What, exactly, is normalcy, of course, on a day like today, that follows a day like yesterday?

Well, knitting content does spring to mind. I’m into my fourth color and my 6th (I think, I may have lost count) set of repeats in my Flower Basket Shawl. It’s looking fabulous, and I’m going to end up with quite a bit of extra yarn . . . gosh, isn’t that just dreadful? I wonder what I’ll do with it! (grin)

For my Union Square Market Pullover yarn dilemma, I’ve at least narrowed down the choices. I packed up and shipped back the Herrschners and KnitPicks yarns yesterday. There was nothing wrong with the actual yarn, mind you, but it wasn’t what I was looking for, and I decided it wasn’t needed in my stash, either. The Misti Alpaca laceweight, though, I kept. If the gauge is too small (which, let’s face it, it will be) I still love the color, love the yarn, and with the amount of lace I’ve been doing lately, I have no doubts that I’ll find something to do with it.

And in the meantime, I’ve ordered yet another yarn to try in this sweater: Rowan’s 4-ply Cashsoft. The gauge should be right on the money, and the color (Redwood, with Rose Lake) looks just about perfect for me, and if it’s as nice to work with as the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino . . . how could I complain? The price was good, too, only $7.95 a skein–that’s reasonable enough, wouldn’t you say? Okay, $2 more than the Dale Baby Ull, but I’ve heard wonderful things about the yarn and I am, of course, getting money back for the returns . . . (You have to realize that I hate making returns–once I’ve picked out and brought something to my home, I don’t want to let it go. So, actually sending back that yarn is a big step for me!)

This weekend, my 16-year old niece is coming for a visit. She, Mom, and I are going to the Papermill Playhouse on Saturday to see Ragtime, a show I saw on Broadway in 1998 and loved. It has one of the best musical scores I’ve heard in a long time, deeply moving, lyrical, incredible harmonies . . . really amazing, and I’m looking forward to seeing the show again. Tiffany’s never seen it, and the production is supposed to be excellent (styled more on the London theater version than the Broadway version, but that’s fine with me).

Sunday, my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew will be down to reclaim my niece, but also to celebrate Chappy’s birthday. Nothing big, mind you, but who can object to an excuse for the family to get together and eat cake? Which reminds me, I need to find time tomorrow to bake a cake.

And, of course, tomorrow I’ll start my reading of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. One more week until book 6 is out!

Incidentally, I drove past Nonna’s Yarn Cafe the other day and saw an “Open” sign in the window. That’s great and exciting, huh? But I’m trying very hard to be good and wait until the 23rd, when Risa, her twins, and I can all go together. It’s really just as well that I have plans for the weekend, huh?? I mean, she said she’d forgive me if I couldn’t wait that long, but I’m really trying!

And, an old Irish prayer to leave you with:

May God bless those who love us.

And for those who don’t love us, may God turn their hearts.

And for those whose hearts cannot be turned, may God turn their ankles so that we may know them by their limping.

Tags: Family, General, Knitting/Spinning // 2 Comments »