And She's Off

Dear Mom,

Freshly off the needles and worn for the first time yesterday (no need for a winter coat!!!) -

This is THAT Sweater, with Nature Spun worsted, color Scarlet.
I am teaching this sweater as a class at the Village Yarn Shop, and started this as a demonstration model and as a way to confirm that what I've been asking the class to complete from week to week is not asking too much. I've spread the 6 sessions of this class over 9 weeks to give everyone plenty of time to get their homework done.

This sweater is constructed sideways, from cuff to cuff, in one piece. It's been interesting watching the knitters in my class wrap their heads around this. For many, the construction (especially of the pockets) requires a leap of faith- and quite a bit of reassurance.
My original blue This is THAT Sweater (now affectionately nicknamed TiTS- sorry about that) has been worn almost as a uniform all winter long. It now has a red team mate. I hope it won't get called into duty too many times before next winter, but for now, it is a refreshing addition to my exhausted, overused, sweater wardrobe.
Today is a grey, but balmy almost 60 degrees. I have a few windows cracked open for the fresh air. The birdsong and sounds of melting snow are music to my ears. I even have the back door opened a bit to allow Olive the freedom in and out through the porch. For the first time in what must be months, I can see patches of grass! It all sounds and smells and feels so promising. I hope the crocus and snowdrop bulbs I scattered throughout the front yard survived and soon give me a colorful display. If they have (and if they do) I will share photos here.

Love,
Kim

Fruit of the Loom

Dear Mom,
This….

Exactly what I was hoping for.
And the weaver inside me cries out for MORE!

Love,
Kim

Caramel and Cream

Dear Mom,

I noticed that I am in a caramel and cream phase.
The napkins on Donna Reed-

And Big Brown Betty's new frock-

Betty's cozy is this pattern, without the stripes, and I used some of this yarn.

I also noticed that the yarn I purchased yesterday, for a summer project, would fit right in.

Things are warming up. Temps in the 40's are forecasted for the weekend! You know it has been cold when, 15 degrees feels so warm that you think you can get by with just a heavy sweater. Good sense prevailed and I did wear my parka. I bet we see people wearing shorts as soon as it hits 50 degrees.

Love,
Kim

It's Always Something

Dear Mom,

Just as we are clearing the post op hurdle on Olive's left elbow (her surgeon was very, very pleased, by the way) (I KNEW he would be!) - bald patches started developing on her sides about 2 weeks ago. While we were visiting with Dr. Spah on Monday, I asked him what he thought about them.
"You should have your regular vet look at these," he said. "They may be a sign of a thyroid issue."

Great.

Well. Thankfully, not.
We saw the vet yesterday and after close examination under a magic light and microscopic evaluation of tissue samples to rule out any creepy crawly stuff that made my scalp immediately start itching, Olive is either:
1. Allergic to something. Doubtful, but she is taking a daily dose of Zyrtec just in case.
2. OCD. Obsessively Compulsively licking the spots. Or- given the weather- Compulsive Obsessive Licking Disorder, aka COLD. Somewhat doubtful- we have not witnesses any licking, chewing, or scratching and the skin is not at all red or irritated. However, she could be doing the licking while we are not home to witness it and while she is bored and crated. For this, we have a powerful anti-licking, bad tasting concoction to sprinkle on the targeted areas. Like that thumb sucking preventative, but worse. I guess. I've not tasted either and don't intend to.
or…. and this one gets my vote….
3. A response to stress. The vet was quick to clarify that this is not a stress from last week sort of response, but a stress that may have occurred MONTHS ago…. Like 2 surgeries in 6 weeks? Yep. (And considering THAT, it is a wonder my hair isn't falling out!) The fact that the patches started to appear during a week that I was gone more than usual and Olive spent more time in her crate (missing her mama) makes me think this the more likely option. And for this, she gets a daily dose of Melatonin to wake up the exhausted, stressed out hair follicles.
Olive is going to need her own medicine cabinet. She is taking more supplements than I am! But, hey! If MelissaWhoSpinsButDoesNotKnit can have a whole closet for her cats, then I suppose a medicine cabinet for Olive is nothing.

I don't know if the flat screen tv's make it easier for dogs to watch or if Olive is just special, but we've noticed that Olive watches tv regularly. And by watching, I mean intently focused.  But nothing like she has the past two evenings during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. There are nose prints on the screen. Several ! times she jumped up and trotted right up to the screen to investigate the dogs during the judging and then followed them as they skipped along the runway.  I tried taking video, but was successful only in taking photos.

Closer inspection of these photos reveals the thinning patches.

Frankly, I am not even sure these are spots she can reach to lick or scratch.

In addition to watching the dogs, the Purina Pro Plan commercials kept her riveted. Especially THIS ONE. (Although, I liked THIS ONE better.) If it were in her power, I think she would be purchasing some of that brand today.

Hopefully that beautiful black coat will be thick again soon. She is just such a pretty dog. I hate to see this.
Love,
Kim