It seems, at the moment, I can only manage a Year of Projects update every other week. This past week I finally finished my Autumn Splendor doily:
I'll wait a couple of days to see if the feeling passes.
~~~~~
I snapped the picture below back in May and I thought I might finish up a bunch of knitted cloths by the end of the month:
Nearly 4 monhts later, I did finally manage to use up most of the yarn above. These dish/wash cloths will go into my stash for some yet to be determined destination:
It seems a bit frivolous to be posting about such mundane things as doilies and dishcloths this weekend.
Like most of us, I suppose, it seems my mind is continually on the chaos and heartache of people desperately wanting and trying to escape from Afghanistan, and now on our own country's southern shores today Hurricane Ida is threatening people's businesses, homes and, no doubt, lives.
All the while COVID continues to wreak havoc - in our small town we've heard that our local hospital is routing sick people to towns over an hour away, because there are either not enough beds or workers to manage the influx of patients. Several friends of ours have gotten terribly ill this time around. The COVID Delta variant seems to be lurking around every corner - more so than ever before.
And we mustn't forget that the people of Haiti are dealing with the after effects of an earthquake two weekends ago - followed by tropical storm, Grace. Seems like a ridiculous name for a storm, if you ask me. But it prompts me to pray that grace abounds for survivors there who are trying to recover.
If there is some other massive tragedy I'm not remembering at the moment, feel free to include it with a comment, if you like. I'm praying for all in harms way. It seems the very least I can do.
I'm sorry if this is all too heavy for what is normally a lighthearted post. Heavy is what my heart is feeling right now, but at the same time, I wanted to connect with blogging friends.
I hope you have a good and safe week ahead.
Doilies and dishcloths are perfect when your heart and head can not comprehend all the tragedy surrounding us. My brother in law is working with Samaritans Purse and just finished his training. He was told he would be going to Haiti or Mississippi to provide physician services. He found out he is heading to Mississippi as they do not have enough Doctors there to care for all the Covid patients. Our prayers are very much needed.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that prayers can be powerful. I'm just feeling really powerless at the moment. I think I'm also a bit sleep deprived. I think the reason I want to make another of these doilies is that once a round is started, it's really pretty mindless.
DeleteMindless knitting and crocheting can be soothing when the mind races.
Yes, the entire covid plandemic has backfired in a big way. This old world is groaning with all that's going on.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, though I understand what you are feeling and would feel similarly if I were posting, a bit of something lovely to think about is most welcome. I really like the autumnal doily and the way you put pine cones in her hair. 🍂
I'm groaning with it today, I think. I'm glad you like the doily. I'm smiling at the "pine cones in her hair". :)
DeleteYes, the autumnal doily is beautiful. I wish I had the patience to crochet with thread when I see your lovely work. And the dish cloths! So very pretty. I like how you photographed them in just the same container as the yarn had bee, in the same location. Very clever.
ReplyDeletePraying for all of the deep needs in our world right now is the most helpful thing we can do. And yet we all do need to just keep living our own lives as God would have us to, keeping our eyes on Him. Today in church our former pastor preached (he and his wife are vacationing here from SC) and he gave us such an encouraging message from 2 Chronicles chapter 20. "Neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee" (verse 12). Read the chapter. It will encourage you!
It was really challenging to get the basket of cloths photographed at an angle that approximated the first picture. Seemed like a simple idea when I purposed to do it back in May. I will read the passage from 2 Chronicles. What you quoted sounds like something that came out of our small group discussion this morning at church. Thank you, Mrs. T.
DeleteI think it's perfectly fine to post about making beautiful things even with all the tragedy around us. It's all part of life. My own blogpost is about nature observation and food I've made to share. It's about trying to right the balance of our lives, vital if ee are to be useful to others. I'm sure we're all doing what we can to help without mentioning it. Doing good by stealth is the policy.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Liz. I was relieved, visiting blogs, to see that others are feeling free to post pretty things. Normal things. And yes... there is a whole world of activity of people helping others with little notice. There always is. As brave, "stealth" acts come to light I am amazed at the resources that are coming together (from various corners) to try to rescue people in Afghanistan. But innocent and good people will be lost and continue to suffer, and some will die in spite of heroic effort. I'm not saying anything we don't all know. I'm simply grieving for the suffering of others. It's a good thing to do.
DeleteI think your Autumn Splendor is one of the nicest ones you've made.
ReplyDeleteAs for what's happening in the world, it seems like every week there's some fresh disaster. I try really hard not to listen overly much to the news because I know I can't handle it. All I can do is pray for the entire world.
I find the balance hard to find - between being informed, and becoming overwhelmed by it all. Today was a day I reaped the effects of too much bad news, I think.
DeleteWhat a great photo - your yarn balls back in May and now all the finished dishcloths. That's really terrific. Your dollies are so beautiful. I know there is so much tragedy in the world so I can only offer the serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maureen. Good words.
DeleteThe color of the doilie is perfectly autumn.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a place to feel life in a better light. The turmoil in the world is much to pray about, and often.
I agree. With each sentiment. Thank you, May.
DeleteI know I've said how much I love all your doilies. But they are truly beautiful and I enjoy seeing them complete.
ReplyDeleteThe dishcloth transformation is awesome too!!
When I start feeling despair about the world, I start thinking small. I think about how I can help my COMMUNITY. How can I make a difference to people living in my community, because everyday there are ways I can be a better neighbor. It doesn't stop natural disasters, war, famine, illness; but knowing I can impact locally makes me feel less hopeless.
Thank you, Cinna. Yes... for those of us unconnected to ways to help in significant ways people across the globe, making a difference in our own communities is certainly the ticket to feeling purposeful and helpful, as opposed to feeling helpless (and hopeless, as you wrote).
DeleteHow lovely to see all those dishcloths created from all that yarn. It's a blessing that we are able to divert our minds and totally focus on our crafts when there is so much going on in the News to upset and depress us. We can only pray and I always hope that the charity stuff I make will go some little way in helping some of those in need.
ReplyDeleteI am often thankful for crafts that keep my hands busy when my mind is full. It is a blessing indeed.
DeleteYour BEAUTIFUL crochet doily is a delightful respite from all the news -- which you addressed so very well. Yes, it is hard to take pleasure in things when so many are suffering in such drastic ways. Your insights are on target and give words to thoughts I've been having.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. It felt good to read your latest blog post and that you were thinking (and writing) on similar things. I think I'm glad, though, not everyone is writing about these things. Someone(s) need to cheer the rest of us up. :) One day, it will be our turn.
DeletePosting doilies and dishcloths that are so pretty and inspirational is absolutely a public service to your readers, those readers are also reeling from the news and world affairs and it’s exactly why connecting through our blogs is important. There are periods of time I have to just stop watching the news for my own mental health. The lack of control over situations that break my heart becomes too much. I’m sure their are refugee agencies that will be collecting items for refugees. I know my mum used to make up boxes with toothbrush, toothpaste and some other essentials/useful things for someone with nothing. Perhaps there’s one that would appreciate the dishcloths to go in their packs, as they could equally be used as wash cloths. Take care of your mental health and never feel bad for bringing some light to our lives with your beautiful doilies and bouquet of dish cloths. I have many friends who have caught Covid recently but they were all double vaccinated so have recovered pretty quickly. Hopefully those who originally didn’t want the vaccine may change their minds and now take it as they see the figures that the people hospitalised and dying are those not vaccinated.
ReplyDeleteI know it is happening in some cases that people are becoming more willing to take the vaccine when they see the worse outcomes in those yet unvaccinated. But it's getting wearying of spirit hearing people continue to be so adamant against getting this vaccine. Honestly, I'm all for individual choice when it comes to injecting substances into one's body. But at the end of the day I do wish people weren't so polarized about this vaccine.
DeleteHi Becki :) I really love your autumn doily, your stitching is perfect. And it was so nice to see the basket before and after with the finished dishcloths!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rain. :)
DeleteYes, the world is an unpredictable place right now. Sometimes all I can do is knit. I do love your picture of the yarn and then the picture of all the dishcloths. I am sure they will find a good home, or good charity in the near future. Take Care dear Becki!
ReplyDeleteAwww... what a sweet way to end your comment, Mary-Anne. :)
DeleteI love your doilies and dishcloths. I especially love the before and after of the yarn being transformed!
ReplyDeleteYour post was almost to the T of what my prayers have been for the past several weeks. I can usually let it go after praying but lately there has just been so much suffering in the world that it is hard to not think about it throughout the day. I feel guilty at times that I have it so good when most of the world doesn't but that doesn't help anyone so all we can do is move forward, help where we can, and smile as much as possible.
It's hard to read the news. Your orange doily is terrific.
ReplyDelete