Something Beautiful and Something Ugly

My niece who it a budding artist offered as a birthday present to paint my Danskos.  I am a big fan of Van Gogh, so I asked her to look at his roses for inspiration.

And this is how she painted the Danskos.

I now call them my “Happy Shoes”, I smile every time I gaze upon them.

Now for the something ugly, the main reason I haven’t posted for awhile.  I woke up one morning, and as I was getting my bearings before I would get up, I had an itch.  As I was scratching it, I could feel a lump… it was on the side of my left breast.  My first reaction was “Where did that come from?” and then I better get this checked out.   Within 10 days they confirmed it was breast cancer.  Then the whirlwind started.  Tests, surgery, trips to ER, tests, chemo, change in chemo treatment because I was having severe reactions like not breathing, tests, new chemo treatment, more tests, and as of today I am in my second week of radiation which is 5 days a week.  The hardest of all of this was telling my children (all teens).

In this whirlwind, there have been rays of sunshine, from family, friends, neighbors, fellow parishioners and last but not least members of my guild.  I am very blessed that I do not have to go through this alone.  The doctors, nurses and technicians have been so sweet as well as very competent.

I hope to be posting more frequently, I was able to do some knitting/spinning/weaving during this time that I’ll share with you.

And if it’s been awhile, go get tested.

My New Earthquake Detector

I was a very contented individual knitting and spinning.  But during the course of visiting the blogs of other knitters and spinners, I found that there are quite a few who also weave.  I have admired their projects, scarves, towels, blankets but thought I don’t have the time or space at this stage in my life to take up weaving.  The weavers in my guild were also gently shoving pushing me to give it a try.  So last year at the guild’s garage sale I saw and bought a rigid heddle loom for $20.   My thinking was, its small and maybe I could give it a try and see if I like it.  But it wasn’t until recently that I warped it and started weaving. 

I am using Knit Picks Kettle Dyed Sock Yarn  Bordeaux and Eggplant for the warp and some hand spun Ashland Bay Rose Quartz Merino , 2 ply for the weft.

Well I am officially hooked, thanks mostly to Alice and Pamela.

While recouping from some surgery, I got a call from a friend who said that she was had decided to leave the state.  She mention that one of the things that she wasn’t going to be taking with her was a loom and if there was anybody I knew who would be interested.  So I very happy to report that I have something new in my living room, thank you Mada.

I am very excited.

The loom needs cleaning but I think from first inspection it looks to be in very good shape.

Yesterday as I was knitting (Fountain Pen Shawl) in my living room, I heard the heddles of the loom start to rattle and as they got louder I could then feel the earthquake.   The quake gave us a good shake, it was 5.4 and about 60 miles away.  We had a few good size aftershocks since.

I am indeed very happy with my new loom/earthquake detector.

Different Shoes

Last night was the high school graduation of my eldest.

It seems a bit surreal to me.  Kind of like when we first brought her home.  Her daddy and I would just stare at her, trying to absorb that this tiny human being is real and she is ours.

We are both very proud parents.

Dang it.  Where are those tissues?