* I did go out today; I needed a couple things from Ulta and was loath to mail order (given that once my order somehow got shipped BACK to them, apparently UPS sometimes messes up).
* But I also did go to the yarn shop, because why not? I'm down that way already. I just like the Katy depot anyway, they always have lovely plantings (this time: some huge red hibiscus in the garden)
Also, the interior of the building is nice; the main hall, which I presume was the old waiting room, has remarkable chandeliers in it. I am sure they are recent, but they do make the space very elegant. This hall is often used for galas and wedding receptions
I did buy a couple skeins - a deeply discounted "one of a kind" dyed colorway (I presume: it was a one off combination, maybe using up leftover dye) from Dream in Color, which has changed hands and the owner of Quixotic Fibers has chosen to no longer carry in favor of some smaller companies (and a semi-local dyer called Chicken Coop). It's various browns and golds and I am not sure what I'll make with it, but it was a good price and I just liked it.
I also bought a misty green skein (with some small flashes of brown in it) that was dyed by the original owner of the shop (who is now retired and dyes yarn full time). I want to do some elaborate cabled socks with this one.
And it's just nice to look at what is on offer, and talk a bit with the new owner, who knows me.
*Something I realized - and I said to her, and she commiserated - was that really, since the pandemic, I have not knit nearly as much complex stuff as I once did. I once knit a whole Song of Hiawatha shawl! I've made cabled sweaters! But recently.....I don't know if I've gotten dumber, or if I'm just worn out, or getting old, or what, but it's harder to force myself to do more than stockinette.
(I did pull out the "Egyptian Stucco" shawl, with the thought of trying to get to the lace section soon)
But I don't know. I don't read as much or as complex things any more either. It may be tied up with the feeling of "foreshortened life," like, "you might not be around to use this complex, time consuming thing, or finish this 600 page book" which first came up in the pandemic, then again in 2022 when Ukraine was invaded and there was speculation it could lead to nuclear war, and now, with....well, with everything (pandemics and the threat of food insecurity and war in the middle east and the rise of AI and random stochastic violence...). I also find it harder to plan research projects for similar reasons and frankly I'd be content to just be a fieldhand/plant identifier/help with data entry and analysis, but you can't really do that...
I mean yes, it has always been thus; life has always been precarious for almost everyone, and I guess you just have to stuff that down and keep moving...
* My main goal (other than getting more of the "pore primer" I use) was to take a print I had bought from an Etsy artist and get it framed. It's an opossum, curled up in a nest of leaves, and the legend it "The world is cruel; therefore I won't be" (here)
It was a little odd-sized (9 7/8" square when the framer measured; I got roughly 25 cm at home) so I figured it would be hard to find a ready made frame, and I felt like I wanted to spend the money (even though the framing is several times what the print originally cost). I had some cash on hand; my mom had made a small gift to my brother and sister in law to help with some car repairs, so she gave me a comparable amount "to be fair" (even though, strictly speaking, I don't NEED it) so I thought spending $100 on framing was an okay investment.
I found a really nice gray-green frame that picks up the green in the print and I"m sure the framers are instructed to agree with people's choices, but she was enthusiastic enough about my choice that I think it was a good one.
I'm not sure where I will hang it up, but I'll find a spot.
One thing I notice about getting "real" art framed - it makes me feel like a real grown-up. I remember once or twice going to galleries with my parents when they purchased something, and my mom still has things they got professionally framed (like a print commemorating an exhibition of art from old herbals) up on the wall.
I also like the print. I like the sentiment ("The world is cruel, therefore I won't be") and it's long been one of my operating principles for life, but I admit sometimes these days I need reminding of it more firmly, and I need especially to be reminded that there's some value in choosing NOT to be cruel in a world that often is, that I'm not just a chump for trying to be kind.
I did also see that the Michael's near me has got in a few fabrics, and they have a very small number of printed patterns (So I guess the death of ALL the pattern companies didn't happen). Most of them were kids' clothes and accessories but still it was nice to see them. The fabric was all quilting fabric, which is fine; I'd rather not see the yarn section go away in favor of just fabric (I admit I'd rather see the "party" or "scrapbooking" stuff be reduced in coverage, but I suspect because party stuff is ephemeral and scrapbooking is paper and lots of people do it, they are probably subsidizing some of the other crafts).
I did find one fabric that I liked.
I admit that I went "EEEEEEEE" (like Bingo or Bluey when they are excited) inwardly when I saw it. And yes, I bought a big chunk - I need some new "fun" pillowcases. (I hope my sewing machine still works; it's been a year since I used it because the sewing room is now overtaken by the bits of the half-finished Moominhouse. I suppose I can find a place to set those bits so I can cut, but that's also something I need to get back to working on)
But not tonight; I have to prewash the fabric to get any sizing out and in case it shrinks a little.
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