The Summer Slump

What is it about knitting that makes us compulsive? Is it the actual rhythmic process or is it satisfaction of the finished project? To have something we have made with our own two hands, something unique? The satisfaction of completion?  

I personally, love all of it! I love the soothing rhythm of knitting and crocheting. I find it relaxing as well as a challenge. I suppose that is why most crafters have more than one project going at a time. I need to have the no nonsense project always at hand for the stressed mind to be soothed. But I am finding more and more that I need to have a challenge nearby as well. I get a small thrill of satisfaction form having the ability to knit or crochet in the dark. 

Ok, so maybe that is a little weird, but think about all the times your family is asleep and you have the urge to knit. Or, say when your boyfriend decides you have been up late enough and turns out the light so you can't knit, and you can still continue to knit without them (that would be the thrill of defiance...LOL)!

I also love the admiration from other people (and who doesn't), the ability to give a unique gift to someone that over shadows the appreciation of a purchased gift. It tells a story of love when you give something that is hand made. Anyone can go to the store and buy something, but it takes a special kind of love to make a gift for someone. 

So then, since all of these things are important to me, why then do I always have that annual summer knitting slow down? Naturally, the lack of air conditioning in my home says a lot. It is difficult to work on a large project when you're feeling smothered by the weight of it and it increase your body temperature by 20 degrees. So...problem solved right? Work on something small and light! Well- that is not happening either. I have two pairs of socks as well as a scarf and hat that I could be working on. I can't blame it all on Brodie, since this is really a seasonal slump for me, more so than because I have a new puppy demanding a lot of my time.  Maybe it is because I am spending more time outside (playing), or maybe it is because I am busier at work, but that usually makes me knit more. Or is it just too hard to think about making wintery type items when it is 90 degrees and the humidity is 150 percent? 

Yah, that must be it- all of the above.

Here is a shot of what I did Sunday morning at the CRACK of DAWN! No sillies, I did not run, as if...I took the pictures of the police officers running in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. These courageous cops also got up at the crack of dawn to pass the torch from Winthrop Harbor, IL town to town all the way to Lincolnwood, IL to signal the beginning of the Special Olympics which take place this coming weekend.

Bless them, for sure I could not have run even the shortest leg of the trip.

Look at that sweet face!! Who would have ever guessed that that sweet little baby could harbor the soul of a terrorist!!! 

Clearly we have our work cut out for us!!!  Brodie has not yet learned you do not touch Momma's knitting basket! (note the chew marks on the needle).

HEY!!! THAT'S MY TOE!!!!!

Oh Boy!!! Here we go again.... Apparently Brodie also likes Momma's shoes! And will take them right off her foot!  

, 

Clearly thinking, "Hmmmmm..... What else can I get into...."

Well, I did manage to salvage my TOFUtsie sock, if not the needles. It took me a good ten minutes to untangle the mess Brodie put it in, then I figured that should be my cue to get off my fat butt and graft the toe.  THAT was when I discovered my first puppy causality. My little terrorist bit off a quarter inch of one of my needles. I might be able to sand down the tip for a repair, but it was not the same needle with the chew marks on the tip, Oh Boy!  When you have such a well behaved older dog in the house for so many years, you tend to forget about the baby proofing part of puppydom.

We did get lucky with finding a place, right next door the a pair of out-laws!! A/C in the summer and Heat in the winter...what a concept!! Built in doggie- sitters right next door. My niece Emily is very excited about walking Bingo and Brodie (now there is a visual, Bings doesn't exactly do leash very well, and Emily is 7) and Raine is ecstatic about Mimi living next door to Emily!

I won't miss this house at all! It served it's purpose I guess, but it is too high maintenance. Too big for the four of us and too damn hard to keep clean for the one of us. Especially with the kind of hours I keep.  I think we will all miss this yard though. Especially my babies, they love the open space and having 4 acres means no poop patrol, at least as far a Bingo is concerned. He is  very considerate that way. Moving to a duplex definitely means poop patrol! YUK! And, no off leash playing in the yard. I think we will be making lots of trips to the forest preserve and the dog park.

And as you can see, Brodie really loves to run, and run and run, literally circles around Bingo, and anything else he sees.

It will be an interesting move for sure.