Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Diversions

bootie experiment

My knitting habit(s) is becoming more and more bizarre. I think it is because of the election. I'm trying so hard not to get too hopeful but I can't help it. Our country is in bad shape. I've almost run out of ways to explain it all to my teenage sons. I'm now resorting to these lame remarks:

My response to College son when he asks about the economy: "Well, the Great Depression was pretty bad."

My response to High School son when he asks about the whittling away of our civil liberties: "Well, slavery sucked and Jim Crow wasn't fun either."

My response to my Middle School son when he asks about why we are hassled when we travel: "Think about Ann Frank, she couldn't leave her room... "

The dozen or so projects I've got going keeps my mind off such depressing thoughts. I've got a variety of things on the needles: baby stuff, garments, bags, scarves, hats, dishcloths, toys (why?). I've got to get some order to this stuff.




My First Sophie bag

And, to complicate things even more, I OD'd on that bag sale at my LYS. I'm ashamed to say how much of a haul I have but suffice it to say I won't be buying any yarn for a few years, at least!

Play date Diversions
A couple of weeks ago, I got to hang out with two blogger buddies. I met fellow knitter, Nancy, at Expressions Yarns in Englewood. She is a professional singer.

One of Nancy's album covers

She was at Expressions finishing up the most beautiful burgundy mohair coat. That's right I said coat - floor length! Later, that week she called to invite me to see Mos Def at the 92nd Street Y.

It was fun. I really enjoyed his talk and it was a blast to be with such an eclectic audience. Thanks Nancy for getting me out of the house and into the New York City for some non-knitting fun!

And more Diversions still
My button stash was kind of low so I was eager to visit my town's annual antiques fair to replenish my supply.

whimsical buttons from Modern Yarn, Montclair, NJ

Hope is a blogger buddy I met at the same yarn store as Nancy. She recognized me from my blog! She joined me for lunch and a trip to the fair and we both ended up buying tons of vintage buttons!



Diversions as Delusions
Well, life goes on even if something as personal as religion has become a central focus in a country that is supposed to separate church from state -



Well, I guess, at least, we are now talking about the hard stuff.

But no Diversions here
Spring break has just ended for my gone-off-to-college son. He was happy to just come home to eat.

I was too happy to oblige and not have to worry about having to find him hung over on some far flung beach!

Diverting our Attention
So far, with all of the problems in our country, the robins still migrate in spring. They don't care if I've cleaned out my flower beds or not. Mother Nature never waits for me, nor does time, history, or the facts of life - even if I don't have the answers yet...


18 comments:

Ina said...

I love all your buttons! Especially that last one.

hope said...

What a fantastic post! You are indeed a great writer. Take that class and get back to your book. NOW.

WandaWoman said...

It is good to remember that there is life outside of knitting. I bet going to see Mos Def was a great experience.

Patricia said...

Sounds like spring can't come soon enough to your part of the world. I hear you loud and clear and I'm considering canceling my newspaper except for the fact that newspaper readership is down and they need me.
Glad to hear that you took some quality time for NYC diversions. I should plan a trip north this year for some overdue culture.

Anonymous said...

Ooooooooooooh look at all those buttons. Simply fabulous! I love your Sophie bag. You mentioned your first, I'm assuming there are many more in your future huh? So how many skeins did you walk away with, at that sale?

NikkiJ said...

I try not to get my hopes up either, but if I didn't have hope (and yarn) I sure would be a depressed somebody. I'm tired of fantasizing about what change would be like, I want to live it.

Beatriz said...

Now I know what you've been up to lately. I was beginning to wonder where you were.

Two Cables and a Frapp said...

Okay, okay you saw Mos Def in person. Okay, I am not, I repeat, I am NOT jealouse! Nice Sophie bag, love the bootie !!! Oh, you are knitting toys because the patterns are so derned (yes, I said derned) cute !!!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait 'til November. sigh.

Anyway, what a pretty bag. I love the colors you used. Is that a bootie pattern you made up?

Virtuous said...

Gurl I just love when you talk politics! LOL

And you right...nothing waits on us!!

So glad you are still hanging out with your new blogger buddies!
Mos Def! I would have loved to go to that!

Happy Easter over there!

hakucho said...

Your striped sophie bag felted wonderfully :) Your new stock of vintage buttons looks familiar...they looks like some of the button in my grandmother's button box!

Torhild Reidardatter said...

you have been busy!
and to your comments to your sons..it cracks me up..
what else is there to say?we need help.:-)

Bona Fide Knitter said...

"I OD'd on that bag sale at my LYS. I'm ashamed to say how much of a haul I have but suffice it to say I won't be buying any yarn for a few years, at least!"

You wish! LOL -- Anyway, as productive as you are that yarn will be gone in a flash.

Sheila said...

All your bizzare knitting looks good. I enjoyed Mos Def in 16 blocks - good movie. The pic of the bird would make a fabulous post card.

Vera said...

I like the striped Sophie. I would like to see Mos Def.

Lucie said...

Thanks for your visit. I like your Sophie bag the colours are so cheery.

picperfic said...

wow, so much to read and think about!

Your answere to your sons were great, especially the Anne Frank one. I love her moving story and actually visited her home in Amsterdam a few years ago, it was amazing.

I have so many things I want to make right now, and your Sophie bag is gorgeous and will no doubt be added to my ever growing list of things to make!

Melissa Perreault said...

Oh my gosh, this was one of your best posts ever and that's saying something!!!!

Where did you find the "Jesus is Cool.." pic? I would love to see more of those!!