Thursday Already?

Thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement. They mean so much to me during this "difficult time", as everyone rightfully calls it.

If it's Thursday, which it is, then it's been a week since I posted. And knowing that many of my blogging friends have been thinking of me and praying for me, I need to post something here to let you know I'm functional and busy.

In the past week I've arranged for retaining wall pavers to replace the crumbling cement retaining walls in the front of the house, a crumbling chimney tear down and rebuild before the weather gets too cold, and an estimate on a much needed makeover for the bathroom.

The tree service has been on vacation but should be back by now and I intend to bug him starting tomorrow about the willow tree.

I feel like I'm playing Beat the Clock with winter. (Anyone old enough to remember that TV show?) It's going to be a close race.

Many things have been cleaned out and hopefully blessed the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and Goodwill, including a nineteen year old Jeep. There will be much more donating as I work through the house.


I'm working off adrenaline and haven't knit a stitch in a month. I realize this goes against Elizabeth Zimmerman's edict, "Knit on with confidence and hope, through all crises." I don't find crisis knitting soothing at all, so I've been trying to relax by reading and randomly jumping up to attend to whatever pops into my mind.

Walking the dogs should be a pleasure this time of year, but for the past month mosquitoes have been making outdoors miserable by swarming around my head every time I walk out the door. Some days I resort to Deep-Woods Off, but I hate putting it on. I can taste it and smell it even after showering it away. Nothing milder discourages them.

Glory's urinary tract infection returned and she's on antibiotics again - stronger and longer this time around. Pappy had an anal gland infection and if he's not better by next Tuesday he will get anesthetic and an anal gland infusion. Sunny is fine. She and I are spending some one on one snuggle time right now while the other two dogs are at the groomer.

I'm looking forward to the day when there is a "new normal". Meanwhile I'm getting a lot done. That's a good thing because I'm not going to relax until things are under control and I'm able to hibernate here for the winter with a safe chimney and a bathroom that doesn't leak.

I'll try not to go a week without blogging again, but promise nothing. This really is a "difficult time".

The Last Willow Makes a Mess

This has been a summer of many storms. Living where I do, that means power outages and branches down.

Last Saturday the last willow tree on our property (we're not counting all the willow shoots that are popping up where there used to be willow trees), split and thirty feet of it fell the length of the creek.

Two years ago I got an price for removing this tree. $2,000. It's location and all the surrounding water made for a difficult project. I decided to let it stand in hopes it would hold up until I moved out. Lost that gamble.


The lower right of the top picture is the bridge to the back three acres. There is about a foot wide where the dogs and I can still get across.

Everything is too heavy for me to move. The tree service has been called. They're swamped with urgent work and the owner is on vacation, so I won't get a price until next week sometime. Then the work can be scheduled and I hope it won't be too long.


This last picture was taken from the bridge looking down the creek.

Glory, who loves to wade into the creek multiple times a day, can no longer get down the bank. She's very unhappy about that. All the other places she might go in require walking in mud and/or muck and getting rinsed off with a hose before being allowed back in the house. Neither one of us likes that.

It could be worse. This tree was in power line range but fell in the opposite direction. Always something to be thankful for.

How Are the Dogs Doing?

People keep asking me, "How are you doing?" I don't have a good answer for that. The truth is that I'm doing OK considering this is only the start of the third week without Bob. But OK doesn't mean I feel anyway near normal. It just means I'm coping and getting the important things accomplished.

Grief has stages, so I may be doing OK today but maybe not so OK tomorrow? What do people want to hear when they ask that question of a new widow?

I'm probably way over analysing that question, so let's chance the subject and talk about how the dogs are doing.

Glory, the 60 pound almost 15 year old lab mix:



Glory used to sleep next to Bob's side of the bed. Since Bob's death she's been sleeping under the kitchen table or under a table in the living room.

The week before Bob died, we though we were going to lose Glory. She wouldn't eat and couldn't walk without help. Bob said the last sad goodby to her before I took her to the vet who diagnosed a urinary tract infection and 25% kidney function.

It only took two days of antibiotics and Glory was back on her feet, hungry and feeling as peppy as an almost fifteen year old lab can feel. It was so wonderful to be able to bring Bob's dog back to him for his final days. She's on a special diet for her kidney function now. Still, I suspect she won't be with me much longer.

Sunny, the 15 pound very mixed breed with advanced osteoarthritis of her spine:


Sunny has been sleeping under the bed instead of in the bed where she used to cuddle up next to Bob. She does occasionally cuddle up next to me at night and when I sit with the laptop. I can tell she misses Bob.

Pappy, the 15 pound very old Papillon rescued nine years ago:



Pappy has always been a needy dog, full of love and wanting to be with his people. He used to sleep on the pillow above my head and follow me around all day to be close whenever I would sit or recline.

Now he sleeps cuddled up next to me, which is a comfort and a blessing. He still follows me around all day and gets very nervous when I leave home. Sometimes he whines at me to settle down and snuggle with him when I am home.

I've read about dogs with separation anxiety, but never experienced it first hand. Dogs have personalities and smart dogs, like all three of mine, know when something is not right. Pappy is the least secure because of his history and sensitive personality.

I'm giving him lots of love and attention whenever possible. He's old, he had a difficult life before he came here to live, and we both need each other right now.

Simple Woman's Daybook for August 9

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY August 9, 2011...

Outside my window...
The only feeder I have active is the hummingbird feeder. This time of year the birds have an abundance of natural food to eat. So do the hummers, but I like to see them and they buzz up and down in front of the window if I let them run out of food.



I am thinking...
Of all the things that need to be done - cleaning out, legal work, paperwork, and home repairs needed for a stress free winter.

I am thankful for...
My friends and family who have supported me during this difficult time.

From the kitchen...
An ant invasion. They are loving the poison, so it should be over soon.

The quarter in the middle of the plate is to keep it from blowing away if there's a breeze.



I am wearing...
Tan shorts and a blue tee. I dress very boring and always hate answering this question.

I am creating...
Another pair of BFF socks out of Stalwart Sock yarn from Slackford Studio. The color is Cote d'Azur, same color as an unfinished sweater that's waiting for sleeves.

I don't knit when under stress, so I haven't knit on them in over a week. Maybe later this week I'll pick them up and finish them.



I am going...
To keep living here for now. With three dogs my only options for moving are places I don't want to live. I'll be using the time to investigate condos and apartments in Kalamazoo.

I am reading...
Some of the early Spenser books by Robert Parker. I found them tucked in an end table. They're just the right amount of interest to take my mind off everything and eventually put me to sleep.

I am hoping...
To find someone to rebuild the chimney before it gets cold enough to turn the heat on. Phone calls have been made.

I am hearing...
The wind blowing through the trees. Somewhere, not too far away, there's a storm but the sky is still blue here.

Around the house...
I've taken several large boxes to Goodwill and have much more to go. I started with cleaning out things that Bob hasn't used or worn in a long time. Most of his more personal and/or used things are still sitting around.

One of my favorite things...
Asiago Peppercorn Steak from Applebees. Comes with red potatoes and broccoli and is labeled 550 calories a plate. Very tasty and guiltfree.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Social Security office to apply for death benefit. New crown installed on tooth followed by lunch with Mom. More cleaning out and sorting. Organizing for appointment with lawyer next week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Beautiful flowers from John, Anne, and Sydney.

A Week Later

Thank you all so much for your encouraging comments and especially for your prayers.

Bob has been ill for several years and lately had been failing rapidly. He was ready to move on to a new body and a better life. He died quickly and peacefully in his own bed, which is what he would have chosen if the choice had been his.

Son John blogged about Bob here.

Today Bob's obituary was in the Kalamazoo Gazette and the Battle Creek Enquirer. The best job of posting it online was done by the Paw Paw Courier Leader, here.

Even though I haven't knit a stitch or taken a picture in over a week, my intention is to start blogging again this coming week.

Bob Byrne

October 2, 1943 to July 31, 2011

Yesterday my husband of 36 years went Home to be with the Lord.

3 Dogs, 3 Inches, 3am Power Outage, and 3 Cherry Pickers

We used to have one brave little dog that wasn't afraid of thunder storms and other loud noises. While big dog Glory shook and trembled, and little Sunny ran under the bed, Pappy always went about his normal business without a worry. Until last night.

Pappy was in the process of raising his leg for a final 10 pm pee when lightening struck nearby with a sonic boom clap of thunder. All thoughts of peeing were forgotten and he ran for the door. He was my shadow the rest of the night.

And the night was long. The storm went on and on. We got almost three inches of rain accompanied by much lightening and loud thunder. It went on for hours. There was almost no sleeping as we comforted dogs and waited for the inevitable power outage.

Three being the lucky number, it was 3am when the transformer and some power lines went down in front of the neighbor's property. Then there was calling Consumer's Power by flashlight and juggling backup oxygen tanks. There was not much sleeping.


10am this morning the first Consumer's truck arrived. It must have been a mess back in the swampy woods because it took three cherry picker trucks and a pickup two hours to repair everything and restore power.

So far today DH and dogs are catching up on their sleep. I'm planning to join them soon. I need a three hour nap. At minimum.

Plain Black Socks

Since I'm used to wearing handknit socks that fit and feel good on my feet, I couldn't think of just going out and buying some plain black trouser socks.

I'm thinking ahead to when it's cool enough to wear a summer sweater I've been knitting (Brandywine) with some black slacks and a black camisole. That does take some imagination since lately it's been too hot to think about wearing anything but the bare minimum.

Brandywine is done only waiting for the ends to be woven in and a good blocking.




Pattern: Basic cuff down sock pattern on 56 stitches. k3p1 ribbing on cuff and instep.

Yarn: Knitpicks Stroll in black.

Needles: Options #1, 2.5mm

Gauge: 8 stitches/inch, 10 rows/inch

Disappointment

Last week we got a flyer that read, "BELIEVE IT - High Speed Internet for 14.99 a month" plus many other tempting details from Frontier, our land line provider.

I had visions of being able to enjoy myself on Ravelry, reading my favorite blogs in one-tenth the time it takes me now, reading news articles without playing Spider while they load, being able to watch videos online, and other internet delights. I would have willingly paid big bucks for all this.

Using the link on the Frontier flyer, I was prompted to consider several plans and I wasted many dial-up minutes there figuring it all out.

When it came time to subscribe, a screen with big letters popped up: "Internet not available in your area." I'm still pouting. Frontier will not be easily forgiven for their undeliverable promise.

Chat Back for July 23

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.

Jan asked . . .

Did it (Metro) take long to knit?

It took much less time than I thought it was going to take. The tweed is a heavy, 4.5 stitches/inch, yarn and it slides on and off the needles like a dream. Plus there is no sewing except for the back of the collar.

---

Dorothy asked . . .

Do you have trouble managing 3 strands at once?

Three strands is no problem as long as the three balls are kept separate and only joined as they go through your fingers.

Once upon a time a long long time ago I learned the hard way that it doesn't work to wind the strands together into one ball before knitting.

---

Rita asked . . .

Is this the same pattern you used for the red hat you made for yourself and your mom last winter?

Yes, it's the same very basic pattern I used for my simple Red Hat.

I figure the two most important things for charity hats: 1) It should be warm and cover the ears and 2) It should be flexible in size.

---

Judy S. asked . . .

Did you find anything good at the library? Have you read Cutting for Stone? Or any of the Maisie Dobbs series?

Thanks to your suggestion I’m now on the library waiting list for Cutting for Stone.

I enjoy Maisie Dobbs and see there’s a new one, The Mapping of Love and Death, that I haven't read yet. I’m on the list for that as well.

The Maisie Dobbs books are written by Jacqueline Winspear and are best when read in order.

The book I blogged about on Tuesday was terrible. Silly plot, stupid dialog, and bad grammar and spelling errors. It was so hot I didn’t want to move from in front of the fan, so I kept rolling my eyes and reading, but really, how do people get these things published?

---

Nobody asked . . .

How's your jaw doing?

And why would you? It's been a little over two months since I had an infected, undeveloped tooth bud removed from my jaw. It was wedged between the roots of two teeth and near my right side facial nerve.

The endodontist said it would be six months until the jaw was totally back to normal, and I have no reason to believe he was wrong about that.

The good news is that there has been very little pain for the past two weeks. Parts of my jaw are numb and occasionally start tingling like when your foot is asleep. It's only been ten days that I've been able to smile without discomfort and I'm never sure if I have food on my chin or not.

I found this picture on my camera after it was too late to post it - but it's never really too late to post it. This was the outside of my face the day after surgery. Even though I don't have enough sense to not post this picture, you'll be happy to know I do have more sense than to post a picture of the inside stitches. Couldn't get my mouth open, anyway.

Wednesday Wings - Young Oriole Learns to Eat Grape Jelly

Simple Woman's Daybook for July 19

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY July 19, 2011...

Outside my window...
It is very hot. We're in the middle of a multi day heat wave with each day forecast to be a little warmer until we hit the 100 degree plus mark on Thursday.

I am thinking...
Although I love hot water heat via radiators, my next house/condo/apartment is going to have ducts and central air conditioning.

I am thankful for...
We had no downed trees and retained power after last week's derecho that caused considerable damage and long lasting (up to 5 days) power outages in SW Michigan. Every time I leave home going north, south, east, or west I see clean up efforts underway. We ended up with three sticks in the yard. Not sure how that happened, but I am thankful.

From the kitchen...
Have ingredients for homemade chicken noodle soup, just need the time and energy.

I am wearing...
Not much. Baggy denim shorts and a tank top. It's very hot today.

I am creating...
Hats. I've been combining three strands of left-over sock yarn and knitting charity hats. The goal is to blend the colors so the hats will be attractive. There is no question that they will be warm.



I am going...
To Goodwill again tomorrow. My goal is a box a week as I slowly sort through areas of the house that haven't been sorted through in a while. Amazing the amount of stuff I'm finding that I don't care if I ever see again.

I am reading...
Just started A Stitch Before Dying by Anne Canadeo. "Where friendship, knitting, murder create the perfect pattern."

Since I haven't read the first two mysteries in the series, I have no idea if it's a good book or not.

I am hoping...
That my blogging funk is over.

I am hearing...
Pappy panting in my ear. It's cooler toward the rear of the house and we're about to go there.

Around the house...
The Rose of Sharon bushes are in bloom. We have too many to count. Some are appreciated, some not. They self seed and pop up all over so some are weeds. But how can I not love a bush the hummingbirds love?



One of my favorite things...
My family. From left to right: granddaughter Kimberly Louise, daughter Heather Louise, mother Margarete Louise.



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Today I'm driving Mom to her annual cardiology appointment. We hope it's a non-eventful meeting with ice cream afterward.

Wednesday is grocery shopping day with a stop at the library to stock up on books to read in front of the fan until temperatures get back to bearable.

Thursday is hair cut day.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
No matter how hot it is, the creek water is always cold and refreshing.

Coming Out of a Blogging Funk

I apologize to the many readers who have been concerned about me. I've been in a blogging funk. When it's time to sit down and write a post, I've read a book and/or taken a nap instead.

For now I plan to keep blogging, but not as often as I see how life unfolds.

Since I'm a goal setter, I'm going to try for three posts a week.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, there will be a Simple Woman's Daybook. Wednesday there will be a Wednesday Wings with an adolescent Oriole learning to eat grape jelly.

Made Myself Some Mona's - Kind Of

Last week when I sat down in my knitting spot late in the evening, I was tired and needed something easy to knit. Looking around, I spotted the leftover Dorothy's Destiny from Mom's Birthday Monas. It wasn't going to be enough for a complete pair of socks, but I knew I had two other little balls of left over Dorothy's Destiny across the room in a bin to finish the foot.

I quickly sketched out the Mona stitch pattern reducing the stitch repeat from 16 to 14, so I could knit a pair for myself on 56 stitches, cast on, and started knitting without ever having to get up out of my seat.

These will never be prize winning socks because the change in dyelots is very obvious.


I do like the 14 stitch repeat pattern very much and will use it again.

This is a very pretty stitch pattern for as much ribbing as it has in it and the ribbing sections make for a nice snug fit.

Pattern: Mona from Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A. modified for a 14 stitch pattern repeat.

Yarn: Stalwart Sock from Slackford Studio. 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon 4 Ply Fingering Weight Sock Yarn.

Color: Dorothy's Destiny.

Needles: Options 2.50mm circulars.

Metro Finished

Metro was a quick and pleasant knit. I love the feel and look of the City Tweed. If this sweater doesn't pill excessively, I'm sure I'll use City Tweed again, maybe in the Sport Weight version.

The comments on Shirley's Metro, mentioned she had a challenge getting the bottom of the sweater to lay flat and not roll, so I decided to put a short section of ribbing on the bottom.


One challenge I did not meet was the Kitchener of the left collar to the right collar.

My favorite basic knitting how-to book is Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti, so that's where I went for guidance on grafting ribbing together. Maggie said:

Grafting ribbing can drive even an experienced knitting instructor up the wall. Sometimes I have gotten so frustrated with it that I have used the double bind-off method instead.

Since my aching jaw was driving me up the wall as high as I wanted to go, I went right to the double bind-off.


Another pattern attribute Shirley warns about is the tight sleeves, so I used the sleeve pattern for the next size up. They're still a bit tighter than I'd like.

On the other hand, I learned many new (to me) techniques on knitting set-in sleeves top down that, in my opinion, improve on the Barbara Walker method. That alone was worth the price of the pattern because I love knitting sleeves directly into a sweater instead of trying to neatly sew them in after the fact.

Pattern: Metro from the Fall 2010 Twist Collection by Connie Chang Chinchio.

Yarn: Knitpicks City Tweed, Heavy Weight Worsted. 55% Merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca, 20% Donegal tweed.

Color: Dungarees.

Needles: Options #7.

Gauge: 4.4 stitches/inch, 6 rows/inch in stockinette.

Mom's Monas Finished

Done, and done a day before needed.


I wasn't sure I was going to like this stitch pattern when I started these socks, but I do like it very much.

The ribbing travels every twelve rows, but it still works to supply a nice snug fit. The overall effect is a pretty lace pattern that isn't going to sag and bag. So, now I have another favorite Cookie A. sock pattern.

Pattern: Mona from Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A.

Yarn: Stalwart Sock from Slackford Studio. 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon 4 Ply Fingering Weight Sock Yarn.

Color: Dorothy's Destiny.

Needles: Options 2.50mm circulars.

Wednesday Wings - Nestbox Report for June 15

First the Bluebirds used this box for a brood of four. That mostly happened when the weather was too cold and/or wet and/or windy to open the box, so I don't have pictures.

Once the Bluebird young fledged, the wrens adopted the box and filled it with sticks to the brim. They are sitting on eggs now.

The way Wrens build their nests, the cavity is much lower than the nest box hole. The adult Wren has to go up and over the sticks before it can go down to the eggs or hatchlings. If I open the nest box, I'll crush the pile of sticks, so there won't be any any pictures of Wren eggs or young Wren hatchlings.


In a different box: The Wrens are sweet, energetic little birds full of song, but I find them annoying when they take over the nest boxes.

After reading that moving the nest boxes away from nearby trees and shrubs would discourage the Wrens, I moved this nest box to the front of the property in a small garden in the middle of the lawn. In less than a day, a Wren couple had claimed it.

The young Wrens have fledged now, and I'll be emptying out the box to see if it attracts something else for a second nesting.


One of the nest boxes out back has a Tree Swallow brood that's ready to fledge.

When I walk within twenty feet of the box, I can hear the young Swallows chirping away and see them peeking out of the box hole.

Monday the parents were yelling and dive bombing me as I approached the nest and this little guy or gal stuck his/her head out and joined in the scolding.


It's a big world out there and he/she can hardly wait to get out in it.

Simple Woman's Daybook for June 14

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY June 14, 2011...

Outside my window...
The sun is shining and it's about 72 degrees. Beautiful.

I am thinking...
About what needs to go on the grocery list.

I am thankful for...
A special friend who said, "Let me do that for you" and spent over a half day chauffeuring me to a medical appointment last week. Nothing serious, but it did require a "responsible adult" and getting drugged.

From the kitchen...
Last thing I made was a batch of baked macaroni and cheese. It was cool enough Sunday so the oven could be on. In fact, it felt good to have the oven on.

I am wearing...
Size 10 jeans again. And, they're not too tight. Total weight loss so far is fifteen pounds.

Maintenance concerns me. I'm an expert at losing weight, but I haven't mastered the art of keeping it off.

I am creating...
Still working on the Mona socks.

The Metro sweater is done but needs to be washed and blocked before I take pictures. Brandywine is done except I'm going to frog the sleeves and do them a different way. The sleeves are short so that shouldn't take long once I get organized and motivated.

I am going...
To clean out my closet and take many things to Goodwill.

I am reading...
The NIV Application Commentary: Revelation for my daily Bible study.

The NIV Application series are perfect for someone who wants to understand what the Bible is saying. For me, they're written at the perfect level - not simplistic yet not too scholarly.

For each passage it teaches what the passage originally meant to the people and culture at the time it was written and then brings the ancient message into modern context.

Revelation is my first NIV Application book, but I have two more on the way, Genesis and John.

I am hoping...
The Orioles will bring their fledglings to the Oriole feeder. If they do, I'm hoping I'm looking out the window to see it and possibly take a picture.

I am hearing...
Pappy whining to go outside and Glory shaking her tags. Guess it's time for a dog walk.

Around the house...


The Sedum is thriving. It likes the sandy soil, doesn't need feeding, doesn't need watering, seems to be indestructible, and the deer don't eat it.

I have seven different varieties and they're all doing well.

One of my favorite things...


The Trap-It Ant Moat for Hummingbird Feeders, Red Bulk.

I have one for the Oriole feeder and one for the Hummingbird feeder. Fill it with water and the ants can't get to the sweet stuff. So simple and so perfect.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Today I get the final crown on the tooth that started all the dental trouble. Afterward I'm meeting Mom and Sister Doris from Virginia for Chinese lunch at Hunan Garden.

I'm working overtime to get caught up on yardwork after the uncooperative spring weather. But it's lawn mowing season and it seems like I'm always mowing instead of doing everything else demanding my attention.

Thursday is haircut day, so back to Kalamazoo for that. I'm sure I'll be able to think of a few other errands to work into that trip.

And, of course, I'm trying to get back into the routine of blogging a few times a week

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


We have a creek and two ponds on our property, but the birds like to drink the water in the ant moats.

Birthday Green

Mom asked for green socks this spring, so green it is.

Since she's short she likes five inch cuffs, making the cuffs are shorter than I usually knit. That's fun. The cuffs are done before I'm tired of working on them.

This yarn was picked to match a Federer T-shirt she wears to exercise class. I didn't bring the lace pattern down the instep so the socks would be smooth in her workout shoes.

Pattern: Hedera from Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A. or available free from Spring 2006 Knitty.

Yarn: Knitpicks Stroll.

Color: Springtime Tonal.

Needles: Options 2.50mm circulars.



On the needles now, with five days to finish, are a deeper pair of green socks.

The light wasn't at it's best to bring out the beautiful color of this yarn. It's a gorgeous, almost solid, super jeweltone Kelly green. I'll try to do it justice when the socks are finished.

Pattern: Mona from Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A.

Yarn: Stalwart Sock from Slackford Studio. 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon 4 Ply Fingering Weight Sock Yarn.

Color: Dorothy's Destiny.

Needles: Options 2.50mm circulars.