Grounded

No Cedar Point for me these last few days...because of both air quality (these are screen shots from a couple of the CP live video cams on 7/16; we are praying for those up north who are way closer to the relentless smoke than this...)

and because I had a steroid shot to a tendon in that sore hip on Thursday, so I needed to rest 24-48. Grounded, medically...adulting is fun! 😜 Ultimately, I am glad that these things lined up, because I would have been sad if I couldn't go to the park and the weather was beautiful! Still I did get some knitting, done, including casting on for a test knit!

I'll only need 2 or three of these contrast colors to go with, but other than the pink, I'm not yet sure what else will be making it's appearance in the final project...

Also, after the girlies left, I officially finished and blocked that sweater (Yay! No more Sleeve Island!) Pictures of me wearing the blocked sweater will be coming soon, I hope!

This week has been an emotional one, so I am glad for the garter stitch bottom of that test knit, to help regulate me. Saying good-bye to the visiting granddaughters, having medical stuff, and the sudden loss of a good friend have me feeling raw. None of it is super bad, but some was certainly unforeseen, and I often have trouble turning corners on the pivot. 

I went to my hip doc on Tuesday for a follow up, since the back surgery didn't seem very effective at relieving the hip pain, and he referred me for the injection. I expected that would come in a few weeks, but there was a cancellation, so I jumped on it. Won't know for a week or so how effective it will be, but my fingers are certainly crossed! 

The biggest feels I have felt this week, though, have followed the sudden passing of a good friend and mentor on Monday. My sweet friend had a massive stroke on Saturday, following a big family event, where I hear that she enjoyed herself immensely! The two are not related, and I might find the association tragic, except that I know her...and I know that she left with her eyes on Jesus, praise God! 

Before she died, she danced at a wedding and held her newest great-grandchild...and I think we could all wish for exit-prep as lovely as that. Hugs and love, cake and dancing, then celebrating with Jesus and all those who have gone before her...yes, lovely.

This is where it hits me in the feels: 

• I can never have coffee or lunch or dinner with Bobbie again, here on earth.
• I will never again hear her laugh, here on earth.
• I will never again get a card in the mail from Bobbie, like this last one she sent after my surgery. 

This is where I review the reasons my feelings, while valid, are not the most important thing:

• Bobbie is HOME in heaven, where she has planned to be for most of her life.
• Bobbie is at the feet of Jesus, worshiping and praising God with the angels and all who have gone before her, and one day I will be there, too. 
• Unlike earth, God has promised that there are no tears, no pain and no suffering in heaven.
• God sent his Son, Jesus, so that all have the opportunity to follow Him and one day live with Him forever in heaven...regardless of anything that has happened before. Jesus has willingly taken our sin on Himself to make a way, because there is no other way, as John 3:16 proclaims. 

I suddenly realize that I have grown into a grandma (complete with grandma hobbies, like knitting, right? Look! Another pig!)

I've graduated out of the "mostly weddings and babies" season of my life into the "mostly reunions and funerals" season. All of those life[ events involve family, friends, joy and love. The latter season often doesn't look quite as joyful, especially when I am unsure of a loved one's heart condition. And, although I cannot know anyone's heart as God does, I believe that He keeps making that offer of Jesus until our final breath. 

No pressure here, but I do want to say that I hope you have found Jesus already in your life. The Christian life, here on earth, is not always better or smoother...but it changes your perspective, in the view of eternal life (eventually) with Jesus. If you have questions, I'd love to have a conversation, because I'd like to see you in heaven with me someday. 

If you're not ready, I get that too. We can certainly still be friends, and I will keep loving you. But it does make me a little sad to know that I may not see you in heaven, and you may never see Jesus up close and personal. Again, no pressure. What I want and feel is not the most important thing. 

If you're still reading, thanks for letting me say my piece. I am glad that you are here, and I hope we have many years to be online and/or "in real life" friends, whether you knit or not. The world is full of wonderful people, and I count you among them.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Not the best photo, but
can't you feel the joy? 

Hotel Coffee

As I sit in the lobby of my third hotel in a month, sipping coffee

and knitting, 

I am reminded of several things:

1. Sleeve Island can feel like a lonely place. 
2. Hotel lobbies are fun, with so many people to watch as the sun comes up! 
3. I am blessed to be living a life that affords me the luxury of a hotel stay, knitting retreats and special times with granddaughters that live far, far away.

Regarding Sleeve Island, I should be close to the mainland by the end of the day, since we have an 8-hour drive ahead of us. (By the time this post goes live, we should be close to home!)

Regarding hotel coffee and lobbies, well...I'm thankful, but I'll be glad to return to my own sofa and Keurig very soon. 

Regarding those beautiful girlies, I'll miss them, and I'm so glad that we've made new memories at the zoo with cousins, 

at the movies with cousins, 

at Cedar Point with cousins and friends, 

and at Aunt Jess's annual 4th of July party with all the fun! 

Yes,  she has her temps. 
No, it was not that scary, Aunt Jess!

You'll see by the photos that these beauties are in their middle years, and I don't want to give the false impression that it's been totally smooth sailing for the whole 10 days...suffice it to say that there have been both highs and lows. Lucky for us, we have ended on a high note, and I'm hopeful that the girls would agree that there was more fun than frustration at Gramma and Pop Pop's house...especcially with all the Guess the Gibberish we played! (Not sponsored, but a great game for ages 12+!)

Looking forward to my own bed tonight, but still basking in the glow of a mostly great visit. 🙂 Here's hoping that all of you are also making good, summer memories that will last you through whatever comes next in your life. 🌞 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Overall, the coffee was good. 😋

Saturday, in the Park...?

...I think it was the Fourth of July. Well, God bless America...with memories of today that song can be true! It will be a busy holiday for us, with the big party at Jess's new house, so I thought I'd knock out a quick post before the fun starts. Wait, to be clear, the fun has already started...

The girls have come for a visit, and we've had fruit by the foot contests with cousins (and Aunt Jess), 

crafts,

and dinners out...

All after an epic road trip to Nashville to pick them up. So fun!

Today we party, and the rest of the week we make sure they see all the loved ones they can fit into an 8-day visit (plus two days of driving)...

...and I will sleep sometime after the 12th! Until then, we will party on, Garth...

with hamburger cookies!

No knitting today, but I am almost to the lace on my cardigan,

and I finished the second pair of fingerless mitts on the drive, so yay!

I hope your day is good, and that any fireworks you see will blow your mind (and not take off your fingers). Happy birthday, America!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Zombie What-pocalypse?

Once upon a time (in the last few days), in a land far, far away (The Land of 10,000 Lakes, aka Minnesota), a few knitting zombies meet up for a fun time...

Zombie Knitpocalypse 2026

There were friends 

(including 3, count 'em, three Pams!), 

and food, 

and fun (sometimes in our jammies!),

and don't forget the ducks! 

I hid 30 ducks total!

Duck-a-Luck and I spent our time working on projects chosen just for this event. Duck cast on a sweater, 

and I cast on these fingerless mutts.

I could have cast on a sweater, too...but I was hoping to ring the "Finished" gong this year, so I chose a smaller project. Gong, I'm coming for you before closing ceremonies tonight! 

As you'll see by the photos, we all are having a great time! From our fabulous meals together, 

to the Pajama Party on Thursday 

and a 5K walk/run Friday morning.

There were also two fantastic, Friday evening keynote speakers (hey, hey Park and Jessie!, you both are so much fun!), we all just laughed together until our tummies hurt and knit as much as we could. 

This morning, Duck and I shopped with almost 200 of our favorite friends...because we all need more yarn, right?!? 

(Settle down, Spouses. You don't really get a vote here. Lol...)

Closing Ceremonies are still to come, followed closely by a great, big group of midwest farewells that go on forever, ubetcha...so I'm gonna close here. But before I do, I'd like to encourage all of my friends to find your tribe. (Even Duck has a newly found, fowl friend, thank you Ingrid!)

 

Knitters are my tribe, and I am so glad I started coming to Minnesota 6 years ago to celebrate craft and a community of (sometimes matching) friendship at the annual Zombie Knitpocolypse.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

PS - Thank you to Amy (also known as jknitma) and Megan (also known as justrunknit) for all the work you put into this event and our online community, amd thank you Zombies, vendors and friends! I'm so glad to be part of your tribe!