The supermoon just cleared the trees behind my house. It is really bright tonight, shining through my window, joy from the east. This moon is both special and hilarious at the same time: the Beaver Supermoon.
Oh, we have beaver here in Colorado! I used to go with my children at dusk to a local state park looking for them in a pond with a beaver lodge. The kids and I have seen adults and youngsters (kits) over the years. Sometimes they were in the shrubbery by the water, sometimes swimming across the pond, and I’ve even seen one chomping on a tree. I’ve accidently startled them (those tail slaps on the water will get your attention), and I’ve glimpsed them swimming across the water with a branch in their mouths. One summer we could see the drag marks in the wet earth as large sections of trees were dragged down to the water; these woody treasures provide both food and building material for the lodges and dams. Beavers are pretty special as their work in waterways create essential habitat for other species. This moon gets its name from the increased activity of beavers preparing for winter. It is also a larger moon this month, hence the name Beaver Supermoon.
I’ve been simultaneously busy and stalled out lately. I have finally recovered from the absolutely horrible flare of never-ending tendonitis that forced me to abandon my knitting for almost a year. This is what my right wrist looked like last year at this time.
The x-ray report after this adventure had the word “severe” sprinkled throughout it. My rheumatologist tested me for gout and pseudogout: both negative. She did write me a prescription for emergency prednisone and painkillers in case this happens again. Then the flare dragged on, and on. Then there was the car wreck and other adventures. I kept hopefully buying more yarn, and stockpiling new patterns, hoping that someday I could return to knitting.
Two weeks ago the pain finally stopped and I started knitting in earnest again. Look at what I managed to accomplish!!
And just like that, I stalled out, consumed by endless yarny possibilities. I have all of this yarn! I have all of these dreams of new sweaters dancing around in my head; so many possibilities. What should I knit?????
As fate would have it, I also finished a book on the same day that I took that sweater off the knitting needles. Help! Double indecision!!! So many books waiting for me on my Kindle. Help. I’m on fire to get going, and unable to make a decision. Help me Supermoon, help!!!!
That’s how I ended up spending the day as busy as a beaver, kitting up yarn with patterns to make new sweaters. Yarn was wound, and a sweater was cast on… but I have two more sweaters that I have located needles for and I’m going to cast them on too. Three sweaters at once? Sure. Why not?!
The grey/pink yarn combo will become a Renaissance Sweater. The yarn in the middle (there are 5 colors there) is destined to become a Colorica cardigan. The yarn on the right has already been cast on and is becoming an Alchemist Pullover. There are some kits for more sweaters, but those are the ones that are seeing action right away. Why these three? Well… one is colorwork, one is a cardigan that will involve some lace and purling, and the third is just too cute to not get made right away. My hope is that no matter what my hands and wrists are up to, I will be able to get some knitting done.
Then there are the books. So many books. If I’m knitting three sweaters at once, maybe I should have several books going at the same time too. In that spirit I am reading and listening to all of these.
I’ve started reading Buckeye, listening to The Wedding People, and I’m pretty sure that I need a little Three Pines action right away, so it is going to be in action soon, too.
There are several other books nagging at me. I told them to go hang out with the yarn stash overflow. Still, they call to me. The yarn calls to me. I have fought my way through the indecision of making choices when surrounded by great possibilities. Is this what beavers feel when faced with a new stand of aspen? Whatever. I have made the decisions, I have made a start on the first sweater and the first books, and like the beavers that gave tonight’s moon its name, I am full of purpose and I have big plans.
There is a lesson here. A year ago, I was in a terrible flare, unable to knit or even read. The best I could manage was an audiobook, and even then, I had to play it over and over as I had trouble concentrating and following the story. I sought help, I tried new drugs, I stuck to my special diet, and I did my physical therapy. I came through that time, and now I am here, shining bright again. Just as the moon returns to full force at the end of each cycle, I have managed a comeback too.
In my excitement over the knitting and books I haven’t forgotten the chemo hats, port pillows, and zipper pouches that I also have to get done. Saturday, I get to meet up with all of my friends again for a sewing extravaganza to produce more zipper pouches, and one of my friends wants to take the three quilts that my sister started; they will go to a program for children getting their first bed. Who knew that this was a thing? Like the beaver, I hope that my work will ripple out and bring change in my community around me, supporting lots of new life.
Shine on Beaver Supermoon. Shine on.
Yarn, Books & Roses 
Far out, Marilyn – you go, girl !!
I am wishing myself able to knit, too; but it’s been a few years since I did, and the hand arthritis (yeah, I know how pathetic that is in comparison with your range of ailments) still isn’t interested. To be clear, it’s not so much the pain as the fact that my muscle memory has gone: I can’t hold the needles properly !
Love the middle one. Of course the first one is to die for, but only a knitter of your standard would attempt it.
I’m doing my version of a Marilyn tonight: can’t type for long because I ricked my left shoulder when I fell over, and if you saw how Boodie’s sleeping between my knees makes me use the laptop, you’d understand all !
How you split your time between reading and knitting I dunno ! – let alone adding the serious spoiling of them two mogs to the mix …!
[grin]
Just go on doing what you’re doing: it’s SO GOOD to hear you able to be so active, me old china …
I can’t hold the needles the way I used to either. I now use cable needles with lace points that I am able to push with the heel of my hand. Colorwork is hard on my hands, and purling is just awful for my wrists. I have to be careful.
Ironically, typing is the worst!
I bought the cats a bunch of electronic interactive toys and they are doing much better and Hannah especially is happier. I knit while listening to the books sometimes.
That square lead that a thingy chases around is MAGIC ! If only they’d ship to Oz !! Sighh …
There are lots of different brands that offer the same type of toy. If you do some searches you might find one. It has seriously changed things for the better here as Mateo is getting his energy needs met and Hannah is not not being chased and bullied the way she once was.
Thank-you, Marilyn me love: I shall go researching. Boodie definitely needs more exercise. XO
I am so pleased your pain as eased. That is an impressive amount of multitasking. The beavers’ drag trails is a telling detail.
Goodness, you are as busy as a beaver!! I can almost imagine you sitting there reading a book on a stand while underneath it your fingers are busy knitting. How else would you accomplish as much as you do?
I specialize in listening to my book (the tablet will show the text while reading it to me) and knitting along. It really is great to feel productive while getting the meditative benefits of knitting. 🙂
I love your attitude (catitude?)! Go get ‘em! Your new sweater is so pretty!
That new little sweater is just making be happy. The pattern was written for simple colorwork that created a fade, and when I worked using only one color the gauge was off, making it a little large. I love the shaping for the shoulder and sleeve, and the neckline is just perfect, so I stayed calm and blocking really helped. It will work really well in layering, which is what I wanted, and the color is perfect! I’m still torn about doing the faded version, and of course I have the yarn for it!
You write beautifully, Marilyn. There is so much soul in your words. I think it’s pretty darn cool that you got to see beavers in action. I saw a nature program about them when I was a child, and I’ve never forgotten it. I’m glad you’re knitting and reading and working hard at moving forward. I hope you are also giving yourself a lot of grace.
Thank you for such kindness. True story… I majored in science in college because those classes didn’t require research paper. It is only now that I am confident as a writer.
Grief is really sneaky and hits me several times a day, but I am doing much better now than I did even a few weeks ago. You are right, the essential element here is grace.
You are a woman of many talents. I’m sorry you lacked confidence about your writing in the day, but I think we all do to some degree.
You are in my thoughts. I”m sure you’ve read books on the subject, but I would like to recommend
Grieving Mindfully: A Compassionate and Spiritual Guide to Coping with Loss
By Sameet M. Kumar
Sending healing energy your way.
Thank you for the book recommendation.
Wow, beautiful projects. I look forward to seeing them progress. You have my admiration as no way I would read multiple books at one time. I have a hard enough time knitting multiple projects!! Sounds like a wonderful future ahead.
I am really making progress on the Alchemist Pullover and hope to have it joined in the round in time for the next post. The shaping is really nice, and I love how the details pop in what is essentially a simple stockinette sweater. My last sweater, also a Wool & Pine design, used similar shaping but with a raglan sleeve. I’m looking forward to another nice fit with elegant shaping. As soon as I get the sides joined in the front I’m casting on another sweater!
I’m listening to even another book while driving in the car. It’s one that I know well and it is kind of calming, like driving with an old friend.
They’ve been reintroducing beavers in Scotland and have released some in Glen Affric a couple of weeks ago and that isn’t too far from is so hope to one day spot them. Sorry your arm has been playing up again. I read your post when it came out and forgot to comment.
Beavers in Scotland! I didn’t know that they were indigenous. We have been reintroducing wolves here in Colorado; it isn’t going all that well.
That pic of my wrist was from last year. I’m doing a lot better and am knitting steadily on a new sweater which makes me really happy. I went back to my old knitting group at a local yarn store and it was great to reconnect with other knitters who are keep into the Ravelry world and making sweaters that I love. The community knitting group is fun, but I realized that I missed the serious knitters too.
I went to the rheumatologist and she was not happy with my wrists as there is obvious damage since my last xrays. I’m now going for some specialized imaging. I’m hopeful that there is some biologic out there that will help me.
Beavers, wolves, lynx, brown bears and wild boar were all indigenous here but became extinct. Beavers have been a success so far in other areas of Scotland. They keep talking about reintroducing Lynx to manage deer populations but sheep farmers are so against it I can’t see it happening. Some idiot raised Lynx and illegally let them loose in the Highlands last winter, 1 died and the other 2 were rescued but now are in Higland Wildlife Park as they hadn’t been raised to properly fend for themselves. There is a sign on a road not to far from where I live that is the site the last wild wolf was shot in Scotland 😦
We have had success in reintroducing lynx here in Colorado, but I think that I remember that the primary food source for them is the snowshoe rabbit. I think for us the rational for trying to reintroduce wolves is to control the deer population. As you can guess, wolves are a huge proglem for ranchers.
I am so happy you are able to get back to knitting and reading. It’s hard when you want to do something and can’t. I admire the fact that you gave your body the time to heal. Your sweater turned out great! I can eait to see yoyr Alchemist pullover and hear your thoughts on the project. It’s in my favorites but I haven’t pulled the trigger to purchase it yet.
Happy Knitting and Reading!
Sometimes you just have to surrender to reality and let things heal up. I pulled out the sewing machine and I have been making lots of stuff with that.
Thanks for mentioning the Alchemist to me. I really am enjoying the shaping and was thinking of writing a whole post on it. I’m on the front ribbing right now and it is looking great!
So glad you are feeling somewhat better and are able to knit and read again! Your new sweater is gorgeous, and I know the next one will be too 🙂 I hope you are also being gentle with yourself after this last year.