MenoSundays; Life Lived Lovingly

Over the next three months, I am going to share screen captures directly from the quotes pages of Goodreads. This is mainly to save me time, as making up all those fancy and decorative quote boxes, whilst fun, does require quite some time investment. While this weekly page is dedicated to the pure essence of being that I refer to as Love with the capital 'ell', it is also very much about (though not limited to) philosophy and its 'cousins', such as sociology, psychology, and philanthropy. All quotes are intended as reminders, inspiration, prompts for deeper thought, and - perhaps - instigators of change. 

As I am scheduling these all at once, I am also, for this series, going to omit my usual varied badges for the capital 'ell', and place the reminder to engage your little grey cells 😊

Menokreatikkul; Saturday Stitches

As I'm out on the road, the production line has been halted, somewhat! A couple of days before hitting the road, though, I got to blocking two items which are being gifted. First, the top made for Mac1...

...and then the scarf, which was the very first knitting project in this newly rediscovered skill. It will be gifted to Aitch.

I think you can see, even from these snapshots, how the blocking process adds polish to the finished objects, evening out the stitches, improving drape, and softening the fabric. I confess that it is something I rarely do for my own items... but I think I have to change that and start treating myself to this finishing process... quite a lot of my shawls are due for a wash anyway, so blocking is just one stage more. Only the wool ones. Acrylic I don't feel needs it quite so much.

In case you think I'm going cold turkey on the stitching whilst on the road, think again... Current WIP...

That's a truly awful shot taken with the laptop's onboard camera, so apologies for the quality, but it was literally a case of take while posting. Yes, that ubiquitous turquoise mercerised cotton! Having yet another go at it. this time with knitting pins and using a simple lace pattern, one step more advanced than the one used for that first scarf you see above. I have to pay attention, because there have been plenty of 'oops' sections involving having to work one's way back through all the yarn overs and slipped stitches... but this time it's working straight and will be worth persevering with. It's a four-row pattern repeat, and I am finding that the most I can face in any session is between two and three repeats... else I start having to frog. It's not the pattern's fault. It is in part the nature of the yarn, which, as we've been learning, is a tricky customer, but also the creator, whose concentration and eyesight are being challenged! It could be a while before you see this one as FO.

Oh, and to finish off, Mac3 sent this shot of him wearing his birthday gift - I think it is a hit!

Menoturals; First Friday Filmclub

It's Nature Friday time. Last week, on their midweek birdy video, the LLB gang showed us the European Starlings visiting their garden waterfall. Not everyone in the UK is fond of these ubiquitous birds, but I rather like them, and when they form their flying flotillas, they are quite magical. So today, I bring you a short film which tells you more about them and this wonderful natural phenomenon.