Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
I always chuckle at that last line. It was one of my daddy’s favorites and it basically sums up my knitting in July…and August…and September. The last time I wrote was the end of June. I don’t know where the summer went. I have been knitting quite a bit, but due to some health issues, I have very little to show for it. I had a bit of trouble with my brain due to Lyme disease. I became easily confused and unable to concentrate on simple tasks. There was one point where I could not recall any of my wips! I continued to work on the Lace Blanket MKAL by CeCi at Oh La Lana!, however I found some of the blocks to be too difficult for me to process at the time; for those I knit one of her simpler designs. I did not want to bail on the project completely, but I was becoming increasingly more upset with my lack of ability to understand what I was reading. Here are some photos of finished blocks. I am now working with black wool.
A few of the blocks from the Lace Blanket MKAL
I cast on a pair of socks in the spring. I was nearing the finish line on the first sock, and decreasing for the toe when things went south. I know what you are thinking. How can things go wrong on simple toe decreases? I don’t know, but they did. In my frustration I ripped out the entire sock and cast on again. This is the extent of my progress. To maintain my sanity, I am just doing a simple top-down sock in a 3 x 1 rib.
The next project should have been done about 3 months ago. I have knit and frogged this one 3 times. It is the Savage Heart Cardigan by Amy Cristoffers (caution: this link takes you to Ravelry). I am using Superfine Merino 2-ply by Cestari Sheep and Wool Co. in a natural light gray. This is a really beautiful wooly wool. I am using my Addi Turbo circulars for this sweater, but the wool is still dragging quite a bit on the needles. I work on this here and there because it is hard on the hands and for a while I was experiencing some numbness in my fingers that made knitting tricky.
Can you smell the lanolin? My husband caught me doing a deep-inhale face plant in to my knitting last night.
I participated in a KAL hosted by Morehouse Merinos and Ann at I Thought I Knew How Podcast. The pattern was the Lark’s Alvina Shawl (link goes to Ravelry) by Louisa Harding. This is a very satisfying knit. I chose to knit mine in Haystack. A few more yards and I’ll be done!
Now that football season is here, and the gardens are fading, I will have a lot more knitting time on my hands and hopefully some FOs to share!
I hope you all are well. I have been enjoying everyone’s posts and beautiful sharings. It is my intention to write again soon; I would love to share some of my non-knitting related adventures. For now I will leave you with a photo of me and Razz-the best boy ever!
Mutual Admiration Society
Have peace in your day and coffee in your mug!
With love,
ReginaMary
Saint of the Day: Today, I picked a rather obscure saint to share with you. St. Phocas the Gardener. Phocas earned his living by cultivating a garden near the city gate of Sinope (now in Turkey). The quiet and beauty of the plot he cultivated proved quite conducive to prayer. He shared with the poor what he earned from his gardening, and opened his home to travelers lacking a place to stay. He is patron to gardeners, sailors, inn-keepers and farmers.
In my cup: I am having a glass of wine, thank you very much!
In my ears: Monday’s Saints vs Raiders game. Robert puts football on for Razz to watch while we are at work.
Cosmicknitter 
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling poorly. Lyme is no fun. I hope your issues subside.
Your projects look great! I love the squares:)
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I am over the hump and back in the saddle! My knits look like hell, but I don’t care. I am happy to be feeling myself again. 🙂
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I am glad to hear you are on the mend, Lyme Disease is a tough one to diagnose, glad you have knowledge on your side as you recover.
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Razz likes teams that have gold as one of their colors. That’s why he watches the New Orleans Saints. Razz dreams of being a wide retreiver!
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That is adorable!!!
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Glad to hear you’re feeling better. For what it’s worth, I think the squares look great!
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Thank you! It was an exercise in accepting my limitations without judgment.
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“Can you smell the lanolin? My husband caught me doing a deep-inhale face plant in to my knitting last night.” – Awesome – thanks for the chuckle. Hey do you and your yarn need private time?!?! You are one talented knitter I love those blocks for the blanket. Awww Razz just being a sweet best boy! Glad he gets to watch football!
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Oh my goodness, Lyme disease is so debilitating. My brother was hospitalised with facial paralysis quite a few years ago, though he is ok now, thank goodness.
Good luck with the knitting. And I love the smell of lanolin too! Fabulous that Razz has the football on while you are at work. Does he have a favourite team?
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I had a dippy eye, but it was very fleeting. It was a challenge for sure! Thankfully, it has all resolved.
I think Razz likes any team that warrants snacks!
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Glad to hear you’re on the mend now, and praying for continued good health into the future.
I’m also excited for all that football knitting time! Although of course now there is still lots of other sports too – I love sports but it’s a bit of an overload right now!
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Well, I love football and baseball, but when you are a Mets fan, the season tends to be on the shorter side! When my husband is out of town, I love putting the game on for the company.
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Lovely to see you back in action, love the knits, especially the shawl. That photo of you and Razz is just perfect. Wishing you all the best as you continue to recover your health.
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Thanks, Pam!! Razz kept me company. If I was in bed, he didn’t even want to leave me for his dinner! And he LOVES his dinner! That is loyalty.
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I teach doctoral students and periodically I have to remind them that perseverance through the rough phases of any project, plan, or life period is half the battle. It is so frustrating not to be where we think should – and yet there is still peace to find in where we are.
I hope you continue to be gentle to yourself!
P.S. I immediately finished this post and picked up my crochet. Looking at those glorious yarns sparked something in me.
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Yay!!! I look forward to seeing your creations! 💞
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I’m so sorry you’ve been having health issues 😦 Thank you for sharing your beautiful makes and yarn with us. Razz is such a sweet boy.
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So pleased to read you’re on the mend. Some of those patterns can get the best of us knitters confused. I know I bought a lovely farmers knitting book it was from America, so had all the American knitting symbology in it. So I was forever going on line to see what the abriviations meant, getting lost in the process. But I did get there in the end.
Love your colour choices.
Have a cosy Autumnal knitting season 💚💕🙏🍁🍂🍁🌻🌻🌻
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Aw I’m sorry you were ill, I hope you’re on the mend and will be back to tip top condition in no time.
I’ve never actually smelled lanolin that I know of. I’ve heard it’s a very divisive smell and some people can’t stand it.
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I am feeling fantastic these days, thank you! I can’t imagine anyone not loving the smell of lanolin. I’m sure you have smelled it. Just go into your stash and grab a skein of non-superwash and inhale.
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I love your dog, I have such a love of the old ones , having just lost my own old girl. Your blog is fantastic, I’ll have to explore when time allows!
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Awwww!! Thank you! It really means a lot; forever doubting my value has become my area of expertise! I look forward to getting to know you. I’m sorry about your sweet girl. I can’t go there with Razz. My tiny brain starts to short- circuit.
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I love that quote.
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Yeah…it’s a good one! Anything that makes me think of my daddy, tho…
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