There are just a few socks to finish...

I start socks rather endlessly.  The appeal of a bright skein, sometimes sparkly, often variegated, in colors my normal wardrobe rarely sees.  Toe up or top down, magic loop or double pointed needles, plain or patterned;  construction doesn't matter.  Socks are the quintessential "quick project" for me, despite the actual (i.e. embarrassingly long) amount of time it takes me to knit a full pair.  Cast on to be popped into a bag for travel knitting, to be completely forgotten about when at home in favor of a larger, more intricate project.

It shows:

Which is exactly why, over this long weekend I have decided to finish my Mini Montrey:

I bound off the collar this morning and have been picking up button bands this afternoon.  Hopefully, it will get blocked this evening and the buttons sewn on tomorrow.

While it is drying, I should have time to work on the multitude of sweaters that take up far more space than any sock; especially the Hyde sweater for Darling Son, (even if it is only the mid-range size).

Maybe I should make a list for Stash Dash and set some goals?  Or will I get distracted once it finally warms up (supposedly next week) and throw over all my knitting to pull out my sewing supplies (that I am seemingly constantly derailed from using)?  None of the sewing is portable, which means I may actually finish some socks, eventually.

Thoughts on Current Events as Well as Plants, and Probably Some Needlework

I read the news every morning, I prefer to be informed about the world around me and what people are doing to it.  The last two days I have read the news as usual, my physical response to my reading was not.  My hands shake as I flick through articles.  My stomach begins clenching just a few moments later.  Waves of nausea follow shortly after.   How can this many people be in charge and this bad at human-ing?
If omens are your thing, this does not bode well.  As someone whose stress levels have finally begun to drop, (at least a little bit) this year, it is a response that is decidedly unwelcome.

People. Are. Not. Things.  I have stated this before.  It is a simple concept, one not based in religion, philosophy or random belief system.  I am a human.  You are a human as well.   Does gender, race, or religious creed automatically make you a better human than me?  No.  How you treat your fellow humans tells the rest of us whether you are a good human or a bad human.  Do you degrade and belittle others for your own benefit and power?  Do you give others the help they need?
There is always the choice to be a better human.

Oh look!  Plants!

Five kinds of mint...that the squirrels keep trying to dig in to hide their peanuts.

Three kinds of basil, dill, rosemary, lemongrass, oregano (Greek), cilantro, thyme (English), and plain old garden sage.
There's also raspberries, blueberries, five kinds of tomatoes, two kinds of cucumber, a few hot peppers...I may have gone a little plant happy, as there are multiple containers of flowers at the front of the house as well.  Honestly, I was being restrained.   There are no tiered beds, four feet high (minimum), packed with every plant that took my fancy.  I was sorely tempted.
I am hoping the weird weather (thanks climate change) isn't going to cause too much of a problem for the growing season.
I shan't properly rant about humanity and their lack of stewardship of the planet.  Or about the humans who refuse to accept responsibility, actual reality or the fact that something should (and can) be done about climate change.  Profit margins don't mean a damned thing when compared to massive floods, fires and mass starvation.  ::puts away tiny recycled soapbox

My crafting time has suffered a bit lately.  We've gone out or had company the last few weekends.  Then there were plants that needed potting. 
I have still managed to crank out most of sweater, with hopes to finish it today, so I can wear it out this weekend.
It's the Tpct pattern by Teresa Gregorio

 The yarn is Valley Yarns Charlemont in the Dark Olive colorway, only two skeins for the 37 size, in fact there should be some left....maybe to make a matching snood?
I've also acquired a couple new cross stitch patterns.  One is a random freebie found by my daughter and now everyone thinks they need one.

The other one was purchased from one of my favorites, Subversive Cross Stitch

It seemed an appropriate piece.

Happy Beltane! Joyous May Day!

Our current backyard is green and in bloom! 

I rather like the dandelions.  After the monochromatic colors of winter, they are little pops of sunshine.  Some of them get rather large too (my hands are not of the dainty sort):

Today, I give thanks that April is over.  It is a month that I approach every year with hope and end up praying for it to be over as soon as possible...could space folding please be involved next year?
Today we eat fresh things from the local area.  We drink tasty things bought from people we had a chat with during the purchase.

Meriwether Cider and Cold Springs Winery respectively, bought at the local farmer's markets.

I bought my third knitting pattern of the year, the first two were bought to help with stash busting in January.  This pattern was bought with intent.  The Tumanako Pullover is a lovely piece, by a designer I admire, while trying to do some good.  I bought yarn for this sweater today.  It is the first yarn I have bought since late October 2018.  Unsurprisingly, I bought the Evergreen colorway.

I also bought henna in the Ginger Blonde as well as the Wine Red shade (with plans to mix them 3:1).  My hair should look something like a cartoon characters until at least September, and as my sewing has been pulled out again, my wardrobe should soon follow suit.

I am still processing my latest personal reality shift.  The realization only hit me a couple of days ago;  my appearance can truly be what I want it to be.  What I wear will not be used as secondary judgement on my husband by his superiors.  A vaguely vulgar pin on my bag will not offend someone who will then think less of my husband for it.  I no longer have to attempt conformity as camouflage, (which is good 'cause I am terrible at it.)  If I could, I would apologize to the embarrassingly long string of random people trying to be nice to me that I was awkward and cagey around (especially at official functions) for the discomfort I caused them.

I am best at eccentric rambling discussions (frequently over fabulous food and a few cocktails) on everything from politics to religion, plants and small farming techniques, to makeup and hand made garments; I may even offer you a tarot reading, if you are interested in that sort of thing.