The New Hat Gets A Workout

 

 

 

Geez--I guess he likes it. I think it looks especially attractive with the boots . . .

Learning Cables

 

 

Wow--I learned something new! Kathy at Have You Any Wool taught me how to do these, and when I dropped stitches, she even retrieved them for me. Personally, I would've tied it to the place where I dropped it and left the rest of the row to ladder, but she didn't think that was appropriate. Since it was her store, I decided to do it her way. Her way, of course, turned out much better than mine would've.

The Simple Woman's Daybook for March 3

Outside my window
It is still grey, but not raining--at least, not at this minute. The light is getting that brighter, sharper quality that comes with spring.

I am thinking
About trying to keep plans for Aidan on track for the rest of the spring, which is a struggle because my mind keeps getting sucked into the legislative vortex.

I am thankful for
The fact that Kevin and Aidan are both better. I think.

From the kitchen
I made the Nigellan Flatbreads from Nigella Lawson's How To Be A Domestic Goddess cookbook over the weekend, and they are so good for sandwiches. Plus, it's fun to make yeast bread--I love kneading it and feeling it go from sticky and lumpy to smooth and elastic and springy.

I am wearing
My new Cole Haan heels, which are 3 inches high but still the most comfortable things I've worn on my feet all session. Plus, they look terrific. I waited about two years to buy them (meanwhile spending at least their cost on other pairs of shoes), but now that I have them, they are wonderful. I can hike back and forth to, and around, the Capitol all day.

I am creating
The Elizabeth Zimmerman hat, still. I'm through the color pattern, and working on the swirling decreases up to the crown. I discovered last night that when it gets small enough, I'm going to have to go from circular needles to three double pointed needles--this sounds entirely intimidating. Also, note to self--do not, under any circumstances, ever use yucky acrylic yarn again. It creates a miserable experience, and obliviates at least half the reason I like to knit--the feel of the project in my hands.

I am going
Back to the Capitol--where else?

I am reading
Babbitt. George is starting to rebel against his empty life.

I am hoping
To get a chance to go to the State Library for a while this afternoon, to sit and read. But first I have to get all my writing done.

I am hearing
The dull roar produced by 90 legislators in floor session and attendant noise of lobbyists outside the chambers. It is an entirely distinctive sound, and I can always tell at once that they're on the floor when I enter the building and hear it.

Around the house
I'm just trying to keep my head above water.

One of my favorite things
This week, reading. I am itching to read Fire At Eden's Gate for some reason.

A few plans for the rest of the week
If I can just get a real dinner on the table a few times, with us sitting down and eating it together, it'll be a good week.

For other Simple Woman posts, go here.

Chickens, Snow, and Sick People

So . . . the first order of business last week was CHICKEN NIGHT at City Council. The Salem City Council declined our request to put the issue of allowing backyard chickens on the agenda, so instead, we packed the council chambers and signed up on the "other business--public testimony" part of the agenda. We had 17 speakers, and lots of Boy Scouts in the audience. I was the lead speaker, and I must say, I did an entirely respectable job. We all did. Now, all that remains is for them to say yes. Which they haven't done. Yet.

Then, on Wednesday, it snowed. Three inches, at our house, but school stayed open. With the combination of too many snow days already and looming budget cuts threatening to shorten the school year further, I guess they decided to hope for the best. And a darn good thing they did, because . . .



Yep, we have sick people. When I got home Thursday evening, Aidan collapsed on me, and Hannah said he had almost fallen asleep in the car on the way home from school. He had a big fever by the time I got to him, so I dosed him up with kiddie motrin and put him to bed. Then Kevin came along and collapsed on the couch. I gave him motrin, too, and left him there.

The next day, neither one of them was moving, so I got A into our bed, gave him the computer and some movies, and left him with Kevin. They huddled. When I called to check in around 11:00, they informed me that they were "fine"

Right.

Neither one has moved, more than a few inches, since then.