The turkey is early. And shy.

 Autumn is definitely here.  I don't go walking in the morning because I am a wimp about going out when it's that cold.  I'll probably get past it in another week or so, but for now, at least on weekends, I walk in the afternoon.  This means I take different routes as two of my usual ones get crowded in the afternoons.

Photos are from one of my walks:

   

   

   

He was coolly walking, then scrambled when I tried to get a photo.

I've been indulging in online tours and events, as a break from work.  Friends are "at" some, so we get to "see" each other.  I miss having opportunities to go out with people, and while there are a few opportunities for picnics or walking tours or socially-distanced arts performances, I haven't partaken.  Part of it is not having the energy after a week of 10-13 hour workdays, part of it is being still uncomfortable being in crowds.  I go out twice a week, once to the CSA pickup and once on the weekend to the post office, farmstand, and other errands.

I do feel annoyed and isolated when I see friends reporting about going out and doing things, including visiting family, and when colleagues talk about traveling.  I've read a couple articles this weekend that discussed how people are feeling "pandemic fatigue" and so are taking risks because they are tired of not being able to do things, and because it's clear that even if you take all safety precautions you can still catch COVID-19, so people figure why bother?  I guess I keep bothering because I have older family members I'd like to see again someday, and I want to be alive to do it.

On an up note, I finally heard about the baby blanket I sent overseas at the beginning of the pandemic.  I had planned to give it to one of my best friends to carry to the new baby and parents, but of course all the trips were cancelled so I had to trust the post.  The mother reported that "Ayala loves it (put it in her mouth first thing which is the ultimate test) and we love the pattern and special thought that went into the colors."  Now I cam post a few photos, taken at each stage of the pattern:

   

I chose the colours because the father is from The Netherlands, the mother is Israeli, and while they lived in the USA for several years, they made aliyah (well, for the mother, just returning home) about six months before Ayala was born.  So the colours seemed natural choices for her.

Mid-month mini-resolutions update

These are the three hats I worked on during Yom Kippur, as I reported in the previous post:

The two with flipped colours are the Color Dipper Hat, without a pompon, and the other is Barley Light from Tin Can Knits, using an oddball I never got around to turning into mittens as originally planned.

Instead of working on my Boneyard Shawl, I started a shawl for my grandmother, and then decided to make a vest to go with it:

The shawl is waiting for the vest to be finished, and then I'll use the remainder of the yarn to finish the shawl.  My grandmother chose it when we were out and about on one of my visits, I hope she likes it as much in the finished items as she did in the store.

Harvest Moon Night

 It feels just fall, a bit cool, but perfect for a movie outside:

Real Art Ways has been holding movie events and concerts in its parking lot, with bubbles painted on the pavement.  Tonight was a special event, a showing of "RBG" in memoriam, and for only women members.  Plus a couple toddlers and at least one small dog.

We sheered, we applauded, we cried.  Even those of us who have seen the film before.  And parts were made so much more poignant by her death the Friday before last, especially her reaction to the 2016 election.

It was my first big event since March.  I went to tashlich but it was small.  I knew that I could leave if I needed to, but I felt safe in my bubble, and people were respectful of others.

Mini-Resolution Update

I did not finish the Boneyard Shawl, but I did finish one of my UFOs.  And quite a few hats, mittens, and at least one other scarf.

October Mini-Resolutions

On the KnitTalk list we call this "Aftober" because a woman started encouraging people to finish things in October.  Anything.  Something old, something new, any color, red or blue.....  You get the point.  Since some of the others on the list made Boneyard Shawls I should finish mine.  They've been encouraging it.  But first, the third hat I started on Yom Kippur; part of my way of distracting myself during all the discussions and services and other services and ......  I finished two crocheted ones on Monday, having started the first on Sunday evening.