Life is hard... or, am I getting older?

This has been a hard summer for me. Is hard the right word? Stressful, yes. Feel like I'm getting older? DEFINITELY!!!



First my cat, then I get sick and take like what feels forever to get better. Then my dad gets sick again--but he's better now--WOOT. Then, my husband's father passes away suddenly 10 days ago... then we find a suspicious mass in my breast--not cancer--WOOT. then a friend goes in the hospital with chest pains--he's good now--whew. I'm definitely good and full with the ups and downs.



usually I love summer. usually my birthdays don't bother me. I'm not so sure about this one. I think I'm definitely feeling my age and those of the loved ones around me.

I love autumn more, hopefully it is easier on my heart.

SP Question of the Week #10

What Olympic event would best describe you knitting/knitting style?


hmmm... what event would they give out medals for beginning lots of new projects, seeing lots of finishes in your lifetime, having all the materials you could want and the endurance? but just not the time apparently...

opening ceremonies count? the pentathalong? steeplechase?

Rain Garden '08 update

check out these rain garden photos! and my buddy, isn't (s) he awesome? this is the second year of my rain garden... and all the rain this year, has made it extra special.

it is performing exceptionally well. it can take a 2" rain without overflowing. unfortunately, we've seen a lot of the 4" in variety this year.

the neighbor kids love all the butterflies and caterpillars. we do too! and I saw one of the cats batting at one the other day also.

its always active around here.

check out that red cardinal flower. wow!!

my favorites in the spring garden

In anticipation of some upcoming photos... let me show you some of my favorites in the spring garden. I love these little guys. they are called fritillarias. or checkered lilies. I would like them everywhere. and, I'm working on it.

and, once again, I score!

Look at this LOOT! My secret pal, only identified as from Massachusetts.... sent this huge box of awesome goodies to my door. 4 skeins of handdyed sock yarn, a needle holder, SOAK, OLIVE GREEN worsted weight yarn, a pattern in my que, with yarn to go with it, candles, a Vogue specifically on green, spa girly stuff, tea, burt's bees and cookies. Where do I start? Thanks Secret Pal. I hope you have a great weekend! I am, I am going to be going through my goodies!

My Madaline

Madaline, my cat, is a tortoise. She's over 12 years old, sometimes ornery, but she's all mine. She recently went through, and put us through, some significant trauma. While we were on vacation she suffered what the vets believe is a stroke to her spine. We came home and she was completely paralyzed on her right side. Poor thing. This cat is all about independence. So for about two weeks, we excercised her, took her to the litter box, etc. We also engaged a vet to give her accupuncture treatments. She was doing some movement on her own, perhaps by dragging. Then, one saturday afternoon, she just stood up and started walking. She looked like she was drunk, but she was doing it. And everyday since then, she has gotten a little bit better. She's not afraid to try anything, even if it doesn't fare well for her. She's learned that her front leg isn't going to respond every time like she wants it to, so she's compensating for that in how she moves off of furniture and down our stairs. I really admire her fortitude and compuncture. I saw this post this morning about the sacredness of animals and was inspired to write a little about my Madaline.

Through all of this, we learned about not only the steadfastness of our love for our animals but their trust and love for us. Madaline knew that not all was well for her, but she trusted me to keep taking care of her. In additiona, we engaged a vet that does accupunture and a friend that does chiropracty to help Madaline along. While Mad wasn't excited about the treatments, she looked to me in trust while they were occuring to keep her safe. And as an aside we know that these alternative treatments really made a difference in her recovery. Mad showed significant progress following both types of treatments, and both provided immediate pain relief for her of one type or another at one time or another. We're both excited to be back in the sunshine!

New Question

What is(are) your favorite place(s) to knit?

anywhere in my house. I love upstairs in my living room, or downstairs in front of the TV. I also love outside in my garden, where I'm very inspired. the mosquitoes are a bit tedious this year though.

What supplies (besides yarn & needles) make the setting perfect for knitting?

water to drink, sometimes an audio book, and my imagination.