made it

This is what mother nature accomplished this week...

apple blossoms

lilac budding

And me. What did I accomplish?

Thanks for asking

Finished this sweater...

and started this one...

Yes, I love colour.

"What about yesterday?" I hear you ask, "How did things go?"

Well, very well. I can't say enough about the fine care I received at Lady Minto. The nurses and the doctors are all very capable, caring people.

Still there is no escaping the power of the mind. I have lived a long time without the intervention of doctors. I have gone for annual check-ups and of course mammograms. However, nothing major.

Yesterday was a full of many new experiences. I got my first IV. Thankfully due to the powerful meds I don't remember much. I do remember that I employed some stress coping techniques. For example, I visualized being in my happy place: outside sitting in my knitting chair. That was before the procedure.

During the procedure - I don't remember much.

After, I can remember saying something like... "This was fun we should do it again." Yeah, those were good drugs.

What did they find?

Well, it looks like I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106. Sounds pretty, uh? Well, it is believe me. Pretty but not that deadly thankfully. Treatment will mean keeping a tight hold on my diet and learning successful ways to deal with stress.

I wish you a relaxing weekend

Gastroscopy

I am a healthy person. My time in hospitals has been brief: birth and a short stay when I was 18 months. Frankly, I would rather not see doctors, nurses, dentists. I assure you its nothing personal. I know most are caring, capable individuals. I was "knocked out" once and woke up in tears. All of this simply to explain my silence this week.
You see, I have been suffering with stomache trouble. This trouble has forced me to make some changes in my lifestyle. I now eat smaller meals and don't eat after 7:30 pm. My exercising has been reduced to a daily walk and Tia Chi. Bouncing around is not good.
What is the source of this discomfort? No one knows. We all want answers and so tomorrow I will be having an explorational procedure: gastroscopy http://www.rhss.bc.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=106-133-138-152-674
Now, even though I have spoken with many people who have assured me that it is a piece of cake I still worry. I am a worrier. So, this week instead of writing this blog that's what I have been doing: worrying. Its not a productive way to spend my time. I would rather not worry. I would like to trust that all will go well. And I will try. Your positive thoughts are welcome, as always.

This week's tally

Yet another baby sweater...
I hope there is a marketplace for these gems once they are ready.
Other thrilling news, I have finished preparing a novel submission. Now I stand back and wait for feedback from friends and family. As I have been told often, it's wish to have someone check your submission before you send it away. There are manuscript reading services. However, these can be rather expensive. If you are lucky, as I am, you have friends and family with backgrounds in literature. These people are (and have been) amazing resources for me. I am so happy that they are in my life.
Especially happy because I tend to think faster than I write. These people help me slow down and rethink. It would be wonderful if I could keep them in my pocket and pull them out when I needed. Say when I was writing a blog. : )

Things that make me happy

As this is spring, the dark silence of the night is being broken first by dawn's light and then by a chorus of perpetually joyous birds.

This has left me in a happy mood. And it seems when you have a positive mindset there is no end to sights that will delight your eye.

I wander into my garden and am rewarded with...

Buds holding on to the fragile promise of spring.

As well my knitting has not failed to amuse me. I have been experimenting and...

I was delighted with my creativity. On this sweater stripes of colour are enhanced by stripes of garter stitch. It makes me happy to think that some ArtCraft shopper will think it as beautiful as I and will purchase it for a young princess.

Happy knitting

Snow in April

Yup, that's snow. The picture is taken early in the siege. There was more. Mayne Island got a good dusting. It is melting right now. ...but the weather forecast claims that we will have more. In fact, this week-end our world will be full of snow. If they are to be believed. I know I have no right to complain. ...but you know that won't stop me.
I was enjoying spring. Things were budding and leaving. Birds were singing. Spring is my favourite season.
Yet there comes Mother Nature to dump on my parade.
Other bad news, I have not been able to receive any www.oknitting.com emails this week. I am hoping that this will be resolved soon. If you have sent me an email I am sorry. Please know that I want to have this problem correct as much as you do.
No matter, this too will pass.
I am knitting. I have started this year's harvest of children's sweaters. This year I am knitting two sizes for ArtCraft on Salt Spring Island. I have completed two pink, two yellow, two green and one orange. I will post some pics when seams are sewn.
I am writing. I have submitted a manuscript for a children's book to six publishers. I have submitted a proposal for a non-fiction knitting book. I am working on my novel submission. Your positive thoughts are appreciated as always.
Happy week-end.

How I design

I begin with a pen, paper, yarn and knitting needles.

I begin with an idea: thoughts on a design that may become reality. I am inspired by nature, current fashion or simply thin air.

I begin with knowledge: the knowledge that I have gleamed from resource books written by other knitwear designers. Others who have come before me and have cared enough to offer me a lifeline: ways and means of recording my design.

I begin with the wish that my efforts yield a design.

I begin with the understanding that I may be forced to abandon my knitting needles and have nothing to show for the hours I have invested.

I begin with knitting needles firmly held in my hands and hope in my heart.

(c) ldyck 04/08

Olavia's in print

A Needle Pulling Thread "the magazine promoting Canadian needle arts"

I am proud to have one of my designs included within its pages.

For those who have found it, I owe you an apology. I have omitted instructions on how to finish the top.

So without delay here they are: sew strap seams. Sew side seams from the bottom of the ridded waist to the underarms. Weave in ends.

The top is worked in bamboo.

Knit it, wear it, enjoy it.

Happy knitting