Stash Containment

Heather the helpful, has come to work her magic eye to re-sort my stash into bins of projects. No longer all the yarns grouped in color families. Now each bin is a project. Handbags, sweaters, blankets, baby wear, shawls, SOCKS... I have a lot of sock yarn. I had planned to be a sock fanatic, and always carry a set of socks in my car or handbag. I did for awhile and them I kept losing my double points in inconvenient places. Have you ever had a family member plop down on the sofa and jump up with a double point needle stuck in their rear??? It seemed funny to me at the time.

The truth is I have more yarn out in the garage in suitcases. I read it was a good place to store stash. I have officially turned 55 today. I believe I have out lived my ability to knit my stash in my lifetime. This is a reality that can trigger the worst kind of midlife crisis. Imagine. Enough is as much as too much-according to Mary Poppins. I will embrace this as I reduce my stash. Last night I sold a stole right off my back. It was gratifying and I love the friend that bought it. May she wear it in good health and long life.If I knit and sell projects, I can then begin again to create a new stash. I am counting on it.

Knit Cups Christmas Gift

Here are my ceramic cups embossed with yarn. Thank you Heike. Every morning I drink my coffee from them.

They are from the local Starbucks. Someone in the chain of command is a knitter. I just know it...


Can you see the design?

Home Sweet Home

Okay. You got me. Yes, I was fantasizing about life in a FEMA trailer and rebuilding a nice, air tight house on a berm so we could enjoy the view of the ocean. In this crazy dream world, all was well. There was no sign of the loss and misery of rebuilding with your history gone up in flames. That's what fantasy is all about. Pleasure, not pain.

We have been spared the pain. The air is lousy and we sound like we have colds. The grounds are covered in soot, ash and downed tree limbs. I do not want to stir up that mess until this is all over. Inside the house it is stinky with smoke and a fine layer of soot dust is on every surface. I could use a sanitation team. I am going to use the one room at a time method, from smallest to largest. Cleaning and moving back in with attention to how irrelevant most of our "stuff" is. This will take some time. Don has informed me that he is so far behind in work, that Evan and I are on our own.

Last night we got restless and got in Heather's car (ours are full of aforementioned stuff) and drove north to San Clemente. Our friends invited us to drink wine on their beautiful rooftop with an expansive ocean view. As we took deep clean breaths, smoke to the south built up and the Camp Pendleton Fires became visible. Driving south on the 5 we saw up close the orange flames licking over the hilltop next to the freeway. Within the hour, the 5 was shut down in both directions. It was a good thing Heather got us back to Tom. He stayed behind to work in peace. Oceanside central looked so good to us all. At 11pm we got the news we could go home. See Signonsandiego.com for excellent coverage.

We packed up and drove home. Through orange cones on Lone Jack and on to the house. Dark, quiet and eerie. Dirty, but intact and safe. This morning Don was up and out early. He tried to get to his office in Rancho Santa Fe. Armed National Guard in Humve's stopped him and turned him away. I won't feel better until that area opens up and our friends can get home.

Helicopters flew over our house with water buckets heading east. It was a "Hurray!" moment. When reporters refer to this being like a war zone- that encompasses the feelings of anxiety and rejoicing in the rescue aspect.

We slept well in our own beds last night. I slept in so late avoiding work as long as possible. Now, I want to update you and then answer email, then get to scrubbing. First and foremost a big THANK YOU to our hosts, Tom and Heather. Evan said it best, as we left late last night. " Hands down, the best place to find refuge!" We could not say it any better. I will not unpack the car until the fires in Rancho Santa Fe are clear and Don can get to his office and our friends can begin their clean up. I have tried to call those that left messages on the home phone and appreciate everyone that checks this sight for updates. My knitting days are on hold until we feel like we can hang the art back on the walls...

Things To Do While Your County Burns

#1. Knit

#2. Read a good book. Suggested: Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair

#3. Drink plenty of ice water.

#4. Watch limited coverage. Take an hour off every now and then.

#5. Eat snacks.

#6. Communicate with your friends and families.

#7. Stay calm. Part 2 of #7 drink wine to achieve this goal.

#8. Find a nice dog to pet.

#9. Cool off in the shower,air dry in the low humidity.

#10. Knit some more as you think about the flammability of a house full of yarn.

Good thing so much of it is in the car with the silverware and art.