happy ones. Change, though not always welcome, is certain; let it be positive!
As I look ahead, one thing I am resolving to do is to keep a list of the books I read. How exciting to think about working my way through this stack on my bedside table.
This is the book I am finishing…
I think it is not Jan Karon’s best, but still good. And on top, notice the darling bookmark made by a literary-like-minded friend and given to me for Christmas. See the little key charm on the end? Isn’t that a perfect metaphor for how books unlock the whole world for us?
Another treasured gift I received, from another bookophile friend, is the one atop this stack, filled with beautiful photographs of the Ozarks. When I placed it on our coffee table, I realized how much this group of books speaks of me.
Beside the coffee table is the chair and ottoman where I sit and knit at night, and here is a project I’ve just finished, a little scarflet. I’ve made three of these now and love them! A nice change from the long ones I usually make. I loved handling this soft, silky merino.
Here is my current work-in-progress: a diagonal scarf knit with one of my favorite yarns, Noro Kureyon. I’ve used this pattern several times now and love to watch it work up, especially in a hand-dyed yarn like this one.
I’m using some of my favorite needles, a souvenir of a trip to Wyoming. I bought these darling size 8s in a shop in downtown Laramie, just before we headed westward over the Snowy Range. That range is aptly named; we got into quite a snowstorm crossing over, even though it was still late September.
Back to the present: see where the ball of Noro is resting? This was a thoughtful and delightful gift from my daughter, a knitting bowl! It sits on the floor beside my chair and keeps the ball of yarn from rolling under and around things. She was so pleased to find such a unique gift, one she knew I would love. I believe it was made by a creative potter and sold on an Etsy site.
The same daughter gave me this and applied it to the wall above our kitchen/dining window. I kept looking at it as we ate our Christmas dinner that day and hoped its prophecy is true, many times over, in the coming years.
An author I love said, “But in this season it is well to reassert that the hope of mankind rests in faith. As man thinketh, so he is. Nothing much happens unless you believe in it, and believing there is hope for the world is a way to move toward it.” Gladys Taber
Looking forward with faith and hope….
P.S. Wish I could say Gladys was a cousin, but alas, I haven’t found her in farmboy’s family tree. Kin, nonetheless, in spirit….
Comments (5)
Such a nice post. Love seeing your special books and gifts and the knitting bowl. How clever! I would love to find a pattern for your diagonal scarf. I am weary of my same ol’ same ol’ patterns and have been making Caps For Good, knitting baby caps for newborns.
How has your weather been? Where from you was the recent tornado?
I wish you the best throughout this new year ahead.
Oh, I love the Gladys Tabor books! Not many I know have read them. I have the Jan Karon book on request at the library. When things get “right” again around here….I forgot to pick up the old newley fixed computer this morning…I’m so mad at me!….I will have to take a picture of the elephant yarn holder I got at a farm auction. It is so cute and even tho I’m not crocheting right now I keep her in my bedroom as a “decoration”. Lovely post as always. I’m hoping for wall words for my bedroom. I think Wil’s artist cousin is going to do a “bare” tree (I saw it in the wall words catalog) and a Bible verse over our bed. It has been over a year and I still have nothing on that wall waiting for exactly what I want.
I’m with you Janet. Going to keep track of my books this year. How about the writing? I am vowing to keep my writing journal up and add something everyday. Here’s to the New Year….and come what may, we must face it head on. As the Irish say “Joy be with us, and honour close the tale, Now do we dip the prow, and shake the sail, And take the wind, and bid adieu to rest…With glad endeavour we begin the quest That destiny commands, though where we go, Or guided by what star, no man doth know…..” James Stephens.
Just found this post I had missed, and love it. I love the idea of keeping a list of the books we read .. and I am in love with the knitting bowl – a combination of two of my loves – pottery and knitting! Also admire the quote over the kitchen window – and your angels look so sweet hanging from the garland!
Happy New Year, my dear friend … hope we can get together soon – let’s look forward to that.
PS- Your scarves are wonderful! I’m intrigued by the diagonal one- do you pick up stitches to change the direction? Looks yummy in that Noro yarn.