Aren't I the lucky one?

Being housebound has it's advantages. You get calls, snailmail, visits and email with good wishes. As well, with Skype I can chat with loved ones; my littlest grandson seems to be growing each time I see him on the webcam.

And I got flowers and chocolates for Valentine's Day!

My neighbour brought over a stunning flower arrangement from our garden club meeting cos the demonstrator asked if any members were sick. There were two different arrangements finished that evening and another neighbour, also housebound, got the other. Haven't seen hers but mine has about two dozen white and red carnations, baby's breath, ferns, the whole enchilada. Makes me feel very special.

This kind and thoughtful neighbour also brought over some lovely chocs - in a heart shape box - this time from her. She and a group of my jazz loving friends, with whom I usually tag along, are going out for Valentine's Day dinner and will be entertained by some of my favourite musicians.

But I don't feel sorry for myself as tonight I will play a CD by these talented musicians while I munch my chocs and enjoy the flowers. And I don't have to worry about leaving my warm and comfortable house to brave a snowy day.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Posted by doreen at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our father used to say "these things are sent to try us" usually after an unexpected roadblock for one of us in our headlong dash through childhood. His words have come back on many occasions but this time I'd like to paraphrase him and say: these things are sent to guide us.

That's the way I feel today as I have finally conquered a particularly intricate knitting pattern for a pair of socks I have been struggling with for months, on and off. Not having lots of patience has been a stumbling block and having ripped out several tries, shelved the project.

A particularly lengthy bout of restricted movement recently has led me to study various shelved Fifo projects,(Find it finish it); among them this knitting. I had considered myself an expert knitter having learned as a Brownie at my mother's knee. Sailing through moss stitch, cables and Fairisle, I can't remember when there wasn't a bag of different size needles and something 'on the go' in the cupboard.

This particular pattern, in a book of advanced patterns loaned to me by knitting daughter, Lynda, stumped me. The drop/twist/pickup Austrian-inspired pattern defied my tight knitting! Unlearning a habit requires concentration.

But now that I have begun to download podcasts onto my laptop, I can listen to BBC dramas or Quirks and Quarks and watch what I am doing.

Posted by doreen at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)