Can we talk about the weather for a moment?
Rain.
Really? Can we stop now please?
I had an hour-long circular detour yesterday, driving to the nearest town on a drugs run. It soon became apparent that I was not going to the market town after all, as every road in that direction was resolutely Closed due to flooding. During my final Diversion I encountered a spring bubbling up in the middle of the road and a group of frantic farmers trying to divert the water using diggers. I had to drive in entirely the opposite direction, towards the city, to get FL his painkillers. On the way back, I realised the farm is almost cut off on the city side too. Time to buy a tractor?!
We are lucky to live far from the river, but the bedroom wall has taken a rain-battering from the east and a small pond is slowly forming on the floor, as it does perhaps once a year in normal conditions. These are not normal conditions!
Sigh.
It will be fine.
I have a bucket and a mop.
No ducks or frogs yet.
But my new wellies and coat have both arrived and are perfect – woo hoo!
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| The only grey cloud that is welcome around here! |
FL is going steady. We have settled into a pattern of getting up late, having breakfast together, and then him sleeping until dinner, when he will maybe eat a mouthful or two, take his pills, and go back to sleep again. The tricky bit is waking him out of that sleep to go to bed a couple of hours later. He complains I try to do it too quickly, but even so it takes me an hour or so of gentle coaxing before desperation makes me frogmarch him to bed, via the toilet.
There is an enchanted time around 4.30 every morning, when the morphine is wearing off just enough and he accepts a gentle hug without the usual fear of pain. He breathes more easily, we exchange a few words and then fall asleep holding hands.
This is what I must remember of this time.
I have been granted compassionate leave for the remains of this week, on the understanding that I will update The Boss with the result of the various visitations planned for tomorrow: the Community Alarm people, the local MacMillan Nurse, and the District Nurse are all due to visit. But I can’t help thinking none of these will provide an immediate solution that allows me to go to the office on Monday. We have yet to hear from the hospice. Hopefully tomorrow. I think they will be key. I cannot imagine trying to tend to FL’s physical care in this cold wet draughty house when his condition deteriorates. I will make sure everyone understands that. FL himself is reaching that conclusion, which is half the battle.
Meantime, your wonderful words of support and advice have been pouring in. I have replied to some of you individually, but that is not to downplay the contributions of each and every one of you: THANK YOU!
Today I cast on my pink Noriboo handspun to make a Qwist hat.
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| 3mm needles: the fishing net of ugly |
Attempt One demonstrated the importance of gauge: my yarn is clearly nearer to laceweight than fingering and looked awful on 3mm needles.
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| Using 2.5mm needles |
Attempt Two, on 2.5mm needles, is much more successful.
The Norwegian wool / bamboo blend is quite coarse to the touch, but seems to be softening as I work with it. I think it will be fine as a hat, over my hair, but would be too scratchy for neckwear.
Note to self: don’t get your hair cut this year!
This is my third Qwist Hat. The first was knit out of Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop and was a present for my dear friend in Glasgow, Christine.
I sent her an optional grey fluffy pompom, which she sewed on herself.
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| Hello Christine! |
The second was for The Girl, in black Malabrigo Finito, with a violently orange pompom.
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| Hello Girl! |
Mine will have a wild magenta pompom :)
They are ready-made, by Rico yarns, if you fancy a few yourself!
I have also been spinning some Popsicle Fuzzlings from Fondant Fibre (top picture).
I plan to use this much softer yarn together with the leftover Noriboo to make a shawl.
Exciting!
Oh – and thank you for all those amazing reading recommendations! I have joined an orderly queue at the library for most of them. Hopefully the roads will have been drained by the time it’s my turn!