Twilight Zoning

It has been far too long since my last post, and I apologize. I took off for the West Coast about two weeks ago, with almost no planning. My mother was very unhappy, and for reasons that are best kept within the family. I had to look into things, and determined that I couldn't leave my mother behind. It was a wild week of legal issues and many unpleasant situations, and yesterday my family and I sat down to Thanksgiving dinner and were truly thankful. I need about another week to organize and regain my composure, but I will be back on course as soon as I can!

What to wear and socks for happy feet...

I have always been different, without even trying to be. Finally, just this last week, the decision was made to embrace my differences and genuinely appreciate them. You see, it is all because of my creative nature. It asserts itself continually. When it is not finding a new way to fry an egg, for instance, it is itching to create some tangible expression of something with just about everything. A few days ago, on my regular checkup at the dentist (of nearly 18 years), one of the hygienists popped her head into the room and gave me a questioning look. I don't know this one very well, and so I must have looked surprised. She just laughed, and said she wanted to see what I was wearing. She was bewildered that I was looking mostly normal in my purple long sleeved T-shirt, and jeans. So, I pulled up one pant leg, and displayed my socks. Designed by artist Laurel Burch, with a mix of happy jewel colored dancing dogs, they are colorfully and playfully certain to make feet want to dance for joy. Laughing and satisfied, she left the room. So, there you are. Different.
My Laurel Burch socks came from one of my trips to the West Coast. There is a small shop in Sausilito which sells her things. This last trip, I decided I wanted to collect mugs. I like generous portions of coffee or tea, and I like my mug to fit my color mood, and I like colorful and happy to start my day. If you are interested in having happy feet, or a cheerful cup, you can find her stuff at: Laurel Burch
Several years ago, when dressing to impress was really hot in the spotlight for women, I became very aware of "colors." At the time, I was really tired of all the clothes in my wardrobe. The popular belief is that you have neutrals that you build, mix, and match around. Well, the long and short of it is that I find browns, tans, and often black, drab or dismal. To me, white is an invitation for mischievous dirt sprites to have at it. However, I discovered something very interesting in the process of taking everything out of my closet and giving it all a hard look.

1. Everything I love wearing sorted into similar color groups, mostly jewels and brights.2. These different color groups relate well together.
3. ...And (drum roll) ...my clothing is mix and match around colorful "neutrals" of purple, or pink, green, or royal blue. ...Or jeans.
4. In addition, my clothing faves are all natural fibers.
5. And, my favorite clothes all have texture, whether it is silky, course, furry, etc.

At one time, while in a serious slump as I transitioned out of my first marriage, I suddenly became aware of the colors in my closet. It was as if someone else had taken it over. Nearly everything in there had turned into shades of brown and (oh, horrors!) ...gray! This couldn't be my wardrobe, I had never dressed in these colors. Yet, there they were, in all their drab and somber glory. It was at this point that I realized my mental state needed a lift. It was probably already lifting, or I likely would not have realized this. Now, every day is a color reflection of how I feel or want to feel. Colors are very important to me and are a source of comfort as well as expression. Each morning as I stand before my closet, I ask myself "what color am I feeling like today?"

Doomed to be Frogged!

As a free range knitter, I am forced to look at my projects with an discerning eye as the yarns present themselves into the design. One of my recent projects, a cardigan, has been snoozing for a few weeks. It had been frogged a few times because there was just something about it that I was not satisfied with. When I pulled it out of the bag it was hiding in yesterday, I knew without a doubt that it would again become a pile of yarns. This is no easy undertaking. With mohair and some furry character yarn, it can take a good bit of teasing to separate them from their nesting places. The flash reflection makes it look pretty good. That furry looking yarn you can easily see across the middle of it all, has an iridescent quality that reflects a lot of the camera's light. However, the yarns actually come across far less bright and somewhat dismal.

The lighter yarns really look brighter too. I have been telling myself it would all work out, all through the back, and one front, but the big picture effect is one of somber colors. Its just not me, and those beautiful yarns are simply dieing in this combination. That gorgeous iridescent is lost among the others. The Fiesta is boring. The regal purple silk charmeuse that gave itself up to become strippon yarn languishes here, as does another beautiful Tartellette ribbon yarn. There are just too many counts against it, so frog I will.



This is the model for this ill-fated cardi. It's a Jane Thornley pattern based on the feather and fan stitch. I do plan to start over, but I must come to terms with what my yarns are looking for to awaken their greatness. Since this is the first time I have come up against this situation, I am still pondering their fate in combination. ...Will keep you posted.


..............As of November 3, this is now a pile of yarn. While I was frogging away, I realized that there was a total upstaging of the yarns which were meant to be in the background. They stole the show from the really beautiful and more expensive yarns that I had been looking to showcase. THAT is why I never felt that it was pleasing me!