FIBERGUY

I am one of those people that when I take up a new hobby, I like to read the “classics” in the field, both so I can get up to speed and so that I don’t appear completely ignorant when the subjects come up. So I took up Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Without Tears because of its numerous recommendations. I find her sense of humor utterly delightful, although I am only a few pages into the book so far. I offer you these words on this last day of summer:

Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit either.

When I say properly practiced, I mean executed in a relaxed manner, without anxiety, strain, or tension, but with confidence, inventiveness, pleasure and ultimate pride.

If you hate to knit, why, bless you, don’t; follow your secret heart and take up something else. But if you start out knitting with enjoyment, you will probably continue in this pleasant path.

Consider the agreeable material and tools.

. . . . . . .

Really, all you need to become a good knitter are wool, needles, hands, and slightly below-average intelligence. Of course superior intelligence, such as yours and mine, is an advantage.

Now, really, how can you not love this woman?

 

Who ever though that such a “little piece of paper” could have such enormous real and symbolic importance in one’s life? It took four years of serious hard work, from August, 2003 to June, 2007, to earn this degree – plus about 10 years before that of taking one class at a time here and there to get rid of my core curriculum requirements. Well, never mind that now. I have it. I stuck with it until I got it done. I can’t tell you how proud I am of myself for sticking with it until I was done this time. This time, I knew it was now or never. Making a big commitment to oneself and then seeing that commitment through to the end brings an immeasurable amount of self-esteem.

Tonight they are predicting our first frost of the season, so this may prove to be the natural end of what will be remembered as one of the most memorable summers of my life. So I thought I would share with you some of the final glories of summer before they fade or freeze.

These are flowers that whisper of fall’s fast approach.

I don’t know what this sweet little buttery yellow flower is, but it’s marvelous in its simple beauty.

How you could not adore this pink zinnia, that gets deeper and deeper towards the center?

I fell in love with calla lillies when I was in Guatemala – they grew wild on the sides of the mountain roads. I decided I wanted to grow some myself.

They are so simple, but I do love coleus and the color it brings to the yard.

This is a magnificent burgundy coleus – the picture doesn’t do it justice.

This lime green and yellow variety we tried this year is luscious, isn’t it?

Sometime later tonight we will pick all the zinnias and tomatoes – and begin the inevitable turn inward that comes with fall.

Here is the list of resources published in a local pet lover’s newspaper:

Animal Humane Society Pet Loss Support Group – 763-522-4325

ASPCA National Pet Loss Hotline (24 hours a day)
800-946-4646
Enter PIN #104-7211 then your phone number. The call will be returned promptly.

College of Vet Medicine at University of IL/C.A.R.E. Pet Loss Helpline
877-394-2273

Grief Recovery Hotline
800-445-4808

Iowa State University Pet Loss Support Hotline
888-478-7574

UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Pet Loss Support Hotline
800-565-1526

Animal Love and Loss Network
www.alln.org

Animals in Our Hearts
www.animalsinourhearts.com

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
www.aplb.org

Argus Institute for Families and Vet Medicine
www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu

Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline
www.vet.cornell.edu/public/petloss

Eternal Animals
www.eternalanimals.com

Gardens of Memory
www.gardensofmemory.com

Grief Healing
www.griefhealing.com

In Memory of Pets
www.in-memory-of-pets.com/pet-loss.htm

Kindred Spirits
www.hsus.org/kindred/index.html

Pet Loss
www.avma.org/care4pets/losspet1.htm

The Pet Loss Grief Support Website and Candle Ceremony
www.petloss.com

Rainbow Pet Memorial
www.rainbowpetmemorial.org

I can’t vouch for any of these sites – I haven’t checked them out yet. Just thought I would share them in case you or anyone you know might benefit from this info.