Hi. I’m Mateo.
The Mother of Cats was really busy and happy this week, and she says that all the new things are called glimmers: little moments that bring joy and peace. I think that she needs to maybe take another nap, because I don’t know what she is talking about, but there have been a lot of new things going on. Let me show you the best, most important one first!!!!
The Mother of Cats has started knitting again, and look at she managed to do this week.
That’s right. The Mother of Cats got a pair of socks done this week, and she took out her sweater and started knitting on it again. She was SO HAPPY when she tried the sweater on this week and it is going to fit just fine. Well, with me helping her, how could it not? She says that her wrists aren’t hurting all that much lately, so it looks like we will be spending more time knitting. Yay. I love to chase the yarn while she works. Why is the Mother of Cats so mean about sharing her yarn?
Then there was all of the sewing. Hannah took over and helped the Mother of Cats at the sewing machine because she likes it a lot. They made little zipper pouches and these crazy little things called port pillows that are used by cancer patients who have ports (duh!!) when they ride around in their cars. Why anyone would voluntarily get into a car is completely beyond me, but the Mother of Cats says that there is a big need for these little things, so Hannah and she made a whole bunch of them and delivered them this week to an infusion center. She asked if I wanted to go along for the ride, and I was like…NO!!! That is just CRAZY TALK!!!!
Yesterday the Mother of Cats went to her community knitting group, and while she was there a couple of ladies came in with huge bags of yarn to give away. When they were asked how they had learned about Frayed Knots, the group that the Mother of Cats belongs to, they said that they got the name from the paper insert that they picked up with their new port pillow at the infusion center. The Mother of Cats says that this was a huge glimmer!! The ladies were so happy to get the port pillows and the hats; they wanted to give to other patients too with their yarn. Luckily other people took all of that yarn because WE HAVE LOTS OF YARN HERE ALREADY!!!!! I think that it would have been better if they had brought some more toys for me to chase (or even some little bunnies that want to play chase…), but the Mother of Cats was happy, so I guess I am too.
So that was the week. It was warm and sunny, and the Mother of Cats managed to get the leaves off the lawn with her new leaf blower and vacuum/mulcher. She brought in all of the plants from outside, and now the knitting room is happy and full of flowers.
New clothes came, and you already know about the yarn. She went to her knitting group and had a wonderful time, especially since the lady who took those cats that stayed with us for a few weeks was there, and she said that the cats were happy in their new home, and even gave her a new toy for me.
This is Mateo, signing off.
>^..^<
Notes from the Mother of Cats:
- This is the cat toy that Mateo can chase for hours: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLV7JB5K?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
- The socks are the Scrunch Sock on Ravelry.
- The sweater is Extra Lite Bright knit in just one color. I may make another that is a fade with the new yarn that just came in. That will be fun, right?
- What do I want to make with the heavier weight yarn (DK) that just came? I’m thinking that I need an Alchemist Pullover in my life!
- That jade plant that I brought in is at least 10 years old. Has it bloomed yet? No, no it has not!
- I’ve been steadily losing weight for the last few months (It is a scleroderma thing) and I finally broke down and bought some new clothes. Yay! They fit great and I’m happy with the new colors.
Yarn, Books & Roses 
Hey, Mateo|CoalBear – sounds like you’re doin great, mate ! 🙂 That chase toy would make my Boodie SO happy; but they don’t ship to Australia, the bastards. Sighh … I must make sure he doesn’t read your post !!
Hey, MoC – so glad to hear you’re knitting garments again !! And I agree that an Alchemist would be excellent because your knitting is so beautifully done. A perfect challenge, yes ? – how not to get bored. [grin]
Hannah isn’t looking too rusty, either – such a beautiful cat, and always has been.
That was indeed really gratifying for you, that glimmer about the port pillow’s getting so perfect a result !! May every one of your days bring you another glimmer, me love, because you deserve them.
I see there’s no end to the physical effort you have to put in around the house – time for the pots to be brought back in ! I imagine you see this unending list of chores as basically good for you because they force you to keep moving, right ?
I wish I had steadily been losing weight: but a few years back, when I’d lost 30kg, I was able to stay that size only for about three years, and have been slowly adding it back. Perhaps hara kiri ? [grin]
Keep writing, won’t you, dearest Marilyn ? – your posts are never uninformative or boring !!
XO
I have been trying to stay busy and I make a real effort to get out of the house if I can. It has been exactly a year since I had the really terrible attack of tendonitis that has derailed my knitting for so long. It is a relief to be getting back to it.
The weight loss is unintentional, and somewhat of a concern, but right now I’m not all that upset as losing some weight is helping me walk with my bad hip/knee, and there is still time to try to get things under control. The last time this happened it was a problem with my lungs, but right now I’m pretty sure it is something else. I’m going for lung testing this week, so that will be helpful. Luckily I have some nice leggings and jeans that still fit me, and the new tops are really cute.
I look like a gargoyle in leggings, and did even when I was down to 74kg.
There are some shapes … that’s all I’m prepared to say. [grin]
I bought some heavyweight leggings with pockets that are not too tight that I wear under my tunics. They are much kinder to my bad hip and knees.
Wait! Jade plants bloom? I’ve never seen it, either!
Yep, they bloom with tiny little star shaped flowers that are white or slightly pink. I’m going to see if the internet can give me advice on helping them bloom this year.
Michele !! – you didn’t know ?
https://www.jadeart.com.au/2022/06/How-to-get-a-Jade-Plant-to-Flower.htm
Oh, I am clicking on that link right now!!!
Oh. I just read the article. It is more of an end-of-life thing, and the plant has to be a little stressed to make it happen. Evidently, I treat mine too nicely, but it did get hit by a big hailstorm this summer…
Must be really bright at your house with all those glimmers! All that yarn looks like a whole lot of work but reminds me of the old saying about if you want to get something done, ask a busy person to do it. Or something like that.
Add me to the list of people who didn’t know jade plants bloom.
And I’m glad you included pics of the port pillows. I was trying to imagine what they were, exactly. I could have used one of those back when I had a port for … however long it was.
This is the craziest thing, but I am feeling pretty good and have more energy right now. My tendons are mostly behaving themselves. I kind of wonder if it is related to the covid infection that I had last summer. I have observed several times that I improve for several weeks following my covid booster; this is like that only better. I think that the immune response to fight the covid virus must disrupt the sad little feedback cycle that drives my disease, but only a well-controlled research study will figure out what is happening. I saw some time ago that there was a study looking at covid booster popping people out of long covid; I bet that this is somewhat the same. I’m making the most of it while I can!
Google blooming jade plants! They look like they are covered with pinkish snow when they are blooming. I think that it happens in the spring, and this year I’m going to try to boost the plant with blooming fertilizer.
I had never heard of port pillows until the infusion centers asked for them. Who knew! Just what people with a port need!
I did google jade plants and thought the blossoms looked like little stars. Who knew?
Mateo, you look really scary. Good to see you busy, Marilyn. I hope the weight is a good thing.
Mateo: you must be a dog person! I’m actually looking a little judgmental…
The weight loss is not a good thing, but luckily I have lots of wiggle room before it becomes a serious problem. 🙂
🙂
I love to read your blog! It really makes my day..I admire your knitting skills and all the good work you do and of course I adore the cats blogs too! Thank you for posting
Oh, you just made another glimmer for me! I’m so glad that I was able to send you your way too. Thank you so much for reading my little blog. 🙂
Mateo: send toys!!
Hannah: forget the toys; send TUNA!!!!
Thanks for the cat toy recommendation.
I’m glad there are lots of little glimmers in your life! That cat toy sounds like a lot of fun for the cats, and I bet it’s also fun for you, watching the cats chase the toy around.
I just bought them two more of the little balls with tails.
It’s so great when you can find a toy that works well with your cats! They all seem to have different preferences.
So good to see your lovely and helpful cats and their new toys! So glad you have good things happening for you 🙂 Those port pillows sound like such a wonderful idea, and how kind of you to make some! Your socks look so cushy and bright, and your new sweater and SQ are beuatiful!
Thank you. I wore the new sweater out for a medical appointment and it made me so happy to show it off. It’s like evidence of progress.
I can see why – it is gorgeous!