My fingerless mitts. Aren't they pretty? While I could knit some new ones, I just haven't. It's not that they aren't on the list. These are actually the legs of an old pair of socks I made maybe 6 or 7 years ago of bits of Harrisville Shetland 2-ply. As this yarn isn't really suited to the hard wear and tear that socks get, the feet didn't last long before they started wearing out, of course. I couldn't bear to throw them away, and then one day I cut off the feet, slipped them onto my arms, and there you are: instant fingerless mitts, gauntlets, or what have you, with built-in thumb holes already conveniently placed. You think I look like a bag lady? I agree, but I loved these socks and I only wear them while I'm at the computer. Beautiful yarn. Perfect colors. It's time for a real pair, though. Maybe these, these , these, these, these, these, not these but most likely like these although not necessarily striped, just because I'd like to give the Crystal Palace Kid Merino a try. It's priced right, is available locally, and comes in some good colors, both solid and variegated. Check out the matching socks!
So, what does all of this have to do with the title, Self Help? Nothing really, except that I wore these today while on a walk, thought they might be blogworthy, and grabbed the camera to take a picture of them when I got home.
It's been a rough couple of weeks for me, and I know I'm not the only one. I've been seeing it here and there around the blogs. Not sure if it's the lack of sunshine, lack of snow, the holiday let down, the darkness, the new year, or what. I'm completely overwhelmed, overstimulated, exhausted, and unmotivated all at the same time.
Ack! Last weekend I found myself in the Self Help section of a bookstore for the first time. Really in that section, not just casually looking.
I wish I could tell you I found the answer in a book, but I didn't. I have come across all sorts of helpful suggestions lately in other people's posts and was planning on linking to several of them here, but I'm not going to.
"Self Help". That is what I really needed, which has included spending time with real people, in the here and now, as well as spending time alone, all to myself, to try and get my head around all this.
We've gathered with friends and family several times this past week, getting together to celebrate birthdays and having potlucks/game nights/sledding parties/bowling, and meeting new people. I've spent less time with all of you online, and more time with my family. I've slept more, and blogged less. I'm still knitting, just not much to show yet.
Then, today, I went for a long walk ALL BY MYSELF, with one of the dogs, and NO camera. I looked at everything directly, not through the lens of a camera. I sat for a good while by the river and soaked in the sunshine. I found myself singing at the top of my lungs on the way home (luckily no one could hear me!)
Don't get me wrong. It's not that you're not real to me. You're just not here with me. On the other hand, you are. Believe me, I "take" you all with me where ever I go. I even "took" you to the river with me today. I wish I could meet you all.
I confess. I did come home with one book from the Self Help section. It is Keri Smith's, Living Out Loud. It's not as if I expect miracles out of it, but her blog is inspiring and always cheering and the book appears to have a playful and lighthearted approach. If it's not going to be fun, it's not what I need right now. Besides, I had to use my 30% off coupon to the bookstore, right?
