Thanks to all of you for your kind words for our family. There will be a memorial service next month and that’s a relief because I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to attend. Rosie was right in her comment that even when expected, death is a shock. My Dad died young at 47 and…

It’s off to Edmonton we go this morning, to the graduation. I’m still figuring out how to travel with Marina. This project needs its own luggage: Call me quirky, but I know I’m awake in the morning because I have a song in my head that wakes me up. It’s not always the same song;…

When my kids were little they ate ants on logs – peanut butter on celery with a parade of raisins on top. Gracee eats ants, not on anything. She stalks the ant, pounces, shakes it up in her mouth and then spits it out. Lovely. This time, however, the ant fought back. No matter how…

I never pictured myself as a knitter of Fair Isle, especially on size three needles. My first Fair Isle was accomplished at a class featuring a  Philosopher’s Wool pattern with12 beautiful colours. I went in with trepidation, but was relieved when I discovered the following: Although a Fair Isle pattern may have many colours, you…

A pasta problem. Given: One family member is allergic to wheat. One is on a chronic variation of Atkins and doesn’t eat anything white (OK, you purists, I know there is no such thing as a variation to Atkins). Two won’t eat white clam sauce and one likes his pasta hot and naked (with olive…

After a career in the world of non-profit social services, I often wonder what it would be like to work in the real world. Today I got a taste of another world, but I’m not sure it’s the real one. On my last day off I accompanied Bryant to "wardrobe" to get his clothes picked…

I’m just back from our extended holiday weekend away. For those who aren’t in Canada it was Victoria Day, a celebration of Queen Victoria’s b-day. I think it’s Canada’s excuse for a May holiday. There was a lot of good knitting happening. I finished my flower basket bag and successfully swatched (finally) for Marina. I’ve…

Throughout my swatching for Marina I’ve left my box of yarn on the floor. I came in yesterday evening to find five skeins of Jamieson and Smith is various stages of shreddedness. It’s funny how the 15-year-old boy, who hardly cares enough for the dog to ever take care of her, can come to her…

First – big news for the son of a stitch  – his agent just called and he has a part in a commercial! It’s exciting news, his first official job. OK, so less is more, more is less is the rhyme I’ve made up to remember how to get gauge. If you need more stitches…

I’m a few days over 50, but I can still remember the song "I Can Sing a Rainbow" from Captain Kangaroo when I was four. Mind you, I can’t remember where I put my keys from day to day, but I can remember the words to almost every song I’ve ever learned. Maybe if I…