Iowa March

Who would have ever thought that a phone could help you remember your morning walk?  I'm still amazed that as I move past pastures and housing developments, pet the neighborhood dogs and occasionally moo at the cows when they are out -- I carry my phone with me. I can stop and email if I'd like. Or write a note to myself. I skip the music part, although I know it's available. I not tempted to watch TV from the park bench in the middle of the field. But I do love taking pictures of what I see and how it changes with the seasons.

A bundle of thanks to  104Reviews and Joyfully Retired for their lovely reviews of A Knitter's Home Companion.

Women's Empowerment and Knitting

On March 8th, how will you be celebrating International Women's History Day?

Along with many knitters world wide, I'll be thinking about the women who influenced me and my knitting. Like my friend Isabel Nirenberg, who came to the rescue when the curse of the boyfriend sweater hit my needles. She dedicated a long afternoon to my wooly woes. And during that time, we drank tea and talked about more than just the sweater.

That boyfriend left my life a long long time ago. But Isabel and I are still friends, and I still have the graph paper she used to help me understand and pinpoint a sweater solution.

This year's Women's History Day theme is  "Women's Education ­ Women's Empowerment".  

How does knitting empower you? Do you have a knitting mentor? Share you story (in the comments section below) and you may be chosen to win a free e-copy of A Knitter's Home Companion.

Downton Abbey and The Academy Awards

Last Sunday night, my husband Rody and I bid farewell to our friends at Downton Abbey. We were relieved that Mary and Matthew’s romance is now on the road towards marriage. That is what their people do, right? We are pleased that Sybil is pregnant with the Earl and the Countess of Grantham’s first grandchild --  a commoner? And that Daisy has found peace and family with William's father. We are worried about Bates, of course, but we will have to wait for next season to find out what happens to him, and ultimately, to his relationship with dear Anna.

This Sunday night, we'll take our seats in front of our television again to view another special show, The 84^th Academy Awards. It is our first time watching the annual event. Rody’s good friend, David Shamoon will be there and we are thrilled for his recent film success. David wrote the screenplay for In Darkness, which has been nominated for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year - Poland.  In April, it will  be showing in Iowa City. Meantime, we read all the articles and accolades and await Sunday Night. I even have my knitting planned, a healing shawl, the pattern memorized. I can easily drop my knitting when it's time to applaud.

Movie Notes:

Watch  In Darkness trailer

Read more about David F. Shamoon and the story behind In Darkness here and here

Knitting Notes:

I am knitting the healing shawl in The Boneyard Shawl Pattern by Stephen West .  A free Ravelry download, it’s lovely and simple with a great drape. Since the shawl is for a special football fan, I’ll be making the Hawkeye version of it, in gold with garter ridge in black

The Valentine's Day Mailbox Mystery

   The morning after Valentine’s Day, I found our garage door opened, and from there, I saw our mailbox door was opened, too. Unusual, but not alarming. So heading out on my morning walk, I planned to close both. That’s when I discovered the package in the mailbox. A Valentine’s gift for me and my husband, Rody. Two Iowa-sized pecan sweet rolls and a handmade card with two sheep. Unsigned.

   "Look what was in our mailbox!” I said to Rody. I put the package on our kitchen counter. “For us. A Valentine.”

   “Who’s it from?” he asked.

    “I don’t know.”

   The weather had changed from wintry cold to warm spring. The morning light bright and yellow. Inviting. I was anxious for my walk and work. And so after slicing  off a sliver of sweetness, I left all my valentines in our sunny kitchen.

   As I walked, our surprise snagged my thinking. Who was this kind soul? Did they know how hard this year has been for us? A list was started as I passed  what just a few months ago was a farm and is now rapidly becoming a  housing development, the first of two on my walk . With each step forward, a new name was added. So many possibilities, so many good kind friends. Anyone of them capable of such thoughtfulness. But why not let us know? We could thank them.

   Walks are an excellent way of figuring out life’s deeper meaning. The longer I walked, the more I  thought about my friends and their generosity, and the more grateful I felt about my life and my community. Another gift. A great one. And not just for me, but for Rody, too.

   Our gift was on the counter, alone in our kitchen. I was out on Rochester Ave, Iowa City, Iowa. Rody was probably in his office, checking emails.

   Gratitude. Had we forgotten how to enjoy a gift?

   With a cell phone,  the day’s direction was altered.

   “Would you start a pot of espresso?” I asked Rody. “I’ll be back soon.”

   Wednesday morning I was late getting to my studio. Relishing the mystery, grateful for our good fortunes and our unexpected morning delight.

   Thank you.

For my Valentines fun, check out STC Craft Blog to see my three funny valentines!