Signs of spring

Much has happened since my last posting.  The best:  the Sunflowers and I went to Colorado on spring retreat for four nights.  It is a truly special event for us in many ways...best being that we actually get to be together, other than a day at work or at a staff meeting, and just relax.  Lots of time is always spent on planning knitting projects (of course), and this retreat was no exception.

My primary project was a shawl using Malabrigo Merino (worsted weight).  It is still on the blocking board but a picture will manifest soon.  It was the perfect relaxation tool.  Knit from corner to corner, colors are changed at random, and the final icing on the cake is a very frilly ruffle...it is a shawl meant to cover your shoulders only.  So here's the scene on retreat:  I cast on the first stitches, girding myself for battle...you know, the one where you try to control the colors, plotting who goes first, next, etc...and Monte offers that if I was really free, I'd just let my hand select colors from my knitting basket without looking, a la Kaffe Fassett.  Well, I'm here to tell you, if you have a control streak, this is not as easy as it sounds.  Regular groans emanated from my mouth as yet another odd color combination was formed by this technique, and I was sure I was creating something only my cats would consider using (so much for relaxing).  You know the ending...it turned out fabulous, I love it, but guess what?  I have enough of all those colors leftover, I'm going to make my "controlled" shawl, and compare the two (she just can't let it go).

My return from Easter break brought the news that one of our beloved dogs was sporting a rather large lump on his leg.  Several consultations, many pain pills, and four weeks later found us having him put down this past week.  I am loathe to offer news like this, but it explains (in no small part) my absence here and will help you understand my double joy at what spring has brought us.

These little guys came into our lives two weeks ago.  They are, from left to right:  Yoda, Leo and Shermie Jr.  Shermie Sr. is a feral cat we've been feeding and loving and we suspect he's at least partially responsible for this crew.  They've brought us all pure joy...going to work each day, so their many aunties can help feed them, and for me, bottle feeding at night, when I wanted to fall apart over Behr's impending passing but wouldn't let him see my pain.  I am pleased to announce that two of them have already found great homes as pampered indoor cats, and the feline rescue lady assures me orange tabbies are at a premium in Taos and will be most popular.  I don't need to tell you the temptation of keeping one, but alas, with three cats and (now) one dog, I have vowed to practice herd management.

I'll leave you with some last shots of Connie and Joan, hard at work....Martie
                                                                        




And P.S.:  Rumor has it that Joan is taking this little guy home.  She has aptly named him "Yoda-Man", because he looks like Yoda while taking his bottle...his little ears flatten sideways and start cranking!