In Which We Go Back To Halloween

Before we go into the insanity of the winter holiday season, I'd like to go back to my favorite holiday, Halloween. For me, it's not about candy. In fact, with a peanut-allergic kid, it can't be about the candy. I like the conviviality of this holiday. I like the fact that your friends and neighbors stop by and say hi with the "trick or treat!" and you get to see the kids having fun. My faith in humanity is often renewed. One year we had a group of very nice teenagers. They knew they were too old, but they were having fun. They were polite and complimented our Halloween display. Gave me hope for teenagers everywhere.

I also like the fact that Halloween is closer to its older roots than most commercialized holidays. I like the fact that it's based on the concept that there is more out there than meets the eye. I like the concept that the veil between worlds is thinner. I like the iconography and the candles.

We have some long-standing traditions. Starting in the early 90s, a group of my friends gathered each year at the same pumpkin patch to go pumpkin picking. We had a song we sang at each step of the way. We went to a fast food restaurant nearby for curly-fries. It was a day-long thing. As the years went by, partners and kids joined the group. Even those who moved to other states would return for the pumpkin hunting expedition.

Things have been altered over the years to accommodate the changing needs of the group. This year we chose a closer farm--with kids it's harder to drive a long way for pumpkins.

Once there, the kids loved pushing the wheelbarrows around:



We chose our pumpkins quickly.



This place had an elaborate corn maze


We couldn't believe how intense the mud was:



At the top, of course, is Girlfriend as the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz books.

OK, you may now return to your normally scheduled holiday insanity.

My Life as of Today

I'm convinced, like many people, that I'm the only one with a crazy desk. I'm sure that anyone who sees it is thinking to themselves, "OMG, she is truly crazy. No one could possibly work in a space like that." This impression is not helped by my few friends who live the peaceful, beautiful life (without children) and who can organize things without children adding their own particular embellishments to the space.

Last night, as I was doing some work on the computer, Girlfriend decided that I needed some Littlest Pet Shops on the teetering paper piles on my desk (which is actually part of the kitchen counter). Don't you think they add just the right bit of je ne sais quois to the whole thing?

In other news, I finished dAhub's socks. Men's socks sure take a long time due to their size. Note that dAhub chose the colorway:



Pattern: Of my own making, drawing on the Twisted Rib stitch in Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Flames colorway (it kind of pooled in interesting ways)
Needles: 0 Addi Turbos (I use the Magic Loop method)

Also, I finally got a picture of the Peace Shawl I finished this summer:



Pattern: Peace Shawl, from Fiber Trends
Yarn: Zephyr (50% wool, 50% silk)in purple
Needle: what were called for in pattern (aka, I can't remember)

Pretty, isn't it? I love it. If you look closely, you can see the word "Peace" running around the edges. The pattern describes the shawl as people holding hands in a forest under a night sky of stars. And you can really see it. I gave the to a friend for whom the pattern must have been made. Every time she wears it I am thrilled at how perfect it is for her.

Wow. I actually posted two finished object pics in one day. I have to go lie down to recover from the enormity of it all.

Can't Stop, Running Too Fast

I've had one of those weeks where I can't even make phone calls I need to make. Or, I have to ration them out, day by day. Today I made the phone call to my health insurance people to argue a charge the should be paying for but they say they can't. I can't help but feel that the folks who work in management for health insurance companies would test very low in empathy in a personality test.

This week I've had or will have: a PTA board meeting, a community council meeting, a school advisory council meeting and a knitter's gathering. The knitter's gathering was for fun, but it did add to my meetings this week. I've either been in meetings or preparing for meetings all week. It's work I like, for the most part, but when it all happens in one week it feels like a little much. And I don't even work for pay. This is all volunteer.

We are also trying to clear out our office area which has turned into a storage unit for stuff we can't figure out what to do with. dAhub is in charge of most of this as most of the stuff is his. But, once he's done with his part of the area, I will swoop in and do my part.

We also have a friend coming in from out of town who is staying with us this weekend. And the guest area is on the other side of the disaster office area. So, we have to get the office area cleared up or risk eternal shame over our messy guest quarters. Maybe our friend can use a stack of old household records as a bedside table? Where are the housecleaner fairies when you need them?

It's all good, it's just a little overwhelming at times. Girlfriend is feeling it. She had a group violin lesson today (where all the violin players play together for an hour) and one time I looked over at her she looked like she was about to keel over, violin in hand. I think the time change and our busy schedules are catching up with all of us. Phew.