Live Simply; Live Thoughtfully

Exactly One Year Ago

2009-08-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

This morning while I was getting ready for work, I head the distinct honk of a Canadian goose flying overhead a distance away. It was a faint sound, but what I always take as the reminder that summer is coming to a close.

I recalled writing about this last year so I looked back to see the date of that post. Yes. Exactly one year ago. Interesting, eh?

Canadian Geese Arrive Again

2009-03-01T18:36:00.001-08:00

In my book, it's officially spring! This morning I was up early enjoying a cup of coffee and knitting on my "April in Wichita" socks and heard the sounds of Canadian Geese honking as they flew overhead. I looked back at my blog and noted that it was August 24th when I first heard them honking overhead flying south for the winter.

It's so good to hear them shepherding spring in. After the "spring ahead" of the clocks next weekend, it will really feel like spring when we have more daylight houts in the evening.

Wisdom of a 5 year-old snow boarder

2009-01-25T15:23:00.000-08:00

My local Sunday paper, The Herald-Palladium, had an article about snow boarding. The article was written by a skier, seemingly a seasoned (read older) skier. While learning to snow board, he fell, utterly exhausted, not that far from the top of the run. A five-year-old stopped to see if he was okay and uttered these wonderful words of wisdom:

You need to get up. You won't learn anything just laying there.

Isn't that the ultimate truth about life? Falling isn't failing. Failing is failing to get up after you've fallen.

Interestingly, the article also included recommendations on clothing, including wrist guards and hip pads. If you're going to play hard, you need to play smart and protect yourself. Ah, again, just like life itself.

BTW, the snow boarder is my dear niece Laura. Me? I'm headed out to run the snow thrower.

Fabulous Way to Start the New Year!

2009-01-11T10:26:00.000-08:00

2009 has started out with a big bang! I received my very first thank you from my knitting for Socks for Soldiers. Here's the note:

Auntie Em,
Just want to let you know that I received an awesome green knitted hat from you today. I'm wearing it now, and it's keeping me very warm as the power is going in and out at our Joint Security Stationin Baghdad. I live here with a few hundred US Soldiers and a few thousand Iraqi Soldiers; we are all working together to help ensure both Iraqi and Coalition success under the provisions of the recently enacted Security Agreement. Being a part of all this is pretty amazing – helping Iraqis transition more and more to the rule ofcivil law. The efforts of Iraqi and Coalition forces, and the support of great Americans like yourself has created a situation herein which success – a secure, stable, and free Iraq – is within grasp. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all your support. The only way we can work well into the night here with smiles on our faces is thru knowing that there are great people like you back home who love and support us. Thanks for everything. I love this hat. When I get home to myfamily in Colorado in a couple months, I will be wearing it on the ski slopes as well.
Rich R**********
Major, US ArmyBaghdad

He must have received one of these "regulation beanies". They look a little odd all folded up, but they are the perfect size/weight to wear under their helmets.

Thrummin' Right Along

2008-12-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

I decided to "thrum" a pair of mittens I'm making to ensure they are toasty warm. I'm using leftover yarn from her hoodie rather than picking a warmer yarn. I bought my first ever chunk of roving from Marr Haven http://www.marrhaven.com/rovngdy2.html

For some reason, the phrase "thrummin' right along" keeps playing through my head as I'm working on them ... to the tune of the Muppets' song "Moving Right Along", which makes this project all the more humorous. Oh yes, and I think the roving kinda has the texture of Miss Piggy's hair!

Here's what the project is looking like so far!
The makings for the inside:

The outside:

And the hairy, toasty warm inside!

Class with CookieA

2008-09-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Road trip to Lansing, Michigan with fellow sock-a-holic, Nikki for a toe-up class with the infamous CookieA. We learned how to make a gusset in a toe-up sock. My first toe-up class. Good time! Nikki is fun to roadtrip with. :)

Am I Asking The Right Question?

2008-09-29T14:35:00.001-07:00

Today I realized that all these years since high school,, I may have been asking myself the wrong question when I've wondered "what do I want to be when I grow up". Perhaps it's my stage in life now, but I think a better question is "what should my life's legacy be about?".

Being Happy - Gift Card Philosophers

2008-09-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

Awhile back I read this on Annie Modesitt's blog and felt I should capture it on mine for future inspiration and encouragement. So here it is:

Being Happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you've
decided to look beyond the imperfections.

The Signs of Fall Creeping In

2008-08-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

The first signs of Fall sneaking it's foot into the door are here.

On Friday, I heard the first sounds of Canada Geese flying overhead, honking their announcement that summer is ending and a beautiful fall season is just around the corner to be enjoyed. Every year I feel surprised at the sound and always ask myself "where did the summer go?" and vow that next summer I will drink in every bit of sunshine and time outdoors as possible so it won't go by so quickly.

This morning a fall-feeling wind lobbed acorn hats at the house while I sat on the patio gazing at the ravine and knitting. The first acorn hat hit the dining room window and the second landed beside me on the cement patio in clear sight. There's no mistaking it: another summer is winding down.