The impulse purchase

I started to write this blog as a response to some heartbreaking news about a dear family member. I have started writing a post about the whole story but have not yet managed to press the publish button. The draft sits in the ether and one day I may feel ready to share the whole story - but not today. 

Today my mind is elsewhere - in the not knowing an outcome, in waiting for a event which may or not give an answer, in some fear as to what the future may hold but an awareness of a powerlessness over the whole situation. My usual mantra of taking life one day at a time has never been more relevant so, in the spirit of faith and a belief that everything will be alright in the end, I made a rather large, impulsive online purchase.

Not a brilliantly well thought through purchase. 

43 100g balls of double knitting in a variety of colours, 1 of some, 2 of most and 3 of a few.

The plan is for log cabins but, if I had properly thought this through, I would have bought sensible a,punts of some colours. Inevitably, once I chose the colours for a throw, I will need to out in an order for additional balls of the more popular colours around the edges of squares and on borders.

The box was big, though, and it was exciting to open it and see what I had actually bought - and wonder why I had selected the range of colours. A good few months' knitting here - what joy.

Musings on today's log cabin

Making these blankets or throws really makes me feel happy and, at the moment, I need something that does that. Life is life and no one ever promised that it would be easy or fair. I try to lead a life where I can look at the positive and, when difficulties arise, wonder what there is to be learned from the situation. I was talking to a close friend this morning and explaining what all these throws are for - presents for those I love and our conversation moved on to learning lessons from life. Dissecting a situation and trying to find the message can be illuminating and it is great to be able to do that with someone else who understands and is able to listen to the workings of the mind - that is what friends are for. Sometimes I am perhaps not grateful enough for those around me and for my wonderful life. That is something to remember on a daily basis and no matter what curved balls are thrown everything will be alright in the end.

Some favourite photographs

Vancouver Island.

Favourite city in the world - Vancouver.

New Zealand.

The best holiday with my son - one of many destinations.

Where we went next - and watched the first whales of the season in the harbour.

The Eden project and a reminder of lovely family holidays in Cornwall.

Honfleur and a reminder of all those camping holidays in France when the children were small..... A day of nostalgia.