Well dear readers, you know I like to keep it real here and the reality is that I’m more than a bit depleted. The process of rectifying The Series of Unfortunate Decisions that led us to this Belligerent Monkey of a house is a downright exhausting timesuck…the equivalent of shoveling yourself out of a big pile of you-know-what that seems to just be getting bigger. Yet you must continue shoveling if you really want to get out right?
Of course, even though the shoveling must be done, that doesn’t mean you don’t reach a breaking point. And that is the cliff’s edge I’ve been teetering over the last few weeks in particular. So when I found myself struggling just to get basic life tasks completed, much less get posts published, I had to stop and recognize that I needed a breather.
Which brings me to knitting. Yes, knitting. For me, it has a zen-ness to it that is calming and clarifying but I’ve lost sight of it’s therapeutic value in the last few months, leaving my trusty gear gathering dust instead of helping me remain Happy-Go-Lucky Val. What makes knitting so groovy, aside from making neat hats and what-not of course, is that it’s a simple metaphor for life and it’s quite appropriate at this time in mine.
Slowly working stitch-by-stitch, you’re creating…building. It takes energy and focus but little-by-little it takes larger form. Like knitting, our lives are our creations and sometimes you have to back up to fix a fatal flaw. Or sometimes for all of your well-intentioned efforts, you make something that just doesn’t fit. Or sometimes you have to abandon or suspend a project…leave your mittens unfinished because you now need or want a sweater more. It’s a beautifully imperfect process and when you find that mental state where you understand and accept that, it’s all good.
So in the course of breaking out my knitting supplies, I rediscovered this glorious, tactilely blissful yarn I bought back in May in Jeffersonville. For five months this wonderful yarn has lain in wait for attention, it’s potential for easing my spirit untapped. Not only is the yarn a reminder of wonderful travels, it’s a small but necessary solace in a chaotic time.
And so I leave you with this…
All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. -Havelock Ellis
Celebrating the small pleasures in life when all else is out of control…
4 comments
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Tracy B.
October 5, 2012 at 5:23 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Yay for string!!! And yarn and thread… So soothing… hopefully there will be an end soon to all the garbage you’re dealing with in taking care of the Belligerent Monkey situation.
I had no idea you knit. I don’t, but I do play with string also (tatting & crochet). Fun stuff. Makes paying attention at work very difficult when we have one of the largest selections of stringy goodness (almost 1/4 of the store) around… I find something new to pet & drool over every day. Can’t wait to get brave enough to try the alpaca… or the silk blend, or the bamboo… along with all the other soft stuff.
Val
October 7, 2012 at 9:10 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I never would have imagined myself becoming a knitter but it’s so comforting. And it is easy to get sucked into the glorious feel of all the different yarns, stringy goodness, etc. This particular batch is a locally-grown/dyed/spun Merino wool… I may have moaned out loud in the store when I picked it up.
Donna
October 5, 2012 at 6:42 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
You know that I knitted & crocheted & cross stitched & embroidered in the past and really enjoyed it. Such a long time ago….I remember that calming, therapeutic feeling, Must be in the genes somewhere. I can remember my grandmother knitting. I love that you caught the knitting bug. I was self taught also…just picked up a how to book as you did. You have created some amazing articles. I will never forget the snake.
Darn shame my fingers and hands can no longer manage to cooperate. Praying that the chaos in your life comes to an end soon. Someday you will look back at this and laugh. You are a truly amazing. awesome woman.
Love you.
Val
October 7, 2012 at 9:19 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Thanks mom. I know that, like all difficult times, this will pass but that knowledge isn’t making it easier right now. I would have thought it would be over by now but still no end in sight. It’s very draining. Trying to make some strategic changes to get things to move forward but mostly at the mercy of strangers in reality.
I definitely remember all of your cross-stitching. Maybe that set the stage for me, I don’t know. I certainly tried other needlecrafts early on but none ever stuck like knitting. Oh that snake! That took forever but I have to say it was a very satisfying project.
Love you too. We’ll just have to find you a hobby that’s easier on the digits… <3