WHEN WE INTERVIEW the residents for the directory, one of our questions is "What are your hobbies?". For the staff directory, I changed the query to "When you have spare time, what do you like to do?" When the subject is holding down two full time jobs, the answer is likely to be, "Relax". Alas, no time for hobbies.
Recently I've taken up my knitting needles again and am working on a project that gets more and more difficult to interpret the instructions. There's always the danger that I'll put the venture aside, never to be picked up again; therefore when Diane invited me to join her Saturday morning class I readily accepted, in the hope that it will spur me onward. The 103 year old, expert knitter here at the Manor recently died and no other resident volunteered to keep the knitting group going, so when I arrive at a stumbling block, I'm stuck. The other class members are working on needlepoint, so I'm the odd duck in the group, left to figure out my own dilemmas. When it gets difficult, it no longer feels like a "hobby", but life is that way, as we're demonstrating these days. We're in a hard part right now.
I think you all can guess at one of Mr. Bob's hobbies, in fact I think it's the only one he has left. Sleep, beautiful sleep. A few minutes ago he appeared in our living room, sat down in his recliner, got up and brought me a glass of water for my pills and headed back to the bedroom, saying he guessed he wasn't ready to get up after all. He's indulging in his hobby, just as I'm going to do as soon as I take my shower and hike to the parking lot to drive up the hill to our old stomping ground. Those ladies may not know how to figure out my knitting pattern, but they're damned good company.
“Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either.” Elizabeth Zimmermann
Your project is gorgeous, Jane! Don't stop. The pattern looks so complicated that even if you knit a row or two "wrong", how would any one know? I send thoughts of warmth and strength to your hands and perseverance to your head.
ReplyDelete_Robin
I agree with Robin...The colors are beautiful and if it is a blanket or lap blanket style, it will be a cherished item!!! Keep knitting through the wrong feelings. I know you love it and i know your creative spirit within you needs this. I am sorry to hear of the 103 yr. old expert. I just moved a 98 year old in Atria San Juan and she is their lead librarian book club master.....She wowed me like you do!!
ReplyDelete"...but they're damned good company." Mind if I borrow that line to describe my coffee buddies?
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work! It is beautiful! A Non Y Mouse
ReplyDeleteYour knitting looks beautiful to me! Call or email my sister Vickie if you need knitting advice; she is an expert AND works at a knitting store, The Yarn Lady (bet you can google it). Frankly, she's a little addicted to knitting so I know she'd LOVE to discuss this with you! Love, Shelley
ReplyDeleteOh, my! Can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDelete~mj
Timi just finished the most beautiful scarf in the world which she has promised to me. Maybe she will show it to you when she stops in next weekend. T.O.Joanne
ReplyDeleteThe colors are stunning in your knitting. I think it sounds like the relaxed pace and the friendships through that hobby are a very good idea right now. And no wonder Bob wants to sleep--he's been through a lot, and I imagine the rest is much-needed. Enjoy both!
ReplyDeleteYour project is absolutely beautiful--the colors are gorgeous. Those are definitely complicated patterns and would take total concentration. But that's what hobbies are for, aren't they? To take us to another place. I will look forward to seeing the finished project. Never give up! I should take my own advice and finish some of my projects!
ReplyDeleteedie