It has been an interesting, but productive, few days.
Hook news:
My latest design is still giving me fits. I’m not pleased with the way the edging is working—it is out of balance with the rest of the design. I’ve opted to set it aside for now.
I have gone back and looked at the small square I was working on when I branched off into the larger design. I still like it. It’s complete, warm, interesting … all the things a good design should be. So, now I need to find the “right” yarn to compliment the design, and then it will be time for some serious crochet time.
I’m 1/3 done with my second sample for my recently completed design. It’s turning out quite rich looking in the Coffee yarn from RH. It looks better than I thought it would.
In looking this over, now I realize why I’ve not actually completed anything. I’ve got too many projects going at once. hehehe
Crook news:
Today several years of family history left my home, as I placed 6 boxes of record albums out for pickup by United Cerebral Palsy. I can’t think of any better charity to take these records and sell them, as my parents felt UCP was a special charity. I also gave away a large box of unneeded craft supplies, extra folding chairs, and several dozen more books (my bookcase now has one empty shelf, and 2 shelves that are only partially filled). I feel like I’m 8 steps closer to moving, plus I have less clutter and junk around here.
Speaking of less clutter and junk, my last entry was about Treasures. I’m excited to say that I’m still in contact with my friend, and I’m still cleaning out my heart and spending time each day with the Lord.
Psalms 4:8: I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Today I read Psalms 4, and was reminded of the preciousness of the Scripture when taken to heart. In particular, verse 8 has stood me in good stead for many years, and reading it this morning reminded me of how much I have to be thankful for, as I now sleep peacefully at night. Perhaps some day I will share my story about this verse, but not today.
I trust that you are able to “lay [yourself] down in peace and sleep” because you dwell in the safety that only the Lord can give.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Treasures
"… For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." — Matt. 6:21
Recently I found an old friend on the net. We've begun emailing and chatting via IM. Talking with my friend is a joy and brings a smile to my face. It is exciting to find that our lives (including our spiritual lives) have followed very similar paths, and we have much in common. Yet this friendship is also troublesome as I find myself increasingly uneasy in my heart. Why? Because our conversations show one very major difference in our lives: My friend is still close to the Lord, while I have allowed my bitterness and anger to push me away from the Lord.
As a result, for the first time in several years, I’ve found my heart drawn to the Bible and I've found myself taking time to pray. Not just shallow, empty words … but words from deep within my heart. God has been faithful and is dealing with me and healing the hurts and sins of my heart, while drawing me close to Him once again. He is also convicting me in many areas. One of those areas is about the excesses in my life. I keep telling God that I "need" these things, "enjoy" these things, and that "I" don't see anything wrong with these things; yet the Holy Spirit has not left me alone. Each day my eyes are opened a bit more to the excesses that I've allowed to fill my life. Today was such a day.
I was working in my craft room, clearing out things I don't plan on taking when we move, and suddenly I realized that this room was filled with so much stuff that there was no place to put the trash! The verse from Matthew that I quoted above flooded my brain and I was convicted deep in my heart as I realized that my heart was so filled with stuff, that there was no room for God. I apologized to God for not listening to Him, and asked Him to guide my clearing out. I began in earnest dumping things into either the trash box or the give-away box—never once thinking that I should keep this or that. I filled up my trash box three times, and with each trip to the garbage can my steps were lighter. The give-away box soon overflowed and became a second box, then a third plus 2 grocery bags.
The car trunk is now filled with things—good things that will hopefully find a new home and not be someone else's excesses. My craft room now has some working space, and tomorrow I can add to my growing collection of give-away items. Best of all, I cleaned some things out of my heart, and it now has space—space for God; and with His help, I will once again place my treasures and my heart where they belong.
Recently I found an old friend on the net. We've begun emailing and chatting via IM. Talking with my friend is a joy and brings a smile to my face. It is exciting to find that our lives (including our spiritual lives) have followed very similar paths, and we have much in common. Yet this friendship is also troublesome as I find myself increasingly uneasy in my heart. Why? Because our conversations show one very major difference in our lives: My friend is still close to the Lord, while I have allowed my bitterness and anger to push me away from the Lord.
As a result, for the first time in several years, I’ve found my heart drawn to the Bible and I've found myself taking time to pray. Not just shallow, empty words … but words from deep within my heart. God has been faithful and is dealing with me and healing the hurts and sins of my heart, while drawing me close to Him once again. He is also convicting me in many areas. One of those areas is about the excesses in my life. I keep telling God that I "need" these things, "enjoy" these things, and that "I" don't see anything wrong with these things; yet the Holy Spirit has not left me alone. Each day my eyes are opened a bit more to the excesses that I've allowed to fill my life. Today was such a day.
I was working in my craft room, clearing out things I don't plan on taking when we move, and suddenly I realized that this room was filled with so much stuff that there was no place to put the trash! The verse from Matthew that I quoted above flooded my brain and I was convicted deep in my heart as I realized that my heart was so filled with stuff, that there was no room for God. I apologized to God for not listening to Him, and asked Him to guide my clearing out. I began in earnest dumping things into either the trash box or the give-away box—never once thinking that I should keep this or that. I filled up my trash box three times, and with each trip to the garbage can my steps were lighter. The give-away box soon overflowed and became a second box, then a third plus 2 grocery bags.
The car trunk is now filled with things—good things that will hopefully find a new home and not be someone else's excesses. My craft room now has some working space, and tomorrow I can add to my growing collection of give-away items. Best of all, I cleaned some things out of my heart, and it now has space—space for God; and with His help, I will once again place my treasures and my heart where they belong.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Why "Hook and Crook"?
The credit really goes to my husband. I told him I wanted to start a new blog about my life and my crocheting, but was stumped for a title. He thought for a moment and came up with "Hook and Crook".
As a crocheter I use metal hooks to fasten yarn to yarn, thus creating lovely things with each stitch.
I rather like the last definition. The path of my life has taken many crooks (twists or turns) along the way, and each is different and unique. Plus a crook is just a curved part like a crochet hook.
*Hook: n.
1. A curved or sharply bent device, usually of metal, used to catch, drag, suspend, or fasten something else.
As a crocheter I use metal hooks to fasten yarn to yarn, thus creating lovely things with each stitch.
*Crook: n.
1. An implement or tool, such as a bishop's crosier or a shepherd's staff, with a bent or curved part.
2. A part that is curved or bent like a hook.
3. A curve or bend; a turn: a crook in the path.
I rather like the last definition. The path of my life has taken many crooks (twists or turns) along the way, and each is different and unique. Plus a crook is just a curved part like a crochet hook.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Exploring Northern California
The day began … early, at least earlier than normal since the coffee hadn’t brewed yet. I flicked the pot to on, and set about my morning routine. Soon the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted to my nose and the wonderful words, “Good morning”, tickled my ears as Mr. Retired delivered my caffeine fix. Two mugs later I was showered, dressed and alert. We packed the cooler with water, grabbed cameras that had been fed fresh batteries and headed out for an adventure.
The air was brisk, and reminiscent of a fall day, yet my eyes told me it was spring since the trees and flowers were blooming and the hills were green with life—not brown and awaiting the awakening kiss of the winter rains. The sky was filled with clouds—thin as well as thick—and they were displayed in several shades of grey. It definitely looked like rain.
Into the car we climbed, where I turned my seat heater on to “2”. Oh the joy of heated seats. :D The highway was busy, but not packed with cars and soon we were taking the first side road to catch Hwy. 29. Our eyes were assaulted as we neared American Canyon—a new city that is not slowly budding into being, but shouting out that it’s arrived. Everywhere our eyes could see were “ticky-tacky” houses and condos; and all of them painted in one of 4 subdued colors that remind me of bricks. It seemed to say, “Live here and never be an individual again.”
We left the horror of growth behind us and headed to Hwy. 37, where we skirted around the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The marshlands were alive with waterfowl of all kinds—teals, mallards, cranes, herons and egrets; while red-tailed hawks and other raptors circled in the sky—all in search of food. We spotted one pair of birds, bright pink in color, with long necks and I was positive I was looking at a pair of flamingos, but I’m not sure they travel to this area. Sadly, at 65 mph, with traffic riding on our bumper, we couldn’t stop to grab a picture.
When we reached Hwy. 101 we headed north toward Santa Rosa. By 10:45am, we found ourselves in heavier traffic, all the while driving in and out of rainstorms. One cloud followed us for several miles spilling out drops of rain that danced around on the windshield in an attempt to avoid the windshield wipers. Ah, but these wipers are smart. They simply moved faster as the rain came down harder, and swept the raindrops off to the side of the window where they trickled down to the hood of car in rivulets that squiggled around in the wind.
We drove out of the rain clouds and had jut begun picking up speed when traffic suddenly came to abrupt halt. One after another, drivers hit their brakes, creating a sea of red lights under the overcast skies. Directly behind us was an inattentive driver, who at the very last moment realized that he needed to break. Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to turn the wheels on his car to the right and he skidded to a stop just an inch from our rear bumper—leaving behind several inches of rubber from his tires. My ears heard the squealing of those brakes for several miles.
Coming into Healdsburg, we spotted a restaurant and decided to stop for lunch. We found Adel’s to be a nice place, with a good menu, decent prices, nice staff and good service. It was a good break, but we were ready to head on out to explore.
As we traveled up the road, we found ourselves enjoying the sights of wildflowers growing up the sides of the hills that butt up next to the highway. Thick patches of lupine dotted the green grass, mostly the purple, but often a mix of purple, red and yellow. We saw wild mustard waving in the gentle breeze; California poppies were bursting into vivid orange blooms most everywhere one looked, star thistle in white and yellow gave texture to the scene. While we couldn’t stop to take any pictures, others have provided some and I’ve linked to their pages so that you will have a visual image to enjoy.
Eventually we crossed the Russian River and came to Hopland, where we turned onto Highway 175. It is a 17 miles “S” drive—definitely not for those with queasy stomachs. We eventually reached Hwy. 29, where we turned north and caught Hwy. 20 and drove around the “eastern” shore of Clear Lake.
The gentle breezes were causing small white caps on the water and at one point we pulled over and listened to the sound of the water as it gently crashed into the shoreline. Out on the water there weren’t any boats—it was too cold and windy; but there were loads of waterfowl. This time we spotted pelicans amidst the ducks. What a treat.
Our travels took us down Hwy 20 to Hwy 5, and then to Hwy 505. As we traveled, the terrain changed from the rugged mountains, to low foothills where we saw several varieties of oak trees, and then to farmland. Soon the farmland turned into new housing developments, and then one town after another until we reached our growing city.
It was good to get out and explore, and let our eyes enjoy the beauty of spring in Northern California, but it was great to arrive home as well. Hopefully before we leave this area, we will have time to enjoy a few more trips; but if not, there is much to explore in Oregon.
The air was brisk, and reminiscent of a fall day, yet my eyes told me it was spring since the trees and flowers were blooming and the hills were green with life—not brown and awaiting the awakening kiss of the winter rains. The sky was filled with clouds—thin as well as thick—and they were displayed in several shades of grey. It definitely looked like rain.
Into the car we climbed, where I turned my seat heater on to “2”. Oh the joy of heated seats. :D The highway was busy, but not packed with cars and soon we were taking the first side road to catch Hwy. 29. Our eyes were assaulted as we neared American Canyon—a new city that is not slowly budding into being, but shouting out that it’s arrived. Everywhere our eyes could see were “ticky-tacky” houses and condos; and all of them painted in one of 4 subdued colors that remind me of bricks. It seemed to say, “Live here and never be an individual again.”
We left the horror of growth behind us and headed to Hwy. 37, where we skirted around the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The marshlands were alive with waterfowl of all kinds—teals, mallards, cranes, herons and egrets; while red-tailed hawks and other raptors circled in the sky—all in search of food. We spotted one pair of birds, bright pink in color, with long necks and I was positive I was looking at a pair of flamingos, but I’m not sure they travel to this area. Sadly, at 65 mph, with traffic riding on our bumper, we couldn’t stop to grab a picture.
When we reached Hwy. 101 we headed north toward Santa Rosa. By 10:45am, we found ourselves in heavier traffic, all the while driving in and out of rainstorms. One cloud followed us for several miles spilling out drops of rain that danced around on the windshield in an attempt to avoid the windshield wipers. Ah, but these wipers are smart. They simply moved faster as the rain came down harder, and swept the raindrops off to the side of the window where they trickled down to the hood of car in rivulets that squiggled around in the wind.
We drove out of the rain clouds and had jut begun picking up speed when traffic suddenly came to abrupt halt. One after another, drivers hit their brakes, creating a sea of red lights under the overcast skies. Directly behind us was an inattentive driver, who at the very last moment realized that he needed to break. Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to turn the wheels on his car to the right and he skidded to a stop just an inch from our rear bumper—leaving behind several inches of rubber from his tires. My ears heard the squealing of those brakes for several miles.
Coming into Healdsburg, we spotted a restaurant and decided to stop for lunch. We found Adel’s to be a nice place, with a good menu, decent prices, nice staff and good service. It was a good break, but we were ready to head on out to explore.
As we traveled up the road, we found ourselves enjoying the sights of wildflowers growing up the sides of the hills that butt up next to the highway. Thick patches of lupine dotted the green grass, mostly the purple, but often a mix of purple, red and yellow. We saw wild mustard waving in the gentle breeze; California poppies were bursting into vivid orange blooms most everywhere one looked, star thistle in white and yellow gave texture to the scene. While we couldn’t stop to take any pictures, others have provided some and I’ve linked to their pages so that you will have a visual image to enjoy.
Eventually we crossed the Russian River and came to Hopland, where we turned onto Highway 175. It is a 17 miles “S” drive—definitely not for those with queasy stomachs. We eventually reached Hwy. 29, where we turned north and caught Hwy. 20 and drove around the “eastern” shore of Clear Lake.
The gentle breezes were causing small white caps on the water and at one point we pulled over and listened to the sound of the water as it gently crashed into the shoreline. Out on the water there weren’t any boats—it was too cold and windy; but there were loads of waterfowl. This time we spotted pelicans amidst the ducks. What a treat.
Our travels took us down Hwy 20 to Hwy 5, and then to Hwy 505. As we traveled, the terrain changed from the rugged mountains, to low foothills where we saw several varieties of oak trees, and then to farmland. Soon the farmland turned into new housing developments, and then one town after another until we reached our growing city.
It was good to get out and explore, and let our eyes enjoy the beauty of spring in Northern California, but it was great to arrive home as well. Hopefully before we leave this area, we will have time to enjoy a few more trips; but if not, there is much to explore in Oregon.
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