Where Am I Now?

Dear Friends and Readers,

DH Bob went into the hospital last Friday.

Respecting his privacy, I don't write about his medical problems but I will say they are serious and chronic.

Right now I'm driving back and forth between the Kalamazoo hospital and home in order to take care of the dogs. If the dogs were young and healthy, I'd kennel them for a few days. Instead they're old and/or ailing and it's a comfort to Bob to know they're being cared for and loved by me at home.

As for knitting, I seem to be incapable right now. I tried knitting a simple little footie in the emergency room Friday and it has so many mistakes I think I'm going to toss it in the trash. I don't ever want to see that project or that yarn again.

I plan to return to blogging again when things are a bit more under control. Surely that day will come? There's a beautiful pair of Sunshine Socks finished in gorgeous sunshine colors to show you and some bluebird eggs ready to hatch.

All your good wishes and prayers are so welcome and appreciated, especially the prayers.

New Sock Yarn

I'm getting so much knitting enjoyment from knitting Cookie A. socks, I plan to continue it for a while longer. I'm even collecting yarn for future selections of the Sock Innovation KAL, (a Ravelry link).

The KAL plans to eventually knit every sock in Cookie's Sock Innovation book, and since I'd like to do that as well, I may stick it out to the end.

I didn't plan a Cookie A. marathon, but then I haven't planned many things that have happened so far this summer. I'm finding Cookie's patterns to be interesting and soothing. So far the results have been rewarding with the resulting socks even prettier than the pictures indicate.


My latest sock stash enhancement from Slackford Studio has been assigned a pattern in the book and set aside until its appointed KAL month arrives. Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind.

Paprikash, the vivid red/orange yarn on top, is being reserved for Vilai.


Wisteria, the pastel lavender yarn in the center, is being reserved for Kristi, the socks on the cover of the book.

The light color is perfect to show off the delicate Japanese inspired stitch patterns in Kristi. There's just a hint of tone variation in the dye job. I love it.


Billie Jean, the yarn of jean colors on the bottom is being reserved for Sam.

Sunshine Socks

The Sock Innovation KAL, (a Ravelry link) selection for June is the Sunshine pattern.

For her June birthday socks, Mom asked for socks "the color of a bright blue summer sky". With a color description like that, it just made sense to use a pattern called Sunshine.



Sunshine is the formal name of my little dog Sunny who is recovering from a long and painful back injury. Another reason it made sense to knit this pattern in June.

Well, actually it doesn't make sense, but I'm pretending it does.

Pattern: Sunshine from Sock Innovation by Cookie A.

Yarn: Opal UNI- Solid, 75% Superwash wool, 25% Nylon.

Color: 27 Blue

Needles: Options 2.5mm circulars.

Before I decided to use the Sunshine pattern for Mom's birthday socks, I bought this yarn to make Sunshine socks for myself.

This colorway called Embers is the hot summer sunshine setting over Lake Michigan.

Once I had Mom's Sunshine socks done according to the pattern and they fit her normal feet perfectly, I could tell I needed to switch from 2.5mm to 2.25mm needles to fit my narrow feet snugly.

Pattern: Sunshine from Sock Innovation by Cookie A.

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

Color: Embers

Needles: Options 2.25mm circulars.

Pomatomus Finished

Pomatomus by Cookie A. was one of the May pattern selections for the Sock Innovation KAL, (a Ravelry link).

When I started it toward the end of May, I knew I wasn't going to get it done in time to count for the KAL, but I wanted to knit it anyway. And, I'm so glad I did.


These socks are for me, modeled on my skinny feet and fitting perfectly. I used 2.5mm needles and didn't make one single change to the pattern, so the snug fit was a pleasant surprise.


Once again, I have to give kudos to the yarn. It's firm with good stitch definition at the same time being soft and cuddly, and the colors are so pretty.

As of right now, Susan has a skein of this green (Origanum - many shades of beautiful green.) in her Etsy shop, Slackford Studio. And some other very lovely colors dyed just perfectly for complex Cookie A. patterns.

Sorry, but I already scarfed up a wonderful blue blend and pretty red blend to use for future Cookie A. socks in the KAL.


Pattern: Pomatomus by Cookie A. (A free pattern)

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

Color: Origanum

Needles: Options 2.5mm circulars.

Why Is the Barn Wearing A Wig?

Thursday night while trying to get some sleep after a tense day in the hospital while Mom had surgery, Mother Nature decided to deliver a whopper storm with much thunder (all the better to freak out the dogs), wind (all the better to blow down branches, trees, and take the power out), and lightening (all the better to light the house after the power went out.)

When we got up the next morning and looked outside, there were (still are) sticks and branches all over the yard and the barn was wearing a wig.


A walk behind the barn disclosed a huge old willow tree blown over complete with root ball.


Since the hospital half promised Mom could come home that morning, I packed my clean clothes in a bag (no power = no water = no shower), picked enough branches out of the driveway so I could drive to the road, picked the large branches out of the road so I could head for Kalamazoo.

Most of the debris in the road I could drive around. This tree I drove under, but not before seeing another car do it successfully.


Mom was in fine spirits and ready to walk the halls to prove she could go home.

She's rolling her eyes because I just told her how lovely she looks in her blue hospital gown with the lovely heart monitor wires poking out of the pocket.

That classy bracelet makes the outfit, don't you think?

Mom's Birthday

Wednesday evening, the eve of Mom's birthday, brother Dave and I had a mini party for her. Dave brought all kinds of yummy Indian food and a fantastic carrot cake that we were all too full eat.


Her birthday socks are a perfect fit and just the color she requested, the blue of a summer sky.

This is the Sunshine pattern from Sock Innovation by Cookie A. knit in Opal UNI-Solid 27 with 2.5mm Options circulars.



Early the next morning, the morning of Mom's 87th birthday (June 18th), we were back in the hospital for a seriously needed heart cath and four stents. The most welcome birthday present she ever could receive.


Thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers this past week. Mom is home this evening and very tired (it appears they don't allow sleeping in the hospital) but looking good and doing well.

Flashback Friday - 2004 Kalamazoo Doo Dah Parade

On the second Friday of each month I go back five years to pick out one of my favorite blog posts for that month and repost it here on Flashback Friday.

This post was originally written in June, 2004.

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Briarwood Dogs Do the Doo Dah
The Doo Dah Parade is a parade of silliness that goes through downtown Kalamazoo Michigan the first Saturday in June.

This year Briarwood Dog Training marched as the Briarwood Beach Bums.

Sunny is not fond of loud noises and crowds, so Pappy and I left her home and had fun without her.

Here are the promised pictures. These were all taken in the staging area before we started.

Pappy was a good sport about wearing the Doggles, shirt, and hat.

We had to practice wearing the glasses.

At first he wanted them off! We worked on it for over a week and he got resigned to wearing them. I told him that after the parade he never had to wear them again. Anyone want to buy a slightly used pair of Doggles?


Benson is a Newfoundland puppy. Pappy just met Benson two weeks ago and they've become friends. Pappy doesn't seem to care that Benson is a giant. Scary.

Newfies are known for their drooling. Benson's bib says "Drool is Cool".

I think Benson is cool.


Gracie is another of Pappy's friends from doggy school.

Looking at Gracie is always good for a smile, even when she's not dressed for the beach.


Favor is trainer Gail's cattledog puppy. He's about six months old and getting ready for his first parade.

Quick Update on Where Am I?

Only my Mother could look this good in a hospital bed dressed in a hospital gown three days after having a heart attack.

Do I need to say more about why I haven't been blogging this week?


Brother Dave from Oregon arrived last night to help. Can't remember when I've been more glad to see someone.


Blogging has been low on my priority list lately, but not forgotten.

Knitting hasn't been getting much attention, either. To have time to relax and knit sounds like a luxury right now.

Pomatomus socks were finished before the heart attack. I'll post about them when I have time and after I catch up on my sleep. It could be a while.

Cookie A. Sunshine socks are easy enough so I can pick them up and knit a few rows here and there even when sleep deprived and/or braindead. They're for Mom's birthday next Thursday.

Sunny gets a little better every day. She's still on steroids and Xanax. She's walking and able to sleep at night. She wants to snuggle, but it's not comfortable for her yet.

A Couple Links

Jean at Knitting Garden is having a blogiversary contest with some lovely sock yarn prizes.

I'm on Twitter as knittingviolet. Mom, Sister Doris, and I are using it as an easy way to keep in touch. I usually only update once or twice a day and, trust me, my life is boring. Still, everyone likes to have friends.

I Have A Good Excuse

Note: No knitting or nice nature pictures in this post. My excuse is caring for an ailing dog. Details follow for those who are interested.

Background for those who don't know:

Sunny is a 15 pound Papillon mix with advanced Spondylosis (spinal osteoarthritis,a degenerative disorder that causes loss of normal spinal structure and function). The back third of her spine is fused with calcium deposits. The mid third of her spine is in the process of fusing. Somehow it got jarred which has resulted in severe pain and muscle contractions. She is currently on a steroid, a muscle relaxant, and Xanax. It has been over a week since this started. The vet says it will likely be another week before she's back to as normal as she's going to get.

Sunny is doing better. We have wonderful vets. They are keeping in close contact with us to monitor Sunny's meds and change them as needed as she gets more and more painfree and able to move again.

Last night she only yipped loud enough to wake me up twice. Tomorrow we try cutting the steroid (Prednosolone) down from two a day to one a day, and we're giving her short walks outdoors which she loves. She's even able to throw her tail up over her back and prance a bit.

She's a feisty little girl and tries to carry on with all her important duties - like reminding us when it's time to serve dinner.

Bob and I are stressed out. The main reason is watching Sunny be in pain. When she yips and/or cries, every nerve in our bodies stands on end in sympathy.

Another reason is the amount of work and attention it takes to take care of three dogs when one requires special attention, individual walks, and lots of extra loving although she hurts too much for us to hold her. Our days and nights have been devoted to canine care.

On a practical note, what I really need is newspapers. Do you have any idea how much a 15 pound dog on steroids can pee?

Simple Woman's Daybook for June 1

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

FOR TODAY June 1, 2009...

Outside my window... The deer have been here grazing.

Where there used to be a beautiful, large blue hosta, there is one small remaining leaf and stalks.

This is only about ten feet from the front of the house. How they must love their hosta salad to come this close.


I am thinking... About how life is going to change now that Sunny's Spondylosis (spinal osteoarthritis,a degenerative disorder that causes loss of normal spinal structure and function) has reached the chronic stage.

I am thankful for... A good result from my annual physical last Friday.

From the kitchen... Looks like a doggy pharmacy as we try to drug Sunny into some comfort. This morning she went to the vet office, had xrays (it was bad news but not unexpected), and got a steroid IV. She also has oral steroids and a muscle relaxant.

To complete the canine pill bottle collection we have two vials of painkillers that didn't help Sunny and Pappy's antibiotics for his anal gland infection.

I am wearing... Jeans and a black V neck tee.

I am creating... Still working on Pomatomus and have both socks decreased at the gusset.

Stalwart Sock from Slackford Studio is now one of my favorite sock yarns and this pattern is simply amazing, so I'm not sorry the project is going slow.

I miss having Sunny snuggle by my side while I knit. She has been hurting too much to want to settle in next to me.


I am going... To miss going to doggy school with Sunny this evening.

I am reading...Borderline by Nevada Barr, an Anna Pigeon mystery set in Big Bend National Park, Texas.

I've read all the Anna Pigeon books and am always happy to see one on the new book shelf at the library.


I am hoping... That Sunny's steroids kick in soon so she can stop pacing. It's extremely painful to watch her in pain.

I am hearing... Pappy telling me he needs to go out. Be back in a few minutes.

Around the house... Things are never right when one of the dogs is ailing.

One of my favorite things...The bright, sweet smelling day lilies that bloom toward the end of May.

I don't remember their name, but they're an heirloom species, not a hybrid.


A few plans for the rest of the week: Most important, see that Sunny is as comfortable as possible.

Otherwise, it's looking like a routine week. Pappy and Glory are going to the groomer tomorrow. Wednesday is grocery shopping, library, errands, and trumpet lesson. Thursday is Pappy's doggy school.

Both the lawn and the laundry have reached critical mass and need to be mowed/washed.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Saturday Orange

In anticipation of the Sock Innovation KAL, (a Ravelry link) selecting Sunshine as the June KAL pattern, I ordered this yarn from Slackford Studio.


It arrived yesterday, way prettier than the picture. I'm looking forward to knitting these socks as soon as Mom's birthday socks are done.

I was hoping they'd pick Hedera by Cookie A. for the second June KAL pattern and was already visualizing Mom's sky blue socks in the Hedera pattern. Instead, they picked Nebula by Cookie A., a beautiful pattern reported to have approximately 1,600 cable crossings.

Sock knitting decisions need to be made! I don't think I can manage 1,600 cable crossings before Mom's birthday without giving up other things I want and need to do, so I'll likely stick with the Hedera plan and groan when it's the KAL pattern chosen for July. (No inside information. Just knowledge that Hedera got a lot of votes for June and is likely to get picked soon.)


Meanwhile, I'm ready to start the heels on Pomatomus. And, there's 3/4s of a gansey sleeve waiting for me to finish.

For about two weeks each spring, between the time they arrive and the time they start egg laying, the Orioles will stop by the feeding station and eat oranges.


It's a special time and we love seeing them.

Once they start nest building, they're up in the high tree tops and all we get are occasional flashes of orange in the leaves. By August, they've left to migrate back south for the winter.

Why do you suppose they fly all the way to SW Michigan to nest?

Pomatomus - Still Loved But Taking Forever

There isn't much of a knitting update. I've been enjoying spring, working out in the yard, taking care of ailing dogs (details at end of post for those who are interested), and doing some family things.

I was working on the second sleeve of the Lighthouse Gansey when I got the urge to try and finish Pomatomus by the end of the month. That's the deadline for it to qualify in the Sock Innovation KAL, (a Ravelry link).

I'm finding Pomatomus an enjoyable knit, but not a speedy knit. One cuff is done, the second cuff has only the top ribbing. They are not going to be done in time for the end of the KAL, but I'm going to relax, forget about making a deadline, and enjoy knitting them anyway.

Then it will be time to knit Mom's birthday socks for the middle of June. She's picked out some pretty blue Opal UNI-Solid and I'm hoping one of the two Sock Innovation KAL, (a Ravelry link) selections for June will be perfect for her yarn.


Pattern: Pomatomus by Cookie A.

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

Color: Origanum

Needles: Options 2.5mm circulars.

Gauge: 8 stitches/inch, 10 rows/inch.

Doggy Woes
Sunny's back is acting up and she's in pain and finding it difficult to move. Pain pills are helping, but not enough. If she isn't starting to get better soon, she'll need to go on steroids. It's breaking my heart to watch her.

Pappy had his anal glands infused yesterday morning for a persistent infection. He spent yesterday being woozy from the anesthetic, but today he's feeling much better than he's been in several months. It's been a stubborn infection and we're hoping this will be the last treatment needed. Kind vet says it's 90% likely this will take care of it, otherwise we will need to repeat the infusion with a different antibiotic.

Wednesday Wings - Adolescent Bluebirds

The swallows hatched Monday. Mother Swallow didn't want to leave the nest box. I honored her decision (Mother usually knows best) and didn't insist, so no naked baby pictures were taken.

Today it's raining, so once again I'm not opening the box. Nor am I chasing Mother Robin off her nest in order to check if her eggs have hatched.

The last five days the Bluebird Kids were in the nest box, they were jumping around, strengthening their wings, and checking out the world through the opening.


These pictures were taken Monday when the hatchlings were sixteen days old. Tuesday morning they were gone.

Their parents take them into the nearby woods to keep them hidden while they complete their education, increase their wing strength, learn to find their own food, and learn to fly. For graduation, they get to sit on the power line that crosses the field.

All Is Happy in Sock Knitting Land

One of my long time blog reads, Susan in OK, sells beautiful fiber at Slackford Studio. Recently she added a 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon 4 Ply Fingering Weight Sock Yarn to her mix. I picked my favorite color out of her first batch and was so excited when it arrived just as pretty as the picture.

The yarn is nice and soft but it looks like it's going to be tough as well. A must for my machine washing gift sock recipients.

Check out the pretty blue stitch markers that came with the yarn. They're so pretty I may make them into a pair of earrings.


Because, as you can see in this picture, I use tacky plastic pin markers that I can hook and unhook. I dislike slipping markers, so I often just slide them into the stitch below instead.

Though I don't enjoy knitting through the back loop, lately I've been tempted to knit Pomatomus by Cookie A. - a pattern with hundreds of knitting through the back loops. Since I couldn't wait to try out the new yarn and the colors looked perfect for this pattern, I decided to give it a trial.

It's perfect! I love the yarn - the colors and how nicely it knits up.

I love the pattern. All those curves are actually k1tbl, p1 ribbing and it's much stretchier than I expected.

The knitting through the back loop turned out to be perfectly pleasant with the sharp pointed Options needles. I no longer have to dislike that technique.

Now I'm going to set this sock aside and finish the Lighthouse Gansey sleeves knowing I have another fun project waiting in the bucket.


Pattern: Pomatomus by Cookie A.

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

Color: Origanum

Needles: Options 2.5mm circulars.

Gauge: 8 stitches/inch, 10 rows/inch in stockinette.

Wednesday Wings - Nesting Update

The nestbox is getting - - what's a nice word for it? A little crusty?

The bluebird chicks are twelve days old, getting old enough to jump out of the nestbox prematurely. Today will be the last time I open this nestbox until after the chicks have fledged.


While hiking out to the bluebird nestbox, I spotted this robin sitting on a nest about six feet up in a small tree.

When I took her picture, she left the nest with loud protests.


I went back to the house to get a stool to stand on and used my little camera to hold over the nest and get a picture of the contents.

While hiking back from the bluebird nestbox, I peeked over and noticed Mother Robin was back on the nest. I pretended I didn't see her and kept on walking.


No changes in the Tree Swallow nestbox. The eggs should be hatching soon.

Lighthouse Gansey Remodeled

This is the Lighthouse Gansey before I frogged it all the way back to the underarms on the front and back.

The lighthouse on the front was too tall, making the neck too high. The pattern has a turtle neck opening, which I tried to omit by lowering the neckline. There weren't enough rows to lower the neckline to make a decent looking opening.

In fact, this is the ugliest neck I've ever knit including the ones that wouldn't fit over my head. It came up so high on my neck that it rolled forward when I tried on the sweater.

The wide cable was too wide. It created large puckers in the purl rows at its base.

The sleeves were too deep. Ten inches down the front and back plus two more inches across the gusset made for arm holes twenty-two inches in circumference. I would have hated them.

The proportions of the stitch patterns were not attractive to my eyes. The filler stitch on the edges came in too far toward the neck. The cable was too close to the neck.

Frog, frog, frog.

Reknit, reknit, reknit.


I'm happier now.

The lighthouse has been moved to the sweater back. The stitch patterns have been changed and/or moved. The cables are only three stitches wide.


This is the new front with a pretty anchor in the center.

Now, on to the sleeves.


Pattern: Lighthouse Gansey by Anne Bosch with many modifications.

Yarn: Knitpicks Cotlin. 70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen. DK weight.

Color: Glacier.

Needles: Options #3.

Gauge: 6 stitches/inch, 8.5 rows/inch in pattern.

Flashback Friday - Home

On the second (or sometimes third) Friday of each month I go back five years to pick out one of my favorite blog posts for that month and repost it here on Flashback Friday.

This post was originally written in May, 2004. Some things have changed since then.

Two years ago the county widened and paved our dirt road. They removed the huge oaks in the front yard along with dozens of other trees along the front of our property. The front yard is now grass.

It's actually nice to have some sunny lawn. We still have plenty of other shady areas. The hostas and other shade plants have been moved further back on the property where they can be happy.

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Home (Written 5 years ago.)
When I was a child I fell in love with nature. My two favorite books were the Golden Book of Birds and Golden Book of Insects.

We lived in a small town. There was very little diversity in the urban ecology. I dreamed of seeing the real birds and bugs instead of just pictures.

I remember one childhood evening when a rarely seen hummingbird visited the flowers while we were playing. I wanted the other kids to be still so I could watch, but I was the only one interested and the hummer quickly went elsewhere.

Many of my childhood dreams of seeing nature have come true since DH Bob and I moved to a home in rural SW Michigan thirteen years ago.

Now the hummingbirds buzz us at the window if we don't keep their feeder filled.

We have so many hummingbirds in the summer it is hard to remember when they were new and novel. They are part of our life now. We share our home with them.


Our home is five acres on a narrow dirt road in a swampy woods. The road has a canopy of trees overhead. The leaves are so thick in the summer that a light rain never gets the road wet.

There are various types of wild violets growing on our land. I encourage them to multiply and I call our property Violet Acres.

There is usually something new and interesting going on at Violet Acres. This spring we have a pair of yellow crested flycatchers. I think they are nesting in the woods across the road. They come over into our front yard to catch insects for their young family. I see flashes of yellow going across the window and occasionally they perch where we can see their beauty.


In our neighborhood, no one cares if the lawn is mowed. In fact, no one cares if we even have a lawn. This picture was taken out the front window.

The front of our home is planted very informally in ferns, hostas, lily-of-the-valley, Solomon's seal, and other wild flowers that grow in the shade.

There are cement stepping stones that go around in a large circle. I like to go out, walk around on them, and see everything green and growing.


Violet Acres is narrow and long. The front two acres is mostly wooded except for the spring fed pond and the small brick house where we live.

The pond is for the wildlife. It houses small fish, water snakes, snapping turtles, and muskrats. Kingfishers and herons come to find dinner. Deer come to drink.

This time of year the frogs are so loud at night that sometimes it's hard to get to sleep. I lay there and listen to them calling for a mate and wonder over my good fortune to have a home in such a beautiful and noisy place.


The front two acres and the back three acres are divided by a fast running stream.

Glory the lab mix, Queen of Violet Acres, loves to wade in the stream. This mystifies the two little dogs. They prefer to stay dry at all times and always stare at Glory in amazement as she splashes around and climbs out soaking wet.

The back three acres has some woods, but is mostly open field that we let grow natural, complete with a few large brush piles to shelter the wildlife. This is where the nest box birds raise their babies and Pappy the Papillon, Prince of Violet Acres, meets up with his blue racer snake friends.

On the property next to ours there is an oak forest, so this field is what naturalists call an "edge" area. It's perfect for seeing a variety of birds and wildlife.

Today we learned that our neighbor has seen a mink. I'll be watching for it. Something new to love about my home at Violet Acres.