More in the Pipeline

My goal for April was to finish Red Lucy (as I call this beautiful lace shawl), but the day before we left on our trip, I had to rip back 15 rows of a 30+ row lace border. It felt as if there were too many errors, the pattern was not clear in my mind, and I suddenly felt overwhelmed.  I thought I'd made too many mistakes, but now I'm not sure how bad it really was...it just seemed hopeless, and I frogged.

After the trip, I picked up Red Lucy and put the stitches back on the needles. Often I find it takes a second time through, whether it be knitting, reading, anything that takes concentration, for something to click, for the light to come on, and the path to become clear. The second time through the elegant lace edge of Luciole there are fewer issues, the lace makes sense, and progress is smooth.

 
This picture is of the roof over our carport. A large pine tree drops a carpet of needles all over the roof and a duck (can you see her amidst the brown?) has decided the needles make a nice ready made nest. She was there when we returned from our trip and rarely leaves the spot she's lined with down. She's very protective and has built up a wall of pine needles on the "house" side so we can't see into the nest...at all. Her wing has a stripe of bright blue, which is rarely visible and she sleeps with her bill under her wing.  I think I'll call her Lucy...for no good reason.

Comments

[Vicki]

I'm thinkin' you & Smith may be doing duck rescue at some point! I imagine those ducklings will want to wander further than the roof allows before they're able to fly.

Love the color of Luciole and can't wait to see it finished -- glad you're on the way. Sometimes it takes me... um, more than two times through for things to become clear.
; )

[Cheryl S.]

So cute! Last night I dreamed about living in a house where I could look out a window and see birds nesting under the eaves. It's all your fault.

[amanda {the habit of being}]

your carport roof is moonlighting as a nest - so sweet! wonder if there will be any baby ducks up there?

and your luciole...the color is AMAZING. so rich and lovely. definitely worth approaching the border a second time and getting it right.

[Kym]

Love BOTH your Lucys!

[Chris]

Oh, I wonder if your Lucy the duck is a mallard? Hopefully you'll see some adorable little ducklings soon!

[Tee]

Oh yes, that's a Mama Mallard. What a lovely spot for her nest! But I agree with Vicki - how are those ducklings going to get down?

[Manise]

Sometimes you just gotta rip. I'm glad it wasn't the whole thing though that that would have smarted something fierce! Love your mama duck and her new found name. Very apropos. I guess you'll have to build a large wading pool below for the ducklings to plop into like on National Geographic? Lol.

[Carole]

I think Lucy has picked a wonderful home above you and Smith.

[Sarah]

So glad everything is back on track with Red Lucy and hope all goes well with carport Lucy.

xo

[Jennifer]

I was just strolling through my Google Reader and trying to figure out which blogs I like most. Then I realized how much I enjoy going through them alphabetically and saving yours for last (Z and all, you know). You always end my blog reading on a positive note and I look forward to your upbeat posts with great photography. Keep up the great work! Thanks for all you post.

[CindyCindy]

Lucy the shawl is growing nicely and Lucy the duck is so dear I can hardly stand it. What a sweet picture of a not very bright duck. Hope she and her babies remain safe. Hugs!!!!

[Laurie]

I think the brain builds the necessary connections during the rip and timeout so that the second try is easier.

The duck is wonderful! I, too, hope all goes well for her.

[gayle]

There's an expression about someone being "an odd duck" - I think they had Lucy in mind...

[Kristin]

Love the duck!

[Birdsong]

What a wonderful red that yarn is! I love the duck photo best, though.