Monday, Monday

Ahhh....Monday, Monday....
Last week was crazy busy! Had an old friend visiting which kept me hopping. We took the Readers Digest Condensed version of the Alaska Tour. Traveled to Talkeetna and found a beautiful summer day. My friend flew Talkeetna Air Taxi to Ruth Glacier on Denali and was awestruck by the grandeur and majesty of it all.



We enjoyed another afternoon trip to Seward with a boat (my friend insisted it was a ship) to Fox Island where we skipped stones on the beach and had a lovely dinner of fresh grilled salmon.






We fished unsuccessfully for kings at the Eklutna Tailrace




then fed baby muskox at the muskox farm in Palmer.

Like I said, it was the condensed tour. I worked the whole week...caught 10 (yep ten) babies...the level of fecundity is astounding.

I am also in the throes of puppy parenting. Was "gifted" with a delightful new friend. Her name is Adele but I call her Addy for short. She's a now 13 week old Min Pin.



Like dynamite in a tiny dog body. Very fun and very energetic. Has increased the noise and clatter quotient of the household exponentially! And of course, she likes the knitting!





Speaking of knitting....yes, there still is.
I am currently enjoying the baby sock pattern from Joelle Hoverson's "more Last-Minute Knitted Gifts".....I picked this book up from Joann Fabrics a week or two ago because I fell in love with Leah's Lovely Cardigan. There are an awful lot of other super-cute patterns as well, and with the 50% coupon, it was a no-brainer.

Worked in the garden a bit yesterday, my Blue Himalayan Poppies are stunning!



Planted a raised bed full of strawberries and completed 2 more 3' x 6' x 12" boxes to paint and fill for veggies. Am envisioning a backyard with minimal grass mowing and lots of veggies and perennials along the Southern fence. Will spend this winter developing garden plans and hopefully get the landscaping initiated next spring.

Enough of my ramblings for the day. Time to mop the floor (thanks to puppy its a more than daily chore)...bills need to be paid, laundry needs to be folded. Thanks for the comments and support. You probably dont know it but you blog buddies are a fantastic source of comfort! Until next time...

Knit (or garden) on!

Cinque Terre

candy colored neighbors clinging to Ligurian cliffs.......

Venice

decaying grandeur,
ghosts.
imagination.
unforgiving elements.....

Here we go again....

So, it's been over a year and a half since I last blogged....lots of good reasons...lots of life changes.....
Big breath....I got separated...I am getting divorced.
That was easier to write than expected. Such a small word for such a big change.
Yes, we sold the house...but, I myself, bought a new house. Much smaller, much older, much, much closer to work. Such an adorable cute house. I love it.
The daughter has grown up, moved out of state, and is pursuing her dream...working hard, learning life lessons, independently. Guess we did a good job. Miss her LIKE CRAZY!
I am OFFICIALLY middle aged. Over 50.
Took myself to ITALY for two weeks for my birthday. Best. Vacation. Of. My. Life. Ate gelato three times a day sometimes. Felt like a cliche'. But loved it. And will go back!
Still catching babies. A lot.
Still teaching at the University. A little.
Started working with SART as well...I'm SANE...(google it)..still the acronym makes me giggle inappropriately.
Losses....Tucker man...beautiful, loyal furfriend......hemangiosarcoma off his pancreas...passed away in April of this year. Peacefully. Surrounded by love.
Grandma Clara. Would have been 90 in July. Passed away peacefully May 11. I was holding her hand. It felt like....a soap bubble popped.....I looked down and she was gone. Miss. Her. Like. Crazy....more than I ever thought I would. Really. Still getting used to her being gone. Still see things at the store and think "oh, she will like this"....and realize belatedly that she's gone.
So many many changes. And yet...I still knit. I still catch babies. I still am me.
I think, it is time to start blogging again.
If you are still out there and reading this...let me know...