Productivity

[vaneramos]

I've been busy, but never better. This week Brenda and I are putting a new floor in a friend's kitchen. It's hard work, and my back is the only unhappy part of me.

I've been getting up early enough to maintain the creative habits established recently: reading a few newsfeeds and blogs to feed my brain while I eat breakfast, writing morning pages, and getting outdoors with my camera for a few minutes to maintain a daily photo journal. All this before work.

After work Sarah and I usually go to the library for a writing session. Even if we can't be there at the same time (she finishes work earlier than I), it's a motivating factor just to know we're both going. In the evenings I've been keeping up with the November Poem-a-Day Chapbook Challenge.

And I registered for Fundamentals of Fiction Writing with Writers Online Workshops, which began last week. It will mostly be a review of things I know, accompanied by outside stimuli, fresh ideas, and assignments to push me outside my comfort zone. My first 500-word assignment is due tonight. It has been written. Now I'm taking a little break before the final revision.

Oh yes, and I finished the feather 'n' fan scarf for Brenna, begun last spring (it was easy and mindless, a nice break after the challenge of those traveling rib hats). She had her birthday recently. djjo and I saw my girls on Sunday afternoon, had lunch and went bowling. I found out Danny is a decent bowler.

So busy, busy. I'm sorry regular visits to LJ haven't fit into the mix. I'll have more time on the weekend, and after this job with Brenda finishes next week.

But life is very, very good. The feeling continues, that I'm on the brink of an important transition. I have never ever felt so productive. Finding employment will probably continue to be a challenge for the next few months, but I mustn't let that discourage me.

Comments

[liadra.livejournal.com]

The scarf is gorgeous. Both the knitting and the colour. Is it a free pattern?

[bixie.livejournal.com]

wow, that's really beautiful, and I am totally impressed to hear you describe it as easy!

also, I'm happy for you and what you describe going on in your life. :>

[threestarblue.livejournal.com]

brenna is super lukcy.! i covet that scarf and the color is yummy. mmmmm

[inishglora.livejournal.com]

*scarf love* Great color.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, and it is easy to find online. The pattern I used is the same as for the "pot holders" in this link:

http://www.geocities.com/smurfette65201/fan.html

Except I cast on 60 stitches. You need 18 stitches for each fan, plus 6 for the borders, so 3 times 18 plus 6 equals 60. I have also made a nice two-fan scarf casting on 42 stitches. For each fan just add another repeat in line 6.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

P.S. This is a handspun, hand-dyed yarn I bought at the store where my daughter works in Port Hope, but the pattern works nicely with Koigu or any sock yarn and 4 mm needles.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Have you tried the feather 'n' fan pattern? I had some trouble getting the knack at first, but it got easy after that. I like the fact that there is one row I have to pay attention to, then three easy ones. It strikes a nice rhythm.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Well Brenna is my daughter, so I don't know about lucky, but she is funny, sweet and deserving.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Brenna has good taste, too. She picked out the yarn.

[(Anonymous)]

Very pretty, I love the color. You have a great blog. very interesting and wonderful pictures.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you.