The Speed of Time

There are several different theories about the speed of time.  One says time flies when you are having fun. Another theory seems to say the opposite.  It says that if you keep busy all day, when you look back at the elapsed time it will seem like time had progressed slower than normal in order to fit in all of the activities. (A boring afternoon at work doesn't prove the opposite!)  Another theory, known as the toilet paper roll theory, says that the longer you live, the faster time goes by.  I'm not sure which theory is true.  It seems to me that they all are depending upon the perspective.

Proof of Theory #1:  The anniversary of my dad's death was Wednesday. I can't believe it has been that long already. 

Maybe it doesn't feel like that long because I still feel his presence.  Things he made for me are all around.  He loved woodworking.  There is a large wooden bowl in my kitchen.  This whale was a wedding present.  He carved it from a block of cedar.  I'm not sure what kind of wood the base is.

He didn't sign it his usual 'RJK'.  This had signed 'Dad'.

After his death, one of my sisters and I were rooting around his workshop.  In a scrap bin, I found another whale of a different species. It was not finished, but looked almost done.  For a reason only known to him, it didn't pass inspection and he tossed it aside.  I claimed it.  That whale now sits on my desk at work next to the last picture taken of my family - all 8 children and Mom and Dad.  I look at it every day and hold the whale when I need strength at work.  He is with me in those moments.

The two years since his death have been crammed with memories, most of which have been fun:  Kristin finishing high school and going off  to college. Trisha learning to drive and now preparing for college herself.  Blake entering high school and growing out of his boy body into a man.  Vacations to Florida, Myrtle Beach, Tennessee and New York City. Learning to spin. Going to various knitting 'camps' and fiber festivals.

Proof of Theory #2:  Looking back at this past week, I have done a lot of knitting.  Nothing has gotten finished yet, but things are moving along.

The first of Ed's hunting socks is almost complete.  I'm spinning more wool on the drop spindle for the second sock.  It is a good take-along project.

The second block of Trisha's college blanket is coming along nicely.  Gotta love garter stitch for mindless knitting. 

Temperatures plummeted this week and Trisha's hands are turning purple again.  This will be finger-less mitts for her out of Malabrigo Worsted.  The fabric is so soft and dense.  And the color is divine!

I also worked on my Basic Socks during my lunch hour at work.  No picture to report.  A tube of 2x2 ribbing isn't that exciting.

In addition to the knitting, my friend has issued a challenge.  She and I both have FitBits.  We are competing to see who can achieve the most motion.  Our daily goals are 10,000 steps, 5 miles and 10 flights of stairs.  To reach 5 miles, I have to get over 11,000 steps because my stride is so short.  This daily goal along with my twice-a-week trainer sessions should get me into better shape.

In all, a lot of progress this week between the knitting and exercising.  It felt like a long week with a lot accomplished.

Proof of Theory #3:  My kids are almost grown. The Homecoming Dance was last weekend.  Trisha and Blake went.  This was Trisha's last high school Homecoming.  College applications have been submitted and she is waiting for the acceptance letters to arrive.  Blake will be taking his driving exam in a few weeks.  After that he'll hunt for his first job.

I can't believe how quickly they have grown.  In a blink of an eye Ed and I will be empty-nesters. I'm not near the end of the toilet paper roll but the rotations are going faster.

A Good Day For....

...kale, tomato, red pepper and onion crust less quiche. Kale has become my latest great discovery.  I had never tried it until a few weeks ago.  A soup recipe called for kale.  I was a little hesitant to try it because it has a cabbage smell when raw.  But after being cooked, I found that the cabbage smell is less.  I made a crust less quiche with the kale I didn't put in the soup and some onion and tomato I had on hand.  My son Blake loved the quiche and ate it as an after-school snack.  He asked me to make it again, but suggested I add red peppers.  This morning I made a larger batch with the peppers.  This should be enough to last us a few days as breakfasts.  This with a piece of toast topped with homemade blueberry jam is definitely a power breakfast!

...starting block #2 of Trisha's college afghan.  The college application process is winding down.  Trisha has submitted three applications and has one more planned.  Acceptance letters should start arriving in about a month.  I can't believe that she will be heading off to college in less than a year.  This blanket will let her know that her mommy loves her and wishes she could wrap her in hugs all the time.

...working on a pair of hunting socks for Ed.  This is my first homespun.  Around the time I bought my first drop spindle, I purchased two wheels of pencil roving from a LYS.  The wheel had about 1500 yards of roving.  I spun the first wheel and chain plied it.  It is now becoming a pair of socks for Ed.  I have started spinning the second wheel just in case I don't have enough for the pair of socks. The wool is coarse.  He will have to wear a softer pair of socks as a lining.  This isn't a problem because he says he wears three pairs of socks when he hunts.  I told him that he is not allowed to put these socks in the washer.  They must be hand washed.  I told him I would do it for him.  I don't want these to meet the same fate as the sweater I knit of him.

...knitting socks for me.  I frogged the Thelonius socks and started a pair of basic socks for myself.  I'm in serious trouble if I get lost doing 2x2 rib.  This is my take-along project.  It fits perfectly in the bag I carry to work.  A few rounds on my lunch hour helps make the day brighter.

Finished!

Since my last post, I finished the My Blue Loop and Taize shawl.  The Blue Loop took a soak and was blocked.  I haven't measured it but it can be looped two times and have a bit of drape. I am very happy with how it turned out.

I wore the Blue Loop to the high school football game Friday night.  The school colors are royal blue and white.  This isn't quite royal blue, but it was close enough.

I haven't blocked the Taize shawl yet, but that didn't stop me from using it.  The mornings have been a bit chilly.  I wore it to work the day after I finished it.  A friend who saw me walking into the building commented that it was too cold for something that light.  I just smiled.  It is alpaca and it was perfect for that morning.  I will take it to work more because the offices tend to be quite chilly.

Speaking of work, my company has been affected by the government shutdown.  A mandate was issued stating that we must take at least 8 hours of vacation before October 17.  I've had no problem complying because of a recent flurry of doctor's appointments for the kids.  Trisha also has a college visit scheduled for October 17.

I also dealt with the Thelonious socks.  I didn't finish them.  I frogged them.  Somewhere on the leg of the sock I unintentionally decreased too much.  I then set it aside for a couple months.  When I picked it up the other day, I couldn't figure out where I was.  Since I am not a prolific sock knitter, I decided to frog these and make a basic pair of socks with a 2x2 rib.  I'll let the yarn be the highlight, instead of the pattern.

Now that I finished these two items I should be guilt free to begin the ButtonBox vest.  However, I've gotten myself in a finishing mode and can't quite get motivated to start a new project.