Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 17: My Addictions

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 17: My Addictions

This was such an easy prompt.

1.  It's amazing to think that when I made the decision to return to crochet after 20+ years of doing needlepoint, I owned not a skein of yarn and really couldn't afford to buy much.  Yet, to paraphrase Blanche Dubois in "A Streetcar Named Desire", I have been greatly blessed by the kindness of strangers.  Between those de-stashing on Craigslist for very little money, fellow stitchers I've met through Ravelry and Facebook and kind, generous friends, I now have 10 bins, one box and 5 under-bed storage flats filled with wonderful yarn. 

Within months of restarting my crocheting, I realized there was really nothing I needed for myself and started crocheting for charities.  It was the best and most fulfilling decision I've ever made.  Some of it is selfish as it keeps me mindful that no matter how hard times may be for me, there are millions of others for whom life is much more difficult.  Yet I also hope I am giving just a little bit of warmth and comfort to others as well.

2.  I didn't discover Doctor Who until a couple years ago.  I was working on finishing an afghan and not in the mood for the usual assortment of annoying New Year's Eve programming. However, I discovered that the SciFi channel--before they changed their logo to the irritatingly incorrect usage "SyFy"--was running an all-day marathon of Doctor Who and thought I'd give it a try.  They started with the Chris Eccleston episodes and I was hooked.  Yes, I am now a Whovian.

3.  I now only allow myself one Coke per day, but I love the sound when you pop the can, hear that fizz and take that first wonderful taste.  Friends know that my epitaph should read "Classic Coke, in the can, no ice".  Yes, things do go better when Coke.

4.  Reading; it's something I can't remember not ever doing.  I have a Kindle and I love audiobooks but being surrounded by, holding, smelling, and reading a print book is a magical experience.  I believe it is essential to who I am.  Through my mystery readers' group and my reviews, I am also part of a wonderful community of fellow readers, many of whom have become friends.  Reading opens the world as nothing else can do.  Books truly are magic.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 16: Cow

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 16: Cow

 A happy California cowfee klatsch discussing where spots are solids are in style for this season.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 15: Finger

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 15: Finger

These days, my left index finger is most often employed controlling the tension of my yarn as I crochet.  The piece in my hand is the first of several scarves I'm making for the Iowa Special Olympics.

The piece underneath, is the first 1/3 of a smaller afghan--"exactly" to match the first--for my friend Ray.  I just need to be very careful and not confuse the two blues. They are slightly different colors and two different brands of yarns.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 14: Building

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 14: Building

It was impossible to resist returning to the UK for pictures of buildings.  Courtesy of Oracle, I spent not quite a week there a few years ago.  The office was in Reading, but I stayed in the lovely village of Sonning-on-Thames during the week.  An interesting note is the this is the village in which General Eisenhower stayed before D-Day.  On Friday, after work, I shifted into London and was there until mid-day Sunday. 

Working clock-wise from the right, that incredibly modern, industrial-looking structure is the world headquarters for Lloyd's of London on Lime Street.  When you consider Lloyd's began in 1688, this building a certainly a departure from its beginnings.  It actually stands on the site of the old Roman Forum.

Bottom left is the Red House in Sonning-on-Thames, the town in which I stayed during the week.  It was built in the 1600s and was recently available for rent at a mere £4,000/month.  What most attracted me was certainly not the dreadful pink curtains, but the wonderful patterning of the brick and tile work.  Plus, I love a red door.

Upper left is the house, also in Sonning-on-Thames, which nearly incited me to become the worst of an ugly American.  Between the iron gates which opened to a field containing a few cattle one day, the contrasting brick and stone work and the Gothic door, I was fascinated.  I know really nothing about it except that the drive is the entrance to property where the Bishop's Palace once stood.  The Palace, which no longer exists, was built in the late 11th Century and was the residence for the Bishops of Salisbury.  But back to the house. 

I knew the history of the grounds but could not, and still can't, find any information on the house.  It is a private residence, and does have a "private property" sign at the gate which I respected.  However, just after taking this photograph, the residents arrived home.  It took everything I had not to approach them, babble senselessly, and ask them about their house.  Aren't you proud of me for not embarrassing myself and our country?

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 13: Open

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 13: Open

This past weekend, I had lunch with friends at a favorite Italian restaurant in a small shopping center.  Walking back to the car, I noticed the plethora of "open" signs, each different from the others.  Although some of the shop owners were quite curious as to my activity, it was great fun photographing some of the various examples.

In itself, that was fine.  However, I did not feel it fully conveyed my message.  Something more was needed. 

Lo and behold, on a shelf in my guest room, I spied my pair of bookends depicting scenes from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."  What better example of "open" than that of Lucy Pevensie opening the door to the wardrobe and thus, opening the passage to great adventures and lessons learned.  Isn't that, after all, the best part of opening oneself up to reading?

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 12: Texture

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 12: Texture

Row upon row of grape vines create such a wonderful corduroy texture on the hills of Sonoma County, particularly when contrast against the blue sky, green grass and gold wild grass.  Trips along the back roads are always the best.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 11: Letter

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 11: Letter

It's a simple little note of no consequence, really, but it means the world to me.  My Gram Nissen, mom's mom, was, and still is, such a major influence in my life.  I told her story on May 7th:  Someone Who Inspires Me.  But this is about the letter.

It was one of those really emotionally dark days we all have but don't like to remember.  I don't have those days very often and am generally good at getting myself out of them, but I was having more trouble this day than most.  I was going through the drawer of my library table looking for I know not what.  I absolutely believe in the adage "the universe doth provide". 

There, in the back of the drawer, was a little slip of 3" x 4.5" slip of paper.   It wasn't the words that mattered, although I love the pillow cases, tea towel and potholders.  What mattered was that in that little note, I could feel all my Gram's love, gentleness and her belief in me.  I could feel her spirit by my side and her arms around me letting me know everything would be alright.

I now have this note tucked safely in a place where I can always find it.  However, most times, I don't really need to see it.  I know Gram is always with me.  Thank you, Gram.  I love you.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 10: Favorite Color(s)

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 10: Favorite Color(s)

Three colors have always been my favorite; not always to wear, but to have around me and to see.  These are the colors that embody life.  Green is grasses, forests; shelter.  Red is life, the blood that runs through us, the hearts we use to express our love for one another.  Blue is water, sky, sustenance for the planet and our bodies; the passage of time.  Whilst I gravitate first to the jewel-toned shades of these colors, all the various shades, working together, that bring me comfort.

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 9: Big

Photo-a-Day - July 2012 - Day 9:  Big

I know it's a bit obvious, except that most people have it wrong.  Although Big Ben has come to mean the entire tower and clocks, Big Ben is actually the name of the Great Bell that rings within the tower and weighs 16 tons.