1. Apparently, I can't blog twice a week.
2. That means that either I have a dull life, or a very busy life.
3. I prefer to think the latter, but I suspect the former.
4. Knitting is going well - or it would be if I would sit down and actually do some.
5. A ten hour car ride surprisingly, lets you get a lot of knitting done.
6. But you don't see much scenery (I completely lost Roger's Pass on our way to Vancouver last week. Didn't realize we had passed it until we were in Revelstoke.)
7. Sometimes I worry about my lack of geographical awareness. But then I wasn't driving.
8. Running at sea level totally makes a difference.
9. I suspect the difference would wear off if I moved there.
10. No-one does pomp and circumstance like the British. It makes me want to move there and celebrate a royal wedding.
11. Second best option was a wedding brunch with my book club (and other assorted, interested parties).
12. Thank goodness for the technology known as a PVR. Makes getting up at 5:00 a.m. (instead of 2:00 a.m.) totally bearable.
13. Our daughter came home this week for the summer (hooray!!).
14. She couldn't get up for the wedding, even though she was still on an east coast time zone.
15. There is a new yarn store opening in Calgary.
16. Pehaps my daughter will go with me this weekend.
17. Not that I need any more yarn.
18. But she might.
19. In any case, it would give me something to blog about.
20. Does that reinforce dull or just rather pathetic?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
On the road again (stay with me - it's about knitting and running!)
So I start the marathon course again on Monday. I didn't have to register again for it - I am fine with running by myself and there are any number of training programs on line that would see me through to the finish line. There are likely on-line groups that would give me the encouragement that I currently get from the people that I run with.
But I am wayyyy better with this structure and group. I have a New!! Fresh!! focus to my running. I even think I can do a wee bit better time by being part of this group (we're not talking Boston qualifying, just my own PB). The program is based on 4 runs a week - 2 coached and 2 solo. And after one run there is a lecture. I took in some of the lecture material last year, but I am really looking forward to hearing it in the context of my own experience - maybe it will allow me to make some changes and "tweak" my runs. If not, well, then I know I can forge ahead next year without the benefit of the program.
This morning, in my post-run coffee, one of the women said she had never seen a pair of hand-knit socks - ever. I was a little surprised - although if you didn't grow up with knitting relatives and your parents are younger than mine, I guess it makes sense. So I will take a pair for her to see. But it got me thinking about running and knitting.
One is a sport and one is not (the Knitting Olympics aside), but they both involve doing something that brings you personal pride. And it is something that can't be taken away from you. I will always have that experience of crossing the finish line, just as I will always have the skill of knitting something original (because every knitted item is an original). And sometimes my knitting makes me want to cry (like when I can't get gauge. Or I notice a wee tiny mistake, 9 inches before the point where I am currently at). And my running is tear-invoking too (like when every step gives me pain - and I mean the mental kind, not the physical). And there is the thing about taking a run and turning it into a race. Or taking some yarn and turning it into socks.
People who don't knit think you are crazy for knitting something that can be bought at Zellers for two bucks. And people who don't run, think you are nuts for running, never mind running a marathon. Those who do only one likely respect the person who only does the other (and vice versa) because they get where the other person is coming from. It's personal pride and the sense of completion. And those of us who do both? Likely a little nuts - but also likely a little calmer and more fit than the general population (in my opinion).
Then I clicked on this month's issue of Twist Collective - and there is an article that celebrates the kntting runner (or perhaps the running knitter) - and she says it much better than I do. So go on and click on the link - and then if you are like me, go put on your shoes and go out and celebrate the aliveness of running. Or pick up your needles and celebrate the creativity of knitting. Just (as Nike says) do it!!
But I am wayyyy better with this structure and group. I have a New!! Fresh!! focus to my running. I even think I can do a wee bit better time by being part of this group (we're not talking Boston qualifying, just my own PB). The program is based on 4 runs a week - 2 coached and 2 solo. And after one run there is a lecture. I took in some of the lecture material last year, but I am really looking forward to hearing it in the context of my own experience - maybe it will allow me to make some changes and "tweak" my runs. If not, well, then I know I can forge ahead next year without the benefit of the program.
This morning, in my post-run coffee, one of the women said she had never seen a pair of hand-knit socks - ever. I was a little surprised - although if you didn't grow up with knitting relatives and your parents are younger than mine, I guess it makes sense. So I will take a pair for her to see. But it got me thinking about running and knitting.
One is a sport and one is not (the Knitting Olympics aside), but they both involve doing something that brings you personal pride. And it is something that can't be taken away from you. I will always have that experience of crossing the finish line, just as I will always have the skill of knitting something original (because every knitted item is an original). And sometimes my knitting makes me want to cry (like when I can't get gauge. Or I notice a wee tiny mistake, 9 inches before the point where I am currently at). And my running is tear-invoking too (like when every step gives me pain - and I mean the mental kind, not the physical). And there is the thing about taking a run and turning it into a race. Or taking some yarn and turning it into socks.
People who don't knit think you are crazy for knitting something that can be bought at Zellers for two bucks. And people who don't run, think you are nuts for running, never mind running a marathon. Those who do only one likely respect the person who only does the other (and vice versa) because they get where the other person is coming from. It's personal pride and the sense of completion. And those of us who do both? Likely a little nuts - but also likely a little calmer and more fit than the general population (in my opinion).
Then I clicked on this month's issue of Twist Collective - and there is an article that celebrates the kntting runner (or perhaps the running knitter) - and she says it much better than I do. So go on and click on the link - and then if you are like me, go put on your shoes and go out and celebrate the aliveness of running. Or pick up your needles and celebrate the creativity of knitting. Just (as Nike says) do it!!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Today's To-Do List
1. Finish the tile project I am working on with Karen.
2. Have lunch with Nancy.
3. Cruise the new section of Chinook Mall (they just opened an "Anthropologie"....)
4. Run with Brandee and Maureen.
5. Hang laundry on line (spring-time - gotta dry those sheets outside!!)
6. Watch the Flames win (or lose, as the case may be).
7. Finish the gusset on my sock.
8. STRETCH after running.
This is not a typical day - because I usually work on Wednesdays at the school library. But it is spring break - which gives me a rare day to do what I want (Well, except fornag remind the boys about their chores. Because they really like that.)
2. Have lunch with Nancy.
3. Cruise the new section of Chinook Mall (they just opened an "Anthropologie"....)
4. Run with Brandee and Maureen.
5. Hang laundry on line (spring-time - gotta dry those sheets outside!!)
6. Watch the Flames win (or lose, as the case may be).
7. Finish the gusset on my sock.
8. STRETCH after running.
This is not a typical day - because I usually work on Wednesdays at the school library. But it is spring break - which gives me a rare day to do what I want (Well, except for
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Favourite foods
I like lots of different food - and I go in and out of love with some - but today's favourites are:
1. Really good chocolate
2. Home-made pasta (lucky I have a husband that makes it)
3. Prime rib - done rare.
4. Anything with lemon in it.
5. Home-made cookies - as long as they don't have raisins in them (yuck!)
6. Oddly enough - butter tarts -with lots of raisins. I know. It doesn't make sense.
7. Caesar salad with home-made croutons and lots of garlic - with a grilled chicken breast tossed in.
8. Gelato - especially lemon and grapefruit
9. Home-made cupcakes - with a touch of icing on them.
Love coffee and red wine - but they aren't really foods per se.
1. Really good chocolate
2. Home-made pasta (lucky I have a husband that makes it)
3. Prime rib - done rare.
4. Anything with lemon in it.
5. Home-made cookies - as long as they don't have raisins in them (yuck!)
6. Oddly enough - butter tarts -with lots of raisins. I know. It doesn't make sense.
7. Caesar salad with home-made croutons and lots of garlic - with a grilled chicken breast tossed in.
8. Gelato - especially lemon and grapefruit
9. Home-made cupcakes - with a touch of icing on them.
Love coffee and red wine - but they aren't really foods per se.
Vacations to take
Vacations I have taken - and would take again (I know - it's a sub-list of the list)
1. New York City - so much to do, so much to see....
2. Anywhere in Nova Scotia
3. Boston
4. Vancouver - never get tired of it - OK, except for the rain, I never get tired of it.
5. Seattle (and I get to go again in June!!)
6. Rib Lake - this is the family cottage - off the grid and out of the big city.
7. Montreal
8. Florence, Italy
9. London, England
10. Scotland (anywhere)
11. Mexico
Ones I want to take:
1. Chicago
2. Rhode Island (it has some sort of appeal for me)
3. Ireland
4. Greece (the islands)
5. France
6. Holland
1. New York City - so much to do, so much to see....
2. Anywhere in Nova Scotia
3. Boston
4. Vancouver - never get tired of it - OK, except for the rain, I never get tired of it.
5. Seattle (and I get to go again in June!!)
6. Rib Lake - this is the family cottage - off the grid and out of the big city.
7. Montreal
8. Florence, Italy
9. London, England
10. Scotland (anywhere)
11. Mexico
Ones I want to take:
1. Chicago
2. Rhode Island (it has some sort of appeal for me)
3. Ireland
4. Greece (the islands)
5. France
6. Holland
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Things I've learned
1. Time is never wasted when you are reading.
2. Picking the baby up when she is crying really is important.
3. There is no substitute for being with your kids - even when they say they don't need you.
4. The food police won't get you if you serve cereal for dinner occasionally.
5. Sometime people who say they are Christian - really aren't.
6. Stuff lasts if you buy quality instead of quantity.
7. Good quality chocolate really is better for you.
8. There is no such thing as too much wool or too many books.
9. Spending time in a service job (like waitressing or clerking)gives you better perspective when you are the one being served.
10. People don't always want to hear the truth - even when they say they do.
11. Saying no (especially when you want to say yes) is hard.
12. Staying best friends is not always realistic.
2. Picking the baby up when she is crying really is important.
3. There is no substitute for being with your kids - even when they say they don't need you.
4. The food police won't get you if you serve cereal for dinner occasionally.
5. Sometime people who say they are Christian - really aren't.
6. Stuff lasts if you buy quality instead of quantity.
7. Good quality chocolate really is better for you.
8. There is no such thing as too much wool or too many books.
9. Spending time in a service job (like waitressing or clerking)gives you better perspective when you are the one being served.
10. People don't always want to hear the truth - even when they say they do.
11. Saying no (especially when you want to say yes) is hard.
12. Staying best friends is not always realistic.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Books I want to read this year
1. All of my book club books (because sometimes I don't) and they are:
Wolf Hall (Got it started, found it...tough)
2. Let the great world spin (halfway through)
3. The help (LOVED IT)
4. The Lacuna - not yet
5. River thieves - forgettable
6. The little book - again half way through
7. Piano teacher - half way through
8. Red leaves - just started
9. The slap - May, so not yet
10. Bishop's man - not yet
11. The given day - not yet
And these are just the books to the end of June 2011. We pick the next year's in late June, so there will be more!
12. Long song
13. Moby Duck
14. Little Bee
15. Faithful place
16. Brooklyn
17. Dark Fire
18. All the Newbery and Caldecott winners (children's lit). The Caldecott are easy - they are picture books - but it is SUCH fun.
And the many more books by my bed, too many to note.
Gotta go read, but before I do, I love this post (it was also on the 30 days of lists blog).
Wolf Hall (Got it started, found it...tough)
2. Let the great world spin (halfway through)
3. The help (LOVED IT)
4. The Lacuna - not yet
5. River thieves - forgettable
6. The little book - again half way through
7. Piano teacher - half way through
8. Red leaves - just started
9. The slap - May, so not yet
10. Bishop's man - not yet
11. The given day - not yet
And these are just the books to the end of June 2011. We pick the next year's in late June, so there will be more!
12. Long song
13. Moby Duck
14. Little Bee
15. Faithful place
16. Brooklyn
17. Dark Fire
18. All the Newbery and Caldecott winners (children's lit). The Caldecott are easy - they are picture books - but it is SUCH fun.
And the many more books by my bed, too many to note.
Gotta go read, but before I do, I love this post (it was also on the 30 days of lists blog).
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