Wednesday 10 October 2012

Sooner than you think

It comes sooner than you think.

Aged only just seven, his mornings are taken up with learning spellings and arguing about teeth cleaning, and before you know it he's disappeared through the school gates without looking back. 

On the way home from school he's miles ahead, racing his friends on their scooters.  At the doorstep he doesn't even stop for a snack before saying, "Can I call for so-and-so?" and dashing to knock on a friend's door a couple of houses away.

Reluctantly he comes home to be fed, then plays a while before bed.

Is it any wonder I cherish bedtime, with its ritual story reading and snuggling?  Long may it last.

Monday 8 October 2012

Shawls

What do shawls make you think of?  Victorian ladies?  Grannies?  Little House on the Prairie?

Um.  I like shawls.  (In fact, I like the Victorians, grannies and Little House on the Prairie too.  I wonder what that says about me?)

I like knitting shawls.  They can be as complicated or as simple as you like.  You can knit them in any thickness of yarn.  And most important of all, they can't come out the wrong size!  Too big, and they can become a blanket or throw.  Too small, and you have a teeny scarf.  (Or you just keep knitting until it gets bigger.)

I like wearing shawls.  I realise this may be controversial if you aren't a knitter.  (And I am sure the husband has strong opinions on my wearing shawls, but he wisely keeps these to himself, for which I am grateful.)  Sitting at my desk during the day, I get colder and colder.  A shawl (or two or three) over my shoulders makes all the difference and doesn't add the bulk of several woolly jumpers.  Under a coat, a scarf annoys me.  It dangles too far down and gets caught in things.  A shawl does the same job, and can be wrapped around your neck just as easily, but doesn't do irritating things.  Plus it's more interesting than a scarf.

I like draping shawls.  I'm pretty sure the husband has opinions on this one too.  They hang beautifully on the back of a chair, adding a bit of handmade loveliness to a room and, as a bonus, are easy to grab when I inevitably get chilly.

I also like fondling shawls I have made, lovingly, congratulating myself on how skillfully I have made such a wonderful thing.  But don't tell anyone.  That may make me sound weird.

Friday 5 October 2012

To Do lists

I just spent a few minutes listing all the things I need to do next week, and all the things I want to do, and those happy few which fall into both categories.

Now I'm tired just thinking about it.

And having written that list I still haven't started on any of the things which need to be done today.

Because my mind is already in next week.  (Apart from the large portion of it which is already in the weekend.)

Mostly I want to play today, and not write meaningful prose.  But that's what I am being paid to do today, so I'd better get on with it.

I like ticking things off a To Do list, but sometimes making a long one backfires slightly.