Stress test and new surroundings

Today being cleaning day, I made myself scarce. The nearest library was closed, surprisingly until I found they were seizing the day to ramp up some renovations. 

So I went further, to the library where I meet the knitting group. Here's the view as you come in, children's department ahead, adult first right 

This is the longest I've been out since Virus Strike, so it was a kind of stress test, to see if I would be able to get home again. I was testing my energy.

I knitted and read the Golden Fleece book where she demolishes firmly the myth of the coded fishermen's ganseys. She conferred with researchers in the geographical area as well as papers and preserved knitting. 

One point is that it's very rarely that drowned fishermen, or any professional sailors in deep water, are even recovered from the sea.  Not an expectation.

The other point is that there were multiple patterns; tiny Staithes, the fishing village I knew in childhood, had at least five local patterns. Not unusual for a small crew to go out wearing an assortment of stitch patterns. 

I remember on vacation in Staithes, seeing the fishwives at their front doors, chatting and knitting like lightning the very ganseys we're talking about, usually dark blue. I expect daylight was best to see by, if they still needed to see their work, after all their experience. But it was a social thing, too.

Their day began very early, preparing and baiting lines and nets. By the time I saw them, mid morning, they'd probably already put in several hours of work. Then when the catch came in, mackerel or herring and other fish, they carted them around the local streets to sell them same day as caught. 

That was the degree of freshness I grew up on in fish. The mackerel and herring men came around the streets at home in town late afternoon. We lived only a few miles inland. My mother would never buy any fish that wasn't that morning 's catch. Money was too tight to risk. She made wonderful soused herring, rollmop. And mackerel out of the sea more than half a day was rejected. 

Anyway I think fish and knitting are closely linked for me , and this wonderful book seems to be explaining why.

This library also has a hallway where there's art on display. I've shown there with groups, but it's not a particularly good location, poor light, and restrictive hanging, people march past. 

Not the gallery experience of my local library, but it illustrates why I campaigned for a dedicated gallery when we built ours. It attracts serious art and artists, and provides an area for openings. 

Anyway there were a few small bird paintings I thought I'd show you. The lopsidedness is the result of my  trying to avoid reflections. They were accurately framed.

And I finally remembered to bring in the glasses I no longer need, to donate, in the lobby. 

It's been on the to-do list since September.

Once home I bumped into the bathroom reno neighbor who filled me in on that and rentals happening on the block, the house next door to him probably going to be occupied by friends, good. 

The reason for the sudden reno was the usual contractor thing.  After waiting months, all the new fittings waiting, suddenly the contractor, a good worker with good prices, called and said I have time and a crew tomorrow! 

So M said well why not. And while he had them on site he got a few other things done, too! Seize the day, and the contractor, before he vanishes again.

He's not selling, just getting done things he's been wanting to fix.  At some point he wants to improve the third floor where there are kind of trapdoor entrances to the eaves, very hazardous. 

I had Mike the Contractor years ago create doorways for mine and install doors which he heavily insulated on the eave side, so there's no draft whistling around and it's a safe entry for workmen.

I also did a bit of winnowing today 

These are currently posted on Freecycle, so we'll see. Nice stuff, which either doesn't fit or the color isn't for me after all. Somebody will probably like them.

Happy day everyone, don't overdo, do what I say, not what I (over)do! I also did a load of laundry..I know, I know.