Springtime

I opened the bathroom window to ventilate the room after a shower, and look what I found between the screen and the window:

The bird probably began building this nest when I was in California recently--yesterday I was surprised to find a single, spotted egg in it (I hadn't heard anything so I thought it had been abandoned). Despite my avid curiosity, we'll have to wait because I don't want to disturb the little family-to-be.

I've started to feel an upsurge of energy. Thank God, it's been a while, as those of you who have written wondering if I'm OK can attest. It's true that I've been sort of blue for a few months, but if the roving I dyed last week is any indication, the tide has turned. There's enough red in there to counteract any amount of blue!

I got tired of seeing the squares of Lizard Ridge gathering dust in the corner, so I've seamed them together! Next, a trip to Ravelry to figure out how to finish the edges. It looks better than this flash-photo would imply--there's always some concern when knitting a hodge-podge project, and these random balls of Noro Kureyon came from a number of friends and shops. I like it.

The Leo Vest is coming along, but still at that unsatisfying state where you knit and knit and knit and you STILL don't have an interesting photo for the blog.

Ditto the spinning for the striped socks. Ditto the Turkish Pillows. Ditto the Blue Jeans Pullover. I've got so many things going at once that it's dangerous to sit in my knitting chair these days. Avalance country.

I am swatching for a new project, however, so you and I have something to look forward to.

Comments

[Nancy J]

Yeah, Progress! The avalanche will be kept at bay.

[Gwen]

Or maybe - Higher Avalanche Danger!

Lizard Ridge looks great.

[Kelley]

That colorway is beautiful, definitely something to lift those blues away.

Love your Lizard Ridge, I'm hoping to get one of my own started sometime this year.

[erika]

oh, Janine. We discovered a bird's nest in a similar location at Yo's mom's house. She thought it was "cute" with its little eggs, so we left it. We returned weeks later, and discovered that she still thought they were cute, and that she had a guest bathroom full of bird poop and fledglings. One landed on Y's knee while he was on the pot, which was kind of neat... until we realized that they were infested with THOUSANDS of mites. And that the mites were all over us, all over the birds, and spreading outward from the nest in a horrible wave... needless to say, we bathed with bleach. It's funny in retrospect, but I would not encourage you to repeat the experiment. Bird mites do not actually bite humans or infest them long term... but the psychsomatic itching they trigger can be just as crazy-making.

[Liz419]

I totally agree with Erica. I moved a pigeon nest from my bedroom window sill a few years back and had bird mites all over myself, my bedroom, and my bed. I killed them pretty quickly, but I couldn't bring myself to sleep in that bed for 6 weeks because just the thought of them crawling on me again would make me itch. It was awful.

[Barb]

Wow, that lizard ridge is beautiful!

[Naomi]

Been thinking about you - haven't seen you in awhile. I had the blues too but I'm back now! Sounds like you are getting there too.

Don't you just love Ravelry? The lizard ridge is awesome!

Just keep plugging away on your projects - actually any photo is interesting. Its just fun for me to *see* your progress and you may not feel inspired - but I know I always am when I see your projects!

[Linda "K"]

Was great to see you last night and to know you are feeling better. Having just climbed out of a vat of depression myself, I totally relate. The L.R. is fabuloso! Am still dying for the Parcheesi pattern to make its way to us loyal followers - but no rush! Have all the Noro for the L.R. but am knitting all garter stitch all the time just to keep knitting until I have the guts to actually take on something more challenging. Can another dye day be far? I don't think so! I'm cleaning up my front yard and porch!

[Sheila]

I've alwasy thought there wasn't much that could be cuter than a bird's nest with eggs or baby birds. I've had my share in trees that I could actually look into. They've always been robins, and I've found nests that were on the ground once the birds tired of them and built a new home. What I had no idea about were mites. Egads! I've never had that experience. But the young birds have come very near me a times and I think they might believe I am their grandma because I watched them in the nest and looked lovingly at their cuteness. I swear, one might have chirped at me once or twice.

[Thalia]

I love your roving (even though I generally go for the blues and greens, that combination is wonderful), and the Lizard Ridge is gorgeous!

[vanessa]

janine, your lizard ridge is GORGEOUS!

[AllyB]

OMG! Your Lizard Ridge is amazing! Congratulations and thank you for sharing.