Blech... And other uplifting thoughts

I've been not well.  Not super sick, just blech.  It's a bummer.  Tired, achy, yes, I admit it, whiney.

We are experiencing a serious cold snap.  Below zero. High winds.  The sort of weather that makes you want to hibernate.  My studio is in an added on portion of the house that just isn't as warm as the rest of the house.  And as I've already mentioned I feel icky and cold in a warm room.

So instead of spending some quality time in my studio, I am sitting in front of the computer, in sweats & two shirts & a double thick blanket.  But, at least I'm improving on the consistency of this blog, eh!

Well, enough whining.  Yesterday was inauguration day here in the US.  It's filled with historical references and protocol I am not well versed in, but I totally love it.

It was also Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  I always feel a pull whenever I read his writings.  He was focused on Civil Rights, but his wisdom reaches across to all aspects of life.  Below is one of my favorite quotes and is where the name of the blog came from.  Enjoy.

And I say to you, I have also decided to stick to love. For I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems. And I'm going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn't popular to talk about it in some circles today. I'm not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love, I'm talking about a strong, demanding love. And I have seen too much hate. I've seen too much hate on the faces of sheriffs in the South. I've seen hate on the faces of too many Klansmen and too many White Citizens Councilors in the South to want to hate myself, because every time I see it, I know that it does something to their faces and their personalities and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we are moving against wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who has love has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.

inconsistency...

I post to this blog inconsistently. Sometimes I'm bummed or frustrated or irritated and sometimes I'm accepting that inconsistency is a part of who I am.

Primarily, I'm bummed when I want to document something I've created and forget! I've been working in my studio this month and there are things to post, before I give them away! My camera is getting kind of old and the digital pics are not as clear... Oh, heck. Hold on, I'll get some pics to post.


Okay, this scarf I just finished today. Yes, I'm intentionally knitting things to keep. Which feels weird. But I'm doing it anyway.

It's some sort of specialty yarn that I've had quite a while. Unsure how to proceed, it's been waiting patiently in a box until last week when I spotted it. It was a little fussy to work with, but the end result is really interesting.

I made it to wear with this corduroy jacket.  I'm really pleased with the way the orange bits reflect the light.  The scarf itself is 10 inches wide and 32 inches long.  I started with 33 stitches on and knit every stitch until it was a good length.  I wanted it to hang, not too long, and I definitely didn't want to double it up.  It's an infinity scarf, which means I gave the end a twist and joined the wrong side to the right side.  This time I tried knitting the ends together as I bound off.  An earlier infinity scarf ended up with a serious seam when I bound off first and joined second, so I was looking for a new way.  I like the seam better. I'll try again with a less fussy yarn and see how it goes.

As this is the Year of Light, I'm going to lighten up about fuzzy pics.  I'm also going to lighten up about the inconsistency.  

2013 - Year of Light

We've taken to naming the new year as it approaches. It's fun and empowering and I highly recommend it.

This year has been dubbed The Year of Light. It started with this quote:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” MLK jr

I started to feel a tingle as I read that quote. So I searched the definition. Get a load of this:

Definition of LIGHT
1 a : something that makes vision possible
b : the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors
c : electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that travels in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second; specifically : such radiation that is visible to the human eye
2 a : DAYLIGHT
b : DAWN
3: a source of light: as
a : a celestial body
b : CANDLE
c : an electric light
4 archaic : SIGHT 4a
5 a : spiritual illumination
b : INNER LIGHT
c : ENLIGHTENMENT
d : TRUTH
6 a : public knowledge
b : a particular aspect or appearance presented to view
7 : a particular illumination
8 : something that enlightens or informs
9 : a medium (as a window) through which light is admitted
10 plural : a set of principles, standards, or opinions
11 : a noteworthy person in a particular place or field
12 : a particular expression of the eye
13 a : LIGHTHOUSE, BEACON
b : TRAFFIC LIGHT
14 : the representation of light in art
15 : a flame for lighting something (as a cigarette)
— in the light of
1: from the point of view of
2 or in light of : in view of

Really! How great is that?! Truth, enlightenment, inner light, spiritual illumination! I feel uplifted, inspired and hopeful and that is just what naming your year ought to be.

Love for Newtown

I am sad. Sad, sad, sad, for the tragedy today and for each and every person who is in pain because of it.

“There's no way for them to take away my sadness, but they can make sure I am not empty of all the other feelings.” ― David Levithan, Love Is the Higher Law

I found this quote and believe it is so appropriate for today. We can all make a difference to the survivors by offering our love, prayers, and support. So, for everyone connected with Sandy Hook... love.

Unplanned Downtime

Something happened at my office, that makes it impossible for us to work there this week. Unexpected. Shocking. Time off.

So... Can't work, what to do... what to do? Well, first on the list is cookies. It's Christmas time and my husband requested cookies this year. We've skipped the last couple of years for various reasons (last year=broken arm). I went to the store yesterday and purchased a truck load of flour, sugar, chips, vanilla, molasses, well you get the idea. I have eggs and butter on the counter to make dough, that I'll freeze for a week or two.

Next, finish and deliver some bowling ball gifts. Finished gluing yesterday. Will deliver after lunch! Totally excited to be finished with this task!

Next, design a Christmas Card for this year. We began making cards years ago when my sons were young. It was a family project, putting them together. Now I just can't seem to buy them. A few years ago, I bough some Christmas 'letterhead' on clearance, which I remembered yesterday. I just dug it out. It's pretty fantastic. At the top is an embossed snowy landscape, with some silvery snowflakes. I'm going to print something on this, cut off the bottom, mount it on paper... Well I'll post it when I get it finished. But, it's off to a good start.

Wow. It's been a while since I was a stay at home Mom and I've forgotten just how much you can get done in a day. Well, there are some other items on my list, but that's enough of a to do list for anyone out there reading this.

I'm going to close with the quote for this year's card.

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”
― Bob Hope

Happy Thanksgiving

I am blessed. More importantly, I feel blessed. The older I am the more earnestly I know that what your life is depends almost entirely upon your decision to feel good about it or to feel bad about it.

It really is all about perspective.

I watched a man being interviewed after the devastation in Haiti. He'd lost his very young son. A loss he felt very deeply. However, he chose to feel blessed to have known his son. To have loved and been loved by him. He chose to celebrate is son every single day. It was powerful, humbling, and emotional.

His perspective allowed him to be thankful, grateful and loving right in the midst of the worst loss he'd experienced.

Thanksgiving is approaching and I am truly thankful for all that has been my experience. I am especially thankful for the man I love and who loves me right back.

Happy Turkey Day one and all!

Bowling Ball Art...

I love stuff in the garden. Probably have mentioned that before. Here is the most recent bowling ball creation! Gift for a good friend. Love it!