Dissonance

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I might have posted that Kafka quote too early last week, because I was really feeling it this weekend:

“Every day I watch the terror grow and every day I have to work, run errands, do chores—how to describe that contradiction, and how to survive it.

Germany has declared war on Russia. Swimming in the afternoon.” 

Except the modern version of his postscript would be, “We started a war in the Middle East. Hanging art and sewing on Sunday.” 

It’s hard to know what to even say. It’s hard to not worry about, well, everything. It’s hard to take a few pictures because you’re really happy with your new space and then think about missiles hitting cities and destroying someone else’s space.

But I got my amaryllis bulb to send up a bud for the second year in a row? I guess that’s something. A blue pot with a small stalk and flower bud growing

 

Friday Links

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1. The most nostalgic combination of words possible: 1991 California Raisins commercial for the library (via Austin Kleon).

2. I need to print this out so I can remember what’s actually helpful for people going through something (don’t put the burden on them! I speak from experience but I still forget!): A poster titled "9 things to say instead of 'Let me know what you need' " The 9 things are: 1. "I'm running errands later - can I grab you something?" 2. "I made extra food. Can I drop some off tomorrow?" 3. "Want company? Or just someone to sit with?" 4. "Can I take specific things off your plate this week?" 5. "No pressure to reply — I'm just thinking of you." 6. "I'm free this weekend if you want quiet company or help getting stuff done. 7. "I know calls can be draining want me to text instead?" 8. "I'm grabbing coffee later. Can I drop one at your door?" 9. "You don't have to say anything. I'm not going anywhere."

 

3. I’m probably painting the hallway this weekend but what if I took a boat ride in a laundry basket instead? And I were a goose?

 

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Say It Louder

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Journalist Lyz Lenz wrote a column yesterday about why exactly women are so angry about that video of the Olympic men’s hockey team laughing along with Dear Leader about inviting the women’s team too: Because these men undoubtedly think they support women, but no one spoke up. No one walked away. No one said, “The women’s team did great, though.” No one!

As she says, “…it’s not enough not to say harmful things about people; you have to speak up when other people are. You have to walk away. Because if people are saying those things and you stay silent, it’s just as bad or worse. You are letting bad things happen while thinking you are good.”

Lord knows I speak up about it now, and men don’t take it well (I remember a boss in 2022 mocking the intelligence of a woman who wasn’t on the call and how he ended up berating me for 10 minutes after I tried to defend her). But when another man calls it out, suddenly that assumption that this language, this behavior, is OK gets challenged.

Something to think about, men!

Tuesday Project Roundup: FINALLY

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Fifteen months after thinking about it and thirteen months after starting it, my Rainbow Brite/Gap 1999 crazy stripe sweater is DONE. Even better? It’s not itchy!!
A mirror selfie of a woman in a rainbow striped sweater

 

I love this SO MUCH. I haven’t made a sweater since before my mom died, when I realized I can’t wear wool. The yarn I used for this is mostly cotton with some alpaca and is just lovely.

I didn’t get gauge with the yarn, though, and had to do size math. I ended up knitting the largest size and I think the fit is exactly as intended. It’s a little tighter across the biceps than I wanted but that’s what I get for being so swole.

I love how refined the back neck and shoulder shaping are; I’m a big fan of PetiteKnit patterns because the finishing details are just so nice. Detail of the shoulder shaping on the back of a striped sweater

 

Anyway, I love this. It might be the favorite thing I’ve knit in decades.

(Why did it take so long? We’re long out of the habit of watching anything at night, so this was all Sunday family visit and work meeting knitting–an hour or two a week vs. an hour or two a day. Except now I’m so excited I made a sweater that fits and isn’t itchy, I want to make MORE, so maybe I’ll get back into movies.)

Finally Some Snow

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We got a big storm last week and some of it was still around even in the lower elevations, which made the hike yesterday feel much more right. (This is the worst snow year since Utah started keeping records in 1980.) The sun was warm, though; I bet the snow will be mostly melted by next Sunday.

Quote Of The Day

Karen

I saved the actual quote the minute I saw it a couple weeks ago but now I don’t remember the source. But wow does it feel relevant: “How to describe that contradiction, and how to survive it.”

 

“Every day I watch the terror grow and every day I have to work, run errands, do chores — how to describe that contradiction, and how to survive it.

Germany has declared war on Russia. Swimming in the afternoon.”

—Franz Kafka’s diary entry, August 2, 1914

“We need more pillows!”

Karen

Much like this video, I decided we needed more throw pillows in all the rooms. I got two done over the long weekend and have two more cut out.

This one is for the basement and has a nice IKEA feather-and-down insert so it gets that good “chop.” Fabric is from the local Design Company, a weird place that has some really nice stuff if you dig.
A leopard print oblong pillow on a navy blue couch

This one is for the old couch in my new office and uses a pillow form I had and some stash Kaffe Fassett quilting cotton. I mis-cut the fabric so the cover’s a little snug but it works, even if it’s giving off hot dog vibes.
A long narrow pillow in aqua japanese print on an orange couch

I don’t think sewing saves one a ton of money EXCEPT in the case of home decor. Nothing like getting two pillows with removable zip covers for about $30.

Doing Things In Rooms

Karen

I got a long weekend and did all sorts of house things: Painted the old office, visualized what a 6-foot felt board would look like in my new office, and even did some sewing in the new basement (!). Who needs to leave the house?

A bare white room with a dropcloth-covered table of painting supplies in it

A desk and filing cabinet against a white wall with an orange coach along the other wall. Above the desk a 6x3 foot rectangle is taped out in blue tape.

A white fluffy rug has a cutting mat, pieces of fabric, and pillow forms on it.