Jazz serenade...

Well, spring is finally peeking out! These garden frogs are playing a tune to the small green shoots which will grow up to be tulips. If the rabbits leave them alone, I might get another photo once the flowers bloom.

Speaking of spring, I had a few days off from work and decided (on the spur of the moment) to reorganize my entire stash of yarn following a recent moth scare. What a big pile of fluff; I found stuff I had long forgotten about. Instead of keeping the yarn on shelves in the closet it has all been moved to two cedar chests. I think it is time to suggest to the knitting group that perhaps a yarn swap would be a good idea.

Of course, all of the spring cleaning is merely a diversion because what really needs attention are my studies and I am getting behind on several important projects and way behind on the readings. But, at least spring is here and my stash is (mostly) organized.

New moves...

I learned a new move today. It was a big moment. It was big because it moved me forward as a knitter. It was big because I ‘figgered it out by myself (with a little help from the authors of “Knitting for Dummies”). It was big because I had tried to work the row with the ‘new move’ six times before my “Aha!” moment finally kicked in. And it was at that point that I felt like I had accomplished something just short of a miracle.

Likely everyone else in the knitting universe was able to do this move when they first encountered it. But for me, with a memory that has not been cooperating, and visualization skills that are less than stellar, it was great to be able to create a piece of fabric (Lattice Lace) that looks complicated, and I thought it was, but once I learned how to do it, it was a snap!

The project at hand is an 24-square afghan. Each square is a different pattern, designed specifically to help new knitters like me learn new moves (or skills). I am learning, alright! Now, only 23 more squares to go!

(Yarn: Lionbrand’s “Vanna’s Choice”, 100% acrylic, color: Honey)

Little flying monsters...

Oh the horror! It has been happening off and on these past few weeks. Usually at night. The kitties were alert and tried their best. They moved this way and jumped that way,while the moths flitted that way and flotted another. I tried to kill the little monstrs with the ‘hand-clapping’ method as it is known to be quick and painless. Apparently my vision and coordination are no longer what they once were. Those *bleepity bleep* moths were darn hard to catch!

Normally such occurrences would be classified as a “Meh, just a minor annoyance”. But this abode is anything but normal. This house has a stash of yarn from some of the most amazing yarn shops in North America (I can say that ‘cause I bought yarn in Chicago and Portland once!). It is all waiting to be knit into beautiful garments. Someday. That is what makes these moth sightings so disturbing. My stash is at risk. Red level alert risk!

So… I started the process of checking each ball, skein, hank, and cake carefully, looking for evidence of moths. The sock yarn was the first to undergo the scrutiny. Luckily, no moth evidence was found. It was so amazing to see all the sock yarn laid out in one place. I had no idea I had collected so much sock yarn! It was worthy of a photo (see above!).

I will be checking all the other stash later today to ensure there has not been a moth infestation.
As I don’t have a wide-angle lens for my little digital camera, there may not be any other pictures to post. But you can bet I will be spending this weekend on ‘Moth Patrol’. Be sure to check your stash to make certain all is well.

Queen of Cups...

Queen of Cups
Coffee cup…Measuring cup…Cupcake… the Holy Grail…and now Socks!

My ‘Queen of Cups’ moment was inspired by a pattern on Knitty.com for a pair of beautiful socks, designed by Nathania Apple, called “Queen of Cups”. For any of you who think this is a familiar story, it might be because I posted it on a message board some time ago and it was quickly locked down. We are all different and I do respect the views and fee!ings of others. This blog is a place where I can express myself, uncensored, and if you are not comfortable with the tarot, please turn back now!

A tarot deck contains 78 cards. Each card depicts a particular aspect of our life at any given time. The cards are divided into two groups: the majors, which signify aspects or times of our lives that are of great importance or noteworthiness while the minors signify the ordinary, mundane, everyday aspects of our lives. It is interesting to note that the majors are 22 in number, while the minors are 56. This numerical difference is interesting as it reminds us that most of our lives are made up of the little, every day things. The Queen of Cups is technically in the minor category, but she is also what is called a court card. This type of card generally signifies a person or a type of energy. You will begin to understand this as you read further.

Cups can be used to hold things like water, or wine. They can be used to measure things. Cups are a part of our everyday lives. There are just always there, ready for use, often in the background. We give cups very little thought, but when one is missing from the cupboard, there is an immediate disruption in our routine. We reach for the cup to fill…and if it is not there, everything just simply stops. Those of us who are Mother’s may sometimes feel as if we are in the background. But, if we are not there, everything simply stops.

Perhaps the Queen of Cups can be a card of meditation for this day…a chance to try on all that the Queen of Cups is about. Like a cup of tea infused with the essence of the plant which yields it energy in the form of flavour and scent, the energy from this card is empowering and affirming.

The Queen of Cups in the tarot symbolizes mature feminine energy. This energy can be put forward in many ways and can come to mean much more than meets the eye. It can be manifested in the inspiration from a muse, the desire to create and bring an aesthetic sensibility to the world in which the Queen of Cups resides. This includes art, crafts, music, poetry, other creative endeavours, and a life of purpose. These pursuits are possible because this feminine energy is directed and purposeful.

This card is more than aesthetic beauty; it is also about an inner beauty that emanates from a place of confidence, caring, and a sense of order in the home. The Queen of Cups is a mediator, an organizer, an empathic being, and a listener. The feminine energy is channelled to bring about order, peace, and mediation in family matters. Sometimes she must listen to the voice of reason, but also to the stillness of her heart, whose language is intuitive.

Also a Healer, a counsellor, a psychic or otherworldly being, The Queen of Cups can bring spirituality, tranquility, mystery, and emotional sensitivity to any situation. She is inspiring, receptive, warm-hearted, and kind. Her goal is personal satisfaction in all pursuits, regardless of the material outcome. In spite of all her giving to others, she keeps her cup full as her reserves of strength are buttressed by a network of friends, family, and acquaintances, from which she is not afraid to draw.

As with all aspects of ourselves, or the card we draw for a meditation or reading, there is a continuum. There are the gifts and there are the challenges. This image of the Queen of Cups is no exception. While her gifts are numerous, there is a shadow side which can teach us more about ourselves; we just need to open our hearts, open our minds, and truly listen.

The Queen of Cups can teach us to not become overly sensitive to criticism. She reminds us not to be so easily distracted, disorganized, unrealistic, or irrational. She cautions against self-centeredness, moodiness, inconsistencies, and general lack of focus. We are reminded to be aware of other people and to not let them easily influence us, as we may be wont to do.

When this card is drawn, as an independent card for a daily meditation, or one that is part of a larger tarot spread, we need to consider following our intuition. It can signify a need to go with the flow. It can be viewed as a dare to daydream. The Queen of Cups encourages us to focus on nurturing our families and creating an environment that is harmonious. It suggests that we offer our heart to the one we love. It also reminds us that, at times, we need to replenish this cup in order to sustain our energy.

This pattern that has grabbed my attention is for a pair of socks. At it’s most base form, a sock it like a cup. It holds something. Whether it holds fruit and nuts as a Christmas stocking, or whether it is a simple, everyday sock, that holds the foot, the form and shape are undeniably cup-like. This leads to an interesting parallel… the sock cups our foot. The Queen of Cups sock is an object of beauty. Perhaps these special socks, worn on our feet, can keep us grounded; they can remind us to stay centered and divine the feminine energy that this symbol of cups embodies.

Poem in Your Pocket...

April is National Poetry Month and April 17th is “Poem in Your Pocket” Day.
Here is a poem sure to make you smile…


Growing Smiles

A smile is quite a funny thing,
It wrinkles up your face,
And when it’s gone, you never find
Its secret hiding place.

But far more wonderful it is
To see what smiles can do;
You smile at one, he smiles at you,
And so one smile makes two

He smiles at someone since you smiled,
And then that one smiles back;
And that one smiles, until in truth
You fail in keeping track.

Now since a smile can do great good
By cheering hearts of care,
Let’s smile and smile, and not forget
That smiles go everywhere!

~Unknown

Spy dreams....

When I was a little girl my heart’s desire was to grow up and become a spy. I even wrote to the FBI to ask what the qualifications were for becoming a spy. The letter I received from them told me that strengths in languages and mathematics were very important. I thought I had it nailed as my idea of a spy was someone who was good at sneaking around. A spy had to be creative, shifty, and daring! Sneaking was my specialty, my gift, not math! I imagined a job that was exciting, exotic, and even dangerous. I wanted to be mysterious and elusive.

But of course, well-meaning adults suggested I consider something a bit more traditional, like teaching or nursing. They told me how unlikely it would be that I could ever become a spy.

Somewhere along the way, maybe it was late childhood, my passionate, brave ‘creative soul’ began to die as it was censored into submission. I learned to give acceptable answers to the questions silly grown-ups would ask like “What do you want to be when you grow up?” In my heart I still wanted to be a spy, but I would tell them something less adventuresome and this seemed to keep them happy. Saddest of all, though, is that eventually I believed what I told them and began to make preparations to study something that was ‘sensible’.

Then, when I discovered all that university had to offer, there came a time when my heart’s desire was to become a ‘professional’. More than anything I wanted to be able to take my education and use it in a role that would let me practice the art and science of my chosen discipline while helping others. It was the Holy Grail of my early 20’s. The degree obtained would open new worlds of challenge and satisfaction. It would allow me to support myself without relying on anyone else. It was only through the federal financial aid program, the holding down of two jobs for 8 years, and student loans that I was finally able to make that dream come true. While the skill sets learned were not the least bit spy-like, I am so very glad I did it.

Now, 18 years later, with a full ‘professional’ life behind me, and many more years of practice ahead, my heart’s desire has changed once again. Now my heart’s desire is to become a ‘creative soul’. The idea of becoming a spy still holds a special place in my memory, but sneaking about and derring-do are a bit more adventuresome than I can handle these days. However, I do love to wear black as it is so slimming!

More than anything I want to be able to take the ideas from my dreams and from my imaginings and paint beautiful pictures, or spin fleece into yarn for knitting, or tell a tarot tale so compelling it leaves the listener breathless. I would spend my mornings painting, my afternoons spinning, and my evenings telling stories while knitting. Maybe I could finally learn to play the piano.

Perhaps any or all of these things are possible. I just have to silence that censor within who has had such a hold on me for decades. I need to try, to experiment, to make mistakes, to see what works and what doesn’t. I need to learn to play again. Most of all, I need to believe in myself.

Maybe we all do.

My little spot...

Finally, I have created a little spot to give a voice to my musings, wonderings, opinions, hopes, dreams, and fears. And probably a little poetry. Of course, now that I have this spot, I have been struck with Writer’s Block.

Oh the irony.

I am sure it will pass.