I can see!

Eye surgery went so well. I can see again and everything is very bright.

On the downside, I can also see how dirty the bathroom floor is. (I'll deal with that later...maybe Sunday).

Thank you for all the prayers and positive thoughts. They obviously worked.

I can read without glasses again, and the television guide is readable once more.

Sight is awesome.

And, I finished by test-knit last night so had to take a picture with himself.






He looks pissed and as soon as I took the picture he left the couch in a huff.

Some cats like to photobomb knitter's photographs.

But not Otis.

He is too cool for such shenanigans.

It's Wednesday!

So it must be time for a HodgePodge. Check out other Hodgepodgers here.




1. I read here a list of 13 things you should do in June. I'm paraphrasing a little but basically...

Go on a road trip with your best friend, pick fresh strawberries, host a garden party, take a morning run, treat yourself to a flower bouquet, spend a whole day hiking, discover a new coffee shop, try a new ice cream flavor, read at least one book, visit a Farmer's Market, make a swing for your home, and visit a new city.

Which thing on the list do you most want to do? Of the activities mentioned, which one holds the least appeal? How many on the list will you attempt in June? What's one thing you'd add to the list?

Most likely, meaning I have already planned, pick fresh strawberries with my honourary grand-daughters, and least likely to host a garden party. Have you seen my garden? Not gonna happen.

I will read a book, go on a road trip with my dh, discover a new coffee shop, go to a farmer's market and maybe buy some flowers. What would I add to the list? Heal the things I've broken, speak the words unspoken. (line from a Stephen Fearing song that has been going around and around in my head this past week.

2. What's something you could do today to feel more peaceful?

Have a hot bubble bath. Yup, that's what I will do today.

3. June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. Are you a fan? Swiss mocha, rocky road, chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter and chocolate, or a dish of plain chocolate...what's your pleasure?

Mint chocolate chip. For a while I liked the Sea-salt and caramel, but now I am back to Mint Chocolate Chip.

4. If you came with a warning what would it say?

Caution: Cries easily. And often..

5.What's the most interesting website you've visited in the last week?

The International Buddhist Temple.

6. Spring, summer, autumn, winter...which season are you? Why?

Autumn. I was born in the Autumn. I love the Autumn. I think I am like the changing colours of the leaves - predictable and wise and yes, beautiful, in their demise.

7. "You lose sight of things...and when you travel, everything balances out." ~Daranna Gidel

Would you agree with that sentiment? Explain why or why not.

Yes, I do agree with this sentiment. When I travel I remember that I am braver than I think, and I remember how much I love the geology of this earth. I am too much of a homebody so travelling definitely helps balance that out.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

People come and go from your life
Weaving in and out
Some are the warp
and some the weft
and at the end of my life
they will have made an intricate
fabric that is unique
and mine alone.

The Artist's Way

I have been reading a book by Julia Cameron called The Artist's Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.
One of the recommendations is morning pages. Morning pages is three pages of writing, long-hand, first thing every morning. I have been doing it for about a week now. The recommendation is not to go back and re-read what you have written, but just to write.

That is funny to me because my longhand scrawl is literally unreadable especially when I am writing in my stream of consciousness mode.

I am enjoying it. Writing just to write. Not to be read by anyone (not even me), Not to be published. Not to be edited. Not to be meaninful. Just writing.

The other recommendation is to take yourself out on an Artist's date. Just you, alone. Once a week for a couple of hours. A gallery, a walk, window shopping, whatever and wherever gives you inspiration and joy. Like a play-date with yourself.

Last night I took myself out to a Dare to be Heard event. It is a gathering of writers of all genres who want to read five minutes of their work.

It is the second time I have read my work in public and I am feeling good about the feedback and about my writing. Reading it aloud is empowering. I think to myself - "Hey, this is pretty good". I am committed more than ever to finish this first edit of my novel and then to get some beta readers to have a go at it.

I have decided that once I am back from summer travels I will work at 'getting it out there'. I am excited about the possibilities.

So I am writing daily, but not here on the blog. I am feeling silenced here, but I believe The Artist's Way will help me unblock and get back to posting at least twice a week.

You with me?

I have been doing ok lately. Not great, but ok. The cat is definitely on the mend, and my sock knitting mojo is back.

I will leave you with a cute test-knit I am doing for a Ravelry designer called The Last Fish is mine. Once the pattern is live I will post the link in the comment section below.



Can you see the cats and the fish? The lace work is little paw prints. Too cute.

Working on this test-knit has made me think that maybe, one day, I could design a sock of my own.

Also, I am having eye surgery on Thursday so send me some positive vibes.

I could use them.