Life's a Stitch

And more recently life’s a creative adventure with some travel thrown in.

My creativity quotient is near zero. You bloggers know what I mean? AKA writer's block.

I function well under stress, hence my long satisfying career in social services. Family life is good, work life is steady. What suffers is my creativity and that's a huge hunk of life for me. 

Riding the waves of crisis, one after the other, tired and teetering, bringing the last one in with finesse, finding myself stuck in the sand with no creative energy. The water retreats around my ankles. comes back in, recedes again and I'm mid calf. Mired. And it's Christmas time to boot.

It's not all bad. Being held still lets me take stock and prioritize. Family. Work. My top two. What will I let go? Christmas cards yet again. I am known for clever holiday greetings but the years find them fewer and farther between. I appreciate that my daughter has taken over the tradition. The tree may be solely ceramic instead of fir. Blogging will go to once or twice per week. I will stash my watercolours to wait for calmer seas. When I knit I'll reach for comfort yarns and rhythmic patterns.

DSC_0032 That's another Lacey Kerchief in cashmere, the pattern recently having gotten me through the ER, ICU, CCU and other upsetting acronyms.

In the meantime I'll let those creative energies simmer. The more I rest the more they bubble, and after awhile I know what happens, they'll boil over. You'll see me at every knit night and my Mastercard bill will bulge with painting workshop tuition fees.

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11 responses to “Mired”

  1. Lynn Avatar

    Cozy knits are perfect for this time of year!

    Like

  2. Dorothy Avatar

    To everything there is a season. You are wise to realize that life ebbs and flows and that the creative energies will return. In the meantime, just kick back and take care of yourself (and Chuck) and learn to enjoy this “still” time of your life. We’ll be here.

    Like

  3. Eugenie Avatar
    Eugenie

    Hello, Can you send me a FREE copy of your Herringbone Rib Scarf pattern by e-mail? Thank you.

    Like

  4. Evelyn Avatar
    Evelyn

    Li: Now that I know you’re not just a fellow knitter but also a fellow painter, I absolutely must get myself to knit night to meet you. In the new year, as soon as other things calm themselves down.
    And very glad to hear that Hubby is doing so well.

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  5. chris Avatar
    chris

    Life ebbs and wanes and we take it as it comes. Just take time to be good to yourself!

    Like

  6. Jane Toumpas Avatar

    How about a beautiful painting of Central park in the winter?
    hee ! hee! Enjoy a stress free holiday 🙂

    Like

  7. Ellen Avatar
    Ellen

    This sounds like a “Slovakia, take me away” commercial.

    Like

  8. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Don’t push yourself. There’s a time and place for everything. All’s well.

    Like

  9. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    I’ve enjoyed browsing your blog and see that you are offering a herringbone ribbed scarf. I would love the pattern if the offer still stands! And congratulations on 6000 comments. Wow! That’s a lot of reading (and responding). Thanks!

    Like

  10. Yonghoon Kim Avatar
    Yonghoon Kim

    Hello I just started knitting and I really want to make your Herringbone Rib Scarf it seem simple and pretty could you send me the pattern?

    Like

  11. Marthe Avatar
    Marthe

    I know exactly what you mean by a zero creativity quotient. I am a professional longarm quilter who has gotten really burned out. I recently have rekindled my love for knitting, thanks to a group of women who meet every week, and searching through ravelry for patterns and yarn has gotten me feeling creative again. I love your Herringbone Rib Scarf, I think it would make a great scarf for my husband. Would you please send me a copy? Thank you so much!

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