What I did last week:
It’s a soft, squooshy scarf, knit from start to finish at various locations in and around Bethesda, Maryland. Finished on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, actually. It’s the Corrugator, and it’s a fun and satisfying knit. I used one 245 yard skein of Mountain Colors Merino Ribbon in Yellowstone.
I like it a lot, but it’s going to the Red Scarf Project. I can’t keep it, because it was Nursing Home Knitting, and it makes me sad. If I send it off to warm a young person, all the sad will float away, won’t it? If it gets to have a happy life filled with laughter, that will make it okay, won’t it?
I think so.My trip and my visit with my mom was good, but hard. She is doing well, getting stronger, and being pretty cheerful, considering. We spent a lot of time sitting and chatting and thinking about old times. I would come in the morning, stay till lunch, and return in the afternoon. At dinner time I went back to my little room at the strange but nice hotel, where I spent the evenings knitting and surfing the internet and watching bad TV
.I had a wonderful lunch with my dear friend V on Thursday. We sat there so long that the restaurant staff began prepping for the dinner service. If you’re near Potomac, you should have a meal at Bezu. It was delicious.
On Saturday, after a short but productive visit with my sister to Knit + Stitch = Bliss in Bethesda (sock yarn, that’s all), I drove off to the Eastern
Shore to spend a couple of nights with my friends K and R. We laughed ourselves silly, and K and I knit and talked knitting (my heavens, his sweaters are beautiful!), and we had some interesting meals. The Japanese place was grand, but the Waffle House in Middletown? Not so much unless you’re a fan of “Cops.” There was a police chase/Taser incident across the road that had everyone but us out of their seats. It was surreal.On Monday morning at the crack of dawn I loaded up and headed for home. The short visits with my dear friends, one on each end of the trip, helped make leaving my mom a little easier. Still, it was hard. Each time I see her it’s harder to leave. My drive felt slow and I was so tired — even Turnpike coffee didn’t seem to help. I was almost home, and still drowsy, when I saw the signs for Sayville, and remembered the yarn/spinning shop that I’d been meaning to visit.
I’ve been planning and saving and researching portable wheels for months. My Reeves is too big to take anywhere, and my Sweet Ashford is getting old and doesn’t enjoy the car much any more, so I have been wanting a wheel to take on the road. I even had it narrowed down to a couple of choices.
When I sat down to spin on this one it felt just right, so I debated for a minute or two, called and consulted Rho (“Am I crazy?”), and then made the decision.
A little Joy lifted my heavy heart just a bit. Enough. I feel like I got a new puppy. It’s so small and silly and sweet. And it makes yarn without being trained!
“You have the nerve to be gone for six whole days, and then, what? You bring a puppy into the house? I won’t be speaking to you any time soon, or at least not until I want my dinner.”
Not Plain Jane 
Sounds like a good trip, despite the purpose. Glad you mother is doing well! And though I will not spin and you can’t make me, I’m excited when other people get new wheels, because they look so cool. And my verification word is “puyzebli” which sounds like a great name for some sort of trendy fusion cuisine restaurant. Maybe, I dunno, Mayan-Lithuanian?
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So sorry I missed the chance to meet you again, but I understand perfectly the need to go sit in a hotel room and watch stupid TV (or whatever). Family visits are always strenuous.Thinking of you with love, and hoping that next time our paths will cross.
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It sounds like you had many moments of Joy throughout the week to help you with through the visit with your mother.
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It’s only crazy to call me if you want me to tell you no — and I knew you didn’t want me to tell you no – 😀 😀 😀 Are you bringing Joy to the circle tomorrow??? Pretty Please.
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It’s good to see you had such a nice trip. I’m using all my sales resistance to avoid having a puppy like that follow me home, but I’m wavering. Have fun with it!
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Oh what a grumpy cat face. 🙂 It sounds you had some good times while visiting your mom. It makes the trip easier. I’m glad your mom is doing better. Enjoy your Joy!
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Sweet Jane,Have been thinking of you & your momma. Sounds as tho’ you took care of her as well as yourself on this trip.Congrats on the Joy. Love the idea that you have looked for a road “wheel” companion. Look forward to seeing Joy at the Retreat.XOXO
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Did we talk about the Corrugator? How is it we both were knitting the same scarf the same week? Yours is much longer though! I’m busy knitting some Hedgerows as well. Hope to see you and talk in person, how exciting about your new “puppy”! I’m glad you got to spend time with mom and friends, but miss seeing you as well.
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Welcome home, Jane! I’m glad you took some time for yourself, for laughter, good food, and yarn. Please tell Joy that she has an older cousin looking very much forward to meeting her at the retreat!
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Welcome Home! At least you know your kitty missed you. Glad to hear your mother is recuperating.
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Your cat has the cutest little cat feet I have ever seen, despite the sourpuss face. These things are always difficult, but it sounds like you made the best of your visit. I was going to say “take care of yourself” but what with Joy and all, it sounds like you are!
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Wait, you expected a fiber friend to tell you you were crazy for buying something fiber-related?! :DI’m glad you got to spend time with your mom and your friends – even if you are facing stiff feline disapproval now!
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crazy? no – never… and I’m actually qualified to say :-)Little joy is fabulous. she’s just so cute and dogone purty nestled there by the big ol’ Reeves.Your scarf is lovely, and will be so much enjoyed by some wonderful young person.It’s hard to leave those we love. I’m glad you had some pick-me-ups on the way home, and glad that your Mom is improving.
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Everyone needs a little JOY in their life. Enoy, Jane.I’ve started your Hedgrerow socks, but I have to admit to still having a “sock block.” :(Hope your Mom is on the mend! Chatting about old times is one of the things to treasure. I only wish I had done more. Life through a rear-view mirror would be so much easier …Take care …
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oh dear, I certainly can’t type tonight.enJOY, Jane!
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Hugs.I missed you so much.B
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Beautiful scarf, and it will be much appreciated. This reminds me, I need to box up my scarves for the project and send them out. Imagine me, slacking on this! Congrats on the wheel, and best thoughts for your mom.
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I’m glad to hear your mom is in good spirits. I’ve been keeping her and your family in my thoughts. Congratulations on your new wheel! I can’t wait to meet it at the retreat.
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That is one angry looking cat! Too funny.Congrats on the new wheel — have fun with it!I can certainly relate to the sadness of dealing with aging parents. What is the cure for that? Tell me if you ever find it….
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Hi Jane, I was glad to hear your mom is doing okay. Welcome back from another Long Islander (Smthtown). I love your blog! I’ve been a knitter for many years but never tried socks until just recently. Now I can’t wait to “graduate” to your Hedgerow pattern. I’ve even purchased the yarn — Shibui Knits sock yarn in the gorgeous Wasabi colorway.I know I’ll be checking out all the sock yarn at Rhinebeck in a few weeks. I can’t wait! I’m also lookng forward to the second “Wild Fibers” magazine dinner. We had a blast last year! This is such a beautiful time of year. I hope you are enjoying this lovely weather. Karen M.
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Hi Jane! I found your blog via your Hedgerow socks pattern, which I will be knitting in the nearish future. 🙂 I have a question regarding your Corrugator scarf. How much length did you get out of the one skein of the Mountain Colors Merino Ribbon? Thanks!
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