Em: Do you have a friend who died? (she knows I do, so this is just a conversation starter for her)
Me: Yes, her name was Pat. I’m very sad that she died, but I’m happy that I got to know her.
Em: Do you miss her?
Me: Yes, I do. I wish she were still alive.
Em: Why do you miss her?
Me: Well, I miss talking with her, and doing things with her. I think about her laugh and I wish I could hear it again. I miss her very much.
Em: Why did she die?
Me: She had a disease called cancer, and it made her very sick and finally killed her. Not everybody who gets cancer dies. Grandma had it, and she got better. But Pat didn’t.
Em: How old was she?
Me: I’m not sure. She was older than I was. 50 maybe?
Em:…
Em:…
Em: How old are you?
Me: I’m 40. That’s still young, I have many years left before I die.
Then Em changes the subject. I have no idea what put this in her mind. I’m going to be misty eyed for the rest of the evening, but I’m happy that Em is able to express thoughts that complex.
FO: Valentine’s Day socks
Yarn: two half-skeins Koigu KPPPM superwash wool, plus reinforcing thread at heel and toe.
Needles: 2.25mm/size 1 US
Pattern: Zhenya’s MUMTU sock pattern (link to tutorial).
(Ravelry page)
Notes: My daughter’s Valentine’s socks are done, and it’s only… what, March 23rd? Fortunately they’re meant to double as Easter socks. Even though these are only 52 stitches around, 6.5 stitches per inch, they’re still a little loose on her ankles. I should have gone to a size 0 needle for the ribbing. The ribbing wants to fold over, completely covering up the hearts on the ankle, so I’m pretty sure that when she’s wearing them with her Converse sneakers it’s just going to look like she’s wearing purple socks. Oh well.
The Fair Isle colorwork isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough for the purpose, and it was good practice. I was more concerned with being sure it wasn’t pulled tight in the back of the stitches so the socks would have proper stretch. That hurt my tension some. And I need to reinforce the gap where the ankle meets the foot. That continues to be a bugaboo for me when I’m picking up heel stitches and rejoining for the leg.
She was very excited to get them, proclaiming them “very comfortable.” It was difficult to get a nice picture with them on, because she couldn’t keep her feet still long enough to pose. I like the reaction, so who needs a pretty “socks on” picture? I’m letting all flaws go, because if she’s happy, I’m happy.
“I believe I saw a flare…uh!
I didn’t move at all with my best friend SARAH”
“I believe I saw a flare…uh!
going to the art room with my friend Clara”
“I belive I saw a flare…uh!
going to the lunch room with my friend Tara.”
That’s a crutch that Clara has, by the way. Pulitzer, here we come!
