"Some Assembly Required"

My Mom is an crocheting machine! Everyone in my family has one of her creations and I'm not exaggerating when I say I have probably 20 of them! She's always been artistic, with an eye for color--the bolder, the better! We've had a lot of fun over the years collaborating on design ideas. One of her projects that I have to admit I took for granted was the "63 Square Afghan." (If you're not familiar with the design, it's 63 squares, each made of an entirely different pattern; kind of a crochet sampler of sorts.) She churned out one of those babies in no time--in tans and greens--and had a grand time doing it. (It's hanging on a quilt rack in my livingroom now.)

Since she had such fun making the first one, I asked her if she'd consider making another one, only this time in one color to accentuate the textures. She said if I bought the yarn, she'd do it! So.... we presented her with a box of wool skeins, with the following instructions written on it:

Contents: 1 Wool Afghan. Some Assembly Required.

Mr. Pocketts and I trundled off to Mexico for an extended vacation and upon our return we were presented with the box--only this time it was full of neatly stacked, finished squares! (Each square even had it's own little numbered tag affixed) ....with some assembly required!

I'm embarrassed to say I did not get right on that...it's been about 3 years now. So.... considering my Mom's questionable health outlook, (nothing definitely known yet; it's depressing, but nevermind), I thought maybe she'd like to finally see the finished product. And who doesn't need some motivation?!

The squares are now laid out on a futon mattress which was temporarily on the guest room floor--it made the perfect blank slate. I'm now diligently assembling strips (have about 5 done so far). It's turning out nicely--I think she'll be pleased!

When I discovered entire online groups are devoted to making--or at least talking about making--this afghan (I am not a member of any such group), I tried to describe this phenomenon to Mom. She couldn't help but laugh, having already been through it all--twice!

Blog Hopping

is for

BLOG!

I rather like looking at blogs! There's a few I visit regularly, once or twice a week, depending; others I look at perhaps once or twice a month, as they are not as actively posting. The "blogosphere" (a term that amuses me) is a parallel world; a world in which most of my "real life" friends have no idea exists (it's equal opportunity--they don't read my blog, nor anyone else's, so I don't take it personally!). I've discovered so many good ideas, thoughtful projects and the like from total strangers who have an innate need to share, bless their little cyber hearts! Altogether, I find it inspiring...and there are days when one could use a little inspiration!

For those of us who choose to live in the middle of nowhere, such as I, blogs provide a comforting connection. Believe it or not, there are folks out there who live very much the way I do and pretty much believe in the same things I believe in: be it politics, religion, lack of religion, hobbies, literature, food, obsessions, food-obsessions, yada yada yada. I can walk down to the post office and not always get that feeling locally. (And if you've ever been a square peg in a round-holed small town, you'll know exactly how that feels!)

Ok, what I'm saying has often been said before, and far more thoughtfully and eloquently (and most likely in some kick-ass blog!), but I'm saying it now--in this one!

Have a lovely day, in both of your parallel worlds!