Random Things

I had a lovely day with Robby on Saturday. He spent the night on Friday, and after breakfast and showers, we went shopping, had lunch, stopped for ice cream at my favorite place, bought pumpkins for him and his sisters and brother, and just generally had a wonderful time.  He is always good for what ails me!

This is a pair of socks that I'm knitting to test another designer's pattern.  The design is called "Wild and Wooly" by Kathy Nehrenz.  The yarn was hand-dyed by Destination Yarns in Cleveland, Ohio, in the "Wooly Bear" colorway. A terrific design by Kathy and a lovely color in a very nice yarn.

Wooly bear caterpillars are used by folklorists to predict the severity of the coming winter.  The darker the caterpillar's fur, the harder and longer will be the winter.

I have only seen nearly-black ones this fall!

My chrysanthemums are glorious this year, especially considering that this is only their first year in the ground. You can see some of them there behind the socks.

The weather is gray, damp, and chilly, and is predicted to stay that way for a few days. 
Time to break out the sweaters and wool socks.

Soon we will have snow.

Some things in life are difficult to bear, and we don't know how we will get through them.  This has been a tough year, with the loss of my sister, my son's family troubles,  and the deaths of two of my dearest friends.
 It is good to have friends on whom we can lean.  I have leaned very, very hard on some of you this year, whether you have realized it or not, and I want you to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I value you all, each and every one of you.

You have preserved me.

Thank you.