THE MUSING
![]() |
Must be lunch time! |
Pavlov’s dogs have nothing over me. For the last 42 years I have been conditioned to respond to bells. They only make me salivate at lunch time. But they are the cue that it’s time to transition to a new activity. As a student and then a teacher, the schedule for each day was predictable and planned in advance. I really like that structure. I need structure.
My health has screwed that up. I don’t always know if I will be functional when I agree to an activity next Tuesday at ten, or this afternoon at three. I miss more family get togethers than I attend. I struggle to plan quality time to spend with friends.
I plan my knitting around my energy levels. The last dragonfly shawl, that I am making as a Christmas present, is not quite finished yet because I have to read a pattern. After that, I have to wash, stretch, and pin down the shawl in the shape I want. Thinking about it can make me tired.
![]() |
I wish my binge watching looked this good. |
So I have brainless knitting projects going too, things that are simple and repetitive. Today I have a sweater and a wash cloth on needles that I can pick up and work on when my energy is fairly low. When energy hits rock bottom, I can't even knit. Then it’s hours in bed with NPR or Netflix.
But without a plan, I feel lost and disorganized. So I’ve mapped out my week now in a way that I hope will work:
Tuesday: Write the first draft of this blog.
Wednesday: Finish blog-related knitting for the week.
Thursday: Find and take pictures. Revise and Edit.
Friday: More revision and editing; Set up and publish.
Saturday: List Etsy Items.
Sunday: Crochet Christmas presents.
Other than the knitting, most of these tasks can be done in an hour. I definitely don’t need any sort of planning calendar. But planning this schedule felt good and I think it’s realistic.


As I write this paragraph, it is Thursday night at 8:19. I am editing and proofreading. I found a picture of a sick skunk. He represents me today.
I’m not really hurting, but I have been down mood wise. I haven't showered. I didn't wash any dishes. I didn’t take blog pictures. I did binge watch about five episodes of Haven on Netflix. And I knit, but I still don’t feel productive. We’ll see what time I actually get the blog posted tomorrow.
![]() |
Some days showering is optional. |
THE KNITTING (kind of)
I don’t actually have new knitting to show today. I have a problem to solve. Most of the things I have ordered from Etsy come with cute tags or business cards and sometimes little freebees. I would like to improve the “experience” of ordering from my ETSY shop.
![]() |
Notice the hand-knit dog sweaters. My dog doesn't have one. |
![]() |
Not my cookie. |
The problem is, I am no Martha Stewart. Once I watched her make some American flag cookies and thought, “I can do that.” Then I instantly realized that my guys would appreciate sugar cookies just as much in any shape with frosting of any color.
Likewise, my sold items arrive on-time, clean, and in good condition, but they are usually just put in an Express Mail envelope or box with their receipts.
![]() |
Still not my cookies. These are colorful and have glitter on them |
I’m going to start with the wash cloths. I think they are wonderful, but they don’t photograph well. I want to package them to look like a cute shower gift. I’m also considering putting in beaded friendship bracelet with each order attached to a “thank you” tag (I bought the PDF on Etsy.) These are my attempts.
![]() |
Better, but not great yet. |
I also want to show off the final dragonfly shawl. I finally finished Friday Morning as well as getting the listing knitting from the last two weeks in my shop.
Finally a sneak peak of next week. I haven't chosen a topic, but I am working on two projects.
A homespun merino wool sweater-- I’ve finished the front and most of the back. I’ll know how long the sleeves are when I see how much yarn is left over.
A summer scarf/wrap made of a linen/cotton blend--linen and cotton both start out quite crisp, but then soften with washing and wearing.
No comments:
Post a Comment