I was inspired by Danny Gregory's website (www.dannygregory.com) and rushed out to buy his latest book, "An Illustrated Life", which, in turn, inspired me to dust off my own journal and add an illustrated entry (above). I was sitting at the counter of my new (and not complete) kitchen. Those chubby fingers are mine.

Danny story is heart-warming and a his book is a gift for any artist in a slump, block or stiffled.

I don't know how "blocked" I am. I do know finding the moments to write, draw, journal or knit is challenging. Finding time is the struggle for me; it always has been. I pack life with all I can bear and still there is so much I want to do. By this is the Long Weekend - the gateway to Canadian summers. The welcome of COTTAGE SEASON!!!! And with that comes the slowing of time to sit still and watch the loons float by or a fish flip it's tail. Sounds idlyllic and mostly, it is. I won't ignore that it is black fly season and most of any watching anything will be done from indoors THIS particular weekend. But I still can't wait!

Happy Long Weekend Canada!

Posted by purlprincess at 7:36 AM EDT

Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009 11:06 AM EDT

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Mood:  special

So a couple weeks ago, I am on the phone with one of my nieces catching up. I told her I was working on the proposal for my second book, "Nine Months of Knitting" and asked her if she had any prego friends or friends with young tiny babies. She said she had a friend that was pregnant, but not due until August.

Fast forward to Saturday evening, when I am up to my elbows in preparing a meal for ten and my brother phones with "big news". My brother just recently moved back to Canada from China, where he had been teaching English and German and working on an online doctorate (I still chuckle at Doctor Dit - Dit is our nickname for Richard) or maybe it's his Masters - I am a little unclear, which isn't unusual where my brother is concerned. So Richard has actually landed a job (in this economy!) and is now moving out on his own (has been living with daughter, Sarah). His Chinese wife, Lan-Ping is still in China. To bring her here, Richard must be employed and have a home. Check. Check. So I assume this is the big news - that Lan-Ping is coming to Canada -"Richard, Winzer! Winzer!!!" Winzer is Chinese for mosquitoe and that's another story of Lan-Ping's first visit to Canada and our cottage 2 years ago - too funny.

So the news is "Sarah is twelve weeks pregnant!" Whaaaaaaaattttt??????? When I get on the phone with her, she says "You know when you asked my if I had any friends that were pregnant for your book? Well, I was the friend that was. That was me!!!" I am so pleased for Sarah. I haven't met her boyfriend yet, but knowing Sarah (who is ten years my junior), this gal has such a lovely heart and demeanor. You know her kid will win hearts, just like the mom did. And I will have a family baby to model!!!! Too perfect! Sarah had modelled for me in Twelve Months of Knitting. Here she is:

SARAH'S GOING TO BE A MOMMY!!!!!!!

Posted by purlprincess at 9:13 AM EDT

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In this world of www, email, forums, blogs, have we become colder as people? Tone is everything in speech. Partnered with body language it enables the speaker to deliver the message unmuddied. I suppose in this world online, the best communicators are the best writers. I'm a matter-of-fact kinda girl - and my tone in writing may be misconstrued for attitude, which is upsetting because I believe in truth without harming anyone. I teach my kids "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Idealistic, maybe.

 I have some girlfriends, very dear, dear girlfriends, who are examples of complete kindness. They are my stellar girls. I try to emulate them and sometimes fall flat on my nose (my matter-of-factness). As I get older, I listen more, read more, smile more (I know now it doesn't matter what your teeth look like, it matters, a good dental plan or not, your face lights up when you smile) . I happen to like hugs and kisses. I can't do that online, can I? OXO I am affectionate and physical - I touch people on the arm when I speak to them. Can I do that here? Not so much.

So forgive my tone if it ever sounds anything but friendly (as it is meant). I love to write so I guess I need to work on my smiles, kisses and hugs online.

I'm tired today - Oscars and a brutally cold day!!!! On a brighter note, yarn arrived by courier!!! I was expecting Handmaiden and got a box of Blue Sky Alpaca and a box of Spinrite (Bernat and Patons) to play with. And the Handmaiden is on its way!!! Truly a knitting-by-the-fire kind of day and I have been online for much too long now. Back to work!!!

Have a fab day!

OOOOOXXXXXOOOO

Posted by purlprincess at 1:19 PM EST

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Part One: Life XIII

Emily Dickinson

THE SOUL selects her own society,

Then shuts the door;

On her divine majority

Obtrude no more.

Unmoved, she notes the chariot’s pausing

At her low gate;

Unmoved, an emperor is kneeling

Upon her mat.

I ’ve known her from an ample nation

Choose one;

Then close the valves of her attention

Like stone.

Posted by purlprincess at 8:23 AM EST

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Whew! Talk about being tardy! I have been battling my blog site because I haven't been able to post since my last entry. I discovered I had to go back to Firefox 2 browser (from version 3). But discovering this solution has taken me this long.

 So Sample Sale....my project samples have been building up and I need to make room for new ones. If you see anything you like, please send a quote for shipping. I will include how to pay (I use paypal or certified cheques).

On another note, I have been stumped on the baby shawl for a while now, but think I have finally broken the block. All it needed was concerted effort and a huge amount of time (which I didn't have until recently). The baby book is close to being "born". I am being smarter about the process for book #2 and it's all in the prepare. Having most of the work done with a tight deadline is a nice place to be.

On the Wilson Ave Book Club update - out of 10:

9/10

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Quirky. Funny enough, Trish loaned me a copy that Steve's puppy chewed the cover off of. I sat on the GO Train while reading it and the state of the cover (or lack of) totally suited the storyline.

8/10

A much easier read than Michael's earlier works (which were equally as good - English Patient is an all time fav of mine). The ending could have been different for me, but well worth the read.

8/10

NOT BOOK CLUB

I heard this was a great read and I had never read Jodi Picoult before. Not exactly high brow but wow, what a great storyteller! I am now a fan have have purchased 2 more of her books - you'll see them here eventually too. 

7/10

NOT BOOK CLUB

I love the idea of this book and the absolute heroism of Greg Mortenson. It will warm your hearts. 

4/10

Sorry Elizabeth - but I couldn't wait to finish this book (in a bad way). If it weren't for pressure from the book club to read, I would have given up on it much earlier. I felt there should have been more character building and less of the dull landscape of the Canadian North barrens. Unless you are an avid canoer, be prepared to doze while reading.

7/10

I thought this was a wonderful debut novel about the long love affair of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick. Whether you are a fan of Frank's work or a sucker for romance, Loving Frank will surely please.

9/10

Yay!!!! I loved ready this book, What a gem! I have a thing for elephants so while I totally enjoyed Barbara Gowdy's "The White Bone" (another 9/10), the book club didn't (still can't belive that!). but we all loved Water for Elephants.

Here are the upcoming book club titles (and my new Jodi Picoult's). I promise to  give an more in depth review next time: 

Posted by purlprincess at 1:28 PM EST

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