You know what my problem is?

Neither do I, but I believe it is a variant of obsessive-compulsive disorder. I love to read and I love to knit but I cannot find a balance between the two interests. As a result I do one or t'other. If my knitting life is productive I cannot get interested in a book. If I'm reading a good book there's no hope of getting any knitting done.

At the moment I'm trying to find that happy balance by reading Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street series. I read the first one when it first came out. I found it mildly enjoyable so I bought the second one and left it sitting on the shelf for a year. Now I've read approximately one-third of it and find that any mention of the knitting class ignites in me a burning desire to knit a sock. As I am trying to concentrate on a baby blanket and a shawl at the moment, this is ultimately counterproductive.

The end result is that the reading and the knitting are making glacial progress. And I have nothing worth photographing at this point.

I am thrilled beyond words that June is finally winding down. I have one daughter celebrating a birthday today, other daughter is graduating tomorrow, niece's birthday the next day. Need to buy gifts for gymnastics coaches, make vacation arrangements and sell my car before the end of the month. Then I plan to sleep through the first half of July.

A touch of giddiness

I live within walking distance of a burgeoning power shopping centre. It all began with Wal-Mart -- which is ick, yet constantly comes in handy -- and is becoming more interesting as it gets built up. Saturday night we were driving home from a lovely dinner at my sister's house while I was suffering from a touch of day-after-the-night-before (and in case anyone harbours any doubt, you can suffer from that malady even without alcohol) and I was immensely cheered up by the appearance of a brand-spanking-new "Coming Soon!" sign.

Michaels. Within walking distance. Of my house.

Of course I'd rather have an LYS but Michaels has its value. It beats the pants off Wal-Mart for crafty items anyway. The husband immediately laid down the law: I am only permitted to shop at Michaels if I walk there and back. Of course I cheerfully agreed. I suspect he has never walked up there himself and thinks it's farther than it is. Don't tell him it's only ten minutes.

OTN: Finally got started on one of my Socks of the Month from last summer. Must get caught up on those things. And I have made some progress on the rippled baby blanket, which is rapidly becoming a less than exciting project.

Look! Socks! I told you!

I can't say that there's much joy in knitting to deadline, but I must admit that there is a certain satisfaction. I proudly present the husband's birthday socks, only 2 1/2 weeks late.



To be honest I initially thought these things would drag into July, at least, so I'm moderately pleased with myself. Observe the major pooling on one of them. Yarn is tricky, tricky stuff.

And now what? Probably back to work on the charity baby blanket alternating with the Flowing River shawl. I've used up all my single-minded focus for this calendar year.

OK, we're going to be short and to the point here. Remember the husband's birthday socks? They're going to double as Father's Day socks, and by golly they are going to be finished. By Father's Day. You read it here first. Yes, this here blog has scooped the New York Times on the subject of the husband's socks. In all probability the Times will miss the story entirely. Their loss.

Possible distractions include the Flowing River shawl, my long-neglected Regia socks, and I'll be danged if I haven't accidentally cast on a charity baby blanket. But I will be oblivious to them until the husband's socks are done. And they will be done by Sunday. As you read here first.

A picture of one pair of completed socks will be posted by Father's Day. Have I made myself clear?