New Beefier Tree Stand

New expensive beefy tree stand! We turned our backs and the tree fell down again.

My Menagerie

I’m really taking this to heart.

Look at the magnitude of the problem I’m trying to “fix.” Justifiable grieving and a lifelong depression? You cannot fix this. However much of yourself you pour into it will never, ever be enough. There is in fact very, very little that I control in this world beyond the reach of my little fingers. You can only make the best of whatever is within that tiny little reach.

So, what am I willing to do? Decide what I can and am willing to do for this person. Do it, and make peace with it.

Too Much Eggnog

Good advice from my brother:

If there’s something you don’t want to do, but you feel you should, but you really don’t want to, but you feel you really have to…

either, a) Don’t do it. And make peace with that. or,

b) Do it. And make peace with that.

Do not: Do it, and still feel bad about it!

Because that’s what I do, because it never feels like enough, but it will never be enough.

Teeswater Hot, Teeswater Cold

I made a second Teeswater hat. I have enough yarn to make another half a hat. I have half a mind to have half a hat.

No not really, two is enough. Too bad only the second one really shows off that streak of blue.

Book Corner 2022.53

by Cal Newport

Go a month without apps and phones, then bring things back gradually to see what you really need. Use apps only for certain purposes and at certain times. He says he’s not into hacks because they don’t work; you need to really go without, and then go minimalist; but I don’t see how his advice differs from hacks. I don’t think I came away with any new insight. I already use apps only for targeted purposes and particular times. Oh! I did like the metaphor of Facebook and its ilk being like a slot machine – pull the lever, what will I get? How many likes, loves, comments? Cherry, cherry… mule. But that wasn’t even his metaphor; someone said it on 60 Minutes.

Self-Decorated

Joy Dammit

Paprika

Didn’t quite make the cut to get to 6 Loose Ladies in time this weekend, but no matter, build up my inventory! A rare solid. Inexplicably, I had so much of this color left over after the Fair, in such a nice preparation, that I felt compelled to card a ton of it and make a solid skein of 100% Paprika.

I had my annual this morning. Sparing the gory details, I’m well, all my screenings are up to date, I can keep on my current prescription (YES! – stability is the name of the game), and I am not any fatter than I was when I first stopped dieting. I eat what I want these days and I am perfectly stable. This is the real me.

Skirlie

Yesterday Xopher and I went to a Scottish pub. On the left is ‘skirlie’. It’s… brace yourself… oatmeal for dinner. Our Scottish friends have found a way to have oatmeal for dinner. I’m in love.

A Thing of Beauty Is a Joy Until You Ruin It

This is the last sweater I made, a couple years ago, and it’s a thing of beauty, and it’s something like 3 sizes too big for me. I just got the idea that I should felt it. Before I do so, and possibly ruin it, I wanted it documented here how lovely is the pattern.