Did You See This?

I have nothing new to offer on the knitting front, but have you seen this? Theresa C. you are amazing! I cannot even begin to fathom completing any project in 15 days; especially a charted one! Kudos!

A Redbird Christmas

Yes, I know it is the end of June. But if I am like most folks, Fannie Flagg is an author that catches the eye for one reason or another when spied on the library shelf. If you are looking for a light, feel good read - complete with a "too perfect" ending - this is it. A RedBird Christmas portrays a town that can only exist on paper. But Lord help me - I love to believe it is real!

But here is the reason I needed that dose of sugar. Young adult literature. I have returned the last three selections to the library unread because I could not get through them. I have had it up to here (you decide where that it is) with novels written for teens that show nothing but dysfunction. Is there an unwritten rule that states that if teens are to read it that the mother must be dead, missing, or dependent on something horrid (drugs, sex, alcohol, an abusive spouse/partner)? That the adults in their lives are all self-centered and would make outstanding poster children for 101 Ways to Be a Bad Parent? As the teacher of these young adults, may I say to the authors: That they are not sucked in! They find it depressing! They think it is fake! They want to read about worlds that they can be places of fantasy. Yes, Harry Potter. But also stories that are about them - not hordes of septic youth that the ALA seems to think are out there reading. End of rant, but I am finding it difficult to find something new to use in my classroom. Any suggestions?

But back to knowing it is the middle of June and not Christmas... bought a GREAT little scarf book. And I plan on knitting my way through the whole thing! I shall post very soon the FINISHED project. Then it is off to the socks!

No, I Have Not Moved to the Bahamas

It would be nice if I could spend some quality time on one of these lovely lounge chairs. Unfortunately, my time has been spent on some other high quality endeavors.

For example, we have...

...end of the marking period grading, final exams and proctoring in 90+ heat :(


Spending far too much time with these...

And really trying to fly through a lot of these to pick out books for next year's exciting 8th grade ELA class...

As the year starts to wind down, I think of all the projects that are waiting for me. Where would you begin?

• Entrelac socks
• Lorna's Laces self striping sock
• Brown "magic loop" sock
• Fair Isle sweater
• White "oh so many funky yarns" cardi
• Eros "it will never fit you right, so why don't you forget it?" zippi
• Side to side cardi "the one in the blue bag that I cannot find"
• Cool chunky yarn to make the "OMG that is so easy, I can make that!" pullover I saw while on vacation
• Tweedy Cable pullover for my husband; aka "You never make anything for me!"
• Philosopher's Wool substitute for my wonderful SIL, that I love ever so much! Yes, she can wait another Christmas because she loves me, too!

And those are the ones on the needles. We shall not discuss what is in the bags, lined up like little soldiers ready to do battle. Oh yeah, and did I tell you I started the coolest little scarf on Sunday because it was too hot to work on the Manos afghan from Hell?