2017 Goal Roundup--Readingwise

I finished a couple of books and e-books in the last couple days.  One was even part of my reading goals for the year.

The e-book Mother Teresa (Revised Edition): An Authorized Biography was started just a bit last year and I finally finished it Sunday.  So that is one of my non-fiction list that I can cross off.  I also caught up to the December 2016 National Geographic in my Zinio account.  Considering that at one time I was almosr a year behind, that is some progress.

Of course I have also finished two fiction books since the middle of last week.  I mentioned when I set my goals that the fiction would take care of itself.

I usually give up reading fiction during Lent.  It is a way of fasting from frivolous thoughts.  This year, I am considering a more serious spiritual reading plan.  It involves reading scripture as well as a plan for spiritual reading that builds as you go along.  I'm not sure if I want to tackle it for Lent, or  wait till later, but I have all the recommended books lined up.

 

Of course you can't really read your way into heaven, but just like Community Bible Study, it will build the foundation of knowledge to help me share my faith with others.  As the back cover says, "Spiritual reading arms us for battle."  Having a preplanned, progressive plan will help me read with a purpose.

And I can still return to my fiction and mysteries after Lent.

Idle Thoughts While Sitting in the Doctor's Office

So there I was today, sitting in the doctors' office merrily knitting away.

 

That is the Graceful Harvest Cardigan for my oldest granddaughter.  I am still in the bottom garter stitch border, but it is growing.  I need my NASCAR back, with my quality knitting time.

I was there to see if my sore stuffed up ear was infected, and if it would prevent my upcoming colonoscopy.  It wasn't infected and won't prevent the afore mentioned procedure. (Darn.). But I was advised there was some wax and also a bit of fluid built up.  I was told what to do to drain the ear and sent on my way,

But before getting my medical prognosis, as I knit I was studying the wall graphics.  Obviously this room is used with children and there was an alphabet  around the top of the room, as well as other child friendly decor.  

But it was the alphabet that gave me pause,  especially the G and K.

 

Do you see the problem?  G for Gnome and K for Knight.  Both of which are silent in those words!  Instead of being fancy, they should have stuck with Goat and Kangaroo.

An idle mind is a dangerous thing when it thinks too much.

Returns

While change can be good, (in my opinions, that's a so-so thing) sometimes returning to the old stuff is ok too.  That said, it was great to return to the wide world web yesterday.  The technicians were so helpful in making sure I was fully back in service.  They replaced both the antenna and my router.  Best of all, they were giving me a month's credit, which will help pay for the new router.

Needles to say I was busy for quite a while, what with 5 days of emails, blogs I follow and a bit of Facebook to catch-up on.

Earlier yesterday though I had to dig out an old friend.  A friend I didn't want to return to.

 

That's right. The return of the cane.  The icy deposits did me in early yesterday.  While leaving to go to pick up Younger Son from work, at 5:30 am, I carefully avoided stepping on the frozen puddle at the bottom of the steps.  The sand Hubby had sprinkled on it was deep in the water.  So, as I often do, I stepped on the grass next to the puddle.....and promptly tried to fall.  I managed to catch myself, but in the process, twisted my knee, rather painfully.  It works, but I need to go gingerly on it.  

It is  feeling much better today.  But as long as I keep my cane handy, I can remember to go slowly.  Now I just need to remember not to turn too quickly.

With the return of my Internet, as well as my cane, I have been not getting much more done.  I do have a finished object to share, but I think I will wait until tomorrow to reveal that.

A Few More Goals

Obviously most of my goals for this year were all about knitting.  And I almost have the Turquoise Sockhead hat to the point of decreasing.  A nice soak and blocking will soon be all that remains on that project.

However, I have set myself some goals regarding my reading habits.  

I want to track my reading this year.  I tried a regular form reading journal last year.  It was too formal and time consuming and was soon abandoned.  This year, I am just recording the name of each book read in my bullet journal, adding new sections after later months if need be..

I am also recording the genre and date finished, as well if the book was electronic or paper.

I have no trouble choosing fiction to read, even if they are heavy on mysteries.  I didn't set any specific fiction goals this year.  However I did set a few other goals.

Classics:

• A "new to me" classic that I have either never read, or at least never managed to finish.  I don't plan on wading through "Bleak House" or "War and Peace" ( they are HUGE!). But perhaps "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Bronte.  I've never gotten more than half way on that.  Or perhaps something else. I have a bunch of hard copies, as well as e-copies of most of the Barnes & Noble Classics on my Nook app.
• I want to re-read at least one favorite classic.  I'm thinking Jane Austen, either "Emma" or Sense and Sensibility" at the moment. It's been a while for both of them.

Non-Fiction:

• I want to read several books to help me on my faith walk, already in my library and/or wish list.
• I would like to read a couple biographies.  I am in the middle of one on Mother Teresa of Calcutta that is inspiring and fascinating all at once.  

In my general reading, I would like to catch up on my reading my magazines.  I have e-versions of several, most notably National Geographic.  I am about seven months behind on those alone and would like to be only a month or two behind at the most.  Then maybe I can start on my back issues of Smithsonian.

 

In case you wonder why I read mostly electronic editions of magazines as well as books, the answer is that they are so easy to read while knitting.  It only takes a flick of a finger to turn a page.  And then they stay turned.  Paper books and magazines aren't nearly so conducive to knitting ease.

Preparing for 2017

I am not a fan of resolutions, but goals I can live with.  They have a more "squishy" quality and I don't feel as bad if I don't meet them.  I've started working on my new ones and I've broken my goals down into two main areas again this year: knitting and reading.

I will share more about them in another post.  But I wanted to review the status of my WIP pile.  I went through to add the year 2017 to the tags.  In doing so, I discovered some were older than I thought.  Apparently, while I completed a fair amount of projects, most were new ones, or at least very recent.  I need to do something about that this year.

My last comepleted project for 2016 was the Red Ribbed Hat for my Little Peanut, which was also my .ast project on in 2016.

 

Looking through my project page on Ravelry I can see it is true. All 17 projects completed were started last year, except for the Lions Scoreboard Cowl, which started with the beginning of the NFL football season and had to wait until after their final game.  Of those projects, many were for other recipients. I knit two pair of slippers, two Hitchhiker shawls and the rustic blue silk Shawl that were for me.  The Scoreboard was gifted away, leaving lots of gifts, mostly for children.

I guess I have a bunch of older WIPs to get cracking on.  I will take that into consideration when finalizing my goals.

But before that, tradition came to the forefront today.  Every year around Christmas or New Year's, some friends and I have a girl's movie night.  Or in this case, afternoon. 

Our local movie theater added a third smaller theater screen.  This past month or so they have been showing some great older movies.  So today four of us went to a screening of The Wizard of Oz.  Flying monkeys and all.  And I loved it!  The sound is so much better there than at home on tv.  As well as the general ambience.

I look forward to going back in a couple weeks to see Casablanca.

 

But in the meantime, I have a Sockhead hat to finish.

Resolution Review

Way back on my January 8th post  I listed some resolutions here on the blog.  They were primarily knitting goals and resolutions, although I l did add some non-knitting resolutions at another time. 

 How did I actually do with them?  Only so-so.

Number 1was to finish my most active WIPs (Works In Progress).  I then listed the ones I hoped to finish:  

 

• Navy Tweed Vest, is for me, and still languishing in a project basket beneath another project.  Not accomplished.
• Stonehenge Hickhiker, was also for me.  That was finished back on January 18, plus another later in the year.  Accomplished .
• Sandy's Traveling Woman Shawl was finished in May, in plenty of time for her cruise.  Accomplished.
• Rustic Blue Silk Triangle.  This was from stash yarn purchased for my birthday a couple years ago and shown above.  Accomplished.
• Lilac Cardigan, for the Purple Princess.  I almos frogged it but I was successfully completed January 30.  Accomplished.
• Baby Hap Shawl, also for the Purple Princess.  This is hiding the tweed vest.  It just needs the last bit of lace edging to be completed.  It would have been done but this fall was too hot to have a pile of fluffy wool on my lap.  Not accomplished.

 

So, I did complete four out of six that I listed then.  And, added several more, including some for my own Little Peanut.

Number 2 resolution was to knit one or two cardigans for me.  I even listed the yarn from my stash that was to be used.  And while I did cast one a new cardigan, using new, not stash, yarn, my Freyja is still sitting, although close to the arm divide.  This resolution is a total failure.

Resolution 3--more socks.  Hmmm. I started one with a Craftsy Class, that's past the heel on sock one.  I took a class at the local yarn shop, learning the Fleegle Heel and have 1 1/3 sock done.  And a started a plain vanilla sock, using the Fleegle Heel.  It is half done.  And the previously started Broken Seed Sock still sits as well.  No usable pairs of socks...not accomplished.

Number 4 was to finish more of my Craftsy classes.  I did finish a couple.  But bought a few more.  Oops.  Not accomplished.

 

Not very good returns, but at least I had goals.  I may rethink the WIP resolution again.  It kept me motivated.

I mentioned additional goals as well.  I had hoped to blog more often.  Since this post has me tied with the second most posts per year, I think I did all right.  Even if I didn't come close to posting daily.

One goal for the year was to explore my options in changing my church home.  I took the plunge the end of January and am very pleased with my new situation.   My soul is being fed again.

On the goal of handing out random compliments, I could have done better, but did do some.  I may need to resolve to review my goals monthly, to help on that one.

Lastly, I added the goal of crocheting a sampler scarf and mitts, after taking a crochet class.  My heart still belongs to knitting, but this goal was also accomplished.

 

Since Advent is the start of the church year, I have started thinking of ideas for resolutions, or at least goals, for 2017.  Maybe I can do better next time.

The Crazy is Over.

What a relief to be done with that. No more ads. No "chummy" phone calls.

Time to relax, breath and carry on.

Four years ago, I was the one saddened and flummoxed. I honestly couldn't believe it had happened again and I was hurt by those who were so happy and gloating.

Because this was a case, for me, of the lesser of two flawed people, I again chose the one who made me feel the most hopeful. I did not now or then choose due to sex or age, but looked at actions and character and positions. I know many disagreed with me. The closeness of the vote make that obvious.

I sincerely apologize if anything I posted on my blog or on Facebook offended anyone. With 2008 in mind, I tried not to share anything, but I did "like" other posts. If the ideas I liked offended you, again I am sorry for that, although I cannot apologize for liking certain things.

I have admit I am moderately happy with the results. A few months ago, I never thought I would be. But life goes on. I can't always have what I want. No one can. My hope now is that we can learn to live with our differences.

--------------------------------

As a side note, working the polls yesterday was exciting even if it was a LONG day. People coming in were smiling. There were many new voters. The only issues were technical and eventually resolved. I look forward to the next time working the polls.

Now, back to knitting.

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Poetry Month Day 22 (For Real), Take Heart

My rythmns and rhymes are back on time

But this late in the month, don't expect the sublime.

I find ideas are running thin.

(I'm making poems about nothing again.)

But you must admit, it does take talent.

To ramble on with an aimless bent.

So, Readers, have a stalwart heart. Rejoice! Take cheer!

Just a few more poems, before they end until next year.

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Poetry Month, Day 20...Inspiration

As the month goes on, the poems get more lame.

My inspiration surely will not gain me fame.

No epics here. Or iambic pentameter.

My couplets and haiku just will not get better.

And though I may hide them at the end of the day

These silly rhymes still have their way.

And now there are only ten days left

Till the lack of my poems will leave you bereft.

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Month of Poetry, Day 19---Yawn!

All too soon another day will dawn.

Right now all I can say is...yawn!

So I will see you on the flip side.

Poetically, at least I tried.

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Month of Poetry, Day 15---Velociraptors?

Nothing like a growing chick to make you realize

That they resemble a small velociraptor, at least in my eyes.

They're like a feathery little dinosaur with undinosaury cheeps.

Just suppose a world where T Rex only issued gentle peeps?

 

Ok, it's late, and my inspiration is tired. But it is a poem, even if it is lame.

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Poetry Month--Day 7, Car Repairs

Drips on the pavement, spots on the floor.

Fear of money flying out the door.

Leaky gas lines, full of holes

Fix them both, such worthy goals.

But now they're mended, hallelu!

And better mileage once again too.

That's right, the dreaded need of car repairs once again reared its ugly head. I had two leaky gas lines (main and return line). They have since been repaired and the only damage was to the pocket.

Supplemental chickens have also been purchased and added to the coop. So far, all the flock seem to be thriving. Pictures will follow.

 

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Reviewed and Ready

This past week was the week of the Board of Review where people with complaints about their property taxes can ask to have their assessment reviewed.

I am part of that board.

This year was a fairly quiet year on the board: The usual "my taxes are too high" with no documentation to bolster their claim, a few with facts and figures, and this year, lots of time in between people. And even a little knitting and some euchre games. Nothing like last year when rising farm land prices caused an up tick in assessments. And complaints!

There are a couple other times when we may perhaps need to meet briefly, but for the most part we are done till next year.

While I was there, I asked about casting a write-in presidential vote. May be harder than I hoped. In order to be counted, I must be voting for a certified write-in candidate. Darn. But I was asked to work the elections too, in August and November!

More fun times.

Meanwhile, at home, Lewie is preventing much knitting from getting done.

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Giving Up, Taking On

One thing I didn't mention on my resolution review was how well I am going with my Lenten discipline.

And so far so good. I have not read any political blogs, although I have to confess to seeing some of the same information on Facebook posts. And although I really want to pick up the next book in two different mystery series, I have refrained from reading any novels. I did manage to finish reading Spoon River Anthology, a classic book of poems I was introduced to in high school literature class. A bit draggy towards the end but I finished it.

I have also been reading some books on Catholicism and am ready to start reading a book called The Emmaeus Road, linking the Old Testament to Jesus throughout the Bible. I am quite excited to begin. And on Kindle, I am reading the fascinating book on Cleopatra. (It better be good after I paid for it twice!)

I realize this post could belong on my alternate blog, but it is more about items mentioned here in the past, so here it stays.

In the mean time, here is a picture to distract you of an adorable child.

"And this is my nose."

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Bullying, Brash, Blustering, Bulldozing Braggart

Just to be clear, this is a political post. Probably even politically incorrect and reflects my honest opinions.. As such, if I decide I am brave enought to share this on Facebook I will probably ignore any and all comments from those who disagree with me.

This political season has certainly been crazy. The person referred to in the title is probably easily recognizable to those who are not his fans. Those who are his fans may be stunned to find out that I am referring to "The Donald."

I admit there are some points he brings up that I can agree with.

But, (and it's a big but), the manner of presentation and behavior and rudeness of the campaign toward his opponents is extremely off putting. It is frankly rather frightening. When I see that rudeness being cheered, I can see my country has changed, but perhaps without the hope promised 8 years ago.

My Bible study group is currently studying the book of Revelations. It was preceded by the book of Daniel last fall. One thing that I have picked up this year and am clinging to, is the knowledge that there is a God in heaven, and He is in control. As I look around the country and the world, I see all manners of frightening things happening. One of the chief of these is the cheapening of lives, all lives: black, white, police, unborn and Christian. Isis is frightening. In short, while there is no way of knowing, it seems like the time is right for the end times.

The only way I can keep calm is knowing that, as I said before, there is a God in heaven. And he is on the throne, in control.

In the meantime, I better research casting a presidential write-in come November.

 

And just to cheer up this gloomy post, here is a snowy Lizzie.

 

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Random Thoughts

Random thoughts on a Monday:

1. Cats like to sun themselves, on anything. No matter how hard or uncomfortable looking.

2. Meeting with friends for breakfast/lunch is always a good thing. Especially when you have time to bare your souls and discuss life and faith. (Thanks.)

3. A cat on my shoulder, or chest or arms is like a mini blast furnace. How will I ever survive summer with Lewie?

4. The above mentioned cat also makes knitting extremely difficult.

5. So far, this winter has been a big bust.

6. Banging out a sweater may be more of of a pop than a bang. I have almost an inch done so far.

7. Monday is nearly over. Yea!

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A New Church Home?

I know I said I would share photo of my finished Lilic Cardigan, and it will come, I promise. But first, a step on my journey.

This weekend was my first weekend seeking for a new church. I talked with several friends, and had several offers for me to accompany them to their churches. But I had the feeling I was being called to the Catholic Church. In a way, it is like completing a journey. I started many years ago in a little Wesleyan Methodist church, progressing to Methodist/United Methodist for many years from upper elementary through college. After several more years I attended Catholic Mass with friends many times, I even occasionally played guitar at Saturday Mass. I considered making the change permanent, but thought it was too big a leap. Then I discovered the Episcopal church. It felt like home. It was my church home for more than 30 years.

But in recent years, it felt like it was changing in ways I was uncomfortable with. The three legs the church was supposed to be balanced on seemed to be more like it was teetering on one leg. The scriptural teaching and traditions seemed lacking.

So, when I attended one of the nearby Catholic churches Saturday I was pleasantly wrapped in a sense of worship. The homily was not a talk about the beliefs of the priest, but was based on the scriptures. He touched on the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel readings, tying them all together in a Bible based message. I felt closer to Christ than I had for a long time at my old church. I was moved to tears. I felt that I had worshipped. I will give it a few weeks to be sure, but I may be done looking.

And if you are only here for the sweater, here it is, buttons and all. I think I like it. The Lilac Cardigan, just waiting to be gifted and worn.

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Changes

This is an old snow picture, from 2009. But you get the idea. This weather has been up and down, warm and cold. Not a decent snowfall yet.

There have been other changes in my life too. After a run of 27 years attending my local church, I decided it was time for a change. The reasons are too varied and too many to discuss here. You are invited to e-mail or message me if you want particulars. Basically I was finding myself at odds with the national, diocesan and local levels of the church. And I was being fed spiritually in places other than my church. The time has come to move on, move forward.

This also involves a change of venue for Knit Nite as well. The new location will be announced as soon as plans are set.

Normally I hate change. But at times it's necessary. And hey, I think a quiz on Facebook said that my word of the year is Change. I guess so.

Wish me luck.

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Kitty Kisses, Kitty Sneezes

Not a lot of knitting done today, although some progress has been done on the Lilac Cardigan. The first sleeve is almost finished. And I have been dabbling with some of my other knitting projects of course.

My biggest obstacle is shown above. Lewie loves to lay on my shoulder when I knit or play on my tablet. It is not a problem for a few minutes, but he doesn't stay up there. He slides. Just far enough that he gets in the way of knitting or reading as shown in the picture

I could put up with it, but he apparently has allergies. And sneezes. Usually while on my shoulder.

Ewwww.

But he is a purring machine. That gives him a lot of leeway.

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Stop the Insanity

Once again we see panic all over the news. Another Snowmedegon is descending upon the East coast and the South. Now granted, that area doesn't do snow well. An inch of snow already this afternoon had commuters in a deadlock going home in Washington DC. Relax people! Where you live, it will all be melted in a couple days. Stay home and knit. Or something. It's the weekend, just hunker down and enjoy yourself. (Ok, in their defense, Washington DC is projected to get between one to two feet.)

I think the weather reports and storm warnings have gotten a bit ridiculous recently. Before this weekend's south and east disaster-in-the-making crept into my awareness, I saw a weather advisory for northern Michigan, in the Petoskey and Emmet County area a couple days ago. But it was a warning for 1-3 inches! Really? In Northwest Michigan? That is just normal winter weather for Michigan. And when they build this normal weather as a huge storm, you tend to treat it as crying wolf when a real storm comes. I wish they would save the advisories for the truly bad weather, not normal seasonal weather.

Ok, rant over. So for putting up with my raving lunacy, I will treat you to Little Farmer with his "buddy" Snowflake. He loves the kitty. Snowflake does not reciprocate the feeling.

Nice kitty.

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