from Swine Flu Central

We had so many kids and faculty absent that we webcast graduation for the first time --my former colleague who is now in Beijing was able to watch, as were all the kids banned from campus as a result of their illness. One of our student speakers was absolutely terrific, and it wasn't hot out. I got to see 90% of the parents and students I wanted to see afterward.

And my separated-at-birth friend Jocelyn sent me a lovely care package today with yummy summerweight fiber (pictures soon, D#1 has the camera). THANK YOU!!

So we're done except for the comments and meetings, I have new yarn, and as of today (knock on wood) I haven't got the flu.

Pretty good for a Friday.

Still Here

I have neglected this space of late -- not because of any dearth of images, items to report, or lack of interest on my part, but simply because I have been working just about non-stop since my last post. Even this lovely holiday weekend has been intruded upon by thoughts like "shouldn't you actually be getting a jump on your comments?"



So to distract you from that horrid reality, I give you some of R's most recent photos, taken at the pond behind D#2's school. I love the egret with the fish --

Recently, Younger Daughter and one of my advisees made these creatures below:

Today I got to see my brothers and their families, which was lovely. It doesn't happen enough. I can't show any of the pictures yet, though. It's a secret.

Last Sunday, one of the nicest people I've ever had the good fortune to know died of the cumulative effects of leukemia and the aggressive treatment measures she and her partner chose to try. She was diagnosed last spring, tried chemo etc., had a bone marrow transplant in January, but when the leukemia cells came back in April she just could not continue to fight. Her son graduated from college on Saturday and was able to be with her at the end, the next day. She was a thoughtful scholar, a good writer, and a steadfast friend. My circle of friends is much diminished by her loss.

And this is what I'm going to do for the next hour instead of working:

Quickly ...

This Queensland Sugar Rush leaped into my hands when I was last at Stitch House. I think it wants to be the Tiger Eye Lace Scarf ... right now I'm using size 6 needles and that seems about right. This yarn is a little splitty but it is SO soft and delicious, and I love the color. So I just won't make too many mistakes (says the knitter/math teacher who had to rip out the first repeat of this thing three times because she apparently can't COUNT ...).

I did finally finish the socks I started in the dark on the bus home from the New England Prep School Swim championships ...

and here's my friend with her very first FO, a scarf in Sunshine Yarns' Edward...
Doesn't she look proud of herself? Welcome to the dark side, I say.

Here are a few other things I know: the summer swim meet season begins next weekend and continues in a whirlwind until the end of July, I am woefully disorganized as far as summer plans go, the Red Sox should play the Yankees and only the Yankees this season, and I need a foolproof way to keep Tessie from gnawing on everything in sight, including all of the humans in the house. (She has many chew toys of various sorts but it isn't always enough)

May? It's May?

Look at these delightful heart-shaped leaves, above. The catsura is delighted that spring is here!
Below, a packet of butterfly/hummingbird seed mix that I dumped into the planter in a fit of wishful thinking has now germinated ...

Here are a few pumpkin seedlings beginning to think about growing.

And a hyacinth, rescued from a potful of forced bulbs ....

So I guess it really is spring! I have been knitting spring, too -- I am currently obsessed with flower washcloths in dyed Blue Sky cotton, about the softest cotton I've ever used.



When I was at Stitch House the other day with my friend and her baby, I bought some more, one skein in an deeper orange-y colorway and one in cream. I'm using the Rebecca Mercier pattern from last year's pattern-a-day calendar and circular size 7s. I also bought some Queensland Sugar Rush in a silvery purple -- YUM! This might turn into a Tiger Eyes scarf.

I don't mean to ignore the fact that I've ignored the blog of late. Things have been, as my students would say, mad busy. But I'm thinking about some fun things to do this summer, and today I got some non-school reading when we went to our newly-renovated, newly-reopened town library.

Packages of All Sorts

A puppy package of joy and friendliness

The triple threat, in a moment of calm

AND my Dragonfly in Amber Swap package arrived today! Mordag was so generous ... see this box?

Here's an accounting of what was inside:

There was a great sock project bag in baseball fabric --very Red Sox - ish and festive. I will use this a lot.

There were mocha-flavored M&Ms (hiddedn from my family) and a beautiful dragonfly windchime (hanging by our front door right now), nice beer glasses ...

Springtime in Paris socks, for me! and elann yarn, also in Red Sox red

and some Highlander grog coffee, a rose washcloth, and rose soap, and a dragonfly pin, and shortbread (I'll let D#2 have some of this) ...


and a dragonfly notebook, along with a lovely long note from Mordag

Pretty great, wouldn't you say? Thank you so much!!

Here She Is

D#2 says, "she is the perfect dog for us".

Post Haste

Your rainbow is intensely shaded orange, blue, and indigo.

What is says about you: You are a proud person. You appreciate friends who get along with one another. You share hobbies with friends and like trying to fit into their routines. Others are amazed at how you don't give up.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

So, our school colors are orange and blue. Hmm.