Puzzles, lavender, half birthdays, fantasy

The best news of the day

We can breathe again. Yesterday was improving but I wore a mask for a short walk, plus hat for sun and sunglasses. I looked like a bandit.

And today here's how the lavender looks, best in years. 

Last year it didn't bloom at all, so I guess it's catching up.

My neck is still a pain in the neck, icing, gentle exercise, still going on. I finally realized this recurs and has for most of my life. 

I forget it between bouts then get taken by surprise. Last summer I was getting cataract surgery while in  neck pain, so this isn't as harrowing, good to remember. 

I do remember that the tranquillizing drugs did help with my neck, too, but it's a bit drastic to get eye surgery to fix a stiff neck.

Onward, there's worse stuff. This too shall pass. The sooner the quicker, I say.

And here's a lovely Sendak illustration, 

I discovered Sendak while shopping for picture books when handsome Son was young, and this was a great fave. Sendak gets it.

In other news, June 15 will be my 84.5 birthday, now celebrating half birthdays because you never know, and this is my present to me

It's a paperback, some proceeds to charity, and I hope it has not only answers but explanations. Sometimes I need more than just the answer.

Meanwhile try this

I think there's one preferred answer but I came up with more.

Happy day everyone, be glad we're breathing!

Glorious knits and the puzzle

Yesterday's knitting group was packed, every seat taken, and great knitting and crochet under way. Pictures don't do justice.

Your humble blogger is still quietly knitting her simple gloves, amid this wealth of talent.

And Tatters has announced  great gift books, some new, some established.

I've requested a couple from the library now that their new year buying budget is set.

I don't plan to bore you with a letter by letter account of my Arabic practice, but I now can sort of write and read several words, great excitement! It's so satisfying to focus just on learning in this whole new world for a while each day. Even the littlest new learning is amazing.

Oh, and the puzzle? The answer, which I think a couple of people got

PARTNER

I can't tell you how long I was stuck on Portnoy which refused to leave my brain until I saw a couple of clues. I definitely had my own complaint about that. Roy Rogers shouting howdy finally got through.

Happy day everyone, make things, or just enjoy other people making things, or read, or ignore me and do what you'd been planning. She can't tell me what to do, I'll have a happy day if I want to! Or not!

Adventures in Arabic start, Michelle knits, and fruitcake rules

So yesterday I broke out a notebook to start my Arabic practice in, and you see the pages cut from an old one, to get a fresh start.

It turns out this was the notebook I kept from Handsome Partner's last weeks, in home-based hospice,  to his death and all the tasks I had to do. 

So much official work, with reminders to myself to breathe, not feel everything had to happen at once. I hesitated before cutting out these pages, but decided I'd lived through them, managed it all, and could recycle the notes. 

Then on to practicing my first two alphabet letters, alef and nun. They're written differently depending on where they come in the word, immediate complications!  

But how beautiful even the wobbly first steps of a beginner look

And in case I get too tense about it, remember good old Mediocrates.

Meanwhile here's Michelle, wise lady, who took up knitting during the early pandemic

And upon her inviting people to share in her Twitter thread about what we've done for peace of mind lately, I found myself in a nice little three way with her and Sister M, my sock connection.

In case you are missing an awwwww factor, take a look at 

And keeping up my strength through all these feats, Southern fruitcake for afternoon tea, Yorkshire style, with a slice of sharp cheddar and tea. Wensleydale cheese, is the authentic choice, but I can't get that, so Vermont cheddar  steps in just fine. South meets North, lives happily ever after.

Happy day everyone! Any puzzling success yet? Clue: Roy Rogers.  

Life's one big puzzle, really. I thought I'd know everything by now, heh.

Old reading, new learning and treats at the door

Today's walk turned up an array of oddly assorted figures on a neighbor's porch.  Reclining nudes, lions, Victorian children, what?

Home again, and a treat arrived on the step

I have sampled the sampler, and it's very good. Thank you, dear e! It is in a good home, and some will be shared with Handsome Son. 

It's that time of year when I like to get ahead of winter by taking on something new. Last year it was the Sock Ministry, now the Sock and Glove Ministry, and a fixture in my life.

This year I fancy learning something new, and since I've been very aware lately of Islamic art and current Arabic news slogans, I plan to learn the Arabic alphabet for starters. 

I've studied other alphabets before, years of classical Greek, some Russian, but this is the first experience I've had of writing  which runs right to left, and it's beautiful.

here's lesson one. Now I will find a notebook to practice in.

And here's the current reading, another historical novel from a favorite writer, newly downloaded, ready to plunge into the seventeenth century.

Along with a piece of embroidery from an earlier period, to remind us of the textile sophistication of the era.

 

And while I'm working on my Arabic and 17C history, here's a modern puzzle

Happy day, everyone, follow your own path of learning! It's all good.

Tday is Monday

 It's official, to accommodate Handsome Son's schedule, Thanksgiving chez Boud will be celebrated Monday starting at noon.

So, let the cooking commence.

This is that chicken thing where you pound chicken breasts till your aggression is dissipated, then roll the sections up with ham and cheese, then in panko.  Then spoon over melted butter and sprinkle salt and pepper,  arrange artistically in the glass dish you just emptied from the recent lasagna caper.

Done. In the fridge now. Next cranberry sauce. Roasted potatoes will cook along with the chicken thing on the day. Stuffing that day, too, and reheat the squash dish.

Meanwhile before I tackle the dishes and continue peacefully reading my Lucia book, here's a puzzle. 

Remember to give clues, not the answer, in the comments. Don't give it away!  

Happy day everyone, what the heck is the name of the chicken thing I'm making??

Enjoy your day even if your memory's failing.