Hard Times

Gone for a while..as I have been gone. Have photos, but it hurts to pull them up. Been forbidden to knit, so much pain lately and no one knows why. Shoulders and neck, arms that were doing well, but then everything went to Hell. I hope to be back one of these days. Forgive my not commenting on blogs that I love. Wishing all who come here love and grace.

Ellen.

"Dishing It Up"

..as in making dishcloths for some Christmas presents. Not exactly on most peoples' wishlist, but I do know that some really like them. My photos are not very good. I blame the light outside today. It's been very dreary and quite rainy at times. It is always a delight to blame trash photos on the light! 

The last one is obviously not completed. The pattern, I believe, is called The Almost Lost Dishcloth. When you have completed fourteen points, you seam it up and then close the hole in the middle. It is a fun knit and turns out quite lovely. The first ones I also like. I don't know the name of them and when you knit them, they look as if they will never become a square...but, magic happens and they do. 
Wishing all a wonderful week, and sending loving thoughts to some who are going through very hard times now.
With love, Ellen.

Farewell

Dear October,
You were splendid. Do not tell the others, but you are my favorite month. You brought bright sunny days, not too hot, chilly and misty mornings, the right amount of gentle rains and such radiance.
I love you October. You are never to be removed from my heart.

Wooly bears, hops, gourds, pumpkins, brilliant spider webs, feathers, lovely views of our bridge and your breathtaking colors.
Wishing all a lovely and happy November,
Ellen.
p.s. Dearest October, I do not mean to offend you or to cause hard feelings, but I am a bit disappointed that you did not take the fruit flies with you. They are still in residence here. I know you can't do everything. 

Fall

I picked these the other day. 

Hops for pillows

Hops for sleep

Are they not lovely?

  

Wishing all a good week.
Ellen

Gifts From the Garden

***Yellow crookneck squash***

A horrendous and out of control case of cellulitis?

A crippling skin disease?

Abuse of steroids?

Or, late night encounters while unprotected?

Beats me.

Gorgeous week wishes for everyone.

Ellen

Walking Around the Nursery and Pastures

Yesterday I took a walk through the nursery and by some of our pastures. We do live in the midst of all of this busyness. It works out just fine as we are a wholesale nursery and I still am able to have privacy which makes me very happy. I have only to stroll out the door and can meander fifty-ish acres. I hope you enjoy these photos. (For some reason I cannot close up with some words below the last photo...It's a good thing that you cannot hear me swear! So I will wish all of you a happy weekend. Sending love, Ellen.)

Too Much

Made tea.. made tea.. sipped Scotch.. cursed.. called on God.. held close to those I loved who were near.. said prayers.. cried again..looked for answers.. asked for answers.. prayed for answers...no answers..too much.. too much..sat with dogs..

What is wrong with this country..why do we have to have damned guns?

This all relates to the small community college that is not that far from where I live..perhaps an hour and a half away. Many of the kids I had in school over the years went there..I went there at times for teacher in-service. This tragedy happened in Roseburg, Oregon. It has happened all over this country. This is just not o.k. 

I certainly cannot fix it. I cannot make anything better, except the smallness of the place that surrounds me. 

I can send loving thoughts to people who know me not..but perhaps that is a beginning..and, in comfort because this has been too close, I can gather images that help me to heal..because I have lost some loved ones.

Love, Ellen.
(re-reading this, I see I need to be clear..no one in my family was harmed.)