And just like that it's 2025. The holiday season is just about over and normalcy will arrive on Monday. Except for Jakey, who has the day off from school.
And not a moment too soon for me. I always thought I was the only one who had a hard time dealing with the ups and downs of the time around Christmas and New Years. I always found it hard to give a name to the feeling. Somehow I always saw it as a mental image of experience I had at that low point after the holiday when it was time to go back to school. We were sitting in a local coffee shop lit by florescent lights and looking out the window at old snow that had shrunk and was flecked with dirt. In other words the magic of a fresh snowfall was over. The place was about to close and there was a hollow lonely feeling to it all.
From reading posts online, I see that I am not alone.
It's actually much better now. First of all I don't have to go back to elementary school or high school. January is not nearly as bleak in Southern California as it was in Chicago. And, of course, not nearly as cold. The sun is still so low in the sky that the redwood trees block it out for most of the day, but I can still find a sunny spot for a little while in the morning. I let the warmth and brightness pour over me as I have my coffee.
It also helped that I spent the time going over MURDER BY THE HOOK another time since my editor said he wasn't going to look at it until next week. I made a lot of changes and am glad that I had the chance to do it.
It feels a little like ships passing in the night as DEATH AMONG THE STITCHES slides toward its release in a few days. The book is out of my hands and has a life of its own now. All I can do is wish it well and do some online stuff. And then wait to see what happens.
Meanwhile, I have started crocheting a little cat. It is such a different experience from making a blanket or a scarf. It's intense and stitches have to be marked and counted. The yarn is troublesome and splits easily. But the challenge is exciting.
10 comments:
Good morning -- Happy New Year!! 2024 seemed to fly by -- wonder if 2025 will do so, as well. Most of last year was good -- a few glitches along the way but that's to be expected.
My daughter-in-law and grandson were in Chicago last week to visit her family. The temperature there during the day was the same as it was here -- very pleasant for Chicago this time of year but I've heard it is much colder this week.
Amazon says my copy of "Death Among the Stitches" will arrive today -- that's earlier than expected. I'm ready!!
I've crocheted a couple little animals but it is definitely not something I enjoy. Blankets will always be my favorites and using variegated or multi-colored yarns is great -- the colors make beautiful patterns without having the hassle of numerous tails of yarn to weave in.
Enjoy your day and the bits of sunshine you can find.
Happy New Year! I was just writing in my journal how thankful I am to be able to enjoy a Florida winter again this year. We are scheduled to have several cold fronts this month where the nights might get into the 30's and the days into the 50's interspersed with high 70's. And sunshine most of the time. I'll take it with gratitude.
Hoping your new year is wonderful!
Patty, I just read about the change in weather for Chicago. I shivered just reading it.
I was just thinking that I need another crochet project to work on after I stop working on the cat. Blankets are the much more relaxing to make. I do like using the variegated yarn for the reason you said, but I want to use up yarn I already have.
Enjoy your day!
Sally, winter in Florida has to be a whole lot more cheerful. It is amazing what having sun can do to your mood.
I hope it's a great year for you!
Making a big granny square or a granny rectangle is a great way to use up odds and ends of yarn, and you can work over the yarn ends very easily when you finish a round. It's all those tail ends along an edge that are such a pain. I get more requests for the granny square or rectangle than for any other blanket I make.
Amazon is still saying my book is out for delivery -- supposed to be delivered between 3:45 and 7:45 -- hope it gets here before dark.
Have an enjoyable New Year, Betty. And have fun crocheting your cat!
"Death Among the Stitches" arrived -- I've read the first three chapters -- love it!!
Patty, I thought I would try the rectangle pattern you sent me instead of the usual square I have done before. Good idea about weaving in the ends as you go along. I am so glad you are enjoying DEATH AMONG THE STITCHES.
Linda O Johnston, hope the new year if good for you. It is slow going with crocheting the cat but I am determined.
Loved the book to the last word of the last chapter!! You'll have to do a book of tea room recipes.
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