Happy and Sad

First, the Happy:

I can finally share my stealth-knitting project, Wool Leaves.  I really love how this turned out!

The yarn is Madelinetosh tosh dk, held doubled.  The color is called Calligraphy, and is a gorgeous neutral -- sort of parchment with hints of tan and grey.  The blanket is for Bezzie and her new baby girl.*  I wanted something kind of girly, without being pink (which I realize is weird for me).  I'm really happy with how this turned out, even after knitting it the equivalent of twice -- first, I knit half on size 10 needles, which was too tight, then almost half on 11s, which was too loose.  10.5's finally seemed just right, though!

And now the Sad:

I'm sure many of you remember Simon, who lived with me for years, first while my sister and I lived together, and then after she got married. Simon and my Harley were the best of friends, so we didn't split them up until I moved from San Antonio to Iowa City.

Anyway, at the ripe old age of almost 18, after having been on heart meds for at least 12 of those years, Simon succumbed to old age on Friday.  This wasn't a real surprise, but was still heart-breaking for both my sister and me.  I'm glad I got to spend some special time with Simon at Christmastime.


*  Just in case you wondered, I don't knit for every pregnant blogger I read.  I met, and knitted with, Bezzie during her brief time in San Antonio.  In fact, we even worked on the same campus!