Yes, Dear Reader, I Did

As most of you guessed, I did buy yarn at Ewetopia on Saturday. But I did not go crazy. I limited myself to one pattern and yarn to go with it. I think this poncho is going to be very practical, as well as pretty.

My love of color tends to drive my yarn choices, but this time I went with natural-colored yarn. I like the way it looks in the photo that on the pattern. However, this year's sheep gave off darker yarn, so mine will not have as much white as the one in the photo. That's OK. I invariably spill on anything white.

I'm still working my way through The Sixth Extinction. I've been doing too much of my reading at bedtime, so I went back last night and re-read a few chapters. It was worth the extra time. I'm still reading about historical extinctions, and it is just fascinating.  The author is a journalist, and her style is clear and engaging.

I want to start a second book, but I haven't decided between the two in the photo. Both look really good!

Don't forget to join with Kat for Unraveled today.

A Poncho and Some Books

I really should be working on a couple of pairs of socks, both of which are gifts, but I can't seem to stop knitting rounds on my Winter Ridge Poncho. I am getting close to the final stage -- the neck -- so it's hard to slow down.

I'm knitting this as a KAL with my knitting pal, Marsha, and she has finished hers because she wants to take it with her on a cruise later this week. She modeled it for me yesterday and she looked darling in it. It will be perfect for cool days on deck. And the best part is that Ewetopia has kits available on their web site again -- just use the link above.

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I finished Satin Island, and I liked it but it's not for everyone. Even though it's a novel, it reads almost like nonfiction. It's filled with all kinds of thought-provoking passages like this from the first page: "People need foundation myths, some imprint of year zero, a bolt that secures the scaffolding that in turn holds fast the entire architecture of reality ..."  Definitely a demanding read.

The plot kind of falls apart in the last quarter of the book, but I finished it anyway.  The narrator is a corporate archaeologist who is supposed to capture the narrative of the large company he works for.  Honestly, I'm not even sure if he accomplished that task. Like I said, it's interesting, but it's not for everyone.

As an antidote to all that thinking, I picked up Malice by Keigo Higashino, a mystery from Japan.  I'm about 50 pages into it and I look forward to picking it up each night. It's told from various viewpoints -- and I love that approach. It is definitely a nice change!

I'll be linking up with Ginny to Yarn Along.

Squeal! Good Yarns, Books, and Friends

If you read this blog even semi-regularly, you know that it's been a tough school year for me. And I know I'm not special; there are lots of articles out there about teachers struggling and leaving the field. But things have let up a bit on me (outside of the paperwork!), and I'm enjoying some breathing room.

And even having fun. I started my annual Black History Month unit on roots music today, and my students loved learning about Robert Johnson. Usually, they are not impressed by the scratchy recordings of this iconic bluesman, but this morning my students listened raptly.

And I'm happy with my knitting. The Winter Ridge Poncho is coming along nicely. As promised, I took a photo to show the edging at the bottom, where you start. I had to cast on 488 stitches and figure out how to cast-off without knitting, but it was totally worth it. There is a lot of stockinette in this project, so I caught up on Downton Abbey Sunday night. I am loving it even though I suspect it going to have a ridiculously happy ending.

Then, this arrived in the mail:

I am the lucky winner of Bridget's giveaway. I cannot send enough gratitude to Bridget, who blogs at The Ravelld Sleeve. There are few things I love as much as wandering around a bookstore with a gift certificate in my purse!

I had a couple fabulous hours at Barnes & Noble and decided to treat myself to these two novels:

Satin Island is a very literary novel, the type that requires concentration and thought. A Reunion of Ghosts is the story of three Jewish sisters told against the history of the 20th century, and the author lives right here in Madison.

Thank you so much, Bridget. These are the dog days of winter (if there can be such a thing), and your sweet gift means so much to me. You are an awesome blog friend and I love following your life.

Now my only problem is deciding which to read first.

Joining Ginny for Yarn Along.

Slow Knitting; Fast Reading

It has been a full week since I blogged, but I have been trying to read your posts. My apologies for those of you I have missed; it is a super busy time at work. I've been at school from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. or later.  And, because Keith is skiing in Wyoming for the week, we had a real snowfall Monday night. I love snow, and I like shoveling the sidewalks -- but not on such a tough work week! Yes, I am a wimp!

I have done a little more on my Winter Ridge Poncho. The rounds are long and slow! But the yarns are so beautiful. I'll take a photo in natural light over the weekend so you can see for yourself.

Please excuse the flash photo. I'm never home in daylight.

I put Savage Girl aside after I stumbled on The Short, Strange Life of Herschel Grynszpan when I was selling books at Half Price. It's the true story of a 17-year-old boy who shot a Nazi diplomat at the embassy in Paris in 1938. Hitler used the incident to set off the night of attacks on Jews knows as Kristallnacht. It is a heartbreaking and gripping narrative.

I'm joining at Ginny for Yarn Along.