Another cake for history.

For the final presentation of the History SIG (Special Interest Group), I decided to make a pecan cake based upon this recipe:

The substitution is simple:  10oz of slightly toasted pecan pieces in place of the black walnuts.  I think that pecans must be lighter than black walnuts, because that is a LOT of nuts in the batter.  It resulted in two pretty cakes, plenty for whoever is at our closing session.

And once again, I didn't stop for photographs, although I took one of the circular cake after it cooled:

My mother and I went to Chicago for a week, spending time seeing relatives and old friends (including all three of my remaining godparents), and I was too busy enjoying people to photograph the food.  Except this, my dessert one night:

The "Amarena Cherry Panna Cotta" - 
vanilla panna cotta, amarena cherry gelee,
compressed cherry (a bit alcoholic), pistachio

Of course we ate plenty of Chicago specialties, such as deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dog (my mother and I split a footlong at a White Sox game, which they sadly and badly lost to the d@mn Yankees, but ended up splitting the series with them - then the Cubs began a series with a close loss and a solid win, before another close loss), Irish soda bread from the Hearts & Flour Bakery tent at the Daley Center Farmers Market, true bagels and lox at a family brunch, and lots of excellent meals at friends' favourite restaurants around the city.  We brought local chocolates to the neighbors and are still nibbling our way through the cookies a friend gave to my mother.

I miss my Daddy.

To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter. 

-Euripides, playwright (c. 480-406 BCE)

My father loved the classics, but I never discussed the above quote with him.  I hope he thought so.  I went to the cemetery today, for a little visit.  As is traditional in my religion, I left a rock.

Memorial Day

 

Despite receiving a commission after high school, my father was unable to serve due to a heart condition.  He'd had it since he was a small boy (it was probably congenital) and despite it lived past his ninetieth birthday.

Today we remember many people who did not have that opportunity.

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(It's also Towel Day, for the nerdy amongst us.)

End of a long month.

It's still hard to focus sometimes, but I am getting better.  I think we all are.  I am geographically closest to my mother, so am usually there to help with things, informally check on her, and whatever one does after the other parent dies suddenly.

I've stepped into a role Mom had in the past, since she isn't doing it: Storm Soups.  When weather got bad, Mom would make a big pot of soup.  It would warm the house while simmering, and feed us for a few days.  After they moved, portions would go to the neighbors.  Mom isn't up to it right now.  So last weekend, when Winter Storm Fern brought ice, I made a pot of 15-bean soup, with plenty of vegetables and some p'tim or large couscous or soup pearls, and delivered a big jar to her across-the-street neighbor who is a widower and becoming increasingly disabled, plus a smaller jar to Mom.  I arrived at the neighbor's house just as he returned home from getting groceries, so I helped him carry them into the garage, from where he would take them into the house using a trolley.

This weekend, it's split pea soup with vegetarian sausage, because that's what we found in the freezer.  I cooked the peas with a bit of carrot and onion, then took some of the peas out and used an immersion blender to make the rest smooth.  Peas returned, sausage added, and all cooked together a bit.  The neighbor was delighted to see this week's jar and said he would eat it for the next meal.

I had a potato that was starting to sprout, so boiled it and added it to what is left of my soup, for the next couple of meals.  Both soups are hearty and satisfying, just what is needed on very cold days.

If the weather continues to be cold, next weekend I'm making chili.

Getting other things done, of course derailed earlier this month.  I am very close to finishing one of the craft-along items for Carolina Fiber Fest, and it caused me to break my "dry January" plans by buying more yarn, because I needed a specific colour.  That was my only purchase of yarn - or any crafting stuff - in January.  I also have the sleeping bag to which to add straps for the Welcome Baby collection.  I am, as usual, behind in reading the book for my SciFi Book Club's February meeting, but did finish the one for January, although I didn't go to the meeting.

I did finish a long-pending UFO, which needed the i-cord binding added:

Yes, it needs to be washed and blocked.  It's reversible.

On Wednesday I needed something to carry-around so started a garter stitch scarf out of a ball of yarn that's been hanging around, for a charity project.  Tonight I started what will probably be my first red hat.  Some scoff at the making, but it's like the pussyhats in 2017: a visual symbol.  Accessible for people who cannot go into the streets or otherwise take a more visible stand.  A way for people to show what side they are on.  And for people who cannot do more at this time, a way to show solidarity and contribute in a way that they are able to do.  Red yarn is going out of stock at many shops.

Today I received a box of puzzles I'd ordered, and which I wasn't sure would arrive in January.  A friend mentioned Nautilus Puzzles, and I was intrigued.  I love puzzles.  I saw that they have round puzzles for each month of the year, reminiscent of or based upon Tiffany stained glass, and thought it would be fun to get the set and put together each month's puzzle in its month.  They arrived today:

I decided to try putting together the one for January, and was successful:

   

I might do the one for February tomorrow, or wait until later in the month.

For those counting, the last hostage (technically, his body) has been retrieved.

Ninety good years.

We buried my father today.

1935-2026
This is my father as he is in my earliest memories.

Thankfuls 21-30

Day 21 - Thankful to be able to enjoy an organ and clarinet concert via Congregation Beth Israel as a bit of a break in a long and hectic day.

Day 22 - Thankful that my mother felt like sitting up at table for supper, first time in a week!

Day 23 - Same as always, thankful for this guy! (He's bigger now and has less hair.  )

Day 24 - Thankful for kind and helpful and thoughtful neighbors.

Day 25 - Thankful to finally finish a major deal at work, so now I can get back to normal(-ish) work, at least for the rest of this week.

Day 26 - Thankful for people who are kind and friendly during everybody's frantic pre-holiday last-minute shopping. Also for a station playing classical music, not Christmas stuff.

Day 27 - Thankful for family, and that we are able to gather together and enjoy each other's company. Thankful for the food on the table, and that we can share it with others. And thankful that Mom made sure to get my great-grandmother's special pumpkin pie recipe!  [I forgot to take a photo before we ate it, but it was YUMMY.]

Day 28 - Thankful that we do not need to try to get anything from a Black Friday sale, and that I can stay in the office and home, watching football and eating leftovers for dessert. Also that I was finally able to catch up on some very tedious administrivia because of the quiet at work.

Day 29 - Thankful that my parents are still as compos as they are, with spirits and brains willing even as their bodies decide that a nap is the better way to spend an afternoon. Well, semi-napped and directed my willing hands and feet to help clean out closets and reorganize the master bathroom - thankful I can help them!

Day 30 - Thankful to reach the end of another month, and another year, and have things to look back upon and forward to and more adventure ahead that I haven't anticipated yet. As Stan Lee always ended his messages: EXCELSIOR! 🚀

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By the way, I heard this short video about how gratitude and thankfulness can change your attitude and even how you think overall. I'm not sure it has this year, but I do try to focus on one good thing a day, whether it's the glow of autumn leaves against a deep blue sky, or family, or other things. It might be worth continuing beyond the Thirty Days of Thankful in November. Am I up for continuing in December and meeting the speaker's challenge?

Grandparents Day

The Sunday after Labour Day (in the USA, so the first or second Sunday of September) is Grandparents Day.  The only one I've posted about at any length is my maternal grandmother, who is the only one alive as I've written this blog.  My paternal grandparents disappeared when bio-dad left the family, and my step-paternal grandparents died decades before I met my stepfather (who most of the world knows as my father, he's been a part of my life for so many decades), and I also had a step-maternal grandfather.  But photos of these aren't on my digital media, and so harder to add to the blog.

I do have a photo of my maternal grandfather, although he died decades ago also, and I forget why I captured it electronically.

Arnold "Zep" Zimmerman

I've probably be thinking about him because football season just started, and it's still baseball season, and he was deeply devoted to both sports.  He played in college, but never professionally, instead building a truck parts and automotive business with his father and brothers.  We all learned the games at his knee, and I remember attending them with him, or watching many on television.

Every Sunday for decades he hosted a family breakfast at a local restaurant.  I remember sitting at the far end of the table, because I was one of the youngest.  You could hear my grandfather everywhere as he told stories and laughed.

I remember the bowls of sultanas and pecans set around their house for snacking.  All of the family gatherings he presided over (his parents having died long before I was born) with dozens of the very extended family, and friends, crowding tables or scattering through whichever home hosted that event.  The tradition of him singing "Down By The Old Mill Stream" with his brothers - cheerfully in four different keys, and with silly gestures that had us all laughing.  Some of his jokes, at least one of which wouldn't be considered politically correct, but it makes me laugh to remember.

There were not-so-good times too, as there always are with families, but I am glad to have so much happiness to remember.

Ninety and Nice!

 

My father's birthday is today.  Originally Mom planned to have a family event and a neighborhood party, then rescheduled the neighborhood party for two weeks from now.  (Next weekend is Labour Day weekend, and she figured people may have other plans.)  This took pressure off the family event, and won't be as wearing on my parents.

I think Dad would rather spend the day with some music and a book, than entertaining a parade of guests.

   

Family Times.

 It was a busy weekend.  First, my eldest niece graduated from her masters degree program, with honors.  Tickets were limited but I received one, so of course took the time off work on a Friday afternoon.

Then her sister and I flew to DC, where the younger niece lives, and on Saturday went to Maryland Sheep & Wool.  We left midafternoon so I could get to Dulles in time for a flight - more on the trip next week.

I did some stash enhancement.  At left, one of the
vendor's show colourways.  At right, natural-dyed.

My contribution to the lunch.  And bananas.

I joked that I found this too late to be useful.

This is one of the two music performance areas.

There was a great display of knitted and sewn items in the annual Make It With Wool contest.

  

   

We both enjoyed looking at and speaking to the living history group.  I took a few photos but none are particularly good.

[Edited to add the above photos.]

Since I am now on my work computer and it won't let me upload photos.  I only have the ones I preloaded, of a dragonfruit that I finished before leaving.  They are really pretty, but this is the second time I've had one and it has no taste.  Maybe it's me?  Or the ones I've purchased?  All I get is texture.

But they are pretty:

 

From the top, left to right:  Whole fruit, a bit sliced off, better look at the inside, and peeled.

Fiberuary - Week 4

 

Day 22 - On The Road

My mother had surgery on Friday, and I went to pick her up on Thursday.  That's my current "car scarf", a simple item (sometimes a "car hat") that I can work on while waiting, or taking into a location in case there is a queue.  The one shown is now finished and I have started another.  I didn't notice until looking at the photo later that the house flag is nicely framed above my knitting.

Day 23 - Self Care

I wanted to have a photo of one of my favourite shawls, but didn't take one before going to my parents' house (I stayed through the weekend to help them while my mother recovered) so had to make do.  It's crocheting and knitting and a wee bottle of a really nicely scented hand lotion, which is the "self care" part, especially as the yarn I am knitting is a scratchy wool.

Day 24 - Memories

Top right is an afghan crocheted by the great-grandmother I never knew, and which I repaired many years ago.  It's very heavy, single-crocheted wool in panels with a lacy connecting stitch.  Bottom right is the aran-style blanket my grandmother knitted.  At left is the last gift I made for her, a lap blanket that I gave to my grandmother on her final birthday.

Day 25 - Handmade Gift

Technically, many gifts - I have a friend who loves to knit socks, and for many years she gave me a pair each year.  These are not all the ones she made for me, just the ones I could grab most quickly when I had a few minutes today to take the photo.

Day 26 - Where in the World

Some of my yarny souvenirs from travels - Argentina, Austria, France, Germany.  Possibly others, I would need to check notes from past trips.  I couldn't quickly locate yarn from New Zealand, and I didn't buy any in Thailand (although I did knit a scarf on that trip that I treasure as a memory), and there are some other yarns that became items I did not include.

Day 27 - Sip and Stitch

Too late I realized I should have taken a photo of my knitting with the drink (tonic water) I was sipping on my flight to Dallas.  Sip & Stitch at 37,000-ish feet up!  This was after I landed, and settled in "my" room at the friends' house where I usually stay when visiting.  They stock Diet Dr. Pepper® for me.

Day 28 - Gratitude

Two friends donated lots of yarn of all kinds to the Urchin Street area at North Texas Irish Festival, with the only requirement that none of it returns home.  The ladies in charge were delighted to receive it and to pose for a photo that I posted so my friends (who could not attend this year) could experience their gratitude.

That concludes my Fiberuary for 2025.  Will I do it next year?  Maybe.  It was a nice distraction this year.  But it's also a challenge - I know, that's the idea - to find a subject each day.

Busy (and COLD) week.

I went to Chicago for a conference, and the temperature was around 18°F one day and not quite to freezing the next, so combined with the inevitable windchill it felt like -15°F.  Unlike last year, when it was warm enough to go out without a coat, this year I decided to stay in the hotel for the duration and not look at the lights or go to the Art Institute on Thursday evening.

It was a good conference but work was crazy-busy, so staying in my room and working was the best answer in the evening.  I enjoyed seeing people in person and my parents where thrilled to receive a bit of Garrett Mix as a gift when I returned.

I took a "pocket hat" to work on, and also some yarn for a gift but struggled with the pattern, so I am going to pull it out and try something else.  When I got home I returned to the "Christmas-Channukah Advent Shawl" as I'm ten days behind and need to focus and catch up if possible.  Because it's a bit bulky and has a stitch pattern, I started another "pocket hat" to take to the opera today.

"The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson"

I call these "pocket hats" because they are small enough to carry in a pocket (or purse) when being made, and of course fit well into a pocket once finished.

Top left: shawl, almost ready for Day 6 to begin.
Bottom:  Almost-at-decreases hat.
Top right:  Newly-started hat, ribbing completed.

I finished a book and started another, but haven't made much progress.  Yesterday was my usual day at my parents', this time helping my father clean out and organize his closet.  Luckily we're mostly done in the garage as it was cold here (but quite a bit warmer than Chicago!) and we didn't want to work out there.  Then I ran errands, including picking up a load of towels at a local shop (sale, discount coupon, store credit) because a church backed out of getting items for a group of senior citizens for the holidays, and a local community group stepped in.  Within 48 hours people had pulled together a huge carload of gifts of the kinds wanted: hats and gloves and scarves, blankets and towels.

Three films.

In the last week or so I've managed to watch three films about dementia of various types.  This wasn't planned; they just happened to be scheduled by online groups in this timeframe.

One is Still Alice, about a woman with familial early-onset Alzheimer's.  Not a story in my family, but I have a friend who has been diagnosed, as has her sister, so it's something of interest to me.  The online service had some issues but I was able to watch the film, and in joining the discussion suggested that caregivers might want to read Her Final Year, which helped me deal with decisions I had to make.

The other two films focused on performers whose work I admired and enjoyed.  SPARK is a film about Robin Williams and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia.  This is the disease that felled a woman I considered one of my godmothers.  She was diagnosed during her lifetime; he wasn't until after he died.  It was interesting to watch, and heartbreaking.

The final film focused on a performer on whom I had a crush: Gene Wilder.  Remembering Gene Wilder is a biography that gives a fond overview of his career, addresses his marriages, his relationships with co-stars and Mel Brooks, and explains how, in the end, his mind faded with Alzheimer's.

The uncle for whom I was responsible had some form of dementia in the end, so I am interested in the various forms it takes.

Things finished today:  Another book (so I am at 23 of 18 for the year) and a scarf for the Red Scarf Project.

Bavarian Stitch, based upon this pattern.

One of the local groups is collecting at their holiday party on December 9th so they can be mailed to arrive by December 15th.  I should have at least one more done by then, maybe two.  The next one is knitted and I did two inches during tonight's online group get-together.

Final Dozen.

I was going to post midweek but ended up sick on Wednesday, with a sinus headache that morphed into a migraine.  I took two naps that day, and lots of OTC medication, and kitchen medicine in the form of chicken soup, wasabi chips, and hot sauce.  

Not my bottle.

I got my head in order enough to participate in "Lady Windemere's Fan" that evening (luckily, I had a small part as a gossip at the ball, channeling my inner Anna Russell on the line 'Who is she?') and before then to drop off five hats and five scarves to the Twisted Knitter collection:

The five scarves are all my basic C2C, made from a now-discontinued red/white/blue Premier Candy Shop yarn.  I intended them for Knit Your Bit but since they are not currently collecting, this is a good substitute.

I knit or crocheted three of the hats while on my trip earlier this month.  The top left hat is based upon the Airegin Hat pattern but adjusted because the yarns I had are thinner than the pattern requires.  The yellow hat below it is the Granny Beanie, and the other yellow hat is based upon it but working the rows in the one two below, so it closes up the holes.  Because I used the majority of the multicoloured yarn on the first one, I spaced those rows out further on the second, because I have lots of the gold.

The brown hat is based on Barley Hat, out of a ball of Taos I received in a local fiber group's holiday swap.  The white-and-grey was worked from leftover acrylic yarns, Premier Sweet Roll Silver Swirl.

I didn't have this set finished in time to deliver it on Wednesday evening, because of the play, but I finished during my "offstage" time and delivered it Thursday morning, just in time for the deadline:

So that's the last dozen for this collection.  Up next are the Blue Elves and Red Scarf Project.

On Friday I finally felt better.  Yesterday I had my usual Saturday at my parents' house, helping my father to sort books (we finished a carload in time for Mom to deliver it to Friends of the Library, instead of having to wait for Tuesday), then after this week's soufflé Dad decided to clean out his bureaus and closet a bit.

This week's soufflé was especially tall.

Today I got to do chores of my own.  This evening I am watching a film about Braver Angels.  In this fraught post-election atmosphere, they are probably very much needed.

Many Memoria.

It's been quite the week in terms of memorials for people I liked and loved.

On my morning walk today I found a huge, very red leaf.  Yes, it's as big as my face:

In past years I would press and dry it and send to my grandmother, who missed the autumn colours while living in Hawai'i and Florida.  I am wistful that I cannot send this one to her.

As I mentioned in the previous post, last Sunday was the memorial for an actor I knew:

It was a lovely celebration of his life, his creativity, the love he had for his children, and the theatre, and all of his friends.  I was more on the periphery than many, but still welcome and glad I attended.  I donated to Gideon's Feet in his honour.

Yesterday was the funeral for my honorary uncle, whom I referred to sometimes as my godfather, who was one of my mother's lifelong friends:

In his honour I donated to St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago.  It was one of his most heartfelt interests, to ensure that people received quality medical care no matter what their financial status.

In the afternoon, in Honolulu, the celebration of the life of a friend's mother:

There is an undergraduate scholarship fund at SMU in her name, and of course I contributed.

I am very glad that I could attend both via Zoom.  For Uncle Peter's, of course I was with my parents.

Yesterday I also learned of the funeral for my friend Jo, who lost her battle to cancer earlier this month.  I met her in the SCA and we bonded over movie nights (her husband is a reviewer) and knitting and other crafts.  This is one of the last photos of her, from July, before her doctors determined that her body didn't have the wherewithal for another assault on what she called "Voldemort":

It's been a week.  Remember to say "I love you" often, and hug people when you can.