Harmony Cottage, Protesting, Knitting

LIFE

Life has been pretty calm around Harmony Cottage. Old Husband occupied himself yesterday by going through a church cookbook we purchased in 1962, the year we married. He wanted to reminisce about recipes we used to cook and some of the people that had submitted recipes. Who would have thought that cookbook would still be around 55 years later?

Food pretty much consumes Old Husband's thoughts. He had kitchen duty in the boys home where he grew up and it's never left him. As soon as he's had his morning coffee he begins thinking about lunch. He's still holding forth in the kitchen. I suggest what he should cook and help with the shopping. I only get involved when I'm called. No kitchen is big enough for the two of us to work together. About 4:00 p.m. every afternoon he begins saying "What's for supper?"

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Daughter flies in tomorrow for a week. I'm suffering cabin fever so it will be good to get out some.

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POLITICAL

I have a bit of a quarrel with this protest. My daughter is a nurse. What if all women nurses stayed home from work one day? I think teachers would be in that same category. Think how much confusion that would cause in classrooms across America if all women teachers failed to show up to teach.

I strongly believe there is a place in democracy for peaceful protests. I believe protests have made a difference in the situation regarding the repeal of Obamacare. 

Perhaps it's just me, but I feel like some of the protests are beginning to exhibit anger. Nobody wins when that happens.

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Why Republicans Can't Do Health Care

This was an interesting article, a bit different than the usual. I suggest you read it.
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Obama Has A Bite-Your-Tongue Policy On Trump. It's Proving Harder To Keep.
President Trump is like a buzzing mosquito getting under people's skin.
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Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg Is The Future Of The Democratic Party. But What Kind Of Future?

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KNITTING

Since the election I've found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on much of anything.  Add to that my tremors and some nerve pain and my knitting is limited.

I seldom knit anything but socks but I found this long ago started shawl the other day and decided to do a little work on it. The pattern is "January Scarf" on Ravelry.

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I lost patience with the bright colored socks of thicker yarn and changed to a yarn much easier to use, "Felici" from KnitPicks.

Not the best quality yarn but oh so soft. After I've struggled with a difficult yarn I go back to "Felici" to recover. This will be short ribbed socks for spring and summer.

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Then I decided to try my hand with colored pencils and coloring books.

That was okay but I soon realized I was gripping the colored pencils as hard as I gripped knitting needles. Besides, I've never figured out how to sharpen colored pencils to a good point.

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Then I tried Crossword Puzzles

I've never had the patience to do very well with crossword puzzles. Then I read you should stick with one puzzle creator. I found these very simple books by Stanley Newman. I started with the super simple ones and thought I might work my way to more difficult books. 

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Somewhere along the way I decided it was time for some new shoes.

How do you like these for sedate old lady shoes? Actually there are only two companies that make athletic shoes in my size so I don't have a big selection to choose from. When I was a child I was wearing adult size shoes and could never have shoes like my friends wore. As an adult I was obsessed with pretty shoes. Anything unusual in my size and I quickly bought it. Looks like I'm still that way.

Shoes, Issa, Paul, and Blooming Socks

LIFE

Old husband has never liked new shoes. He much prefers shoes someone else has broken in. He also prefers his shoes not touch his feet, but rather just hang on his feet.  Once he locks into a favorite pair it is quite a battle to introduce another pair.

Recently Daughter took him shoe shopping for some Skechers which he really likes. 

He insisted on a size 13 wide. He has them tied loose enough he can step into them, and there's about an inch of space between his heel and the back of the shoe.

His radar is not as sharp as it once was so he spends a lot of time walking on my feet! When I see him coming I begin tucking my feet under my chair, otherwise he just walks right up on my feet. I'm thinking I may need to invest in a playpen for me. Perhaps that would keep him off my feet.

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POLITICS

I can think of no one in the House of Representatives I dislike as much as Darrell Issa. I've already promised myself I will donate to the campaign of anybody who opposes him in 2018.

Darrell Issa (R-CA)

Rep Darrell Issa Suggests Trump-Russia Inquiry Needs Special Prosecutor, Not Jeff Sessions

Now he's up and done something I support. Is it enough to change my mind, no?

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Rand Paul (R-KY)

Rand Paul on Flynn: 'Makes No Sense' to investigate fellow Republicans

I've always considered Senator Paul to be a loose cannon in the Senate. He always bounces off the wall you least expect. In my opinion, this man does not serve us well.

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KNITTING

I finished the 50% mohair socks. I love knitting hand spun yarns but I don't often get the chance with sock yarn. I don't spin, and most hand spun yarns do not contain nylon, and often are too thick for socks.

I soaked these for a bit in a Eucalan wash, squeezed them out good, patted them out to shape on the bathroom counter and threw them over the shower rod to dry. It's amazing what that does for hand spun yarn. The Eucalan softens the toughest of yarns. The blocking process causes the yarn to 'bloom' and fill in the space between stitches, and the mohair added a little halo. Makes my heart sing to block hand spun yarn.

Old Husband and Another Time

I have decided I'll have three sections to future blog posts, Life, Politics, and Knitting. You can pick the section that appeals to you and ignore the rest.

I have identified three of my readers that also knit socks. Thats pretty amazing. I feel justified now to add a knitting section. I have about that many who are passionate about politics. Most all of us either have, or have had, old husbands, or perhaps know someone who had one.

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Life

The role of caregiver never gets easier. As soon as you learn one thing, something else replaces it, once you settle a problem there's always another one under that one, it just never stops. For years I thought that I'd eventually be prepared the next time I had to take Old Husband to the ER but that never happened. Every time is different.

Some things I've resisted learning. Many times I've gotten the learning process wrong. Almost always I should have taken charge before I did, but I hate taking away his independence. Such was the case with car repairs.

Some things are harder for Old Husband to release than others. Last week we had the car in for repair but Old Husband was doing the talking. He was still in charge. It had to go in the next day for the actual repair which did not excite me but it had to be done.

The appointment was at 10:00 a.m. As I was opening my eyes at 8:00 a.m. who should appear beside my bed but Old Husband, all dressed, coat on, and ready to go. He informed me he could handle the task, that I should relax, and stay at home. Me, relax with him on the road, not. 

It's seven miles to his destination and anybody should be able to drive that short distance, right? Wrong. Once I saw he was going regardless of what I said, I made him tell me exactly how he would be going. 

By 8:30 he was out the door, and I was left to figure what had happened. He called when he got there to let me know he's arrived safely. Because he was free, and had gotten by me, he then went to Costco to buy gas, and called me from KFC where he was buying hot wings! He was having a good time.

That day's repair did not correct another problem so today we were repeating the process. I packed my activity bag. Note the socks I'm knitting, the knitting coloring book, and colored pencils. This time I decided I would do the talking. I met "Bill" who was very nice. Imagine my surprise when he told me he tried last week to talk to Old Husband about the car running rough but he'd said it was okay, he just wanted the light on the dashboard fixed.

That's Old Husband, he only fixes one thing at a time. I had a nice visit with Bill. He had a driver bring us home. He called this afternoon to tell me what needed to be done and said they'd send a car for us when the repairs are finished.

Now that I have Bill I think I can handle this car repair stuff. Still I feel like I've been through a battle, it was stressful. The stress of caregiving is often worse that the actual work of it.

A few days ago I realized I was unusually frayed. Some of that I blame on politics, but when I begin to think about packing Old Husband's clothes and leaving him on someone else's porch I know it's time for me to re-evaluate.

I'd much rather do politics than deal with Old Husband, I'd much rather knit socks than deal with Old Husband, BUT he is my top priority. I'm trying to dial back the politics. Knitting actually relieves stress. I need to remind myself often he isn't having a fun time growing old. Patience Linda, patience.

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Politics

Interesting to read some former Obama administration legal colleagues have formed a group to help protect democratic norms. United to Protect Democracy

Trump Administration Set to Rescind Protections for Transgender Students

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Knitting

I hope to finish these socks today or tomorrow. It's about time, I purchased the yarn in 2015 from Green Mountain Spinnery. It's 50% Wool and 50% Mohair. I knew I had to have this yarn when I read the mohair was from my home state of Texas.

It's nice yarn, but I would not buy it again for socks, even though it was advertised as sock yarn at the time I purchased it. I had two or three false starts before I was happy with the needle size and gauge.

I decided I'd better do some notes as I have another skein of this and will not want to reinvent the wheel when it comes time to use it. I also hope this notebook will keep me focused as I tend to have many pairs of socks on the needles.

I do not enjoy playing yarn chicken but I am with this pair. If I run short I will knit the toes from the coordinating beige yarn. Remember I wear a size 13 shoe.

Clara Parkes has this to say about mohair in sock yarns. "At 10-20 percent mohair is an excellent natural strengthening alternative to nylon, and it adds a stunning silklike shine." It is my opinion that 50% is too much.

Old Husband, Car Repairs and The Round Up

Wow!! I feel super encouraged to continue blogging. Perhaps I'm not as strange as I thought. Thanks for all the comments.

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Old Husband and I have not been playing well together here in 'Harmony Cottage.' Car repairs is the subject of discord this time. I do not like to drive. I want nothing to do with cars. I view them as a necessary evil that sucks my money.

I waited as long as I could before taking over the driving because with that also came the responsibility of car maintenance. Old Husband's way was always to drive until it quit running, then fix only what you absolutely had to to get it running again, and see how long it would be before it stopped again. He always used a neighbor/shade tree mechanic for repairs. 

That's not my way. Because I know next to nothing about cars I want everything repaired. This means we lock horns over car repairs. The time has come when I have to do something. I decided it would be good if Son took the car and Old Husband in to the dealership to learn exactly what needs attention. I think you probably should have the spark plugs replaced more than once every 13 years but maybe not. I asked Old Husband to make an appointment for Saturday to get a diagnosis.  He made it for in the morning.

We'll set off from 'Harmony Cottage' by 8:30, though our appointment isn't until 10:00, because he likes to be early. I'll be stuck in a little waiting room while he sits, stands, walks around, whispers loud enough for all to hear, and asks repeatedly how much longer it will be. 

Our car is old. We're old. It has low milage and seldom needs repairs. He wants a new car but that's not going to happen. I'm only hoping to make this car last as long as he does, then I'll make every effort to figure out a living arrangement that will not require a car.

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I warned you I would not be able to remain quiet about politics if it involved civil rights, human rights, voting rights, religious freedom or separation of church and state. Well, it appears the round up of illegal immigrants is about to begin. I have no doubt some need to be deported but I've seldom seen it work out that those are the only ones who actually get deported. The wider they cast the net the bigger the pain is going to be. 

I recognize this issue is a campaign promise of President Trump. I just wish he, and his, weren't so happy about it. It's not something anyone should take delight in doing.

Being a native Texan I'm quite familiar with how a significant population of Texans feel about Mexican immigrants. Today I read an article that makes me cringe.

Texas hunters who blamed immigrants actually shot each other, cops say

I think the thing that puzzles me most about these people is they see no correlation between their Christian faith and their political views on this issue. That troubles me.

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I'm a native Texan but these things hurt my heart and make me know I would be miserable living there again. My heart goes out to our daughter who lives there because of her work. It's no longer the Texas that was my home for 62 years.

Judge Blocks Medicaid Cuts to Planned Parenthood in Texas

Supreme Court Rules in favor of death row inmate

Police save puppy from "near death" heroin overdose, arrest owners

I'm pretty sure I prefer the immigrants to the natives.