small town life

I used to watch a show called Murder, She Wrote starring Angela Landsbury (how do you spell her name?) as a retired teacher now mystery writer named Jessica Fletcher.  I thought she led the greatest life, most notably because she lived in the jazzy town of Cabot Cove,Maine.  My friends used to joke that since I too was an English teacher I just too easily identified with her.  Anyway, despite the odd number of murders that cropped up in that little town, Cabot Cove seemed like a great place to live (TV producers never showed snowy weather that I can recall -- it always was summer or fall).  Anyway, to a certain degree I have my own version of Cabot Cove right here in the fort.

Yesterday I was taking my morning walk.  On my way back, some neighbors pulled up in their mini van and invited me to go for lattes.  I was more than willing to join them.  Once I got in the car, we drove two houses down and picked up another neighbor.  Arriving at our destination, we met more people from the community.  It was good fun with nice people on a chilly day in the neighborhood.

And no murder to investigate.   

Half a job done

So, one mitten is finished.  Although I had some trouble, I think it came out okay.  Now I need to get the second mitten finished.  It sure is nice to have time off to learn a new skill.

Knitting

I initially learned to knit when I was around 11.  However, I only knew how to knit flat things like scarves and blankets.  Now that I am unemployed, I have time to really learn how to knit.  I take a class on Wednesday afternoons which has improved both my skill and my confidence.  

A couple weeks ago I bought some truly ugly yarn from the dollar store.  As I was flipping through the book One Skein Wonders, I found a pattern for Easy Mittens.  I decided to take the plunge.  And you know what?  The mittens are really easy.  this morning I took a picture of my first mitten.  You can see where the thumb is supposed to eventually wind up.  

If my photo post works, I will keep you updated with my progress.

A Dream Come True

I am still weeping tears of joy after Obama's win.  This is the most anxious time I remember passing and preparing for a presidential election.  Frankly, I was never politically motivated.  At least, not until Sept. 11, 2001.  On that day, when I arrived home after a tough day at school hoping my students' parents did not get hurt, I was first stunned by the visual images of the planes hitting the towers.  Then I was ready to talk to the terrorists about what it was that America could do to be well-regarded in the world.  I was furious with our leaders because I knew we would be going to war and I did not want to.  As time passed, it only got worse.  Good riddance to the decider.

As I watched the reactions around the country last night, I saw many crying tears of joy like me. Some had a more historical perspective.  They recognized and reacted to the importance of a country voting for a black man.  For me, this election was never about race.  I don't believe it played so large a role in the outcome, either.  Nevertheless, I am awed by the outcome.

When I watched Obama speak on the news this morning, Tyler asked why I was crying.  How to tell a nine year old that 45 years ago blacks were not able to vote in the south.  Obama's win is the dream Martin Luther King, Jr. was talking about.  The deferred dream that Langston Hughes wrote of.  So, here we are on a new shore.  there is much to be done.  This country is a mess.  But I have faith like I haven't before.  I feel like I can trust the president-elect to lead this country into safety.  I feel hope.  And joy.

The nightmare is over.  A dream has come true.