I got a good thing in the mail today–my copy of Stephanie‘s bookbookbook3, Knitting Rules.

Naturally, I’ve started it already. (You can just see the tip of my bookmark at the top of the photo.) And, I’m enjoying Stephanie’s unique take on knitting. Unlike her other two, this book seems to address actual knitting issues like what to carry in your knitting bag, and has some patterns, and there are a couple of helpful quizzes to help you place yourself in regard to other knitters.

For example, apparently I’m about Level 2 on the “addicted” scale. “Focused: The knitter now often “knits alone” and frequently allows her family to see her knitting. The ‘focused’ knitter may now be actively trying to recruit friends and family into her yarn lifestyle and has been seen purchasing yarn with no clear intentions, just because it is ‘soft’ or ‘on sale.’ This knitter may have several projects on the needles, and may actually be overwhelmed (occasionally and happily) with her own knitty plans. She still goes to bookstores and imagines herself putting down the knitting to read. (She doesn’t.)” Of course, this isn’t entirely true–I really do read. But I’m certainly past level 1 (Interested) but not yet at levels 3 or 4 (Preoccupied or Obsessed). Isn’t that good to know?

Meanwhile, I’ve added about 2″ to the second sleeve on my sweater. I haven’t touched my Peacock Stole in about a week–I haven’t been feeling well enough to concentrate on lace. I’m working on the ribbing to my socks, but they haven’t dramatically changed since last week’s update. Close to being done, but not quite there yet.

My health–and really, you’ve all been very kind to be so concerned, thank you–here’s today’s update. Feeling better, though tired. I took the afternoon off again and had a good nap before supper. I haven’t taken my temperature since yesterday . . . and, well, the last time I took it, the thermometer said 96.9–almost two degrees BELOW normal, which I’m pretty sure was not the case. But that immediately made me question every other temperature reading I took this weekend. Maybe the high was closer to 103 than to 101? Maybe none of the readings were accurate? Who’s to know? But anyway, it feels close enough to normal, that I haven’t bothered.

I didn’t want to push matters by taking Chappy for a walk–even though it was a lovely day for late March. I did let him romp in the backyard, though. This was the first time he’d been back there since the snow melted, and, well, it’s pretty filthy back there. We’ve been struggling to get grass back there for the last four years now, and what tiny bit made it through the winter apparently has a root system that doesn’t go beyond the top soil. Just pouncing on his tennis ball (currently coated in mud) tore up huge swaths of “grass.” (I put it in quotes because, really, it barely counts.) But I figured he deserved a treat, and lord, he was happy to be back there. His tail didn’t stop wagging.

Of course, I had to put him in the bathtub when he was done playing–all that running and lying in the dirt makes for really dirty floors and furniture, but he didn’t mind. He ran right upstairs and into the bathroom–he knew! And he needed the bath anyway, so, all’s good, and now he’s extra soft and fluffy (he needs a haircut, too), and snoozing in his crate, wrapped up in his towel–by himself–happy and content. And frankly, the snoring sounds awfully tempting . . . g’night!

Tags: Chappy, Family, General, Knitting/Spinning, Reading // 10 Comments »