UFO's

I just spent a few days with my sister and her family in Northampton, Mass., an interesting and unique town. But while I was there we decided to do a joint knitting project for our father's 80th birthday. We're each going to make one sock. Talk about interesting. Interpreting directions in our own particular style. He won't care if they don't look exactly the same, as long as they keep his feet warm.

Tricia decided to pull out her old knitting projects and I have to tell you, I felt more than a little glee at her unfinished projects, because, well, I have my share as I know many others do too.
The baby sweater was done, (so close to done!!), a while back. She didn't say how far back, but my guess it was at least 9 years ago. She calls it the sweater for the "baby with gorilla arms", which may be why she never completed it? The stripey blue mitten was for nephew Ian, who is now 24, started when he was maybe 9 or 10 I'm guessing. The solid blue is for nephew Stephen who turned 22 this year. Same story.

Need I say anymore about why she's only making one sock for dad's birthday?

Happy Valentines Day

We spent the night in Portland last night and woke up to a town decorated by a secret Cupid:

All the shop windows along Commercial Street in the Old Port were decorated, as well as
a big heart hanging from the roof of the Museum of Art,

a symbol of love in the window of the Children's Museum, and


love at Starbucks. Even our cups had pretty red hearts on them.

I can't say I get excited about Valentine's Day, but I do love hearts. And here are some more for you.


Hope you could spend the day with someone who means 'love' to you.

Walking

Every afternoon I try to get out and walk for an hour. Sometimes I walk along the road, but in the winter there's too much to explore. I'll be walking along the road and suddenly a snowmobile trail will shoot off across a field and disappear into the woods. Hmmm. It's like discovering a whole new world that was there all the time. And quiet. In Julia Cameron's book, Vein of Gold, she talks about walking meditation. It's just that, meditating while moving. I've solved a lot of design problems on this deserted narrow gauge railroad bed, leaving some work or another on my design wall in exchange for a breath of fresh air. I always come back refreshed and calm. A bit tired sometimes, but always a bit better than when I walked out the door.