I'm seeing black dots - is that normal?

Oh. My.


FREAKING.


FRACKNESS.

Click a word...any word...

VIP Service.

I got my brochures from Cunard, two days after I ordered them - lovely "ExpressPost". I'm sure if I hadn't made up all those expensive cruises I'd taken, they'd have sent them by donkey.

GrannyPurple, your comment made my entire week. And, Bon Voyage!

* * *

I got a lovely Bodum for Christmas, having wanted one for a long time. Any ideas what this might be?

You, there in the back - good answer. Observe, the transformation:

The steek stitches.

The steek, fulfilling its natural purpose.

The serger, fulfilling its natural purpose.

I like Bodum cozies, and there's no arguing their necessity. This one ended up a bit too narrow, even after an aggressive blocking, so I ended up ribbing more than I thought. Don't care - it looks cute. I opted for many buttons because I think it looks neat that way.

Bodum Cozy

Pattern: None. Corrugated rib using scraps

Yarn: Patons Classic Merino in a few colours

Needle: 2 circular method, 5mm bamboo

Time: about six hours all together

Size: About Bodum-sized. Could have used a few more stitches (I cast on 40 - should have used about 52)

"We're all just children when our mothers die."
-Father Milia, Lilies

------------------------------

My friend Sandy, who (you may remember) was diagnosed with cancer in August 2007, lost her mother yesterday. It was sudden, shocking - late complications from a surgery that seemed to go perfectly well at the time.

I was up late knitting and thinking, but as philosophical as my thoughts were I can share none of them with you. I don't have the heart to.

Remember Sandy and her family today if you can, and for God's sake go hug your mum.

Ocean LIEner.

So I went to the Cunard website today, because I have this fantasy where I fly to Wales, spend a few weeks walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, go by rail to Southampton and then cross the Atlantic by ship. When I came back I would be different - changed somehow. Quiet. Introspective. Wise. Laconic. There could be an ineffable air of quality.


Anyway, I was looking at the pretty pictures of ocean liners, dreaming of brass door handles and parquet dance floors, windy balconies and sparkling portholes, and I noticed a link inviting me to order free brochures to be sent in the mail. You could choose any three of their glossy publications, including an informative DVD. I ordered that one, naturally, along with "Transatlantic Crossings" and the "2009 Voyages" brochure.


They asked me to fill out some information. Address and phone stuff, mostly, but then they politely inquired whether I had cruised before, and would I please check all the cruise lines on which I had travelled?


This is the weird part - I blithely told them that Yes, I had cruised before, and I had been on Princess, Norwegian, and Holland America. I was planning a cruise in the North Sea and was interested in Scandinavia. And - Oh, what the heck, send me more info on the Mediterranean as well. Why not!


What compelled me to spin a web of lies for the benefit of an anonymous and uncaring Cunard clerk? Would it really matter to them if they knew that every cruise I've taken, thus far, has been with the classy, inimitable BC Ferries? (I recommend the Pacific Buffet, by the way - you can make your own toaster waffles - many as you like.)


I read over my newly-minted Cunard profile, wherein I am (apparently) a woman with nothing but money and time to lay on deck chairs all over hell's half-acre, and wondered what on earth possessed me. It occurred to me, on reading the places I have (not) been, that I had invented a curious blend of where my parents have been, and where I want to go. It's very odd. Plus I think I put "Norwegian" on there because I would like to go to Norway. How nonsensical is that.





See me? I'm waving out of one of those portholes.

All is not Lost.

Thank you Ames - this is the best thing I've seen in a while.

Ancient and Modern, Revised.

Did you know Marc Chagall created a church-full of stained glass windows? Neither did I, until Susie told me about it. Go look at them - it's well worth it.

Boom, like that.

I've mentioned it before, but you might have forgotten - Mr Half Soled Boots suffers from chronic renal insufficiency, and in 2006 had a kidney transplant. My sister donated to him. My father-in-law has the same disease (Polycystic Kidney Disease) and had a transplant 20 or so years ago. Shortly after Mr HSB's transplant, his dad's graft failed. He has been on automated peritoneal dialysis since then, and six months ago was deemed healthy enough to be put on the transplant list in Ontario.

Today was my FIL's birthday. Just after we phoned to wish him many happy returns, he called us back: the hospital in London had paged him - they have a kidney for him. He goes in at 5.30 tomorrow morning (January 20) and, if the final tests all go well, he'll have a new kidney by tomorrow night.

If you have a minute to pray for him, wish him well, or cross whatever you usually cross, that would be great. I'd appreciate it.

I'll let you know what happens...and also Pssst.....consider becoming an organ donor.

==================

ETA: David waited 15 hours for an OR to open up, and went into surgery at 9.00 PM. The kidney was a 'perfect match'...all went well, and he is in recovery...