Another sparkly thing

I realized I also had another project, long-stalled, that involved a novelty yarn using sequins...I think I referred to it in the past as the Purple Thing - it's just a simple rectangle (stockinette stitch with a few garter stitches at each edge so it won't curl) knit out of a novelty yarn that grades from purple through green and that has (rather contrasting, they are silver) sequins in it.

I thought about it, and I thought, "I really want to finish all the stuff I have that's stalled" so I started with that and knit more on it last night. I also have a Red Scarf I could finish and send in to the Red Scarf project (it's getting to be time). And a lace-ribbon scarf that I'm probably going to have to rip back a bit and re-find my spot in the pattern, as I mislaid the row counter I was using, and anyway, some stitches dropped off the needles. I also have four sock projects in various stages of completion.

Restarting a stalled project is almost as good as starting a new one.

***

I tend to believe that "Every good thing you do, it comes back to you" (as the old song says).Without going into too many details, I had an instance of that yesterday (I made a larger donation than I might have to disaster relief following Typhoon Haiyan, and then later on found out that one of the rare "stipends" (really, a Christmas bonus) that sometimes happens in non-raise years if the university finds it's less strapped than it thought is going to happen for us.)

I've found this happening throughout my life - I dig in my pocket to help out some cause, while thinking a little, "I'm gonna have to be extra frugal after this." And then the next day, or within a few days, something happens - an unexpected refund, an offer to evaluate textbook chapters, things like this stipend.

I suppose it's a message to me that I need to trust in abundance more, and not be so afraid to reach out. (I'm pretty good at reaching out when it's something like making donations; not always so good when it comes to interacting with people.)

***

And I have to say, my reaction to having a few of my students wanting to move their field day from last week to this week, because last week was "cold":

AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.

The highs today are supposed to hover right around 50. (Last week, it was upper 60s).

I don't mind going out in the cold - I am still pretty cold-adapted and frankly, I feel physically better today than I have in a long while, and I think the cold and lower humidity are a big part of that. Cold, dry weather seems to be best for me. I have wool boot socks on under my sneakers and I have an older sweater I knit on. (And I've got a hat, and fingerless mitts, and a coat, if I feel like I need them. Though often on 40s-ish days, I just put on a good sweater and a hat, and I'm fine without a coat)


***

And from Jane Brocket, on the rollout of Christmas advertising:

"I find it's worth remembering that John Lewis, M&S et al are out to make profits, and their objective in life is not to make you happy."

(Even if I HAVE said, "Money may not buy happiness, but it will buy (books/yarn/fabric/tea), which is kind of the same thing.")

Yeah, I've already seen several "Buy a car for Christmas!" ads (And what would Jesus (or His Disciples) drive?)

I've also found myself buried under catalogs. And messages from companies I've ordered from in the past, reminding me of their existence.

I don't know. It still feels too early to me to think about Christmas.