tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8129511984832596052024-03-10T23:23:08.132-04:00My Next 20 Years of LivingRetired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.comBlogger1044125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-81604424948952791772023-08-14T14:38:00.001-04:002023-08-14T14:38:28.875-04:00Ann and Jane - Their YouTube Videos, Cookbooks, and their infectious zest for life and food!!<p><br />Once I knew my eating life was going to change and center <u>mostly</u> around a plant based diet, </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>... and once I found a way to control my disappointment that this would be forever, </li><li>... and once I recognized that my body had already been evolving in that direction anyway, </li><li>... and once I accepted the time involved to develop a library of meals that were good,</li><li>... and once I adopted the idea that I would need to do more cooking (!!yikes!!), </li></ul><p></p><p>Yeah ... once I got passed a few little bumps in the road - I decided to change up my approach. After all, what we enjoy in life is frequently influenced attitude ... and I had to 'go find me' a different attitude!! </p><p>I started with YouTube videos because they were cheap (free) and I could skim through various feeds quickly (‘cause not everyone out there is good at this, you know.) I don’t know how many videos I started then skipped before I came to an almost hour long video called:</p><h1 class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background: repeat; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(15, 15, 15); color: #0f0f0f; display: -webkit-box; font-family: "YouTube Sans", Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 5.6rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: break-word;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><span style="font-size: medium;"> Fresh Start! An Intro to Plant-Based Eating for Newbies</span></yt-formatted-string></h1><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">. </yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><br /></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">That's me - Newbie and a Fresh Start is what I was looking for! </yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><br /></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">At first a man was briefly going over the main points of this diet. Ok, I was good with that. But behind him his wife starting doing silly things as each point was introduced. That was corny. I decided to skip it. I watched and skipped a few other videos, and then I came to another video with this same woman (Jane) and her mother (Ann), and they were cooking together, chatting away, and obviously enjoying each other’s company. Something just drew me in. I paused that video, and I returned to the <b>Fresh Start</b> video - and this time I listened to the full hour. What followed was Ann (mother, age 87) and Jane (daughter, age 56) cooking together and talking about the topic of Plant-Based eating. They were charming. It looked totally unrehearsed, the background was Ann’s very normal kitchen, there were no edits, or no glossy professional food pictures. The video just ran and their little disagreements were captured but never taken seriously, and they both were filled with enthusiasm and joy for this Plant Based diet. By the end of the hour, I was totally hooked!</yt-formatted-string></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4FsgJdr2dFnELjhlxeBdM74tIU6ych5GzZB66v7fRkAWyBc6lTZn6T9A40jD8vNByi0BPtgkOY75zxBR1X_esEU4JtT7l2sj2O7eEJ0R_mkku4CJLXUiMYvMLjTEbJQ9vHgfuj4MbqmkTKIw0YV5QwJme99bb8xVxLZKqtvjb_rOfHfZy-iSLJpTvZev/s404/images.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="404" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4FsgJdr2dFnELjhlxeBdM74tIU6ych5GzZB66v7fRkAWyBc6lTZn6T9A40jD8vNByi0BPtgkOY75zxBR1X_esEU4JtT7l2sj2O7eEJ0R_mkku4CJLXUiMYvMLjTEbJQ9vHgfuj4MbqmkTKIw0YV5QwJme99bb8xVxLZKqtvjb_rOfHfZy-iSLJpTvZev/w527-h163/images.jpeg" width="527" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the picture on the right - the two ladies in the Yoga pose - Ann, the mother, is on the right.<br />At the time the book was published, she was 88! </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><br /></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">What wasn’t evident initially was the real science from the </yt-formatted-string>Esselstyn Foundation and family life experiences behind this very like-able pair. Ann is the wife of Dr. Caldwell B Esselstyn, the author of a book <u>Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease</u>. Ann then wrote the recipe companion book called <u>Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook</u>. In addition, their whole family, (adult children, adult children’s spouses, and grandchildren) are all plant based. Ann and Jane have over 140 videos on YouTube demonstrating various food prep strategies, and they are the authors of the book<u> Be A Plant-Based Woman Warrior</u> which I ordered. It is an amazing book. Extremely well done and very inviting. </div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><br /></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">So ... did I find my new attitude? I did. I totally love these two lovely ladies and their approach. </yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><br /></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">Now here is my disclaimer on all this. </yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><br /></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">My goal is to improve my diet. I believe eating a more plant based diet will do that following many of their guidelines. But have I adopted ALL their practices without exception? No. </yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><br /></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">Here are my exceptions.</yt-formatted-string></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Eat nothing with a face: Well ... if you are plant based, that is an expectation, but in social situations I'll be flexible just to be polite. That shouldn’t happen often. This is about diet <u>choices,</u> not cult obedience! One animal protein meal now and then won’t undo months of plant based eating.</li><li>No eggs, no dairy: Hmm .... I eat eggs or egg whites every morning. If I start my day with anything else, I am hungry at 10:30 am. I'll listen to my body for now and keep to my routine. And no fat plain greek yogurt is a healthy choice in almost every other diet. It will remain in my diet occasionally. </li><li>No oil: I can drastically reduce my oil intake, but minimal olive oil will stay.</li></ul>Other plant based guidelines strongly recommended by Dr. Esselstyn and company that I can get behind are: avoid salt (buy salt free products) and minimize sugar, eat greens 6 times a day - as much as possible, eat more oats - as much as possible, eat lots of beans and lentils, eat whole grains, limit coconut, nuts and avocados (eliminate those 3 entirely if you have heart disease,) eat a tablespoon of chia seeds and/or flax seed meal each day, drink lots of water, read the ingredients of any item you purchase. </div><div><br /></div><div>Got it!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mwBwYi6uOLejS9GGIEe7CVbXrKhn54eRs-eVdP322eTFdWoP8VBhkvnBrfjQjDrrg7-knrSDNHPlPveytqNn2z39Dc_5Ftx5yveRA7lBAVIU7TlXGNb6kKT5k2zkn5qXHCQmJQnSHDzFX_ytZdmY4qfRnrjq8SRodVyu2gm-1Ck3lVziuuqZgVsNrYB7/s275/images-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mwBwYi6uOLejS9GGIEe7CVbXrKhn54eRs-eVdP322eTFdWoP8VBhkvnBrfjQjDrrg7-knrSDNHPlPveytqNn2z39Dc_5Ftx5yveRA7lBAVIU7TlXGNb6kKT5k2zkn5qXHCQmJQnSHDzFX_ytZdmY4qfRnrjq8SRodVyu2gm-1Ck3lVziuuqZgVsNrYB7/w391-h260/images-2.jpeg" width="391" /></a></div><div><br /> </div><div>I suspect their ideas are very similar to that of others who espouse plant based eating. But what the mother and daughter team brought to me was their total joy and fun and enthusiasm for cooking and eating a plant based diet ... all of it presented in a way that says ... “Yup!! - you can do this - follow us.”</div><div><br /></div><div>I am following.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-65381582399340836272023-08-12T10:46:00.004-04:002023-08-12T10:46:36.419-04:00Back again with a Leona and Lennie Update<p style="text-align: center;">The “update" of Leona and Lennie</p><p style="text-align: center;">(thank you Wendy for the Liver name Lennie - it is perfect!)</p><p style="text-align: center;"> is short and sweet. </p><p>All seems pretty quiet with no changes. Leona, the singleton kidney, is still plugging along at a kidney function in the 30s or Stage 3, and it may be a year or more before we see any movement upward (or maybe never if my Internist is correct.) As far as Lennie, my bigger than normal liver, is concerned, no news is good news. Lab work is normal. Of course, making life easier for Lennie, might help him shrink - only time will tell. </p><p>And how do you make life easier for a kidney and a liver?? Life style changes, it appears. No magic pill or treatment. An improved diet and exercise routine. Easy-peasy, right?</p><p>Sort of.</p><p>Diet wise I was drifting towards a Mediterranean Diet about a year and a half ago. I was not rigid in that choice, but it was just a way to drop some poor choices off my dinner plate without making too large a split from the foods my husband preferred. This past spring, however, when my medical concerns shifted from - “gosh I am getting old” to “yikes, one kidney down, cancer avoided and a fatty liver” ... my diet decisions shifted into high gear. Lean protein and less less of it, reduced salt, lower potassium and phosphorus, complex carbs and less of them too, and minimal fats - just to name the big players in the food story. It seemed like only one “diet structure” fit those concerns: plant based eating. And to be honest, that kind of eating suits me very well. While I welcome these food changes, it comes with some effort.</p><p>I don’t live alone - and my spouse is a 'meat and potatoes' kind of guy. While he supports whatever I want to do with my diet, he is not interested in any changes to his diet. I support that - in theory. The consequence, however, of two separate diets means more planning and more cooking for me. And I am not wild about cooking. But I am finding work-arounds. I still make his favorites, but he knows he will be eating them as left overs since I am not sharing in those meals any more. </p><p>For my diet, the work is harder. I don’t have a lifetime of plant based recipes ready to whip out like I do for him. I am still figuring out the basics: finding and experimenting with recipes, discovering half of what I make for myself I don’t want to repeat, locating cooks and cookbooks that offer reasonable creations that don’t involve 20+ different ingredients, some that are hard to find and may never be used again. And finding plant based recipes that don’t rely on salt to punch up the flavor is an advanced study course well beyond the basics.</p><p>And speaking of salt, my tongue (who has done absolutely nothing wrong in this whole adventure) is working hard to adjust to reduced or no salt meals. Seriously, I came from a family that salted everything - even before tasting. I salted things like bagels. I was the salt queen. No longer. That adjustment is actually coming along fairly well. A few weeks ago, my husband wanted hotdogs for dinner. My day had been very busy and my energy was low, so we both had hotdogs. Wow. That was eyeopening. Those dogs were very salty.</p><p>Beyond the taste, all food needs to be balanced with an eye to the big four: Potassium, Phosphorus, Salt and Protein - not to forget the other supporting players of Carbs and Fats. Juggling those elements for every ingredient can make your head spin. Thankfully I found an “app for that.” It is called Cronometer and it took all the leg work out of totaling up those elements from the foods I log into it. Thank God for technology. But be careful what you ask for. I discovered that although I am eating a more plant based diet, I still am getting too many carbs and too much fat. I am even getting too much salt on some days (the hotdog day aside.) So off I go on another quest to find other foods and combinations that are better. It never ends. Gone are the days when I could walk into a farmer's market and joyfully know that absolutely <i>EVERYTHING</i> there was healthy for me. Sadly, that is no longer entirely true. Spinach, kale and dark leaf plants are potassium rich. Got to be careful with those - because “rich” in this context is bad - not good. And mellons and bananas, my very favorite and safe fruits, are also very very potassium rich. A single serving - maybe once a day. And be sure you know what a “single serving” is ... it is less than you might think. </p><p>So so many elements to considered and understood and adopted.</p><p>Anyway, I am learning and adjusting and most importantly, persisting ... because this isn’t just until I loose a few pounds - it is forever. I am not going to grow a second kidney. My liver, once healed can be made sick and enlarged again if not careful. But the weight loss has been a pleasant side effect - like positive reward for making all this effort. In fact, since last year I have lost 23 pounds. Ten pounds were from Weight Watchers over 6 months. Pretty uninspiring. But between May and July I lost another 13 pounds. That was all due to plant based eating. And I am still losing, but just more slowly. The weight loss was welcomed - and I am within 4 pounds now of a normal BMI which is important to my health. So that is all good. I will be happier with this new way of eating when I have a selection of successful plant based food items to prepare without effort.</p><p>I sincerely hope that at my next lab test, we will see some appreciation from Leona and Lennie.</p><p>I will make a sincere effort to not let another month pass before blogging again! Maybe with pictures next time.</p><p>Cheers all.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-7742250427932434072023-07-11T23:15:00.003-04:002023-07-11T23:15:23.834-04:00Just checking in<p>Here I am, 3+ weeks out from surgery, heading towards 4 weeks and doing great (well ... great-ish). My incision is healed, I can drive again, walk as much as I want and do most things by myself. That is the “glory" of laparoscopic surgery with robot assist! While I am still limited in lifting stuff and I can't vacuum this very dirty house yet (which only bothers me - not my husband - because he is blind), I am feeling very fortunate to be living in an area of the country where this advanced technology and skilled surgeons using this technique are readily available to me. Add that to my very supportive family, and you have a near perfect experience.</p><p>But it is “near” perfect only.</p><p>The remaining kidney has been a little slow in picking up the pace of its job. The kidneys are very hard working little organs that don't get enough credit for the work they do - until they don't and then you got trouble. In fact, you would never know there was a problem until you are in serious trouble. My remaining kidney (I will call her Leona going forward - 😁 in honor of my mom, her middle name, who suffered with kidney disease most of her life and died of kidney failure and dementia), Leona was expected to take a dip in her functioning, according to the surgeon right after surgery. And she did dip by about 20 points off normal function. Two weeks later she had dipped another 5 points. hmmm. But some other values were abnormal and my surgeon asked me to make a few adjustments to my eating and 4 days later I repeated the lab work. Previous abnormals were corrected but Leona was now down about another 5 points ... treading very close to levels of kidney failure.</p><p>Hey ... what gives, Leona!!!</p><p>But my surgeon and my internist both were ok with the values, so who am I to argue. My own research indicates that kidneys are slow to adjust to change and that Leona could take months, maybe a year or more, to reach a level that is normal for me. In the meantime, I have to eat healthy (well ... I will have to eat healthy the rest of my life, of course,) drink a lot of water every day and get various labs and diagnostic tests to track Leona’s progress. And while I wait, I feel pretty good. I have to remind myself that all is not yet back to normal and won’t be for some time. But to look at me - I am good!</p><p>And I think I mentioned that they also discovered that I have an enlarged liver. Today I saw my GI doctor and we had quite a chat. They will be tracking this liver now. And, of course, there is a diet for that liver (that is somewhat different from the kidney diet that I must also follow) and that discussion resulted in a referral to a speciality nutritionist who can help me sort through both conditions. I’ll table that discussion for another post - after I see her in a few weeks. My GI doc said that enlarged fatty livers are a quiet pandemic in our country due to SAD - the Standard American Diet. It is known that 30% of our population has this condition and there are probably another 10-20% who have it and don’t know they have it. She said she even has it! Without diet and exercise intervention the condition can develop into scarring on the liver and lead to cirrhosis ... and eventually liver failure. An special MRI test called an Elastography has been ordered. It will look for any scarring or cirrhosis. She feels pretty sure my liver is ok for a number of reasons - one of which is the normal contours have not changed - it is just too big. A good sign. That test won’t happen until September when I am entirely healed.</p><p>I haven’t come up with a good name for my liver yet. I am open to suggestions. 😃</p><p>So that is my current status. I’ll be back sooner rather than later - I have many many pictures on my phone of stuff I wanted to post to the blog. It has just been a very busy time.</p><p>Talk again soon.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-73566575582631871522023-06-22T22:09:00.000-04:002023-06-22T22:09:28.405-04:00The Pathology Results Are In<p>Negative for cancer.</p><p>Oh wait, you might have missed that first sentence. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>NEGATIVE FOR CANCER!!!!!!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>Me ... I am negative.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>No cancer here!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><b>UNBELIEVABLE!!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">It appears that I fall into that small 10% </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">of the population with a kidney mass that has a benign tumor!!!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I feel like I should go out and buy a lottery ticket or something.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Or </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">maybe I should just say a little prayer of thanks.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Which I already did, but will do it again.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Some "thank yous" cannot be said too much!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-4642618363197046472023-06-20T05:48:00.000-04:002023-06-20T05:48:09.022-04:00Day 5 - Post Surgery<p>I am now on the “other side” of the kidney tumor surgery. I am down to only one kidney, and the tumor - kidney duo is gone. The whole process has gone exactly as described. I am healing fast. The pain is much reduced. And as of yesterday, my energy levels have started to return. I don’t need naps if I got a good night’s rest. I have very few limitations - except that I should not lift heavy objects (they never gave a number of pounds but I am erring on the safe side and handling only light stuff) and I shouldn’t mow the grass.” Ha! I am safe there - in a condo community we hire folks to mow the lawn. I can climb steps and I can even vacuum if I am using a stick vacuum. Obviously this minimally invasive laparoscopic robot assisted surgery delivers on it promises of a fast recovery with less pain.</p><p>Two weeks from my surgery I will follow up with the surgeon and get my pathology results. There was no new info given post surgery because based on pre surgery test imaging there were no surprises found when they did the surgery. But microscopically my kidney cancer story may take a different path - and Oncology may be recommended. In fact, she has mention that possibility at every interaction we have had. I feel pretty sure she has been subtly prepping me for that possibility.</p><p>Based on my own research, if kidney cancer has spread - even microscopically, it is no longer treated initially with Chemotherapy and radiation therapies. The current preferred treatment is Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to boost a person’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. It is sort of the opposite of suppression immunotherapy used in transplant patients to prevent rejections of the implanted organs.</p><p>But that all is a future topic. Right now I am only crossing bridges I haven’t come to - I need to focus for the near future celebrate the fact I am tumor free. And I am very very pleased about that.</p><p>Just know that I am doing well right now - physically and emotionally. I’ll get back again after the surgical follow up.</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-630324464852211272023-06-12T20:24:00.004-04:002023-06-12T20:24:57.984-04:00Fast Approaching ...<p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry this update is delayed in coming. The surgery is this Thursday (OMG so soon) and (unless I have beaten down my true feelings on this), I am doing fine.</span></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually I feel great physically as well. In fact, I am thinking of asking the surgeon to give me a picture of this tumor that has caused all this hub-bub because other than all the doctors' visits and testing (and the results, of course), I feel no different. I could make a case that it is all a sham! <img alt="🙃" aria-label="🙃" class="an1 CToWUd" data-bit="iit" data-emoji="🙃" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/1f643/72.png" style="height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /> Well, not really. I believe everything I have been told, but a small part of me still wants a picture. </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, in the result of the last test - the MRI - there is more going on in my abdomen beyond that tumor. </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you start poking around in the body of a 76 year old person - you are bound to turn up something. It showed 2 things: 1) small multiple cysts in my kidneys and my liver - and 2) some liver enlargement. The enlargement was described by the radiologist as "fatty liver.” Well, crap! So I did my web searches on cysts and fatty liver, and it raised even more questions. Does this ever end!! I have so many questions about this new development (well “new to me” development as I have probably been carrying around a tumor and cystic organs for some time.)</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing they found, however, changes the surgery. We are a “go” for that. I did discover that fatty liver can be found in 30% of Americans on SAD - the Standard American Diet - and most don’t even know they have liver problems until liver damage starts to show up in blood work. Guess I am “lucky” I discovered this problem while looking at the tumor, which was discovered while looking at my GI system!!! *sigh* Ranting over now. I found the diet recommended for turning fatty liver around - and healing the liver. I started that diet a week or two ago. It is basically just a very healthy diet of veggies and fruit, limited complex carbs and no added sugar or salt, and lean proteins like fish, chicken, turkey and soy, no dairy, no red meat, and no alcohol. Boring, but fine with me if it keeps me around another 15 years. And my internist will be very pleased if I can stick to that diet. I found a bright spot in that diet! Coffee is good for the liver. I feel like I was just given a lollypop!! (A lollypop without sugar, of course.) But questions still remain on how I got here and if this is related in any way to my strong family history of Polycystic Kidney Disease. I see a Nephrologist in September. The first appointment is for an hour! Good, because by then I will have so many questions he might not get time to answer if it is less than an hour.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s the story so far. I am eager to get this tumor out and start healing. I will admit to a bit of nerves mostly because I am the oldest I have ever been for a surgery (and I have had a few surgeries.). They were all successful with no complications so I need to focus on that.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And have I mentioned my amazing kids (who are not really kids being in their 40s.). Since I will not have my husband’s assistance at the hospital or at home due to his disability, my son is taking me to the hospital and will be the designated family member to remain until the surgery is over. Over the weekend we discussed departure times and other details ... and he said, "Oh, and mom, the night after surgery I will be right across the street.” Me ... looking blankly. - what??? I had an instant vision of him outside the hospital standing on the sidewalk until visiting hours opened up again. (I know, crazy mother thoughts.) He went on. "I have booked a room right across the street in a hotel." Well ... I really didn’t know what to say at first. I was so touched. And it stunned me even more to realize I took comfort in the knowledge that he wouldn't be far. Maybe I am more anxious than I am willing to admit. And then there is my daughter who will come to be with her dad the night after my surgery - and who plans to stay with us both until I am able to putter around for myself. And my sister who plans to show up with meals for us the day I get discharged.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truly, I am bursting with pride at the adults my “kids” have become. They are the very very best things I have done with my life. My sister, who has been through much much more than this, dealing with the polycystic kidneys she inherited from our mom, cooking for us (which my husband is secretly looking forward to because my sister is a great cook.). I really do struggle with accepting all of that help while at the same time I am so very grateful for it.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next time I blog - I will be cancer free! See you guys on the other side.</div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-65842899734637887182023-05-23T01:00:00.180-04:002023-05-23T08:07:01.000-04:00A break in the action<p>The last few weeks have been a roller coaster ride. This week is an appointment free week. As much as I really want to move forward, I am glad for a break in the action. I need to get my brain and emotions in sync.</p><p>But while I am on a mini-high right now, my CT results came back: normal for my age. Bones show age related degeneration and some arthritis only! Beautiful words. A month ago I would have fretted over those results. Not now. It is all about perspective! Now I want nothing more than to be “normal for my age.” (But I do have to keep up those leg and back exercises.)</p><p>Other thoughts have been taking up space in my brain.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">?? A Preferred Cancer List ??</span></p><p>To start ... if you have to get cancer, I guess kidney cancer is pretty high on the “preferred list” if there is such a ridiculous thing as a “preferred list” for cancer. It can be cured with the swipe of a surgical knife. You have a back up kidney, and one kidney is actually plenty to live a normal life. Renal Cancer doesn’t spread fast. My tumor is large so it is hard to know how long it has been sitting in there with plans to spread its wings. Still - the feedback so far is that it has not spread. </p><p>Even with all those positives (?), it IS a Cancer! It can hide for a long time and it can spread. I got lucky - it was found, but I want it out (... like yesterday.). If it has spread I am ready for Oncology (... like yesterday). Give me those drugs. Give me that radiation. Sign me up for all the weapons of medical “war” that science has to offer (... like the day before yesterday!!) Can you tell that patience is not one of my virtues?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Real Me</span></p><p>The real me - (the "cut it out, poison it, burn-it-to-the-ground" me) - that me hasn't changed one bit since I was in my 20s. I am an Aries** through and through. Stubborn, hard-headed, opinionated, etc. My kind of personality is hard to be around sometimes! But in a “fight”, it is good to be an Aries. </p><p>For example - I experienced a cancer scare 6 months after the birth of my son when I was 26. I discovered a lump in my breast. My doctor said I was too young for cancer. (I bet they don’t say that any more.). Back in 1974 you entered the hospital the night before for a biopsy and you signed away your breast the night before surgery, because if the biopsy came back positive ... as you lay on the surgical table, they did the mastectomy <u>before</u> you woke up. That night before the biopsy, a nurse came to my hospital room to prep me for surgery. She asked me how I felt about maybe waking up with only one breast. She was young - like me - but I remember telling her, “They can take the whole right side of my body, if it saves my life. I have a son to raise.” “Good answer,” she responded. It wasn’t cancer then. It is cancer now. I feel exactly the same today. My Aries traits will serve me well. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Me I Know</span> </p><p>I have worked in medicine most of my professional life - administratively mostly, but enough to know the short comings and strengths of medicine and the people who make these life and death decisions. I am not in awe of doctors. I greatly respect their knowledge and training, but know they are people just like me, and they can make mistakes in judgement just like me. Mistakes get made when you are over worked and fatigued. </p><p>I believe medical care and decisions should be a team event: the patient or their advocate and the doctor. I was my mother’s advocate for 8 years and many of my interactions with medical professionals were confrontational because some physicians didn’t function well as team players. I challenged some decisions (or lack of them,) demanded further explanations until I understood, asked about options not offered, and made damn sure that my mom got the very best of what modern medicine had to offer while minimizing difficult procedures that would not benefit her in her fragile health state. It was a balancing act. I often felt like a warrior with the sword and shield on her behalf. They had to go through me to get to her and I did speak my mind without a filter. (Aries ... another trait.) I was not out to make friends (and often didn’t), but I did get what she needed. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The Me I Don’t Know</span></p><p>This whole month I have wondered just where that “warrior” person has gone. I am not good at being the patient and the advocate simultaniously for myself. My husband isn’t good at this either. Of course, two BIG differences between my mom and I are that she had dementia and could not speak for herself, and she had fragile health and would not benefit from unnecessary testing that would lead to a surgery that we would not do. I have no mental limitations, and I am younger and healthier than she was - so I should be able to speak on my own behalf. Mom needed an advocate. I should not. BUT it is hard work to think and evaluate when your head is spinning. Hard, hard work. If this whole experience goes past Urology into Oncology, maybe by then the shock will have lowered a bit - and the “Aries” me will start to show up more frequently on my own behalf. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Knowledge Is Power</span></p><p>Finally, I have a cousin who has been an RN for a very long time. Currently she is a Nurse Navigator and has experience working for patients as they wade through the medical establishment in pursuit of care. In sharing this news with her, she sent me the <i>NCCN Guidelines for Patients - Kidney Cancer Guidelines</i>. This very informational book created for patients provides all the details related to kidney cancer and the questions for doctors. When I first got it - I was in the “I have a cyst” phase of my journey. I did open it and began reading various sections - but as I skimmed through it - it made me a bit uncomfortable. I was uncomfortable enough to close it thinking ... this is serious stuff. I set it aside because I had a cyst - not a tumor. No need to upset myself.</p><p>The “I have a tumor” phase has begun. Time to start reading and getting familiar with exactly what I have. My personal comfort level now has no bearing on this situation. I need to be armed with information. </p><p>This could be a “war” and my Aries self needs to know the enemy! </p><p><br /></p><p>** I am not a believer in Astrologic signs. But I can’t ignore the similarities between my personality and the Aries traits. I remember a conversation I had with my daughter on this subject. She observed just how much her Astrologic sign matched her personality. I read up on my sign. I didn’t like all the “bull-headed” observations of the Aries Ram sign. I observed that I wasn’t all those things! She just smiled and said, </p><p>“Oh mom, you are such an Aries!” 😂😂</p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-32052457501489328692023-05-21T07:17:00.002-04:002023-05-21T08:16:50.003-04:00Get It Done Mode - Day 2, 3, 4, etc<p>Day 1 was May 2. It’s been about 20 days since that time. Every day since Day 1 has been a blur.</p><p>Soon after Day 1 I saw my GI Nurse Practitioner. The realization that she found something that would have gone undetected for a few more years was not lost on me. I thanked her over and over for her persistence and dedication even if this wasn’t what she (or I) was looking for. </p><p>She confirmed many of the same kidney mass facts I already had googled. If the kidney mass is a tumor, there is a 90% chance of malignancy. Kidney tumors grow slowly so this little hidden “tag-along” has probably been there for years. They are slow to metastasize and when they do they typically show up in the lungs and bones. My CT scan of the chest showed normal lungs and no involvement of the lymph nodes that could be seen. If the tumor is removed before it spreads, that is The Cure. 100% Cure. No chemo or radiation. No follow up treatment at all except to monitor the other kidney and to watch for a future cancer. She said based on my family history this could very well be a cyst. When I reported this conversation to my husband, the look of relief on his face was marked. I realized he was carrying a great deal of worry behind of calm exterior. I, again, repeated my belief that all would be well. </p><p>Yet, every time I said this, I would silently add a little plea to who whoever was listening - “...and please make it so.” </p><p>At home I was busy setting up appointments. I needed a Urology appointment within 2 weeks. I scheduled a CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis. I scheduled an appointment with my primary care doctor to make sure he was in the loop on the new information. I had a boat load of personal commitments that needed to be moved or cancelled. Priorities shifted.</p><p>I saw my primary doctor. He repeated everything that I had already heard and researched. He said additionally that the likelihood of a malignant tumor on my kidney at my age is very rare. It is seen more commonly in younger individuals. Block by building block the existence of a cyst became very real in my mind. Cysts are watched, not surgically extracted. Cysts are not typically life threatening unless there are a bunch and they begin to impact the function of an organ. In my brain, this mass had to be a cyst.</p><p>Then it was my Urologists turn to tell me what I already knew. My husband came to this appointment. He usually does not go with me to appointments. Trips into strange places are tough on him because he is blind. But I invited him to go to this appointment because this appointment was different. How different I wasn’t sure, but a small part of me failed to let go of the tumor idea. I needed another pair of ears with me. Normally he would pause and hem and haw and maybe finally say, ok. He quickly responded, “Yes.” He knew this appointment was different too.</p><p>The Urologist walked into the room, sat down and got right to the point. “I’ve looked at your CT scan and this is not a cyst. This is a tumor! Tumors have a 90% chance of being malignant. The fix is to go in and take out the tumor, the kidney and surrounding lymph nodes. A biopsy is not done in advance. A tumor must come out regardless of malignancy or the lack of it. If surrounding tissues are clear, you are cured. Your kidneys look good. No sign of polycystic disease. You should do very well with one kidney. You will be followed by a Nephrologist post surgery to maximize the function and health of the remaining kidney. Questions.” Don’t get me wrong. I much prefer the direct, to-the-point approach. And everything she said I knew from my research regarding kidney tumors. But I had a cyst. </p><p>Except I didn’t.</p><p>Numbness. </p><p>I remember asking a few questions and getting answers. When I asked, my husband had no questions. I remember his face. Tight and guarded. I did him no favors talking up the cyst. She asked me a number of questions which I answered. She changed my CT of the abdomen and pelvis to an MRI of the same area - with contrast, of course. We scheduled a mid-June surgery date before we left the office. It was neatly wrapped up and all that was missing was a bow.</p><p>We got in the car and I said - “Well that is not what we were hoping for.” He said. “No.” The ride was so quiet. I was glad for that since I was driving and I needed to focus on driving. At home he had a chance to gather his thoughts and he offered to help me in anyway he could. We both knew his physical help was very limited by his disability. But he would “be there” for moral support. In my life I have prided myself on not needing anyone’s moral support. I am stubborn and strong and able to follow my own path regardless of the actions or opinions of others. A true Aries! But this time might just be different.</p><p>Once I got home and the fog lifted, I realized there were 2 questions she asked that I answered wrong. Does cancer or kidney tumors run in my family? I said no. In fact a kidney mass was found in my mom in her 80s. At the time her health was fragile and we declined any further testing because we would take no action on the results of the tests. Do you have back pain? I said no. But I do have back pain and it is on the left side and lately it has become very much more noticeable and constant. So I corrected those answers with the Urologist and she order a Nuclear Medicine Full Body Scan. </p><p>That test was yesterday. It looks at your bones and looks for “hot spots” that may indicate the presence of abnormal cell growth. I am now 24 hours out since that test with no urgent phone call from my provider. I do hope that is a good sign.</p><p>Preop office visits with my primary and the Urologist are next and I will come armed with my questions for the Urologist. And the dreaded MRI ... it is a topic for another post. If you have ever had a MRI I am sure you can guess why I am dreading this test. But enough for today.</p><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-44531553786144162512023-05-20T10:02:00.000-04:002023-05-20T10:02:52.066-04:00Another Chapter - Day 1<p>Yes, it has been since October 2022 since I last visited my own blog and during that time I have wondered if I really have reach the end of my blogging journey. But there is something so final about closing this down and saying goodbye to all this written history ... no matter what the reason. During the unintentional blog break some health related events have been developing - slowly like the beginning of an ocean tsunami that is just a small swell out on the ocean but gathers speed and height the closer it gets to shore. And once on shore .... well ... you know the rest.</p><p>It occurred to me that my personal thoughts on these health developments are best not expressed to my family because my goal with them is to minimize the whole event so that worry does not overtake them (like it does for me in quiet times). I want them to only focus on the positive. This is just a bump in the road to get past and all will be well at the end. </p><p>And if a family member does stumble upon these postings, please allow me and any other family member the allusion that you aren’t aware of these posts. I love you all dearly, but I can handle only so much reality at a time. </p><p>My personal thoughts need to get out somewhere! The last time I dumped my deepest concerns anywhere was my time as caregiver for my mom - 8 years of my life that birthed this blog years ago. Maybe this is the place I need to go now.</p><p>To start with the end (the current end as of this date as this is still developing) ... I have been diagnosed with Renal Cancer. There is a large tumor on my left kidney that showed up by accident while being evaluated for GI complaints. The CT scan was the last in a long line of tests started back in the fall of 2022 for GERD - ordinary innocuous acid reflux that was proving hard to resolve. Just like the “photo bomb” pictures you see on Facebook and laugh about, this sizable tumor peaked its head out in the last shot of a CT scan of my chest. The only difference was - it wasn’t funny. The “accidental” nature ... my GI Nurse Practitioner was ordering the CT scan of my neck and before she handed the order to me, she stopped and said, “Have you ever had a CT scan of your chest?” "Nope ... no CT scan of anything!” "Ok, let’s just add that on to the order.” Almost an after thought. Sure why not, I thought - I am laying on the table there anyway. Let’s take a look at everything!!</p><p>You know you are in trouble when you complete a diagnostic test, arrive home and 2 hours later you are getting a call from your medical provider - eager to talk with you. Her phone number came up on my phone as “unknown” so I didn’t answer it. She rang back again, and I didn’t answer it again, but this time she left a voice mail message. I remember saying to my husband when I picked up the message - “Oh this can’t be good. You never get medical results this fast."</p><p>And it wasn’t good. A large mass was partially seen along with part of my kidney on the CT scan aimed at my chest. After the call I remember feeling numb! Very very numb. Like this was happening to someone else. In hindsight, I think the numbness was my body protecting me from panic. For about 2 hours I lived in that state. She ordered a CT of my abdomen and pelvis and provided a referral into Urology - to be seen within 2 weeks. She left me with a single lifeline to hang onto. “Now this might be a large cyst. We can’t tell from this image. We need more studies.” When the fog of numbness began to lift - a cyst made the most sense. My liver had some cysts (but no one was concerned about that.). My family history was littered with polycystic kidney disease and although I tested negative in the 90s for that, maybe that test was wrong. Yes, it most likely was a cyst rather than a tumor. I began to feel better. All would be well. </p><p>I had a number of family members to tell. Although sending an email about such a topic isn’t ideal, that is what I did. I couldn’t go through multiple telephone calls rehashing this same info fracturing my fragile “ok state of mind” in the retelling. I did call my kids, however. They seemed to handle the info more calmly than I was feeling inside - but maybe the 'numb thing' is hereditary, and they were a few steps behind me in reacting. I made sure they had the same life line I did - this most likely is a cyst. Look at our family history!! We really don’t know what we don’t know. No need for concern. All will be well.</p><p>All will be well. Words I have lived my whole life using. Words I prayed to God now would be true as I said them to the closest beings to me on the face of this earth - my children and my husband. I did my best to make them believe those words.</p><p>And at the end of Day 1 - I made myself believe them too!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-55796213788516211702022-10-19T20:27:00.000-04:002022-10-19T20:27:01.068-04:00Checking In<p>It has been 2 months since I published a post to my blog. And I have been absent from reading blogs. My apologies to my readers who visit and wonder where I am.</p><p>Gaps in my blogging have happened a number of times previously since I started writing in 2009. I will admit this is the most uninspired I have ever been since I have started. September and October were pretty busy with a variety of commitments. The chances of getting a blog post published were pretty low. So maybe that is all that is going on. Does that mean I am quitting? No - I cannot honestly say I am done with blogging. And I still take pictures to save and share on my blog at some point. But I have clearly slipped into a different level of participation for the near future.</p><p>But to give you a few snippets of what has passed this way while I have been gone from my blog.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>COVID</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I finally managed to catch covid in September. I was pretty bummed, as I am sooo careful but luckily I got tested early and got the “magic pills” - the antiviral medication - in time to turn the infection off rapidly. My husband caught it from me and he also got the antiviral medication quickly as well. I struggled with some lingering fatigue for a week or two, but that finally lifted. I feel very fortunate that I got this pesky and dangerous virus after medical science figured out ways to minimize and manage it. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>THE <span style="color: #ff00fe;">ESK</span> REQUEST</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">So this conversation happened during a recent visit - while I was knitting ...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Esk:</span></b> Grandma is that for me?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Grandma:</b> No, Esk. This is a shawl and little girls don’t wear shawls.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Esk:</span></b> Grandma, will you make me a sweater?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Grandma:</b> (sputtering and surprised) Sure, Esk! I thought maybe you had out grown ... uhh ... or maybe lost interest or whatever ... uhh, .... so what color?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>Esk</b>: </span>(and Grandma at the same time) Pink and Purple</p><p style="text-align: center;"> I set aside the two “promises” I made to myself this year: 1) finish the 5 works in progress I had sitting idle for too long and 2) avoid purchasing any new yarn because my stash is too big. Unfortunately there is a significant lack of pink and purple in my stash, so yarn was purchased. And I launched into project number 6 - a sweater for Esk.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>CLEANING OUT</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">In an effort to jump start my general malaise, I fell back on a tried and true method of refocusing my perspective: paring down my stuff. Downsizing always makes me feel better. Expanding the space around me by reducing the clutter usually sparks enthusiasm for other endeavors. So far it hasn’t sparked much of anything, but it has felt good to exercise that “enough” muscle - getting my belongings and life expectations down to “enough.” </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>CHANGE OF SEASONS</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am happy the weather is finally cooling down. Of the 4 seasons, summer is my least favorite. I will miss that fresh produce that comes with late summer - but that is pretty much it. Heat and humidity are not my friends. Love that January time after the hubbub of Christmas has passed and the really cold weather sets in and a chance of a winter snow storm increases.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>That’s all for now guys. I can’t promise when I will be back again. But I will try to keep in touch with bloggers whose commenting function allow me to leave a comment. </p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-21631040401152961632022-08-13T00:30:00.001-04:002022-08-13T00:30:00.212-04:00The Wood Puzzle<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr-05E79fcikALRSPbJhyLrH_YzPTYEM2FeFCAAJ6fzBhI9fZ_xP_pcrr6PZvDgQV-7fj6ttRYikVhwwZZ92AnECn3UbnKEJ6T0DKauUHA-0Qiq5H83uT9eD4wIOZT5icJndF_KtvaY0GhHh4QiaR_60gMiYAtMkPGeV_jFQITGL-TqKyTzLj3edRHw/s4032/IMG_1138.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr-05E79fcikALRSPbJhyLrH_YzPTYEM2FeFCAAJ6fzBhI9fZ_xP_pcrr6PZvDgQV-7fj6ttRYikVhwwZZ92AnECn3UbnKEJ6T0DKauUHA-0Qiq5H83uT9eD4wIOZT5icJndF_KtvaY0GhHh4QiaR_60gMiYAtMkPGeV_jFQITGL-TqKyTzLj3edRHw/w480-h640/IMG_1138.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br />I wanted to try a wood puzzle so I put a request on my public Amazon Wish List for a wood puzzle. I didn’t want any just wood puzzle. I wanted pictures of my 3 original grand dogs who are all gone. <p></p><p>My daughter must have seen it and made it happen. Here’s a better shot of the front. The 3 dogs are (clockwise from the biggest picture)</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Grimace, the Pug, </li><li>Grimace and Milo, the French Bulldog</li><li>Meathead, the English Bulldog</li><li>and Grimace, Meathead, and Milo.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPWYAUXvalGXESyIbEIYrf-_SxPeh5MVliNdgIIa4iLcqCOZQe4g1K0AVuPXSXfxY9W8iaPaViTznD4oBs5dqe-poPLtWFyw3TEI2jz66Vc_r3i0Fglpe-v5GCllngTtbjfBB_CwyBOL-ff8s5oSfyUUSWF2nRnwllJNhY8SVGaqt16_tB6fIHb0YHA/s4032/IMG_1284.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPWYAUXvalGXESyIbEIYrf-_SxPeh5MVliNdgIIa4iLcqCOZQe4g1K0AVuPXSXfxY9W8iaPaViTznD4oBs5dqe-poPLtWFyw3TEI2jz66Vc_r3i0Fglpe-v5GCllngTtbjfBB_CwyBOL-ff8s5oSfyUUSWF2nRnwllJNhY8SVGaqt16_tB6fIHb0YHA/w480-h640/IMG_1284.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">And I love those 3 dogs still! Miss them every single day.</p><p>But the real interesting part that others might be interested in is the back of the puzzle. It really is an interesting and fun puzzle. Check out all the interesting shapes!! This is not just any wooden puzzle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLbQTjSoxXQFXBOKQBTDngVlCWFNpGmsxO2PChmBP0_Pz_VygI871v7ayi0F0eZ19_GfmmJgzlyRnY7eAGX0yi9yXYdPaaoFUVf36dO8fznvyaY54rylnnnFB2cda0ELuH0f6QfDFrL3dZg3Od-aAWBLlsroWiNY6q6WlCQq9ZBST5gpX2hJJ-6n75g/s4032/IMG_1144.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLbQTjSoxXQFXBOKQBTDngVlCWFNpGmsxO2PChmBP0_Pz_VygI871v7ayi0F0eZ19_GfmmJgzlyRnY7eAGX0yi9yXYdPaaoFUVf36dO8fznvyaY54rylnnnFB2cda0ELuH0f6QfDFrL3dZg3Od-aAWBLlsroWiNY6q6WlCQq9ZBST5gpX2hJJ-6n75g/w640-h480/IMG_1144.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXtAQR2_YjUuBEE1MCmjt2l9nSa49Tt5EtZv-7eaDWcxSZ6N07vT3LyKyknCz9kJsW0VtZfkbV7giHqJtc_8NVjo_qqZddTnpMfv3ddYuW0xwxNwhZxAIFL5cusL7LZCc88Ieqq5yCOFPdHg9zIUd_QfRwLhj5tLBJAANYdGe6ao7WcxMDw6YH0oV-A/s4032/IMG_1143.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXtAQR2_YjUuBEE1MCmjt2l9nSa49Tt5EtZv-7eaDWcxSZ6N07vT3LyKyknCz9kJsW0VtZfkbV7giHqJtc_8NVjo_qqZddTnpMfv3ddYuW0xwxNwhZxAIFL5cusL7LZCc88Ieqq5yCOFPdHg9zIUd_QfRwLhj5tLBJAANYdGe6ao7WcxMDw6YH0oV-A/w480-h640/IMG_1143.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV5u7LjIV040gUR4y24QKFkWpqhrM7gqeXB5T6UKxnTBvXtI3OZIN-nq4ITEnCPZ2DdwZFkOF05WJ7Cr_txaRre_Jq704MODB7lRw6JhtjwAQYPMNLJD5WktGHf9h1LXOIkWnLX7XkEsoHimCBR6KjJdDsc0Y8DScJSbxeSNaW-VhGrH9Ui0y7MrfaQ/s4032/IMG_1142.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV5u7LjIV040gUR4y24QKFkWpqhrM7gqeXB5T6UKxnTBvXtI3OZIN-nq4ITEnCPZ2DdwZFkOF05WJ7Cr_txaRre_Jq704MODB7lRw6JhtjwAQYPMNLJD5WktGHf9h1LXOIkWnLX7XkEsoHimCBR6KjJdDsc0Y8DScJSbxeSNaW-VhGrH9Ui0y7MrfaQ/w480-h640/IMG_1142.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnkf_a1cZ4qSg8-iMkk4isPc1kaw-U7dZnKT22v5kXCr-MhIkYvxg0DVZhQtpLxP5napN2pbuxdSpVKXMstrRxW0lXh9Pjbbgq98Pw-r1IpbZSpJPeE5hxZ90_zunPWFiiN0dTpRTEzRb0xIIMIEDSQurVYjflG5C-lDe5V2-IyBAYGYj4KHcsrOkIA/s4032/IMG_1141.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnkf_a1cZ4qSg8-iMkk4isPc1kaw-U7dZnKT22v5kXCr-MhIkYvxg0DVZhQtpLxP5napN2pbuxdSpVKXMstrRxW0lXh9Pjbbgq98Pw-r1IpbZSpJPeE5hxZ90_zunPWFiiN0dTpRTEzRb0xIIMIEDSQurVYjflG5C-lDe5V2-IyBAYGYj4KHcsrOkIA/w480-h640/IMG_1141.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU5bSuoPp1kiqceSH0TTg0Xq8Iz2g5izSsX7bICGTTLAUr-H8QB5SUODa7c7DzOtjZ582J5mQDPVjsoFyoePsxBbMb-DfRKmKP3e_MxDgSeb1wkeFUntoZ73k3Y_eQmxJfM3kZldxt9WF0HGZ2Q1IlY3M8vQD-sMvtunEQQjoIVtbZd736LE5Qhk9xw/s4032/IMG_1140.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU5bSuoPp1kiqceSH0TTg0Xq8Iz2g5izSsX7bICGTTLAUr-H8QB5SUODa7c7DzOtjZ582J5mQDPVjsoFyoePsxBbMb-DfRKmKP3e_MxDgSeb1wkeFUntoZ73k3Y_eQmxJfM3kZldxt9WF0HGZ2Q1IlY3M8vQD-sMvtunEQQjoIVtbZd736LE5Qhk9xw/w480-h640/IMG_1140.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have glued this puzzle together and I plan to frame and display it at some point. It </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is just a shame to hide either side of this puzzle in the back of a frame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Any ideas??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just a fun little post that I had to share.</div><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-77110074709107670452022-08-10T13:37:00.000-04:002022-08-10T13:37:39.829-04:00Tate: Then and Now - and some Bull Dog Advice<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">THEN</span></b></p><p>Remember this adorable face? So many wrinkles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWE5C2eOoAA9nOfJB_gurKOpNwqINsLzo-N6nBZBO7JxT19SiUbiG2P0wHNhY1wtteSZorAsW6vZ7yTFCdC0utFZGUyPqHJB0GvcY1i1MJ_sj7afrICaKfL8B2VTpLXbWkl0xPnX3-fiNfa84OzV98LhZmPWnnEUQ873U7GC-ESrazoJyCqYcOyKL0A/s2944/Resized_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWE5C2eOoAA9nOfJB_gurKOpNwqINsLzo-N6nBZBO7JxT19SiUbiG2P0wHNhY1wtteSZorAsW6vZ7yTFCdC0utFZGUyPqHJB0GvcY1i1MJ_sj7afrICaKfL8B2VTpLXbWkl0xPnX3-fiNfa84OzV98LhZmPWnnEUQ873U7GC-ESrazoJyCqYcOyKL0A/w480-h640/Resized_2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And I think I showed this picture as well. Check out that half blue/half tan eye! He still has that. He seemed to fill out some of those wrinkles. He is about a month older in this picture.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsqveP_9oMPJKOPMBe-OebVggl_XC61UOIHvjdb-rC_xgG0Bfbyr1QfTj_Ggib_W5_wOjqBKwOb4-inise3GzyTuzrEby9fJWAsFlw1pPxvZ2cPhmibA0qNTx4Ij8yZNLgDniA-K54iarypOORYjkdvLcR7CemngUoCPZQpZJ-8TXpbqX6vKqbO-Ckw/s2896/IMG_9235.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2896" data-original-width="2223" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsqveP_9oMPJKOPMBe-OebVggl_XC61UOIHvjdb-rC_xgG0Bfbyr1QfTj_Ggib_W5_wOjqBKwOb4-inise3GzyTuzrEby9fJWAsFlw1pPxvZ2cPhmibA0qNTx4Ij8yZNLgDniA-K54iarypOORYjkdvLcR7CemngUoCPZQpZJ-8TXpbqX6vKqbO-Ckw/w492-h640/IMG_9235.heic" width="492" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Such a sweet face.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>NOW</b></div><p>Well, now 5 months later - at 7 months of age ... here is the current face. It is a face that has matured some. Still cute as can be.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeI9QPz419F2gxKELMQTiAsxbDOlrI9crmAzJZOmN6LLe3b3ags9FWPstYF0h0g_L3x853RjmKe0oGkcyhqaQpxnOf2XokYev4kyoR_HpyXW4Vv0tW2bx38wQnrJK7BoHL_u3Wy0PuZkyUT45OdBl8gADEUz53C3XR-eeC7vAMBzBSsomz_7oHPgFlQ/s4032/IMG_1282.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeI9QPz419F2gxKELMQTiAsxbDOlrI9crmAzJZOmN6LLe3b3ags9FWPstYF0h0g_L3x853RjmKe0oGkcyhqaQpxnOf2XokYev4kyoR_HpyXW4Vv0tW2bx38wQnrJK7BoHL_u3Wy0PuZkyUT45OdBl8gADEUz53C3XR-eeC7vAMBzBSsomz_7oHPgFlQ/w480-h640/IMG_1282.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p>He is only 7 months old. He is not finished growing. From my previous experience of watching English Bulldogs grow, the head increases in size at the end of their growth so we will see what the few months bring. At present he weighs 37 pounds. Compact. He definitely has the bulldog tooth pose down pat.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>ADVICE FROM A BULLDOG GRANDMOTHER</b></p><p>If you think you might want a bulldog or you know someone who might want a bulldog, you need to read on. I feel people should be fully and honestly informed of what owning a bulldog can cost. If I can educate even one person prior to purchasing an expensive bully (responsible breeders can charge from $4,000 to $10,000 for a puppy) and help them understand that the purchase price is just the beginning of your spending experience (you need very deep pockets to keep most of them healthy,) then I will have helped this breed stay in their forever homes. People give up these dogs because they can’t afford the medical bills. How sad for the bulldog who had absolutely no control over their breeding and inherited health issues ... and now are surrendered to a shelter or rescue group - or worse yet, euthanized.</p><p>Anyone who has owned an English Bull Dog knows that health issues are pretty common with them. In fact, I would guess that a life long perfectly healthy bully is fairly rare. My daughter has pet insurance for Tate as she did for her previous French Bulldog, Milo. Bulldog health insurance is at least twice the cost of insurance for a normal mixed breed dog. The medical history of these bully breeds are reflected in the high cost of their pet insurance. </p><p>Just one example from my own family: My daughter had a French Bulldog before Tate. Milo lived a long life, dying around 12 years of age of pneumonia, but for all those years he had excellent quality (and expensive) health care. He was well cared for and at his death - other than gray hair on his muzzle and paws, he looked at strong and fit as he did years before. My daughter spared no expense because she loved him dearly and accepted the full responsibility for his health. But Milo had back surgery at the age of 6 - without it he would have lost the use of his rear legs within 2 years. And before the back surgery, he had to have nasal and throat surgery to correct the problems related to his brachycephalic airways (“pushed in face” problems typical for English Bulldogs, Frenchies, and Pugs.) That surgery assured that he would have no problems recovering from anesthesia after a surgery. And before those two surgeries, he needed an MRI to clearly identify the back issue for the surgeon. She had pet insurance but it covered only 80%. The grand total for all of that was close to $15,000. Yes, Fifteen Thousand Dollars. Milo also had skin allergies that he took medicine for his whole life and GI problems that required expensive prescription dog food. He also saw a veterinary ophthalmologist for an eye infection that would not heal - he had months of care for that condition. I do not exaggerate when I express the commitment my daughter had to give him the best quality of life she could.</p><p>In talking with pet owners who showed an interest in Franchies while waiting with Milo in a Vet’s office one time, I warn them that Frenchie medical care can be expensive. Typically these folks who have never owned a bully nod in a knowledgable way saying ... "yes, yes. - all veterinary care is so expensive now-a-days” as they look down at their own pet that is not a bully. Then I give them the medical litany of Milo’s history and you can see their eyes glaze over with the realization of what “expensive” actually means in a pure bred bulldog with problems! Bulldogs are really are a luxury if they are provided proper medical care</p><p>At the age of 7 months, Tate has started his own medical saga. He had the normal neutering but he also had a small hernia that needed to be repaired. Then his right eye had a eruption of Cherry Eye - a large swelling of the tear duct gland in the eye. It seemed to come and go, but then it didn’t go. And his left eye erupted as well. So my daughter arranged an appointment with a Veterinary Eye doctor. Yes, it could be corrected, it can come back, and this condition is apparently inherited. She scheduled the surgery, and now, $4,000 later his eyes are back to normal. But his medical chart is off to a fast gallop before his first birthday. We are hopeful that this ends his medical issues, but we aren’t being naive either.</p><p>None of the problems mentioned are exclusive to bulldogs, but the frequency of these problems is more the issue. I won’t get into the problems of irresponsible breeders, or the terrible problem of over pet population and the high rates of euthanasia because of it. Adopting a specific kind of pet is a personal choice - but it should be an educated decision and you should have the commitment (and the money) if you choose a bully breed.</p><p>With that all said, our family LOVES all our pets. Our pets are family members and my kids (and now me) LOVE these bully breeds a lot. All of them. They are wonderful companions ... funny, inquisitive, and curious, rambunctious, couch potatoes at maturity and, above all, stubborn. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffnS_0O2ykVOgQ3aimgQ_dDsAzs0Blu14CFJ4Bj-I238uUULWnOgq9e2OmUTqgaB5jWu0Utk_2nhPbpipKgCcru6_ITTcHxcFxw-aCJOmNGrfkTVdKnAeTu-7MK3bQSGJBHETk6wCT0y7Ghg5YpTCQGkKjGITQ4vqQztEdX42EPcym88J5wq1hJCTDw/s2048/279281281_123216406987908_2655663700990446320_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1820" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffnS_0O2ykVOgQ3aimgQ_dDsAzs0Blu14CFJ4Bj-I238uUULWnOgq9e2OmUTqgaB5jWu0Utk_2nhPbpipKgCcru6_ITTcHxcFxw-aCJOmNGrfkTVdKnAeTu-7MK3bQSGJBHETk6wCT0y7Ghg5YpTCQGkKjGITQ4vqQztEdX42EPcym88J5wq1hJCTDw/w568-h640/279281281_123216406987908_2655663700990446320_n.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>But many come with inherited conditions and pet owners really need to be aware. If you take a bully into your heart, you take everything that happens to the bully into your life and your wallet. I agree the same can be said of all pets, but I guarantee, a bully breed will hit your wallet much harder. </p><p>Our family has adopted our fair share of shelter pets with no pedigree and our commitment to them is just the same. So the point of this Grandma Advice was not to prize one choice over another. Just be sure to do your homework before you adopt any pet - know what you are getting and what will be expected for you for your pet to be happy and healthy. </p><p>It is worth it! Every cent. They give back more love and companionship than you could possibly imagine. But if it is not for you, I get it and respect that decision as well.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-76601231916831564072022-08-07T09:22:00.000-04:002022-08-07T09:22:27.367-04:00Thank You<p style="text-align: center;">Thank you for the kind comments and observations to my most recent post. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I am kind of stunned that my regular readers all commented. I kind of expected that some would have moved on to other more active bloggers. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I have a camera full of pictures, taken with the idea of sharing - so I guess that means I am not quite ready to stop blogging.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">😂😂😂</span></p><p>I did make a discovery recently. Looks like Blogger has finally deleted all my “email subscriptions” to the blogs I follow. Don’t know when it happened, but I don’t get hardly any notifications in my Google Email In Box that a blog post has been published, and as a result I have missed a number of your postings. Blogger warned us that would happen long ago and when it didn’t happen to me I just ignored them. I am in the process of rebuilding my “follow” list on Blogger where I create my blog posts - in the Reading List option. Truthfully I would love to put my blog on another platform, but I just can’t stand the thought of starting over and leaving behind this archive of blog posts. My caregiver journey with my mom resides here and although it is buried deep in the past history of this blog, I know it is there even if it is no longer seen by anyone other than myself. That experience was 8 years of my life and it is a major contributor to the person I am today. I sometimes check back and remember - look at the pictures and generally just “visit” with mom ... so here I stay.</p><p>Working on other posts. Be back soon.</p><p>Elaine</p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-5568145254811857822022-08-02T11:36:00.000-04:002022-08-02T11:36:08.837-04:00Struggling ...<p>Ok, so I have been off the grid - again - not only off my blog but missing most of the posts of my blog friends. Not good.</p><p>Some of my personal disconnect has been related to a family issue. A close family member has been very ill and waiting on a double organ transplant list for 2 years - not a topic I figured to cover here. She got that transplant this summer (thankfully) and is slowly improving. I don’t think I accurately calculated the personal impact of that situation. It was a gnawing worry for quite some time that I underestimated and which finally came to a head. She is now on the other side of that surgery - healing at an amazing rate and adjusting to the new demands on her life. We are a small family and loss of a family member is rare, so this whole transplant journey has been a tough road for all. I spent much of those 2 years hoping for a miracle rather than the “fix” with a scalpel - a fix that appeared to be the only way to save her life. At times the whole saga felt like a train speeding down the track with no way to stop - speeding to the end of cliff and when the tracks disappeared, you either crashed down the mountain or your train sprouted wings at the last minute and you could fly. </p><p>Sometimes I need to remember to breathe deep - and remember - she is flying now!</p><p>I have also been struggling with the idea of maybe not blogging. I seem to have lost my mojo for this writing activity. I still visit some blogs and comment on a few, but not enough to be really engaged. And I hate that because I have been blogging since 2009! When I tackle the thought of stopping, I always come to the same conclusion ... How can I give it up! And I drift back again. Not sure if I am drifting back yet.</p><p>In the midst of my worries, I have also managed to be a bit of ADD personality - (Attention Deficit Disease) in my crafting life. Jumping on the band wagon for a lot of stuff and accomplishing very little. I have done this before and have come to the conclusion that I use that ADD behavior as a form of distraction from what is really weighing on me. I then get a bit depressed and default to just sitting in my chair and knitting. Ahh, knitting. The thread that holds my life together no matter what is going on. </p><p>Anyway, that is where I am right now. Not really gone and not really here either.</p><p>Thanks for checking in. </p><p>PS: If you aren’t an organ donor, please consider it. I am an organ donor. I figure once I am done with this body, if there is anything of me that could save a life - it is theirs. Being on the receiving end as our family has been - there is no greater gift you can give!</p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-10546614494374940862022-06-02T20:13:00.000-04:002022-06-02T20:13:15.499-04:00Finished: The Patch Work Blanket<div style="text-align: left;">As I mentioned in my previous post - I saved a lot of pictures of blog ideas to trigger future posts. It is going to take some time to get caught up. Each deserves it own time in the spot light. If you missed the last post - be sure to check it out. There is one very very cute bull dog featured there. And he has almost entirely left the puppy stage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During the blog break I did finish the weave-it square blanket that I started about 15 years ago. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX10OQECZ-L6XZeb0hpEw1kpYkNzSI7SXI5sfHuGkiEGEDSTvhJBGHW5v8kllpKlYyfCvGTxFUGPl9LChq6Byqq1PrHhgPWt7ke9PQ8k0dqIkkYB7QcLlaZRxLTP6-U1Tod8F0I3oPJkUv6Ta5LXZFXh7dubJ_Vof6esN9g-83Kf7I-DNs7wMKgPWmLA/s4032/IMG_1179.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX10OQECZ-L6XZeb0hpEw1kpYkNzSI7SXI5sfHuGkiEGEDSTvhJBGHW5v8kllpKlYyfCvGTxFUGPl9LChq6Byqq1PrHhgPWt7ke9PQ8k0dqIkkYB7QcLlaZRxLTP6-U1Tod8F0I3oPJkUv6Ta5LXZFXh7dubJ_Vof6esN9g-83Kf7I-DNs7wMKgPWmLA/s320/IMG_1179.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Weave-it squares are done on a special 4 inch square loom and the pins or nails are arranged in groupings of 3. All the squares are sewn together just as you would sew together a granny square blanket. Pictured above are 3 weave-it style looms. The wooden one on the left was the first loom I purchased. It took me a bit a research before I found someone who would make one. There were original versions available on the secondary market but they often were expensive as they also qualified as antiques. These looms were popularized in the 1930s through the 1950s. Recently they are are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. The white loom on the right is a Zoom loom (a weave-it loom by another name) manufactured currently and has some comfort design elements. But it works the same as the wood loom. The clear loom on the bottom is also a weave-it style loom - only it is 8 inches square, but the nail placement is the same - groups of three. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT78DfJikCJxH_bXkyPL_2td7pSwityabzvp7EzQuOrvjdYoxzGJ5YB0EpvoMqddbotaFlzVSG6mKOL78XGyVK337PmvAuLh2eBAqDAXfYRcqJVca-f_oBBiUq0e6_q6S19ld1fIWnGcWvlwc-uRUOy1n5swG6V7S__x4jaPMJ2nCaYTZ_lVA_Z9fBSw/s4032/IMG_0827.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT78DfJikCJxH_bXkyPL_2td7pSwityabzvp7EzQuOrvjdYoxzGJ5YB0EpvoMqddbotaFlzVSG6mKOL78XGyVK337PmvAuLh2eBAqDAXfYRcqJVca-f_oBBiUq0e6_q6S19ld1fIWnGcWvlwc-uRUOy1n5swG6V7S__x4jaPMJ2nCaYTZ_lVA_Z9fBSw/s320/IMG_0827.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You might remember this picture from a previous post. A collection of squares - some sewn together and some not. And many not even made yet.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WYsZ8mgwq-_nJsbFEusv2Wkhn3c5mIjLmFHnHL3GpkSv986laPWH8fCyLGRcFwtYMV_ur3CU2IhVvcIbGoBwKMtD809uGSuUwXwIW5OsO3LYHqS18aGFIsoQl42zFYb9aQ_NIId8n3vWZ2MGdmXyf4AI-IAjJud-VMsmkxVCoyROun9gUofMwB7IkQ/s4032/IMG_1029.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WYsZ8mgwq-_nJsbFEusv2Wkhn3c5mIjLmFHnHL3GpkSv986laPWH8fCyLGRcFwtYMV_ur3CU2IhVvcIbGoBwKMtD809uGSuUwXwIW5OsO3LYHqS18aGFIsoQl42zFYb9aQ_NIId8n3vWZ2MGdmXyf4AI-IAjJud-VMsmkxVCoyROun9gUofMwB7IkQ/s320/IMG_1029.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here it is finished and folded up. It makes a perfect square. I decided to put a border on this blanket using some of the colors to pull it all together. At first I was going to make it with a one color border, but I couldn’t settle on the one color.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqzX5VEcOMNGlGVS51roLgfFglwkxdUWumXFfUo5tVltGZhP891cCvj7mbFwxmZbi4FQbHo3FR99SPecVOUh2k33wDGdy9n4VZOKyD7bc4o4ElUm-t_mCnS2MSaq9vqnWlpmEnIBC0ILj9xVl-AHkv7HDxnOMHq88QQw7mO-hnxuvnkqg9SOk93yrmg/s4032/IMG_1028.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqzX5VEcOMNGlGVS51roLgfFglwkxdUWumXFfUo5tVltGZhP891cCvj7mbFwxmZbi4FQbHo3FR99SPecVOUh2k33wDGdy9n4VZOKyD7bc4o4ElUm-t_mCnS2MSaq9vqnWlpmEnIBC0ILj9xVl-AHkv7HDxnOMHq88QQw7mO-hnxuvnkqg9SOk93yrmg/s320/IMG_1028.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I finally decided that 4 colors from the blanket - one for each side would look the best.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM6DBV5_cePXUEJFXKJBE0bG4wKWL-tmpA3Jws-vELQ8dhEtzlG_3qqPdaJaYtd9Xf3evMJ9Lq66T0ann9md-kPLHV7gUQQxcAfF0NKYybe1ywNPsMVZeNWkKiYib2kQ8c2V95Z7JT7ew3EX1gm5Rb_1lI_FA6lwUh7nLX-j1vrzRTP4dpf_6_g8emg/s4032/IMG_1027.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM6DBV5_cePXUEJFXKJBE0bG4wKWL-tmpA3Jws-vELQ8dhEtzlG_3qqPdaJaYtd9Xf3evMJ9Lq66T0ann9md-kPLHV7gUQQxcAfF0NKYybe1ywNPsMVZeNWkKiYib2kQ8c2V95Z7JT7ew3EX1gm5Rb_1lI_FA6lwUh7nLX-j1vrzRTP4dpf_6_g8emg/w480-h640/IMG_1027.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All for corners and colors.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>As I was sewing the blanket together, I was not entirely satisfied with my seams. Some of them looked very uneven and almost amateurish. But try as I might, the seams were sometimes just messy to my eye. The pictures below show what I mean. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOpL6oVm9zQflUdLz8mbZlGnH0FAPkKEkdYsiqiireHJC3yJUDSEqsVm4qR-q_xPb4Xo-h0gi8E6Lk5iD2dmrjjS7Z3S0D15sabL8Ff4kLILMQK4vvZvVpTilSRSM_-LAWCIP6ZvrF6Dk9pcqkh5sSw-6Sv10YIkw65OU20QPFUinNzAOymrKBZmf7g/s4032/IMG_0999.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOpL6oVm9zQflUdLz8mbZlGnH0FAPkKEkdYsiqiireHJC3yJUDSEqsVm4qR-q_xPb4Xo-h0gi8E6Lk5iD2dmrjjS7Z3S0D15sabL8Ff4kLILMQK4vvZvVpTilSRSM_-LAWCIP6ZvrF6Dk9pcqkh5sSw-6Sv10YIkw65OU20QPFUinNzAOymrKBZmf7g/s320/IMG_0999.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYr3iZf6TAerRo5xX1G7Cr18BMVqkZRguzn5RQgC30iIoYr2JSilAOlbRJRdTG0EmbfNCqgvyA-lnlroaWScA_cTZKCo9Fq82hb74968gw_Z2iowcO9gBkRpgiqEOeZJoJXGaQACmTPE_wmvywgZ2-kkXT8WOi0W0ZtBXhOIYoVfx3vqf1EIjmchpcA/s4032/IMG_1001.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYr3iZf6TAerRo5xX1G7Cr18BMVqkZRguzn5RQgC30iIoYr2JSilAOlbRJRdTG0EmbfNCqgvyA-lnlroaWScA_cTZKCo9Fq82hb74968gw_Z2iowcO9gBkRpgiqEOeZJoJXGaQACmTPE_wmvywgZ2-kkXT8WOi0W0ZtBXhOIYoVfx3vqf1EIjmchpcA/s320/IMG_1001.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>But despite the rough look of the finishing I couldn’t help liking it. There was something about the finishing that was appealing and I couldn’t put my finger on it. And then I remembered what the true meaning of “patchwork” was.</p><p><span class="mw-headline" face="sans-serif" id="United_States" style="font-size: 1.2em;">United States</span><span class="mw-editsection" face="sans-serif" style="-webkit-user-select: none; font-size: small; line-height: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 0px; unicode-bidi: isolate; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color: #54595d; margin-right: 0.25em;">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patchwork&action=edit&section=3" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;" title="Edit section: United States">edit</a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color: #54595d; margin-left: 0.25em;">]</span></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">Patchwork enjoyed a widespread revival during the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Great Depression">Great Depression</a> as a way to recycle worn clothing into warm quilts. Even very small and worn pieces of material are suitable for use in patchwork, although crafters today more often use new 100% <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Cotton">cotton</a> fabrics as the basis for their designs. In the US, patchwork declined after <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="World War II">World War II</a> but was again revived during the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="United States">American</a> bicentennial.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgXwZ95O6QI80IFfTd2DWc1kuqA6TKsYiLv_FT8xydXLKz1t3rDMPq97dbjTXcRc0RGdHyK_pj8k2ZRPEyh46mec9mQAKNq8-f7sM---N4rxi7Vii6WQbbwl__e51Euu3xs9JoCVlbiI1wUpoCo-VsPpoMG4qVICNP9VXqfprNL1VslJeR6fpXcx03g/s2560/Vintage-4-patch-damaged-squares-scaled.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="2560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgXwZ95O6QI80IFfTd2DWc1kuqA6TKsYiLv_FT8xydXLKz1t3rDMPq97dbjTXcRc0RGdHyK_pj8k2ZRPEyh46mec9mQAKNq8-f7sM---N4rxi7Vii6WQbbwl__e51Euu3xs9JoCVlbiI1wUpoCo-VsPpoMG4qVICNP9VXqfprNL1VslJeR6fpXcx03g/s320/Vintage-4-patch-damaged-squares-scaled.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The picture above shows that patchwork items were not entirely perfect and often the fabrics and colors used were not necessarily planned to coordinate perfectly. And that was the feeling that my own weave-it blanket was echoing in my mind. Not perfect but as a fully finished item - very appealing.</p><p>The weaknesses of this blanket in my mind are:<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>This blanket has many types of fiber contents and as a result will never be machine washable and dry-able. Yarn was picked on color primarily. </li><li>Because of the various types of yarns and the various colors - the seams would never look entire finished to a perfectionist eye - which sadly I seem to have.</li><li>It has a ton of ends. The problem in my mind is that each end represents a break in the fabric of the blanket - a weak point! There are tons of weak points.</li></ul><p></p><p>But despite those weakness - I LOVE it. I learned a whole lot about what yarns work with this weaving and what don’t. I LOVE that this used scrap yarn. It was yarn I loved from previous projects and couldn’t throw away the left overs - and finally, finally I got a chance to put them to good use.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbM6pDFe-KF8Wd2hhLEnstf5VzZ-7VZ7RTmkzYhpNiWU9NdjxLYY6OOo_qiDnbYYiEqohVC7hHv9tJChLSlVlhXMsKoLJO91pAM3XmZXHDq545SNL_T8AvwaTSRsabRSq7tOKNz7M_XUXQEe62x3TWUbqYGGOH9gBTGBNYLcmKPabpFYmyRyaVmkk6sw/s4032/IMG_1030.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbM6pDFe-KF8Wd2hhLEnstf5VzZ-7VZ7RTmkzYhpNiWU9NdjxLYY6OOo_qiDnbYYiEqohVC7hHv9tJChLSlVlhXMsKoLJO91pAM3XmZXHDq545SNL_T8AvwaTSRsabRSq7tOKNz7M_XUXQEe62x3TWUbqYGGOH9gBTGBNYLcmKPabpFYmyRyaVmkk6sw/w300-h400/IMG_1030.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Perfection!!</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwRx63EXf3GCQhLda3mrGUY0-49JbmrgC-mqfoMHcbPopg_vcL9PhieEssphMnVsP7ACq3fC1bBDgWPnCuq7uoX0bA4pN_dyuDv1BlV7eZBrOsnWmpE7mhsgU0h1llmeZNugYufyjW2NE89ku9KNMvZv9g5BRo-PumEoPxGGXLd6vx5BGJAkyJnBN9Q/s4032/IMG_1077.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwRx63EXf3GCQhLda3mrGUY0-49JbmrgC-mqfoMHcbPopg_vcL9PhieEssphMnVsP7ACq3fC1bBDgWPnCuq7uoX0bA4pN_dyuDv1BlV7eZBrOsnWmpE7mhsgU0h1llmeZNugYufyjW2NE89ku9KNMvZv9g5BRo-PumEoPxGGXLd6vx5BGJAkyJnBN9Q/w300-h400/IMG_1077.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>And already grabbed and used!! </b> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><br /></div>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-43397246954924937232022-05-31T08:14:00.000-04:002022-05-31T08:14:20.425-04:00Back - and the Bully!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I knew I had fallen into a blog break, </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>but I didn’t realize my last post was mid-March.</b></span> </p><p>Life, of course, never takes a “break” .... just keeps marching on. There is no real reason for the break in writing - it just happens - and I go with the flow now more than I used to.</p><p>I have been taking pictures, however, as a reminder to me of possible blog topics should I ever get my butt in gear to write again. Before May slips away and it is JUNE (yikes), I thought I would slip in this post.</p><p>One of the main “eaters of time” is this little guy - my daughter’s new puppy, Tate.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5jU0EyKvZ3pcBx41dH4GCsmTTsLgZgXBY99f8PN5LLqdVJzq1TPRYdZKsgunpglX5lu_QAhnYFPtI5Afpr-Gy20Dw4QQDbrvMZl4ib29KGlhRLsPjo2c0YsTFqR9EqPaXHfy-RRMThIV70UZXKxSTlKTv1xvQsb3Pmyy0_Ly_HNwAGnr9_Y0FLURvQ/s900/9F832B7C-CE86-43A8-8690-2089BBBD4178.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5jU0EyKvZ3pcBx41dH4GCsmTTsLgZgXBY99f8PN5LLqdVJzq1TPRYdZKsgunpglX5lu_QAhnYFPtI5Afpr-Gy20Dw4QQDbrvMZl4ib29KGlhRLsPjo2c0YsTFqR9EqPaXHfy-RRMThIV70UZXKxSTlKTv1xvQsb3Pmyy0_Ly_HNwAGnr9_Y0FLURvQ/w320-h400/9F832B7C-CE86-43A8-8690-2089BBBD4178.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here he is running toward the camera while my daughter, in a mask, watches on.<br />He is a fortunate pup - gets to go to work with her occassionally. This picture was taken at her work. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD02_ifNxtd6dLUoOYF7EJqodQFgqBo8Elkz3YA26ELPV6DYggUNoE-fLJzEg23U3flROupSaYDnMyKoI_9O785NLemfImTPZrTVlHXvtfhv9DJjyv-qyeIo3htFGUdquCC7t95sA4xLqf7EO-iRzyfQSCihs77HzwdBHPihTNHOmpd2QT1GZmf9DJ2g/s4032/IMG_0956.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD02_ifNxtd6dLUoOYF7EJqodQFgqBo8Elkz3YA26ELPV6DYggUNoE-fLJzEg23U3flROupSaYDnMyKoI_9O785NLemfImTPZrTVlHXvtfhv9DJjyv-qyeIo3htFGUdquCC7t95sA4xLqf7EO-iRzyfQSCihs77HzwdBHPihTNHOmpd2QT1GZmf9DJ2g/w300-h400/IMG_0956.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /> He is a hogger of time. A real attention “sponge.” And such a cutie.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-4XeXioU-2FPA10Xj8Mw5vEWj8V40_uy4ZM7i2aAXdfM2dWZ0WieO1CK9hmwJgJ-ZmjnCRtMS4ePujQepI0K2z8XNiCHIWhh98vKJr5MahfEph-RJppEwC15N_jOyRSrq9R-tL68zoDwhIQ_2pCP8YQaRi4HRtWI03UH9_jLlMsijzDWtJv8Aug0Bw/s2896/IMG_9235.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2896" data-original-width="2223" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-4XeXioU-2FPA10Xj8Mw5vEWj8V40_uy4ZM7i2aAXdfM2dWZ0WieO1CK9hmwJgJ-ZmjnCRtMS4ePujQepI0K2z8XNiCHIWhh98vKJr5MahfEph-RJppEwC15N_jOyRSrq9R-tL68zoDwhIQ_2pCP8YQaRi4HRtWI03UH9_jLlMsijzDWtJv8Aug0Bw/w492-h640/IMG_9235.heic" width="492" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cutie picture!<br />Note his left eye. Exactly half blue for sure and half brown?, gray green? - <br />not sure of the other color.</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3T2pmiiBoh8HStmCPEO5SBWNY5mAXLFoO8IPO7SfLA_O15lAMojCDb4-7t9WgyHawBliZK7JABD8FlfY621q3qPbU-wasuAhG1C8otsm_lMJK7-et1hsAdbj407thU5d_TvKzYoLYlDyupVeecmab_RPisDYMqe---vgrVeIPmmKpUy3EbvtZlrBTA/s4032/IMG_1050.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3T2pmiiBoh8HStmCPEO5SBWNY5mAXLFoO8IPO7SfLA_O15lAMojCDb4-7t9WgyHawBliZK7JABD8FlfY621q3qPbU-wasuAhG1C8otsm_lMJK7-et1hsAdbj407thU5d_TvKzYoLYlDyupVeecmab_RPisDYMqe---vgrVeIPmmKpUy3EbvtZlrBTA/w300-h400/IMG_1050.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sponge picture.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>He is growing soooo fast. One last picture that shows his evolving adult bulldog face!<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby6B8a-OcEfGjTp4MRWsNogV1WIdfMSOM9t-mJOjz8Qpo3fJDHKkpL5ZzRXksDqOy5UbsrRQwD9M9ToZ0DAMeH_idy3gUd-onFGXfmpmushQse8DxAvHy2VywKCaqYUxR1bfMW6MibGH_y13GYmBWDJF3X-83UAydjgX2UV3doTyNAqSToFpvPtOqgA/s1440/Tate%20May%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby6B8a-OcEfGjTp4MRWsNogV1WIdfMSOM9t-mJOjz8Qpo3fJDHKkpL5ZzRXksDqOy5UbsrRQwD9M9ToZ0DAMeH_idy3gUd-onFGXfmpmushQse8DxAvHy2VywKCaqYUxR1bfMW6MibGH_y13GYmBWDJF3X-83UAydjgX2UV3doTyNAqSToFpvPtOqgA/w300-h400/Tate%20May%202022.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The latest picture I snagged of Tate from Facebook.<br />He definitely has lost that puppy face and the grown up face is <br />fast emerging. <br /><br />And yes,<br />he had his mouth in the dirt in this picture. Keeping him from eating stuff<br />is a full time job.<br /> <br />Looks like he might keep that color in his left eye - it is <br />half blue and half something else.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>He is finally old enough and vaccinated enough to go to doggie daycare. As a result, I might not have him as much as I did this last spring.</p><p>I may get more blogging time in now ... I certainly have a number of topics to catch up on.</p><p>Hope all is well with you guys. My family and I have still missed the bullet of Covid - shocking really since it seems to be cropping up around us in some of our friends. Guess those vaccines and masks really do work. Here’s hoping you guys are also missing this same bullet!</p><p>Cheers!!</p></div>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-20067258310384552272022-03-16T19:01:00.001-04:002022-03-16T19:01:29.502-04:00And here he is!!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> Last weekend my daughter and I drove down to southern VA, </span> 3 hours away from home - to pick up this little guy!!!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnhSFjRqRMiwilTdZyZomwGTMgQwvvKkh0Yey0DOcB0uW8Imbpe_1Chzwo2YTrARyYYqIYHlVIYyYvPgJqQRjW3BOia9DUebS42I73-TqswqotS-60rmT0tc5JFcohJHdr0gdqRC-6FZ1_Rdw95_4qFdnR1rG07IWg9g8di2aBTWotNKgP4jyWQaAjmg=s1936" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1340" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnhSFjRqRMiwilTdZyZomwGTMgQwvvKkh0Yey0DOcB0uW8Imbpe_1Chzwo2YTrARyYYqIYHlVIYyYvPgJqQRjW3BOia9DUebS42I73-TqswqotS-60rmT0tc5JFcohJHdr0gdqRC-6FZ1_Rdw95_4qFdnR1rG07IWg9g8di2aBTWotNKgP4jyWQaAjmg=w276-h400" width="276" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meet Tate, my daughter’s new English Bulldog puppy and my new grand dog!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOEvsrovYmCimtehjfdvuCCS1cuT3bvPRGltYEFPMMVd3hxfPzP_D4nUf3u-Qz5ciegBvFwGNJq9O0te5MadtFYaqALpPzyzMEO0iICUjnn6zRJwljFioUeDH7Srq3G3F4GMqdoNEOzq2hqGYrwgb1QVGTBaXlg8M2fJkyFcxSCnhBC2WmYKFJnp9OBw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOEvsrovYmCimtehjfdvuCCS1cuT3bvPRGltYEFPMMVd3hxfPzP_D4nUf3u-Qz5ciegBvFwGNJq9O0te5MadtFYaqALpPzyzMEO0iICUjnn6zRJwljFioUeDH7Srq3G3F4GMqdoNEOzq2hqGYrwgb1QVGTBaXlg8M2fJkyFcxSCnhBC2WmYKFJnp9OBw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It began the night before with me driving down to my daughter’s condo in DC. This is a drive I have taken hundreds of times to pick up Milo, her previous dog, that we lost last July. But this was during rush hour, it was dark and the traffic patterns were a bit different because of rush hour, and I haven’t driven in city traffic in 8 months. This trip is about 30 miles away - and mid-day it would take me about an hour, but this night it took about 90 minutes. Just the state of traffic in our area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoZrRVxz6EdcsAZr4vYqJCIC1SUR1YHOC0yBm_rbbsj9hRa3BWDhV2K6q1ldnz9wD66cX5nHwyS_EGCTB1sJ1dBDn43TRix0BAAO7nnSEDibOKBAbaBQR_uJeR9CmLO-kwDFJrrV0I-VCz6zCHK0Wf56OGkCzFsAX_QvrFdEnMwDMmSAcRcndZOEAMUw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoZrRVxz6EdcsAZr4vYqJCIC1SUR1YHOC0yBm_rbbsj9hRa3BWDhV2K6q1ldnz9wD66cX5nHwyS_EGCTB1sJ1dBDn43TRix0BAAO7nnSEDibOKBAbaBQR_uJeR9CmLO-kwDFJrrV0I-VCz6zCHK0Wf56OGkCzFsAX_QvrFdEnMwDMmSAcRcndZOEAMUw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next morning we traveled through snow and high winds. Fortunately we were traveling south and driving out of the storm. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjVnNnYiN1NkvKim8GGxsQuTCdNTl18NFKwfv6EdwprKhTnAIPchq65aCDycuitck-l8ZFZ0O16ygtWV04ixlB4a2dkRS6Qci58WTJ8Y1ug_-r_KYuGGH0-Tqfe8p7CyZiSEHtb-RCoQdtMK9pEo-sB2KdWU9Vurq_hbTvzwKYxvaeFeCxRRYibXdzog=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjVnNnYiN1NkvKim8GGxsQuTCdNTl18NFKwfv6EdwprKhTnAIPchq65aCDycuitck-l8ZFZ0O16ygtWV04ixlB4a2dkRS6Qci58WTJ8Y1ug_-r_KYuGGH0-Tqfe8p7CyZiSEHtb-RCoQdtMK9pEo-sB2KdWU9Vurq_hbTvzwKYxvaeFeCxRRYibXdzog=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At some point it was just rain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We knew the storm was still hitting our area and we would need to deal with it on our return trip, but ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXr-BkoQNLeTdmZBCjy9rQR_1C38skb1VXku_hYNHEP6eBCjmHXZEIj5k-5wNV8iERULCoy-ufhRInkdAbFvtUcvPZe2nRnL8iRCQto9eSdgXVILGhWilMbtYxmkmf6jZgtLgDyxZ057W-07zpdChjY8JoOB9vC2J4x4OFTuyQuU67ciz8BoUO5iGQ2w=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXr-BkoQNLeTdmZBCjy9rQR_1C38skb1VXku_hYNHEP6eBCjmHXZEIj5k-5wNV8iERULCoy-ufhRInkdAbFvtUcvPZe2nRnL8iRCQto9eSdgXVILGhWilMbtYxmkmf6jZgtLgDyxZ057W-07zpdChjY8JoOB9vC2J4x4OFTuyQuU67ciz8BoUO5iGQ2w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the end of the road was this wonderful joining of pet owner and puppy. And what a darling he is.<div>We spent a short time getting his paper work and some initial instructions ... and then we turned right around and began the 3 hours trip back home.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqz_UzrvXzMkWg7NdDK5D9OtzeYdvDDkmD2Egu0UgvUuBFX6ipEwiwnKaYvLHMFFWZDcZXhy2SfTCL10Jb3n6wnPz-VWp9TwMzpCvz_40nGqGwFAgKrzr4hEqKUHaZhaXQsiJvxgMzEbu-Sn4vIwgiWTHC0BLc-zKMmx_-9JgVLgRumXNgD5ma5w_qzw=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqz_UzrvXzMkWg7NdDK5D9OtzeYdvDDkmD2Egu0UgvUuBFX6ipEwiwnKaYvLHMFFWZDcZXhy2SfTCL10Jb3n6wnPz-VWp9TwMzpCvz_40nGqGwFAgKrzr4hEqKUHaZhaXQsiJvxgMzEbu-Sn4vIwgiWTHC0BLc-zKMmx_-9JgVLgRumXNgD5ma5w_qzw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had some serious bonding time with him in the back seat - and when he wasn’t sitting on my lap, he was looking out the window. Everything was new to him. He didn’t sleep a wink on the trip home. He was on an adventure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSc-5X5wpwPVEkvAtiSHErVX1YUN88qMnAiUQBruDXphM3hKv7cPaw0KYejO_y1v-DoWbdQEUbGPs3EGhxglVYHgMljJEtmwPvD8ux7h_yBTRuSLW3_ju2CPEHjJuI8QbLZmLHEBhuz1JZGdPtJIiBTj858UkEGHgoCzH1ZGKa5FN4bnaqh7HOe_MtAA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSc-5X5wpwPVEkvAtiSHErVX1YUN88qMnAiUQBruDXphM3hKv7cPaw0KYejO_y1v-DoWbdQEUbGPs3EGhxglVYHgMljJEtmwPvD8ux7h_yBTRuSLW3_ju2CPEHjJuI8QbLZmLHEBhuz1JZGdPtJIiBTj858UkEGHgoCzH1ZGKa5FN4bnaqh7HOe_MtAA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A seriously cute little guy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAd6gk-fnFxmxmhKqNT025BrbbJi8ooiGc1D-5-LrZq7d0UpeL9EPvLypZaeZIbfJNEMwuMIDQqAJYOUz00usw9k0NwldGW0mFsbBWNj0R1MRTvZKXv_3pdAsSlQmbgr9tHWyK4Qwp0m3JFIX2KpX7iFqaAqoDk3YoA9YG5QvF_xKC43g9yAmACb0o-w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAd6gk-fnFxmxmhKqNT025BrbbJi8ooiGc1D-5-LrZq7d0UpeL9EPvLypZaeZIbfJNEMwuMIDQqAJYOUz00usw9k0NwldGW0mFsbBWNj0R1MRTvZKXv_3pdAsSlQmbgr9tHWyK4Qwp0m3JFIX2KpX7iFqaAqoDk3YoA9YG5QvF_xKC43g9yAmACb0o-w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Arriving at home my daughter had set up his crate and his play area - with toys aplenty! He was so cute running around and enjoying it all.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijDRTI0-CqU0yu-2vq8lgYKHOkpioF3UZokzudHhOrBHf9bXRGRZacru0CS61wlgCbGlZGIXtR-ivnPxvON4Gov4Jf7x649Ht8Nb63rBSXFyKOxX7_VkQjPe3uF0Kpv-0jQaH0LBdLbRcfTd97JGz1ZgeLk4pxE4ofldl9NDyHFvAOBiqhqAFU-S_u8Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijDRTI0-CqU0yu-2vq8lgYKHOkpioF3UZokzudHhOrBHf9bXRGRZacru0CS61wlgCbGlZGIXtR-ivnPxvON4Gov4Jf7x649Ht8Nb63rBSXFyKOxX7_VkQjPe3uF0Kpv-0jQaH0LBdLbRcfTd97JGz1ZgeLk4pxE4ofldl9NDyHFvAOBiqhqAFU-S_u8Q=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She purchased a very important ’toy’ - a stuff white dog, with a heart beat you can feel and a heating pad insert that lasts 24 hours. He sleeps on or beside it all the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL68aCl8sJ56402OksN25vU66l9i5gG0KKpkiQcMFOGryE6UTuBCnoLkJUWu6gqI2t_L_RlMND_t1C02Kcn8MCz59Z7a3cu7znWlQdrKHIPiD4MHDvmS2BJIrzi1DOVQQhGKpYaWxp95bknAGp_DOPs91h9-2dYF7XtuZQySW8u19nvG5-cLvbA9OD5Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL68aCl8sJ56402OksN25vU66l9i5gG0KKpkiQcMFOGryE6UTuBCnoLkJUWu6gqI2t_L_RlMND_t1C02Kcn8MCz59Z7a3cu7znWlQdrKHIPiD4MHDvmS2BJIrzi1DOVQQhGKpYaWxp95bknAGp_DOPs91h9-2dYF7XtuZQySW8u19nvG5-cLvbA9OD5Q=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB0rWJxckLpsDOQxHIclXl4vfsdCpQSKvmFGFvVwZWj1NTI73Mu2zffcoqPg_bMiA8K4vG4LB6lCiasNj9ZUOgJOrb58_UADNTBquKUgRT2Xc0qx_oKz_YLqLQ_fOxY8mfQuUY2WPkBYvmABN0OWtTsqv_fJSyPmzgNB90zYTXaXozfMUN6XYmOoRuWg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB0rWJxckLpsDOQxHIclXl4vfsdCpQSKvmFGFvVwZWj1NTI73Mu2zffcoqPg_bMiA8K4vG4LB6lCiasNj9ZUOgJOrb58_UADNTBquKUgRT2Xc0qx_oKz_YLqLQ_fOxY8mfQuUY2WPkBYvmABN0OWtTsqv_fJSyPmzgNB90zYTXaXozfMUN6XYmOoRuWg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She even purchased a quilted jacket for him because the weather was so cold over the weekend and he seemed so cold outside, but the jacket was kind of big and the weather is now improving and he clearly had an opinion about wearing his new jacket. The face says it all.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh6xiZSWbuNTtiaqlouo7sIdyubDyRVTyDo2emvUS6Hqry2elK7yoyAjaI9KZCFtJ2JYA1vxL4w7LA1GqcqHm1FFx5N3VqweQuAI2KmzXREgdwskMF1re0vhoxbl7fFseVS7iNUwEbjb_Awy4kkmoZ87r6HaK_3ObId8R4dr7VqI_pXoxDGGTYTv3F5Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh6xiZSWbuNTtiaqlouo7sIdyubDyRVTyDo2emvUS6Hqry2elK7yoyAjaI9KZCFtJ2JYA1vxL4w7LA1GqcqHm1FFx5N3VqweQuAI2KmzXREgdwskMF1re0vhoxbl7fFseVS7iNUwEbjb_Awy4kkmoZ87r6HaK_3ObId8R4dr7VqI_pXoxDGGTYTv3F5Q=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">What Tate doesn’t yet understand is that he will want for nothing! He has landed in a family who values their pets as especially important family members. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to the family little guy. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You are in for a great life!</span></div></div>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-29354377237032060802022-03-11T09:18:00.001-05:002022-08-10T16:23:30.548-04:00The Aja Evolution - Chapter 72, Section M, Line Item 3, parts A through F 🤣 !<p style="text-align: center;">It is hard to wrap my brain around just how much adjustment time this little creature, </p><p style="text-align: center;">called Aja, requires. But clearly we are not at the crest of that mountain top! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTxhZb0HZ06bCn2jiN6y8R0sTL2bxJQWuhPjQyL1mjR-DQeYCgRrkSHcJ_F_TwNYXlCEDjtKD5ebEDOK7_GvM6eH4xAM50MGCdpj3kI22y8TSjpcLssjpeN-BHYefysA6jHJOY2HJyftXklJm9qexeRPP1DweDj52XKDIcIHNeioI38R5n2LAD2ElxEg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTxhZb0HZ06bCn2jiN6y8R0sTL2bxJQWuhPjQyL1mjR-DQeYCgRrkSHcJ_F_TwNYXlCEDjtKD5ebEDOK7_GvM6eH4xAM50MGCdpj3kI22y8TSjpcLssjpeN-BHYefysA6jHJOY2HJyftXklJm9qexeRPP1DweDj52XKDIcIHNeioI38R5n2LAD2ElxEg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>This coming May will be 2 years since a very scared, skinny, jittery and somewhat distrusting little orange female cat entered our lives. And still there are little changes happening all the time - she is more comfortable in our home and more comfortable with us. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_SIVP28js-Zm3RLfQnXvmenQZcNv7V7jRgHfa1NngI1XTnYug_xZMAkhNtaVA84Xqbi9ihlMp4Gnr02mYRCf3NMflNBNQadJOh5uJbf8tjTfhOcP-MvNHGDlvp2auD3DjMEeQuuRATut2eCOpU8a3LhgKgxATu4Cuv80JhszutmhQoG4XLNC1DLAyzg=s3088" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_SIVP28js-Zm3RLfQnXvmenQZcNv7V7jRgHfa1NngI1XTnYug_xZMAkhNtaVA84Xqbi9ihlMp4Gnr02mYRCf3NMflNBNQadJOh5uJbf8tjTfhOcP-MvNHGDlvp2auD3DjMEeQuuRATut2eCOpU8a3LhgKgxATu4Cuv80JhszutmhQoG4XLNC1DLAyzg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on my lap - and not sure she likes this camera “thing” I keep doing.<br />😆<br />Its all in the position of the ears!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In the last few months she has been conquering the skill of lap sitting. Usually in the evening, when all is quiet and I am watching TV (listening through ear buds - so the condo is very quiet), this little cat jumps up to the arm of my chair, waits patiently while I clear what I am doing from my lap, then steps carefully into the space I have made for her - and settles in for some petting time. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV0PBlC6J4_93UbTFBZPsOa4bbL2grSOlyJsmwzto7aY0XbEEmRQXrHgLnuNBqz2GE2KYoHMsBAwNMG9qBCDOdPWWZJEyInp3SFrsrclRkwLuw1yjT0IkXCFdToXL11722z21422_I2n4uaiMwdRtwL5a0e9chIt1z6KbLXvG6tPLQRqCburJUGJOsNA=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV0PBlC6J4_93UbTFBZPsOa4bbL2grSOlyJsmwzto7aY0XbEEmRQXrHgLnuNBqz2GE2KYoHMsBAwNMG9qBCDOdPWWZJEyInp3SFrsrclRkwLuw1yjT0IkXCFdToXL11722z21422_I2n4uaiMwdRtwL5a0e9chIt1z6KbLXvG6tPLQRqCburJUGJOsNA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She can’t see I am taking another picture, so the ears<br />have returned to normal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>But she didn’t start out this comfortable. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhquh7k0eEK-bML_mmH_n48eFzVLy4p3Y4kpvsupRy67ywx4Ie5_W-ZQlvr_N8IyB6kkkZTYtpfswJ8TqA-2IS5FxTQPbj6NBdj6RtgqWCreQFMQ3ZSFufMkEsW1CabbzPpDw7RhkzqDMAkbL94yzJ9q4AYt8jIZKh6uC0lzE4fb5Z9FLEblPFStMzrXQ=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhquh7k0eEK-bML_mmH_n48eFzVLy4p3Y4kpvsupRy67ywx4Ie5_W-ZQlvr_N8IyB6kkkZTYtpfswJ8TqA-2IS5FxTQPbj6NBdj6RtgqWCreQFMQ3ZSFufMkEsW1CabbzPpDw7RhkzqDMAkbL94yzJ9q4AYt8jIZKh6uC0lzE4fb5Z9FLEblPFStMzrXQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>It all began with her version of “drive by” - feet hitting the side of the chair and just as fast, feet pushing off in the opposite direction. Blink and you missed it! After she figured out that no ‘condo monster’ swallowed her up, she tried jumping into my lap with no warning ... sometimes landing on the top my open laptop - and then shooting off again, leaving me with a mess on whatever I was working on. But I knew I was being tested (or maybe trained?) I was calm. She was persistent! Next step in the goal of lap sitting, she started jumping on the arm of my chair and staring at me. That was her signal that I must prepare her space (my lap.) Once cleared she carefully settled in - tail whipping back and forth - letting me know she is “on the ready” for something. Currently, she has stopped whipping her tail and she lets the petting begin. I am also using these visits to acclimate her to the idea of my arms around her for an affectionate hug and a kiss on the forehead. The first couple times I did this, she leaned away from me in the opposite direction. Now she seems to accept it - because she knows I let go. At some point she just might enjoy it. Its all baby steps with her! </p><p>My husband, too, is working on his own schedule of 'taming the tiger.’ Several times a day he walks into the bedroom and sits on the side of the bed calling to her - and she comes! Sometimes it is from the far end of the condo - on the run! She jumps up on the bed and sits primly beside him as he gives her pets. She obviously wants that time with him, because she always comes. It is a short time but welcomed by both man and beast! And thank God for it -because those who read my blog almost 2 years ago, will remember, the first night she was with us, my blind husband stepped on her. She was definitely NOT friends with him that night. But like all our cats, over time she has figured out that he can’t see, so when he is on the move - so is she!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh766A44Yoa76bhxED9YiVSL1KTBLB_z7fpuhebeJVrBwuDMGFkWgJB6T2W1sk5NvHrkVccyfoDe_AxcE14hqeNYSqCNY_MCyJxeKHnrohGHE6tlnHecUqi60B6Oopqhw3lNo24jtjaTugm3Bqjg48I-rbKHnhlAh0L0y_Aa-YLGibIr4AyR3q764Oj5w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh766A44Yoa76bhxED9YiVSL1KTBLB_z7fpuhebeJVrBwuDMGFkWgJB6T2W1sk5NvHrkVccyfoDe_AxcE14hqeNYSqCNY_MCyJxeKHnrohGHE6tlnHecUqi60B6Oopqhw3lNo24jtjaTugm3Bqjg48I-rbKHnhlAh0L0y_Aa-YLGibIr4AyR3q764Oj5w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>She also comes out of the bedroom most afternoons and curls up on the floor in a safe place and naps! We are hoping that someday she realizes that there are comfy chairs just one leap up where she can reside safely as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD42F47Qkb_NBaOicX8-iWhZ-LyonJxr65hLuXTQ5gcwADce5GDxXDsCPK-i6Q9pp10ywUT8lRjA_2UPgwJPYBpgZ4D6hakntj7cSrRjlJ3GBK_nSHa7ysaurzDJsdXSdjeoTJcAei7bmgIg6fTgvomk_Go3YeIb-9sYf3jH-RirNdlI3p0vjpvmD86w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD42F47Qkb_NBaOicX8-iWhZ-LyonJxr65hLuXTQ5gcwADce5GDxXDsCPK-i6Q9pp10ywUT8lRjA_2UPgwJPYBpgZ4D6hakntj7cSrRjlJ3GBK_nSHa7ysaurzDJsdXSdjeoTJcAei7bmgIg6fTgvomk_Go3YeIb-9sYf3jH-RirNdlI3p0vjpvmD86w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>She has her own water fountain now that provides her moving filter fresh water whenever she wants it. Yes, we bought her a pet water fountain when we discovered her trying to drink out of the bathroom faucets. I quickly realized that I hardly ever saw her drink water out of her bowl (which was changed twice a day.). The moment we put the new water fountain down - she began taking long drinks. That along with her healthy appetite - and she has put on some weight. When May rolls around, I am sure we will be getting the first of the yearly Vet lectures about keeping an eye on her weight! (Just like when I go to the doctor.) Ha! Regardless... her fur looks soft and shiny and no bones are showing!! Happy and healthy. One good looking orange kitty! </p><p>She also has some favorite toys. Cat Nip Paper Bag is a recent addition! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXpCb6yLyAhzMV7_UMNDLd4a9E8Uftk2JTKh9kPMRmmy03BvEZmQYY4gfadZyGL8ifn-O9K8eXEeq1eO2GMbco_M6ipb_OTlEmi1vuw9y3LfNwlwTBZGWxBP6rJOZ-ig1k1Od6QsYVXMrsWYMauIyQiPuglsPdujbiWgWYcPSO9Jee5vQf6T6G1WizAA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXpCb6yLyAhzMV7_UMNDLd4a9E8Uftk2JTKh9kPMRmmy03BvEZmQYY4gfadZyGL8ifn-O9K8eXEeq1eO2GMbco_M6ipb_OTlEmi1vuw9y3LfNwlwTBZGWxBP6rJOZ-ig1k1Od6QsYVXMrsWYMauIyQiPuglsPdujbiWgWYcPSO9Jee5vQf6T6G1WizAA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZ6pem7K7hHd7A3V6zXfjx-Jn4sYBpLazREAor71va4MVGV63B8vY0D0GDb81LyAx2E4w4EtZsUO5vQDurUYEYpdKW08xnDinBz3r_B3x3i8aSJOnsoNZlNJNof_iOhWVtN1d05tKzfClq-_fb_IxeXBjEmutQo9H1Cqg-kRRGIAvtlIdkDOqaoxxjiA=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZ6pem7K7hHd7A3V6zXfjx-Jn4sYBpLazREAor71va4MVGV63B8vY0D0GDb81LyAx2E4w4EtZsUO5vQDurUYEYpdKW08xnDinBz3r_B3x3i8aSJOnsoNZlNJNof_iOhWVtN1d05tKzfClq-_fb_IxeXBjEmutQo9H1Cqg-kRRGIAvtlIdkDOqaoxxjiA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bag smells yummy!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2QqLlHoLHXmVkG6RcPPTCXxlFlwMwAuutr0177trU1Zvmt9M7MjGEtR7H3eAxSfm_OtbGVzsfgdAPbpisdJ0Rct9wD65KTYiZWaeWl2DVRhW76zcbr8yk1rWh0cRDCqVFAO6kpCQk_awPnD3adeuYtcPvs4WC-2CXuN5PY8X9n4K7CKLpYdK-FjZV2w=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2QqLlHoLHXmVkG6RcPPTCXxlFlwMwAuutr0177trU1Zvmt9M7MjGEtR7H3eAxSfm_OtbGVzsfgdAPbpisdJ0Rct9wD65KTYiZWaeWl2DVRhW76zcbr8yk1rWh0cRDCqVFAO6kpCQk_awPnD3adeuYtcPvs4WC-2CXuN5PY8X9n4K7CKLpYdK-FjZV2w=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don’t see anything. Maybe if I get closer!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjniveBtDuyK5n_VgscM7Kptc9q1UDlxMSf1s2qtgHAVC0-l_d60qzPnP_e1w5SQJEWyf7Z3XBwmeyEAXjmZMpoNu3VjCXmGMk8N8LoqfaSiJ77lOSY9Y3_Fb3pOc7WozchFb253PK-j6CQ0luWnZsXjxPl2ek6-zmnPzDhUswAdxuCydYLyzkRQwWFmw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjniveBtDuyK5n_VgscM7Kptc9q1UDlxMSf1s2qtgHAVC0-l_d60qzPnP_e1w5SQJEWyf7Z3XBwmeyEAXjmZMpoNu3VjCXmGMk8N8LoqfaSiJ77lOSY9Y3_Fb3pOc7WozchFb253PK-j6CQ0luWnZsXjxPl2ek6-zmnPzDhUswAdxuCydYLyzkRQwWFmw=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok! Going in. Taking one for the team!!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>She also has a crinkle toy that I have seen her bat around and carry in her mouth. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghJQnt_XGV18WhElbRY99UFoDG_PDUoiP0lZzzXzSy5bKLIHerF66o1ZWwygN9uT7F7RCFlG23_b7DneU55nLuN9wJ3GyICJWUKNfDLMX4aVLDrV-9b9cTnqEv4vchjCW2WRCUbXTOzf2o2n3iVRoppBjGj2ntd7tbTTxbHDIOThEBb7fU-zhBFEWjyQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghJQnt_XGV18WhElbRY99UFoDG_PDUoiP0lZzzXzSy5bKLIHerF66o1ZWwygN9uT7F7RCFlG23_b7DneU55nLuN9wJ3GyICJWUKNfDLMX4aVLDrV-9b9cTnqEv4vchjCW2WRCUbXTOzf2o2n3iVRoppBjGj2ntd7tbTTxbHDIOThEBb7fU-zhBFEWjyQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">And laser lights are her very favorite toy of all. I’ve even found a ball of yarn rolled across the floor - and not put there by me!</span></div><p>Bottom line - she is doing great! And she continues to get her owners trained just the way she likes them!!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGTd7plBH7zyao845MIxUELJqTuHZTg7DpztIcLk1gshr8iKxo4yAJEXpqPwRzBHcAsxZfPaSWfbKXtbbYGnYxynQLKsoTp-1j1VBJKsV-V_AqkJLn-XHZqdPnzM7FmEklmzr6MN38gly-D4ILYY9fDHQbEO6xAMllNL2BAzWjt3C70xy7xs11YGkM-g=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGTd7plBH7zyao845MIxUELJqTuHZTg7DpztIcLk1gshr8iKxo4yAJEXpqPwRzBHcAsxZfPaSWfbKXtbbYGnYxynQLKsoTp-1j1VBJKsV-V_AqkJLn-XHZqdPnzM7FmEklmzr6MN38gly-D4ILYY9fDHQbEO6xAMllNL2BAzWjt3C70xy7xs11YGkM-g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yes, we are going to get the weight lecture!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-47999012207920320542022-03-08T19:20:00.000-05:002022-03-08T19:20:21.341-05:00Weaving - I’ll be back!<p>I wish it wasn’t so, but I occasionally have projects that are started, not completed and are either given away or frogged. </p><p>One of these 'not completed' projects is a weave-it blanket. I will say this project has “staying power” because it has survived multiple downsizing events. Every time I came across the bag filled with woven squares I said “I’ll be back” ... It never occurred to me even once that maybe I should just give up on this project</p><p>Well, now I am back! And here is the story.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFw2ToILb1xlVYocYvURo9ST8-qyPEqor4blQddb7kXE_tSjUBMYdI_39FgCiT9yeqaRv-TN7mea4SuNJflyc4H4g5tlO_nVWy13bKKyXw3FVcaKooOQA06Xa3um_AUS_jtBjWh8TabaRJV9eErbUNwcKLyvHZ2KMBeU4a98nf72zJyaw2K9fX2_6Rag=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFw2ToILb1xlVYocYvURo9ST8-qyPEqor4blQddb7kXE_tSjUBMYdI_39FgCiT9yeqaRv-TN7mea4SuNJflyc4H4g5tlO_nVWy13bKKyXw3FVcaKooOQA06Xa3um_AUS_jtBjWh8TabaRJV9eErbUNwcKLyvHZ2KMBeU4a98nf72zJyaw2K9fX2_6Rag=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are all the squares of this partially started blanket.<br />Yes, it is a lot of pieces, <br />and yes, it has a lot of ends to weave in! (Gobs and gobs of ends!) And as you can see - some of the <br />sewing has been done - but honestly, this has a ton of work left to do <br />before it is complete.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhKLnnGiC0t5XntZUTWmjkfBxsfTE9hZx5DO6LnvH3Ta6V_2Mf0CJ7UnR_RJKxsUk7h0E-yRTf9noYI5rX7qxAKiwUR9Sp2XIO2vSNgzhk8afGgdePmMo7yYpbyPGsavg45lPySB9AMo4hszCwZ-B7WqbYBNmpNzzSMv-oiJcBCxBdbhwLoVEbwNag5A=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhKLnnGiC0t5XntZUTWmjkfBxsfTE9hZx5DO6LnvH3Ta6V_2Mf0CJ7UnR_RJKxsUk7h0E-yRTf9noYI5rX7qxAKiwUR9Sp2XIO2vSNgzhk8afGgdePmMo7yYpbyPGsavg45lPySB9AMo4hszCwZ-B7WqbYBNmpNzzSMv-oiJcBCxBdbhwLoVEbwNag5A=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But seen up close the woven squares are so appealing to me, and different yarns<br />produce different effects. The plaid ones above are made with a single multi color skein of yarn. <br />It is fun to watch it develop. <br />Each plaid is different and there is no cutting the yarn to change colors.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This weave-it blanket was started around 2009 - 2010 soon after I learned to make these little squares from Karen, (Happy One) of the <a href="https://lifeisgood-smile.blogspot.com/">Life is Good</a> blog. Karen introduced me to this weaving technique that she learned from her grandmother. At the time it wasn’t all that common a technique but in the 1930s and 1940s it was very popular. When I started with this project you could buy weave-it looms on the secondary market - and with a little searching - I found someone who would make them “new.” As the interest in weaving grew over the years, these little looms were “rediscovered” and have gained popularity among weavers, knitters, crocheters alike.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIYC_VCMRM__1yhLCmTkdEbS5jNUTNQ8X4FMi_NatDZ-m1t-F6vEv_e3BZ_JK60HISiO1j1MzXRs1Gax-uuBfh6Y1yvvunaxg1U-fx-viPKhZxsn3erSMeCTb2qm_mBs1GHgBCV92uEjHnjK2XgpEkeHe7vOEAyLPi3MI-qfOEFnr6OyA3IiLeaKYHHw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIYC_VCMRM__1yhLCmTkdEbS5jNUTNQ8X4FMi_NatDZ-m1t-F6vEv_e3BZ_JK60HISiO1j1MzXRs1Gax-uuBfh6Y1yvvunaxg1U-fx-viPKhZxsn3erSMeCTb2qm_mBs1GHgBCV92uEjHnjK2XgpEkeHe7vOEAyLPi3MI-qfOEFnr6OyA3IiLeaKYHHw=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white loom is the Zoom Loom and the wooden loom is the one<br />I purchased off of Etsy. Both are weave-it style looms.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsTWW4lQySW_iCVfw8wgLHZ_vlVorve4QppQlp8y7PdaUuoV4FTjEOyIze9FngY7b5IwyVvsIOyF5xCO46Rc3HeKxEzmMSENTqgYh4GEq5qYrA40p8LRa0InqzUaeiDh53DmevwD8Qlc40plaOxjN9yvwJ1jtlaqA5weIcYgGhdtswRaOtj1zN9FuP3Q=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsTWW4lQySW_iCVfw8wgLHZ_vlVorve4QppQlp8y7PdaUuoV4FTjEOyIze9FngY7b5IwyVvsIOyF5xCO46Rc3HeKxEzmMSENTqgYh4GEq5qYrA40p8LRa0InqzUaeiDh53DmevwD8Qlc40plaOxjN9yvwJ1jtlaqA5weIcYgGhdtswRaOtj1zN9FuP3Q=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On weave-it looms, the pins are in groupings of 3.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>At about the same time, I discovered the pin weaving looms made by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj0jofi1bf2AhXSjYkEHanVAgcQFnoECAkQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhazelroselooms.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw07BphbG4WkyJaWXg-GQ59p">Hazel Rose</a> - looms where the pins are equally spaced and the weaving is done corner to corner. They come in various sizes (squares, rectangles, triangles, etc.) and fall under the umbrella term of continuous strand weaving - meaning that you create the warp of the project <u>at the same time</u> as you weave the project. Very ingenious and half the work.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv7w-zsqBRblO7Pr7eIx4TDCIwn8K2l25Bep80u0TMTkgnOKRXIAFISRDxTU-0SHKl0YCZj26ruWlpjGcDQyrG8nBFQqo2vbb8xbU1D5-7PlA6cWXleF-_QeKLofuY03H9uKDUXitaMtkY-Cr07JJtqnD3IRuLFSMMUkGsjKOaPM68Ad4xBZfZtkCFhg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv7w-zsqBRblO7Pr7eIx4TDCIwn8K2l25Bep80u0TMTkgnOKRXIAFISRDxTU-0SHKl0YCZj26ruWlpjGcDQyrG8nBFQqo2vbb8xbU1D5-7PlA6cWXleF-_QeKLofuY03H9uKDUXitaMtkY-Cr07JJtqnD3IRuLFSMMUkGsjKOaPM68Ad4xBZfZtkCFhg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYmE-Bf4bLCCK9pM-aEmzKftpDOWVeruElbdeLswYQo7jvq4zipx57iiuMlLxTAcHzkoSUYLv3d5gmyBHiU3vbNKNfMmgV1ND19IC0EAOzPqhMn_UWq91fZXj0qYxBEBxilhF9YyBzGpY5zWBPIAsYqjupyitewn6mCO49oB_SorSwjyajcj_zfM1mRA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYmE-Bf4bLCCK9pM-aEmzKftpDOWVeruElbdeLswYQo7jvq4zipx57iiuMlLxTAcHzkoSUYLv3d5gmyBHiU3vbNKNfMmgV1ND19IC0EAOzPqhMn_UWq91fZXj0qYxBEBxilhF9YyBzGpY5zWBPIAsYqjupyitewn6mCO49oB_SorSwjyajcj_zfM1mRA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLbtCRC43IGI3ePhTkX_jCSj1lC438ZuQkHpXQHpfM9_UbMjhHTN_X1iLZjmpdJJrjnIrd8TLK29tsZdcO9zjxv7NrsYzZJQNwmVTE78ER5rD2J-blysG7WQoB1zdlCtO4zgEEwCXubK3QLjqSq2Us5n2f9Nad6LThRDiOTsFT8NQtUw11f89zBq3Acw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLbtCRC43IGI3ePhTkX_jCSj1lC438ZuQkHpXQHpfM9_UbMjhHTN_X1iLZjmpdJJrjnIrd8TLK29tsZdcO9zjxv7NrsYzZJQNwmVTE78ER5rD2J-blysG7WQoB1zdlCtO4zgEEwCXubK3QLjqSq2Us5n2f9Nad6LThRDiOTsFT8NQtUw11f89zBq3Acw=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are 6 squares made on a 12” Hazel Rose pin loom using the <br />continuous strand weaving method. They are not yet sewn together and many more <br />are needed to complete the project - but with 12” squares there are many fewer ends to<br />weave in and the sewing is much easier. I am still experimenting with this project on patterns and<br />if I will introduce a 3rd color. I have researched weaving patterns that can be done on this loom as well. So this project is still in its infancy.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I once made a shawl for my mom using this 12 inch bias corner to corner loom. It was pretty easy to sew 10-12 squares together and have a lovely shawl. A close up of that shawl can be seen in the center picture of the header of my blog. Unfortunately that shawl is no more and finding pictures of the shawl have proved unsuccessful. My mom was in assisted living at that time and the shawl was snatched up by the center staff and put in the laundry - washed and dried in commercial sized washers and driers - and because it was 100% wool, it shrunk to the size of a placemat. <span style="font-size: medium;">☹️</span></p><p>Weaving and I parted company for a few years, but I held on to most of the equipment and yarn. Then my thumb started giving me problems and I was searching around for things to do with yarn that didn’t aggravate my hands! Weaving started to pull me in once again, but only for the smaller simplistic looms - like the weaving-it and the Hazel Rose looms - that didn’t involved tons of preplanning and warping as a precursor to the fun part - which was the actual weaving.</p><p>So weaving is back in my life again and it has been most gratifying to discover that these smaller pin looms have a dedicated following. They can be found in Facebook groups, Ravelry groups, websites, and several dedicated blogs that focus on small hand held looms - and even books and patterns that are dedicated to wearable projects created using these cute little blocks. In fact, it is very easy now to get a weave-it style loom that is not a 1930s antique. The Zoom Loom has several wonderful little features that the antique style loom does not.</p><p>Returning to the weave-it loom blanket (that I am now calling The Patch Work Blanket) - here is the first photo once again followed by the most recent photo that shows the current progress.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX4a0HRDsep3W_WT-hZE54DTZyBlgNr0nR2DwRhIQLW-WwM5AKDt9zcq36YS5ZnBzlGF1xetYWceemTTdBThEJJwshWI3tmwCtgEJfafw0c71HlNQD_vMo48Gl5IdpuQ7N6d2u9tU6l47GIUIltjcBZ8OHMQ9qzmMirwdmGBeTLBocUq2qw3z6bc9Czw=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX4a0HRDsep3W_WT-hZE54DTZyBlgNr0nR2DwRhIQLW-WwM5AKDt9zcq36YS5ZnBzlGF1xetYWceemTTdBThEJJwshWI3tmwCtgEJfafw0c71HlNQD_vMo48Gl5IdpuQ7N6d2u9tU6l47GIUIltjcBZ8OHMQ9qzmMirwdmGBeTLBocUq2qw3z6bc9Czw=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the squares that I found packed away in a bag from years ago.<br />Only the far left column of squares have been completely sewn together. <br />Tons of strings still hang from all pieces of the work.<br />And, yes, all those strings are a bit overwhelming. But I have<br />a plan for future weave-it projects to get passed the strings. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs7LV2z_dk1FXZygd2C6YvRuiHUJilmnY1hK8b0_D5dyz_50vCigpugY45gNgTo8ZlE1u3p5x2xaL5hGN_4V_hFgMIHh82gBBYfAAXKSErm82SsKaJEfs0IeEiPcSl9nhdHNz5nQmvJmcQIM2x3uZ1ZLZfIAoJ7ejceMat7Psksen2NLh3axaBlC4vDQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs7LV2z_dk1FXZygd2C6YvRuiHUJilmnY1hK8b0_D5dyz_50vCigpugY45gNgTo8ZlE1u3p5x2xaL5hGN_4V_hFgMIHh82gBBYfAAXKSErm82SsKaJEfs0IeEiPcSl9nhdHNz5nQmvJmcQIM2x3uZ1ZLZfIAoJ7ejceMat7Psksen2NLh3axaBlC4vDQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost all the squares have been sewn together and the strings for <br />most of it have been woven into the piece. I suspect this blanket is more than half done,<br />but how much more needs to be done - I don’t know yet.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I will return to this blanket and the pluses and minuses of doing a project like this in a future post. I will also share some of the books and patterns that I have discovered that use this technique. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-90013527055633143702022-02-26T13:29:00.002-05:002022-02-26T13:29:18.849-05:00Comments - and a Public Service Awareness Campaign <p>Hello readers.</p><p>I have a few new readers. Since I like to visit and comment on the blogs of my readers ... it is time once again to make a Public Service Announcement about Blogspot.com commenting pluses and minuses - the blogging platform you are visiting now that is used by me and many others. </p><p><b><u>The Pluses and the minuses</u></b> There are 2 methods of Blogspot.com comments: <b>Embedded Commenting</b> and <b>PopUp Commenting</b>. <b> </b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>PopUp Commenting</b> seems to work consistently well for most readers - except that the blog owner cannot respond individually to each comment received. I use PopUp Commenting. </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Embedded Commenting</b> does not work well for some us. Comments ‘appear' to be submitted to the blog you are visiting, but they never show up. No error message is provided to alert you to this problem. And when I have back-tracked with the blog owner through a private email - just to confirm they got the comment - they report they never saw it. Very frustrating for the visitor. If it works, however, it lets the blog owner reply individually to each visitor comment. Very satisfying for all.</p></blockquote><p><b><u>What happened:</u></b> </p><p>A few years ago Blogspot made some adjustments to their blog platform. It was at this time the commenting problem cropped up. Embedded Commenting would only work if the blog I was visiting recognized me as “signed in” to Google. I am always signed into Google, but the software just didn’t see it that way on some blogs. I spent considerable time trying to get “signed in” in the eyes of some blogs. I reported this issue to Blogger over a year ago and got no response - and, more importantly - no fix. I gave up trying. </p><p>While I understand that Embedded Commenting is the preferred method of accepting comments for most of us, it blocks some of the readers from leaving a comment.</p><p><b><u>My Fix:</u></b> </p><p>My own personal work-a-round with some Embedded Commenting blogs is to send my comment to the blog owner's personal email. My comment doesn’t show up on the owner’s blog, but it lets the blog owner know I visited. I comment less often with that approach. Lately, however, I have found that some blogs don’t provide an email. I still visit, but I am totally invisible to the blog owner, with the exception that I probably count in your Blog Visitor statistics.</p><p><b><u>Bottom Line:</u></b> Regardless of where you stand on how you receive comments on your blog, I just wanted to make readers aware of the problems <i><u>some</u></i> readers have with the Embedded Comments feature. And I think twice about starting up with new blogs that use an Embedded Comments method. If I haven’t visited or commented on your blog, that may be the problem.</p><p>Thanks for reading/listening! Happy Blogging everyone.</p><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-45799998736072857612022-02-23T16:06:00.001-05:002022-02-23T16:06:35.149-05:00Tate - perfecting his cuteness!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs09ObgCQfS9pUM5X1OA5SCBwaY6Xx-vUe6VldH-wmGA4Mz7aQZKNHKujdq_Ch19aYOIgs0LSnDKQmzK-QiIhvxQVsP4bwLM-kPsQf2IdnS44cHZf1sRJZk_mrHIcXmxicA5xZ5bFe_gmWCGdqIzyeBEiOKJHVd3VrKX-b9HmGCeuhdZdF7M_-sp5sBQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs09ObgCQfS9pUM5X1OA5SCBwaY6Xx-vUe6VldH-wmGA4Mz7aQZKNHKujdq_Ch19aYOIgs0LSnDKQmzK-QiIhvxQVsP4bwLM-kPsQf2IdnS44cHZf1sRJZk_mrHIcXmxicA5xZ5bFe_gmWCGdqIzyeBEiOKJHVd3VrKX-b9HmGCeuhdZdF7M_-sp5sBQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_ErMd74aJPXuqmDANnonaQB3xL1PCGsW8Nt38Kj_veFx6dVsDCZP95ZEb3vA131YYLRh8ZeUQzsMYyqL5PDVEBOFuvvpFbRO1cC4UAriWbw_giLP8FgXk5Yv_xccRW0JXkfK5YPCZF2BN82oxuUt5n6RvwRa1GXvlzUyAFjOCSWLPmMrcecfOCuwrqQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_ErMd74aJPXuqmDANnonaQB3xL1PCGsW8Nt38Kj_veFx6dVsDCZP95ZEb3vA131YYLRh8ZeUQzsMYyqL5PDVEBOFuvvpFbRO1cC4UAriWbw_giLP8FgXk5Yv_xccRW0JXkfK5YPCZF2BN82oxuUt5n6RvwRa1GXvlzUyAFjOCSWLPmMrcecfOCuwrqQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrXtci8ZV751vDioKKRj5ulY0OpKYwqQpErRSXP2zAsRI9lA1DhtY6BXO3N-CIFpTC-XxVamLrrIBGDQxO2k3Y9okmfPdwU4CKMl8iewcDgZXNkvS4C2JgsHjsSTF_BBKV6YECRRiZ930LTmAU4Ea1b1kvLR0TgpPSZxDVFyRKRaT4FRV6wW71VvZpvg=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrXtci8ZV751vDioKKRj5ulY0OpKYwqQpErRSXP2zAsRI9lA1DhtY6BXO3N-CIFpTC-XxVamLrrIBGDQxO2k3Y9okmfPdwU4CKMl8iewcDgZXNkvS4C2JgsHjsSTF_BBKV6YECRRiZ930LTmAU4Ea1b1kvLR0TgpPSZxDVFyRKRaT4FRV6wW71VvZpvg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I can’t wait to hold that little nugget on the ride home! Three whole hours on the ride back. He will know exactly who his grandmother is by the time we hit my daughter’s house!! </p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-28786505950448934112022-02-19T07:56:00.001-05:002022-02-19T07:59:13.105-05:00A New Little Family Member<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Meet my newest Grand Baby!!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, my daughter has finally decided to take another little creature into her life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My daughter has named him Tater Tot or Tate for short!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tate is an English Bull Dog - about 3 weeks old in the first picture below </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and has recently opened his eyes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is his first “glamor” shot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Get used to it little buddy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is just the beginning of your life in pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisP1btXrAonW1Q85h7tP2_TESvLQqp1Uq7H0xXxeBi96XGdX4ZwCJrZVflIH6wBJT_u6JyysLKunS4uS2cF2A-cyWVuRpdcXCW8r0DKl4zwtJ046Z1SW8j38isz_Lcf2uQFhSDuAsoc2Lvvu_qnAOvnPKd9zQlu1ktXj-Rijob4LeW_iRpv8RZP4bzbg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisP1btXrAonW1Q85h7tP2_TESvLQqp1Uq7H0xXxeBi96XGdX4ZwCJrZVflIH6wBJT_u6JyysLKunS4uS2cF2A-cyWVuRpdcXCW8r0DKl4zwtJ046Z1SW8j38isz_Lcf2uQFhSDuAsoc2Lvvu_qnAOvnPKd9zQlu1ktXj-Rijob4LeW_iRpv8RZP4bzbg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tate, a week or so later in the second picture!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Eyes open wide and taking everything in.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are very excited to welcome him into our family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOLDYyPoRQArPzn13Eta5ddwYWFfWMrKBrUxKs4uJvOe5y8au_4tb2pWgJAwquwwRnrmhpx-iJpL8pdGlByeT5H3RL0vO_fnIjMMNvg10ImCCJyTLEAoHaDaiQeQU-az57uQDS7cu0i04H2vGJZF6EJ5opZAUJfC-XVfwd7QB2Wph62QPHYY-rVAGjGg=s1936" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1452" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOLDYyPoRQArPzn13Eta5ddwYWFfWMrKBrUxKs4uJvOe5y8au_4tb2pWgJAwquwwRnrmhpx-iJpL8pdGlByeT5H3RL0vO_fnIjMMNvg10ImCCJyTLEAoHaDaiQeQU-az57uQDS7cu0i04H2vGJZF6EJ5opZAUJfC-XVfwd7QB2Wph62QPHYY-rVAGjGg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p>The plan now is to pick him up from the breeder mid-March when he is 8 weeks old. The breeder is located in Virginia about 3 hours from my daughter’s condo so it will be a full day of driving to get him. I am going with her. Tate will need someone to hold him on the 3 hour trip back to his new home and I volunteered to do that. <p></p><p>Hey! It’s a tough job, but somebody needs to do it!! (no eye rolling, please!) 😂😂</p><p>Of course, more pictures will follow. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">There is nothing cuter than a round little bulldog puppy!</span></b></div> <p></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-46705119360588609832022-02-16T08:31:00.000-05:002022-02-16T08:31:01.672-05:00A Repeat Puzzle<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKgyh5WruW7wNMcFAKz87zTB8fvSonR8koHSNaBmOWXU4gWGv5B8vx6lSopfRqqwH3Yq67HHcMVRgXBvhwLthZszQo0e6gcQDRGneXDqP_WUPz_jW9jgWhS2tBNRWVurZqSJpCIra1BWKB37USBeEEfy8YgbtQGdVd27YwVu7fJKCCP28-6quFrzXDKw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKgyh5WruW7wNMcFAKz87zTB8fvSonR8koHSNaBmOWXU4gWGv5B8vx6lSopfRqqwH3Yq67HHcMVRgXBvhwLthZszQo0e6gcQDRGneXDqP_WUPz_jW9jgWhS2tBNRWVurZqSJpCIra1BWKB37USBeEEfy8YgbtQGdVd27YwVu7fJKCCP28-6quFrzXDKw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is my next puzzle - The James Younger Gang offered by SunsOut Puzzles. This is the only puzzle I kept from my previous puzzle life decades ago. It has survived many multiple downsize purgings of my belongings. I love the picture. I tried to find this puzzle on Amazon and it doesn’t appear to be for sale anymore. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSgb17ZhWqYD_z8lKRMeXiDewTZoNYbowm_PJiCBM3CzQ9ksYRmdtmS8yVo6HHZiH1p1ivH_aJHAcFNULl9gZ5g2-49W1aaBcSztI0Ld5wAy3OiL_C3m4nmtEFS8owXQHvYZfv28T-NipO8E4PegHCM_JPf4gAEONtuodMPKcVOfc0WbH3v8DjySQ4NA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSgb17ZhWqYD_z8lKRMeXiDewTZoNYbowm_PJiCBM3CzQ9ksYRmdtmS8yVo6HHZiH1p1ivH_aJHAcFNULl9gZ5g2-49W1aaBcSztI0Ld5wAy3OiL_C3m4nmtEFS8owXQHvYZfv28T-NipO8E4PegHCM_JPf4gAEONtuodMPKcVOfc0WbH3v8DjySQ4NA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first step facing me is the pieces sorting. I typically sort by color and edge pieces first.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBDeF7HSUyEBzSxjbkz6ALR4B6HBl0aQkyFtkZfYd4dPY6Logef9_4O80WY-bolfhDRTDNsGPXqcIQcY0qeRIUMXrdkfr3SitxQQbQucRxYpVlrbrEh2B-_NDSoPvx6mbQsKYRJPvptrT7Nwqk48l8tzXBGvCwin2vRP2U3ehvb6ivCnJ-I3220lvnFQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBDeF7HSUyEBzSxjbkz6ALR4B6HBl0aQkyFtkZfYd4dPY6Logef9_4O80WY-bolfhDRTDNsGPXqcIQcY0qeRIUMXrdkfr3SitxQQbQucRxYpVlrbrEh2B-_NDSoPvx6mbQsKYRJPvptrT7Nwqk48l8tzXBGvCwin2vRP2U3ehvb6ivCnJ-I3220lvnFQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I first noticed these pieces are non-traditional in shape.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJaXcUZsutltBBej7R_m_tYt9vebPIDbCFAMM5y20f7loJKe_ol8aTM-eonDR1_N8c-x3l0ywxAC_vr__uAGRBvE8noijae3wD4EEoNKzZkJhC_lF3yxYz0RaLABe_ZCmQ4FLlIm10ZdnP4L_8dXYNhNHVvgdijptibiBu5WTrBwJhHePtCM8fsuoXxw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJaXcUZsutltBBej7R_m_tYt9vebPIDbCFAMM5y20f7loJKe_ol8aTM-eonDR1_N8c-x3l0ywxAC_vr__uAGRBvE8noijae3wD4EEoNKzZkJhC_lF3yxYz0RaLABe_ZCmQ4FLlIm10ZdnP4L_8dXYNhNHVvgdijptibiBu5WTrBwJhHePtCM8fsuoXxw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the sizes of the pieces vary greatly.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmcmCPdUv4UMifyo10GZvPtePv-LNX_wvy3z7VeFZatM4RA_lLdbm62yLlr3AlQy_w_Z9OnS_pricPO1Tnw9dexI_OhSn-IsyyrhbseN0AkY1gqefvNpZASqq_gHTZX_PHnDF0FGuAcxPpEVt-xkGBjsndQ9yzaJPWXaxnZa_oW-d_nKc5yg9pQHQTTw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmcmCPdUv4UMifyo10GZvPtePv-LNX_wvy3z7VeFZatM4RA_lLdbm62yLlr3AlQy_w_Z9OnS_pricPO1Tnw9dexI_OhSn-IsyyrhbseN0AkY1gqefvNpZASqq_gHTZX_PHnDF0FGuAcxPpEVt-xkGBjsndQ9yzaJPWXaxnZa_oW-d_nKc5yg9pQHQTTw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I have a box full of those oddly shaped and oddly sized pieces. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not sure if this will be easy or hard. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiffmfk9PtW_TN598UkKaFwNtI6RJ-Zdwl-EbVs1Ra4pPYW1rcu-RjTG4cJ3qfCOWyTVGmbTu2w4tCkb44ncuWvg9z-Vm7a--1ScLcgVRRx3N2Pxa7zV6QgM5xI68iSeOdGOhW7l0nLuV8bQIDnqdB6V53B1p4VQPG-51b-zFJnuqSE0v-18d0CE-Ufdg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiffmfk9PtW_TN598UkKaFwNtI6RJ-Zdwl-EbVs1Ra4pPYW1rcu-RjTG4cJ3qfCOWyTVGmbTu2w4tCkb44ncuWvg9z-Vm7a--1ScLcgVRRx3N2Pxa7zV6QgM5xI68iSeOdGOhW7l0nLuV8bQIDnqdB6V53B1p4VQPG-51b-zFJnuqSE0v-18d0CE-Ufdg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">But the sorting step is completed now - and I am committed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After all, how hard can it be since I have assembled this puzzle before? (famous last words) </div><div style="text-align: center;">There are an awful lot of solid color pieces to this puzzle - so my normal brain process of checking the pieces against the picture for general location on the board won’t work for large sections of this puzzle. </div><div style="text-align: center;">In fact, I have specifically avoided puzzles that are a single color because I prefer using the picture side for reference as opposed to looking for specific shapes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This puzzle will be completed, however, no matter how hard it is because I have plans for it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOXir45POsabfI-13jOR-7D0hvfShRlJO1JN9fXnnElljx1QmYbHWF9VewHF5-72JROW6-PRUArRHWYWF1J-MBRMajcVZuTqJVN_CdJqBVIVeaSgeVXSwMT8H84U1mQ09Lc4KfOPOPPitQZMKuemLWWswkqW47kwidWQy_H_X9V-rcDpE6rjo1KBekHA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOXir45POsabfI-13jOR-7D0hvfShRlJO1JN9fXnnElljx1QmYbHWF9VewHF5-72JROW6-PRUArRHWYWF1J-MBRMajcVZuTqJVN_CdJqBVIVeaSgeVXSwMT8H84U1mQ09Lc4KfOPOPPitQZMKuemLWWswkqW47kwidWQy_H_X9V-rcDpE6rjo1KBekHA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now that I have a dedicated puzzle space, I will glue this puzzle together, frame it and and hang it above my puzzle board. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This puzzle also will probably be the only puzzle I ever repeat. A kind of a “first” and “last” rolled into one. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This should be interesting!</div>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-3654020406860237432022-02-06T23:34:00.000-05:002022-02-06T23:34:28.177-05:00It Deserves Its Own Photo Shoot<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcXrywZw1931qgcJKy53_U9yh6MlZlHWoGl18VADvVPig8BzkV9B37qO7fz9YfXG0R8nu6pipwgFLr0y_3xzLA7fDkI5_L6EqWWzM03tw4svYUXShZbgsF1iXMbasVIcpnjbU2_3Q3fyTZp2qhi_DIH7IThTHPkADJynt68HhFzKU62nRAp-ebrmjVfg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcXrywZw1931qgcJKy53_U9yh6MlZlHWoGl18VADvVPig8BzkV9B37qO7fz9YfXG0R8nu6pipwgFLr0y_3xzLA7fDkI5_L6EqWWzM03tw4svYUXShZbgsF1iXMbasVIcpnjbU2_3Q3fyTZp2qhi_DIH7IThTHPkADJynt68HhFzKU62nRAp-ebrmjVfg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Seriously, </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">this puzzle deserves its own photo shoot.</span></b> </div><p></p><p>I do like to take a picture of my finished puzzles and I like to enjoy them complete for a few days, but this puzzle was the hardest (and largest) puzzle I have done so far. It was only 1000 pieces but it almost filled my large puzzle board. I even considered at one point of abandoning it - boxing it up and giving it away. Some elements of this puzzle just were not fun. After all, who would know if I didn’t finish it.</p><p>Oh that’s right. I would know!</p><p>So here I am in February showing it off (started it in December).</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOc7evs2kU4Y8kT_xHgVO6V-7tw6Cus4BiodXyhw0fZxtmiqcp0gGHobUwNk8mVMeSdmRKb8UkdqS0_s-wxi7fT4-LXzEfWrqhoac2Pb2delEL3alC7IEhjrI4lpTaxR04ZiR80DGK-fjmNdGhZ1McVnlY4hnmbycBtBZsoSQA2sHMPz4XnEm4UFlYDw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOc7evs2kU4Y8kT_xHgVO6V-7tw6Cus4BiodXyhw0fZxtmiqcp0gGHobUwNk8mVMeSdmRKb8UkdqS0_s-wxi7fT4-LXzEfWrqhoac2Pb2delEL3alC7IEhjrI4lpTaxR04ZiR80DGK-fjmNdGhZ1McVnlY4hnmbycBtBZsoSQA2sHMPz4XnEm4UFlYDw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These individual houses and the people in the setting were great fun to do.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu6tfoyHfaSTvDfxoQ2aBoK72XbM6C420C4HOp38CX9qwha1I-TW6Y_CbUlheTsxgpdi86GfduZK3Cx2jqQAPJB-vPCV7MaOWXF0-yAJQ2B3I5JndHtVzARvMnotSAbzY5Lj5ryyiyxECEJZfOcS24rHDF-E9IPcKDK-OWNTDcW6246ZuvCfQjZPm20A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu6tfoyHfaSTvDfxoQ2aBoK72XbM6C420C4HOp38CX9qwha1I-TW6Y_CbUlheTsxgpdi86GfduZK3Cx2jqQAPJB-vPCV7MaOWXF0-yAJQ2B3I5JndHtVzARvMnotSAbzY5Lj5ryyiyxECEJZfOcS24rHDF-E9IPcKDK-OWNTDcW6246ZuvCfQjZPm20A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Ok, maybe the Christmas trees were a bit of a struggle. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvb_Fqedu4nalysDigSHZrC1f2EEl0yKShMZXOlYlZBjdETIkG7BzN2Fv_jITQd9xqVWGq59IH0_K-7WPsHWP1rrWxQ3M8gb30MaVNzNUVwkHG2xgv2fZA5BZwRUs1SpmP59bLg8OwQcujfA9DKFQfRgRMTcbykEn_mtOv76_iNKDkUF1tFkNBiCocCQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvb_Fqedu4nalysDigSHZrC1f2EEl0yKShMZXOlYlZBjdETIkG7BzN2Fv_jITQd9xqVWGq59IH0_K-7WPsHWP1rrWxQ3M8gb30MaVNzNUVwkHG2xgv2fZA5BZwRUs1SpmP59bLg8OwQcujfA9DKFQfRgRMTcbykEn_mtOv76_iNKDkUF1tFkNBiCocCQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>The houses were so beautiful. If I had to pick one I would like to live in, I could not make up my mind.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyXXUBVx522V-U056A0S9DPvgHZlADxJN2zswhJa-cnODDl-9nF1trfJuiVQd2qqN8R5TUe66iDVPqBLH2O93xXYZDo66LbrdNdfzrzHmaQu2Anv1RdBtt-QYHx1SqZN1QByFiDLB1DaP0DIbFb30K1yEGQC0uJuBKWoRVds_pbWO_udCrpteCDB4B2A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyXXUBVx522V-U056A0S9DPvgHZlADxJN2zswhJa-cnODDl-9nF1trfJuiVQd2qqN8R5TUe66iDVPqBLH2O93xXYZDo66LbrdNdfzrzHmaQu2Anv1RdBtt-QYHx1SqZN1QByFiDLB1DaP0DIbFb30K1yEGQC0uJuBKWoRVds_pbWO_udCrpteCDB4B2A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>But the sky!!!! It was a head ache of massive proportions. I had to finally focus on the shapes of the pieces rather than the images on the surface.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW3QbqvQHSRpiLleyOg8_TjxFvLWBGPVHMT19g8t9COprsgaIEFYwxGaN0GdhT1lljdCMT8JvkgBS-9koSm6sWk9deA5OVztt0DubW68rBo7gIfl1aboiEUqDZgbb_7NSpAR8DXOdkoU_VP5YvL8Axh6AAmuJX0KlWlzjWHapE4qG_AFkdbBWja3kTzQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW3QbqvQHSRpiLleyOg8_TjxFvLWBGPVHMT19g8t9COprsgaIEFYwxGaN0GdhT1lljdCMT8JvkgBS-9koSm6sWk9deA5OVztt0DubW68rBo7gIfl1aboiEUqDZgbb_7NSpAR8DXOdkoU_VP5YvL8Axh6AAmuJX0KlWlzjWHapE4qG_AFkdbBWja3kTzQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Anyway, it is done. I’ll leave it together for a few days. Run my hands over it with every visit. Gloat that it didn’t get the best of me this time. And then I will break it apart and give it away! </div>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812951198483259605.post-514742633360353642022-01-23T01:30:00.352-05:002022-01-24T08:26:50.309-05:00Was it Sabotage?<p style="text-align: center;"><b>I know I am pretty dense about some stuff ... but I think I am actually now RETIRED!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Yep! I have looked all around me, in all the rooms, in the closets, under the furniture and through my calendar ... and I can’t escape the fact that there are no obligations or commitments hiding anywhere. I am completely and totally retired!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Imagine that!</b></p><p>I suspect this is kind of an odd statement to make considering I haven’t held a paying job since 2007. But as we near the end of this month, January 2022, I realize that after 15 years of stepping away from formal paid employment, I am retired. It took years to get here, but here I am!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">What happened? Why did it take so long and did I sabotage myself?</p><p>When I left my last employment in 2007 they gave me a “retirement party.” And there was no need to correct that assumption, because that was what I was doing. Retiring! I was only 59. But my underlying reason for stopping work so early was my mom. She was living with us and it was very hard for me to hold down a full time job and help her out all the other hours. Turns out my mom became a 24/7 commitment as she was developing dementia. It wasn’t retirement for me. But it wasn’t exactly sabotage, because she needed help and I was able and happy to give it.</p><p>When she died in December 2014, I thought now I will officially retire. My commitment to mom taxed all of me more than anything else in my life. I needed a break. I just needed to close down her estate - and then I was done, done, done. But did I retire? Nope.</p><p>With mom gone, it became overwhelmingly apparent that my increasingly visually impaired husband was at serious risk of falling on our stairs - and in a townhouse, there are a lot of stairs. So from 2015 to 2016 I began the downsizing, taking on tasks my husband could no longer do because of his vision problems, “shopping” for a new and safer place to live, orchestrating the sale of our townhouse, organizing the move, and purchasing our current condo - not to mention the unpacking and settling in a new place and location. I was 69 at the time of that move, and I used up every last ounce of myself. Did I somehow sabotage myself over that year and half? I don’t see how. Now the person needing help was my husband - we needed to move and I had no choice but to take the lead. </p><p>In August of 2016 we moved into this condo. I remember thinking “all I need to do is get us unpacked and settled and I will be retired.” The list of obligations and commitments were at 0! One day in January 2017 I was walking my daughter’s dog enjoying the feeling of lightness and I was approached by a resident with a measuring tape. He asked me to help him by holding the measuring tape while he took measurements of a community project. Ha! I was thrilled to help, to make a friend of a neighbor, to become part of a community!! Within 15 minutes he invited me to attend an informal meeting of the board happening in a few days. He started talking ... you should join the board, you’d be great at it!! God knows what he saw in me. Was it my sparkling personality, or the way in which I competently held the measuring tape or .... was I just a warm body without 2 heads, and they needed a 5th board member - and there I was!! Of course, I didn’t recognize any of that at the time - and I started thinking “Oh yes, this might be fun.” (In that moment, the “Oh yes” moment, I began to sabotage my retirement dreams!) Like a magnet I attended that meeting, got involved in community activities - crescendoing in a spell as a board member that ate up hours and hours (... and HOURS) of time every single week. And this volunteer job felt very much like work without the benefit of a salary! January 3 of this year, I stepped out of that board position and ... for the first time <i>in forever</i> - I didn’t sabotage myself. I keep looking over my shoulder, but there are no other hangers-on to hijack my new status! </p><p>I’ll admit, it's a little disorienting, but I think I am finally retired. </p><p>But then the thought dawned on me. Despite all the past demands on my life, I have been lucky enough to reached this point with good health and independence. And now finally, my time belongs to me - to do what I want. Some folks never reach this point.</p><p>While I know life can change in a moment I have taken a precaution to prevent self sabotage - there is no room in my life for measuring tapes!! I am hoping that will be enough. Today I am retired!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Retired Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13662288640032813770noreply@blogger.com11