Be Kind

Where does kindness come from?

If you know me, you may already know my answer, and you have probably already guessed that I have put zero "research" into my answer. I could argue that my life has been a study, full of research, as I've certainly run across my share of kind and unkind people in the last 5 decades. Here's what I have found:

Kindness comes from stepping out of yourself and seeing things from someone else's perspective. It's part of the "Do unto others..." plan of living. If someone is having a bad day, and you can see that they are having a bad day, kindness comes from the ability to imagine what you might need from the next person you meet if you were having a bad day. 

Kindness comes from empathy. When you take a moment to try and feel what the other person feels, or to even think about feeling that way, you may be better equipped to meet them in their moment. Whether the emotion is happiness or sorrow, joy or grief, anger or hope, empathy allows us to join our lives together and help bear the burdens of others. It's like helping someone pick up the emotional "groceries" that have just spilled out of their bags and onto the street.

Kindness comes from thinking ahead. I often have a quick answer at the ready...but many times, it is not the right answer. I am more kind when I go over those words in my head, before they fall out of my mouth, thinking carefully about whether or not they are words I would welcome. Notice an error, and you want to tell them about it (just to be helpful, of course)? Stop and think about how helpful it will be. Perhaps it doesn't need to be said. Especially when it cannot be reversed (time only moves forward)...it is not super helpful to know (or think that) everyone around you is judging your mistake.

Kindness, for me, comes from a place of love. If I know you, I'd probably like to like you. I'd like for you to feel loved, special, valued and even treasured. I love to watch people bloom when they are seen and heard. 

Think of the way most people treat young children. There is grace for the mistakes, gentle correction, loving guidance and shared joy at the victories. At heart, we all still want that. But, in a world where many have encountered the unkind far too often, some people have lost hope that kindness still exists. Let's work together to bring the hope back.

Let's be patient. Let's be kind. Let's persevere in our hope and trust, and let's invite people into kindness everywhere we go. After all, it only takes a moment to smile and be nice...and I usually have a moment. Don't you?

Thanks for stopping by, friends. I hope that today is a good day for you! If it is a struggle, I hope that you are met with small kindnesses along the way, a reflection of the kindness you share despite your current struggles.

Be kind, and Knit in Good Health. 

This...because it is a knitting blog, too!

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.    (Matthew 7:12)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.     (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Universal Truths

This week, I found that there are still things that are universally true. For example, if you grow a pretty flower, and you post a picture to Facebook, someone, somewhere will agree with you that the flower is pretty. Maybe someone else won't be impressed, but that's ok. This week, I got to "chat" with a friend in Japan who also loves the simple beauty of Morning Glory blooms!

Also, if you throw something sticky at the ceiling, it will stick to the ceiling. I guess I didn't realize how sticky this little kawaii squishy chicken was...until the three-year-old whipped it up to the ceiling with most of his strength! He thought it would bounce down hard, and we were both surprised that this chick just hung there for a rest! Hahaha!

Oh! And if one knits a green dinosaur, it will be universally accepted, without question. But, if one knits a rainbow dinosaur, well...there will be questions. This knitter doesn't care. Bring on the questions!

Does he like crunchy, cheese snacks? Well, did you see his yellow paws?

But watch out, he also likes coffee. Hey! Get away from there, Cheese-Paws!

Too late. Lol...

Oh, and if you go to the beach with kids, even if you don't plan to go into the water...

...those littles will find a way to be completely wet and covered in sand! 

(Both of the bigger boys looked like this, but that middle kid is too fast for my camera! And, if you're worried, the baby and I stayed off the sand. We were only covered in sweat...ha!)

Lastly, and perhaps the most universal truth I learned this week is this: If you ask a child who is drawing a "Pirate Map" whether there are sharks in the water, you will soon be singing Baby Shark while the mommies in the room roll their eyes! I did not take a picture of this moment, but if you are a parent...or a grandparent, an aunt or an uncle, or a child-care worker in any capacity...you know the truth of this one!

Hmmm, I can't explain it, but I have a sudden urge to knit a baby shark. Who'd a-thunk it?!? 

::Ummm, anyone who has ever known you, Pretty!::

Hahaha! That's right! I know that's right!!! <smacks leg, rolls over with laughter!> I don't think it's a universal truth, but it is a very truth-y truth, to be sure! 

There is one more truth I'd like to end with, and that is this: Most people, in most places, will respond to kindness with kindness. So be kind this week, friends! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Snow A-Plenty

Well, they said it would happen. We know that living in Northeast Ohio pretty much guarantees that we will see snow in winter, so we were prepared, pretty much planning to just stay home on Thursday. Still, when Wednesday wandered in, I wondered if the predicted snow had been blown out of proportion, as it sometimes is.

But I had a significant project to work on, and that kept my mind off the snow. Access to almost endless hot cocoa, paired with mindless garter stitches, kept me calm and carefree as the snow approached.

And even though it was calm and cozy inside from sunrise (top) to sunset (bottom),

the predicted snow came. It came, and it kept coming,

and coming, 

and coming, 

and coming!

We even got a little fresh powder overnight last night! It sure is pretty out there!

So pretty, and so cold! Good thing I have a fresh shipment of yarn, in all the colors, to keep me busy indoors! 

How are you staying warm today? If you are Pat and Don, you are just living your life...in Florida! (Hi Pat and Don!) But for those of you who live a little more north, like me, I hope you have yarn and warm treats to keep you toasty and occupied!

Before I go, may I share a bit of wisdom from a friend? Franklin posted this as part of a longer post, and I see so much wisdom in it that I wanted to pass it along (with his permission, of course): 

"Let people enjoy their moments of happiness, y'all. Let them have their little victories.

If they don't ask for notes, don't give them any. Don't suggest how they can do it better next time. Just let them have the moment." 

I share this, having been on both the advice giving and receiving end of those notes. I tend to always think that my advice is helpful...but when I get unsolicited, "helpful and corrective" advice after achieving a small victory, that's just annoying. I'm going to try hard to be better at not giving advice like that, and I am NOT going to tell you the best way to shovel your driveway, or knit your sweater, or cook your dinner today. I'm just going to be glad that you've cleared the drive for my visit, so we can knit and break bread together, and I hope that you will do the same. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

PS - Franklin and I are social media friends only. He lives faraway, I've never known him in a face-to-face way, and I am sure our opinions differ on many things. Still, I like him a bunch, and I think he is one cool cat! As with many of my online friends, I am glad that we are friends, even though I can't call him to borrow a cup of sugar. Shipping that sugar would surely be cost prohibitive anyway!

I Will Not Forget

Today marks 20 years since the 9/11 tragedy of 2001. Just yesterday, and a million years ago.

I remember where I was when I heard the news...driving to work on a normal Tuesday. Wait. What did Len Howser just say on the Christian radio? I worked in a church, and we spent the day watching the news, pivoting plans for Sunday and praying with people who just wandered in, not knowing where else to bring their grief and disbelief.

I work in a different church today, and as the realization of this anniversary dawned on me, I created this graphic for our Facebook page.

We will not forget. I will never forget what happened on this day 20 years ago, because it forever changed me. This American tragedy, felt around the world, changed all of us. 

One of the comforts on September 11, 2001 was that I was not alone in my grief. It was a burden to share, kind of like the grief we are all experiencing in our Covid world today. The big difference is the lack of a common enemy today. When terrorists fly commercial planes into prominent skyscrapers in the City That Never Sleeps, everyone knows that the enemy is the terrorists. Everyone. We were all agreed.

The enemies in this pandemic world are many and varied. Is the government/politician the enemy? Is the virus's country of origin the enemy? Is that guy, wearing a mask over there, an enemy? Is that lady, not wearing a mask, an enemy? These are just a few of the options, but the point stands. We do not know who to blame for the current state of unrest in our country, in our world...and our diverse opinions leave us divided. 

When we experience grief outside community, we miss out on comfort and healing. Grief is stunted when we go it alone. Think about traditions surrounding the loss of a loved one. The visitation, the funeral or celebration of life, the meal afterwards, the family gathering to go through that loved one's belongings, dispersing the treasures and sharing the memories...all of these are snapshots of community. The family community, loving each other and finding a way to move forward. The larger community of friends and associates, sharing condolences and validating the grief, so that we are free to feel it and move forward. 

How do we move forward without that community, without being seen and heard and comforted? Without seeing, hearing and comforting others around us, we cannot move forward within. How do we unite and move forward without a common enemy? 

The answer is easier than it seems: Focus not on the enemy, but instead on the friend, the neighbor, our sisters and brothers in humanity. The answer is kindness, grace and forgiveness. The answer is not dwelling on a hurt or a difference of opinion, but celebrating the ways we are the same as we make our way through this life. Just like we did 20 years ago, when we gathered in the places that comforted us and surrounded ourselves with loved ones. 

We may not have forgotten the tragedy of that Tuesday morning, but I fear that we have forgotten what brought us through our grief and made us stronger. Looking at our divided world today, I fear that we have forgotten that we are all human beings, just doing our best to cope and deal with the hand life has dealt us. We must not forget that.

As I reflect today, I am planning some time to still my soul. I will knit on one of my favorite projects, and I will remember that God knit me together in my mother's womb (Psalm 139:13), creating me in his image (Genesis 1:27) and calling me to do good things in his name, according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Among those good things is loving my neighbor (Mark 12:31), so I will continue to do that as well as I can.

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Where are you today? What are you doing to get through? 

Find your feelings. Find your tribe. Find your way...and remember that the greatest gift we have to share with one another is love. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health. 

Still recalibrating. :)

My Red Mittens

These are my red mittens. 

I love my red mittens, because I love their story. It starts with red yarn, received nearly nine years ago, part of a Christmas gift from a sweet friend that I love dearly. It continues as the yarn helps me write one of my first knitting patterns, Mittens With a Flap, and I knit it into those mittens. When I first received the skein, I knew almost immediately that it was destined to be mittens. And it did become mittens, and I love my red mittens! I love them so much that I take them outside in the cold, gray rain to take their photo. Then I post the pictures on all manner of social media. I want everyone to have a pair of red mittens to love!

My red mittens, though I love them, they are not perfect. They have seen some life, some wear and tear, and they have been repaired a time or two. I have even re-knit the thumbs into a turtle-neck style, so I can have my opposable digits free for texting if I like. Truth be told, the thumbs have sustained the majority of the repetitive stress injuries, and I keep wearing through them as the steering wheel slips through my hands at every turn. Each winter, I go in search of the last bits of this yarn to repair the thumbs. Usually I find it.

A couple of years ago, I could not find the yarn. My thumbs were actually in good shape, but there was a place on the right palm that was nearly worn through. I did the only thing I could do. I repaired it with the first yarn I found, and made plans to re-do the repair when I located the red yarn. 

Eventually, I did find the yarn again, but I never have redone the repair. Could be lazy-knitter syndrome...but as I pulled out my red mittens yesterday for their first drive of the year, I once again looked at that repair, and I don't think lazy is a factor. I actually think that I prefer them just as they are, even with this very visible flaw. My mittens, you know, are not the only part of me that is flawed...and I like me pretty well, flaws and all.

I am squishy in places that should not be squishy. My hair does not dance in the wind, shining with the vibrance of youth. One of my front teeth was chipped pretty good, and it has a visible repair that is just "out there" every time I smile. There is a sizeable scar at my left hip, where another repair was made, and the fingers of my left hand are not as straight as they should be. Like my mittens, my patience wears thin from time to time, as I let this life full of imperfect people slip through my fingers. As it turns out, I am not the only one who is flawed. Still, there is something to be loved in each of us, just like my red mittens.

When I wear my red mittens, I remember that I am a smart and talented woman who can knit and write knitting patterns for other knitters to enjoy. I remember that I am loved by my friends and family, and I am liked by knitters I have never met in person. When I wear my red mittens, I remember that I am vibrant and I have a lot of life left in me. I look forward to the warmth I receive and offer to those around me. I remember, and I am thankful for all of those things. My life is good, and my red mittens are just one tiny reminder, especially on the cold, wet, yucky days that come around.

When frost chills me to the bone, physically or emotionally, I can always reach for my red mittens and what they represent to me - love, kindness, joy and comfort. I'll say it again here: Everyone should have a pair of red mittens.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Three Stages of Bacon

This morning, after preparing a pomegranate for my sweet hubby, I decided to also make the bacon that has been in the fridge for a couple weeks. You see, I have had a rough week, and I am sure that he has put up with more bad attitude than normal. I feel really bad about that, and I wanted to make it up to him a little...so, today is a bacon day.

As the bacon was sizzling, and I was doing my best to not let it burn (no judgement, please...bacon is tricky), I started to think about the three stages of bacon. 

Bacon in the package does not do anything for me. I see the bacon, but cannot smell it. I think about the mess it will make if I cook it, and I move on. Cold bacon is slimy and a little bit icky even. Bacon in the package is inert to me.

Bacon in the pan, however, affects me. The smell, the sizzle, the sight of the fat browning slowly...bacon in the pan gives me a shiver. Bacon in the pan is just a little bit dangerous. Not too scary, but it will burn you if you are not careful. Bacon in the pan makes me stand up and take notice of life as I look forward to its salty goodness!

Bacon on the plate is comforting. Still a little bit dangerous (if you eat all the bacon, every time...well, heart attack!) but definitely not as dangerous as the bacon in the pan. You know it is going to be good, even if it is a little bit overcooked! Bacon on the plate will not make anything catch fire, in the literal sense, but it lights a fire under Sweetie on a Saturday morning!

In the end, leftover bacon on the plate goes back to the fridge, where I often forget about it. Chilled bacon is just as yummy as hot bacon, especially in a good salad. Even so, for me bacon in the fridge is once again inert and forgettable.

All this thinking about bacon got me to thinking about life. It's like that for everyone, right? (Lie to me. I need to not be alone in this. Bacon is pretty big in my life.)

So right, bacon is like life. Where am I in my bacon life? Am I bacon in the package? in the pan? on the plate? Well, I know where I would like to be.

I want to be a little bit dangerous while affecting the people around me in a good way...not by burning them. I want to sizzle and smell good and brown evenly. I hope my friendships carry the aroma of encouraging words and acts of kindness. When I am really cooking in a room, I would like people to look forward to spending time with me, without worrying about the fat splatters. Someday I will be safely on the plate, or in the fridge, where the mess will not matter that much anyway.

Sure, some days I will be icky, raw bacon in the package. That is where I have been most of this week. Cranky Pretty has tried to keep it to herself, for the most part, and be inert. It has been difficult, and she has not always succeeded, which is why we had a bacon day. There was so much napping in the package!

One day, I will be bacon on the plate, or in the fridge. I will be silenced, either figuratively or literally, because nobody lives forever on this earth. What will my legacy be? Will people continue to go on, changed by the bacon stages of our lives and how they intertwined, or will they forget all about me?

I suppose it does not really matter...ashes to ashes, bacon to bacon bits, and all that jazz. But while I am here, I will keep trying to sizzle and shake things up a little, looking forward to life. How about you?

Oh, and I will knit. Mental note: keep the yarn away from the bacon...unless you want bacon-scented knits...not necessarily a bad thing...lol!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!