HOMEFREE

EARLY VISITORS

What a joy to have the first glimpse into the garden reveal four birds busily pecking at I-know-not-what,they were on the cement of the sidewalk and top of stone wall, although one seemed to be worrying a seedy-looking plant. Maybe that one was shaking down seeds and the rest were harvesting the fallen bounty. I did not recognize the birds so came to get the bird book. When I returned the next door cat was in a crouch where the birds had been and I could see they had moved further along. I mildly scolded the cat - it is a game to both of us, he is 'belled' and I think he realizes the limitations this gives his hunting skills and perhaps why he 'attacks' and carries home any balls of wool or knitted objects he comes across at my place. I could not find the bird in the book. I need a longer perusal for identification and have put bird book by site for the next opportunity.

JUST WONDERING...........

... what percentage of people plan what they are going to wear the next day and perhaps actually lay out the clothing by the bed. On the rare occasions when I have done this, and I can't think now just what the reasons were!, I found it quite a delightful practise. But not enough of a delight, obviously, to make it a habit. Hmmmm.

... if I can come up with a product to mimic those delectable 'crackers' that are selling for $7 a packet (and I recently noticed some competition in another brand). The samples they give out in supermarkets have assured me of their worth to the point that I have considered buying a package - they are really good!-but so far I have not actually bought one. I think the holdback is the fact that I have made crackers in the past (prompted by Edna Staebler in her More Food That Really Schmecks cookbook) so I know it can be done. So therein lies the challenge. In the meantime I might have to buy a pack or two to help in the consideration.

...if criticism can ever be constructive. I 'close down' when criticized. But find the praise of the intent of the criticism and give me that and I cheerfully and effectively 'open'.

HAIKU ROBINS

Robins are in flight
With all baggage before them,
Wings beating balance.

KNITTING INTUITIVELY

Intuitive knitting has gripped my soul and I play with the practice. It seems to take much practice to improve or progress with such. Feeling is to the fore, not thought. Feeling about what material to use, what size needles, how many stitches. The time and patience and trust to wait on each and all of these before proceeding. The courage to let go of expectations. The - hardest part! - acceptance of what results when the mind lets go and the hands, truly, 'speak'. But, oh, the satisfaction, when I can and they do.

KNITTING INTUITIVELY

Intuitive knitting has gripped my soul and I play with the practice. It seems to take much practice to improve or progress with such. Feeling is to the fore, not thought. Feeling about what material to use, what size needles, how many stitches. The time and patience and trust to wait on each and all of these before proceeding. The courage to let go of expectations. The – hardest part! – acceptance of what results when the mind lets go and the hands, truly, ‘speak’. But, oh, the satisfaction, when I can and they do.

COLD'ING

I'm working my way through cold symptoms. Yuck. Seldom being sick this is a learning experience. Part of it is dealing with people's response: I don't want or need the (almost gleeful) reply that "it's going to be a bad year, they say, for colds" and "I know someone who had it and now it's pneumonia" - or words to this effect. I am affected by what people tell me and would much rather spend my energy on letting my body get rid of the dis-ease and return to its natural healthy state than combatting this negativity. So I try to avoid such feedback and instead hope to come across people who will acknowledge that dealing with such things is not pleasant, perhaps suggest some remedies that will assist the body in its healing, (not mask the symptoms), pass on their 'wellness' thoughts and energy to me, as I would do to them.

HAIKU WEATHER

The sun came up, then
The fog rolled in; Weather is
Playing patty-cake.

SCENTED GERANIUM

Wow! As I was bringing in cuttings from my scented geranium to root and overwinter indoors I got to thinking about what kind it actually is so did a Google...... That's the reason for my Wow. Came up with www.gardeningguru.org which has a bunch of wonderful information on those fragrant plants that enhance every garden and the 'guru' put me onto www.papagenos.com for a source of plants. I did not realize so many existed in so many categories. My garden will be enriched for such abundance next year. They grow into veritable bushes when put right in the garden, scent the air and clothes and hands when brushed against, are lovely greeters and farewell'ers at doorways, turn into magnificent pot pourri, and I am just discovering all the culinary possibilities. I have one planted in a large pot that grew to expectation of that size and would spill over my encircled arms in a hug. It is a Round Rose. And there's a Regular Rose, transplanted in late summer when I came upon it hidden and sulking in a not suitable place, now in a suitable place but out of season for much growth so I think I will put a gallon jar over it and see how it likes this greenhouse in our 'winter'. I have had scented geranium loll happily and hardily against a sunny wall all winter and pump muscle mightily come spring.

GIFT WRAP

Reaching for a pillow case late one Christmas Eve in which to conceal an oddly-shaped gift led to the realization that, hey - this isn't such a bad idea. Particularly when the 'wrapping' received an enthusiastic, "This is just what I need!" from a son setting up housekeeping in his first apartment.
Since then pillow cases have been used numerous times as gift wrap. They come in lovely colours and designs but plain ones invite personalizing with permanent markers and funny things the kids said (grandparents like this) or funny things the kids draw (ditto!) or hand or foot or lip prints (use acrylic paints).
Using bed clothes to wrap gifts led to the thought of using human clothing. A pair of red long johns, the legs stuffed with a sausage balloon each, the seat area holding the gift (hiking boots?, a laptop?, toaster?), the waist and leg ends tied with bright ribbons - now wouldn't that be sight under the tree on Christmas morning.
An entire 'family' could be 'wrapped' and lounge around as Santa's offerings.
For the bird lovers (and who isn't?) with thoughts of summer and garden picnics: tie cloth napkins around a bird feeder, then take a strong large balloon, funnel a couple hands full of bird seed into it, wrap a matching cloth table cloth around the inflated sphere to resemble a hot air balloon, attach to the 'basket' bird feeder. The balloon can be popped in the garden to release the seeds for the birds now; the picnic accessories will have to wait.
Then there's the idea of NOT wrapping the present but tucking its ongoing 'giving' inside. F'r'instance - a pair of handknit socks beautiful enough on their own could have, tucked inside, a coupon promising to knit another pair once these had worn out.
Perhaps the most unique wrapping was by the man who put up a tent in his living room one Christmas Eve and when his wife saw it she was momentarily surprised because she was not at all fond of camping. But it made sense when she found her mother inside - on a longed for, unexpected visit. The tent was her gift to her son-in-law who used it on a solitary getaway. But not during her visit.

HAIKU KiP'ing Encouraged

Please, Knit in Public.
Catalyst - community:
People, stitch by stitch.