Memories

I suspect this is going to be a ramble. So many thoughts going thru my head on the way home. I will try to get them in order.

I am a 70 y/o widow. My husband of 40 years died in Jan. of 2000 when he was only 61 y/o.

Today I received a phone call from a long time friend (I dated him in high school.) He was the last fellow I dated before my intended came along. I say "intended" because my dad ran almost all the other fellows away and let my future husband stay. Dad DIDN'T run the last fellow away, my future just appeared and as the old saying goes, "...and that's all she wrote!" It was a done deal.

Anyway, Bill, the long time friend who called today (he and I enjoy each others company when we are in the same state, he lives in N. Calif. and I in Southern, VERY SOUTHERN, AZ) called to tell me a man (another fellow I dated in high school) died last Sunday. I looked that old "boyfriend" up on the computer and read his obituary and also remembered another fellow I dated, looked him up and found that he had died also.

After that, I decided that I didn't want to stay home for the rest of the evening. I don't believe I was indulging/muddling in sad memories, I seldom, in my whole life have ever gotten depressed. I simply decided that instead of staying home, I would go out and celebrate life. Mine. I once, after my husband died, was feeling very sorry for myself and was looking in God's word for comfort. I found comfort in the following verses in Psalms.

Psalms 116
I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. The I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!" The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. the Lord protect THE SIMPLEHEARTED; (ME) when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. NIV

Now, even though I am not a good Bible student, I know that there are different meanings to the above words that were, perhaps, not intended for MY need but, I went out tonight and CELEBRATED LIFE!

For knitters only.

Becky (only the middle child, sigh.....as she is fond of saying) agreed to model this jacket and scarf/neckwarmer, VERY BREIFLY, (it was a great favor considering that it was close to 100 degrees outside). On, off, very quickly.

I thought I would make another jacket in a different color right after I finished this one because it came together so quickly but...my thumb, clear up my wrist is still suffering from over work. The jacket is made with four strands of yarn throughout. Hard work. I tend to knit much looser than everyone else, including what the pattern directions call for. This jacket called for size 17 needles so (after checking the gauge once again, I HAVE LEARNED THE HARD WAY TO ALWAYS CHECK THE GAUGE) I once again had to choose needles two sizes smaller than the pattern called for.

I was very unhappy with the collar. (If you look closely you can see the collar, it is white and lays under the scarf) It rolled from the edge toward the neck. Very unattractive. I took it out twice and finally decided to ignore the directions. I knitted the last 3-4 rows in a size 17 needle and in a garter stitch and I WON! Now it stays where it is supposed to stay. The sleeves are also too short for the size so I believe I will knit mittens or gloves in the blue with long cuffs to cover the wrist. I might even knit the jacket again when my hands are rested. It is great fun to see what I can get out of my stash and not have to go to the store or order online for the project.

The jacket continues on down below and ends in all blue just as the sleeves end in blue. It should be pretty warm for the one who enjoys receiving surprises in the mail. Hummm. I wonder who that will be?