Knitting in Threes

It's pretty where I live.
Pontes Vedra Beach
21Aug13

Whether we acknowledge it or not the number three figures prominently in all of our lives.

Think about it, Christians (Father, Son, Holy Ghost),  Buddhists (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), Pagans (Mother, Maiden Crone), Taoists (Heaven, Human, Earth),  Hindu (creation, destruction, preservation),  Kabbalah (male, female, uniting intelligence), physiologists (mind, body, spirit), scientists (animal, vegetable, mineral) philosophers (past, present, future) all find significance in the number three.

At Disney we pay based on child/adult/senior.  With the "Serenity Prayer" we hope for serenity/courage/wisdom.  There are three phases of the moon.   The Chinese see three as a perfect number.   To the Mayans it is the sacred number of women.   The Japanese believe in three treasures truth/courage/compassion.   The Egyptians see the cosmos in it.  Three primary colors are at the basis of all colors.    

Rambling, I may be but bare with me for a minute, I really am going somewhere knitting related with this.

Prayer, comfort, friendship, these are just some of the names we give the shawls we make for friends who have lost (a loved one, their health, their belief in someone or something) and are grieving, recovering, hurting.   We want to give them a hug infused with our sympathy, encouragement, and/or empathy.

Perhaps for reasons already given, many of us prefer to work these "giving" projects on a multiple of three stitches.    For me, at least, it lends itself to the prayer and meditation that I like to practice while knitting these special projects.   My hope is that the recipient will somehow find comfort not just in receiving a handmade item but in the sincerity of the good wishes that are woven into each stitch.

So, here is my question for you:  What do you call your Prayer Shawls and what (besides your time & talent) do you put into them as you work?

Disney Knitting...

Look what I was doing this weekend.   Due to scheduling conflicts, we did T2's birthday trip to Disney a  week early.   We were blessed with the most wonderful weather, just warm enough to be comfortable but not sweaty (That would be assuming that I sweat which, being a lady, I do not).    Unlike Xmas, the Magic Kingdom was not crowded at all.    The boys were able to get on everything they liked at least twice.   I woke up feeling a bit woozy so did not feel like tempting fate by riding the rides.    I spent most of the day sitting in the sun and knitting.   What you see here is the beginning of another One Row Handspun Scarf.   I finished the first one in no time but handed it off to it's new owner without taking a picture (my bad).     The day was pretty terrific right up until I had a knock down, drag out with T1 (mmm family drama, my favorite).   What can I say?  Mothering teens is not for sissies.   Still, unlike a few years ago, these flare ups are few are far between.   For that, I am grateful.

We're home....

Yes, we came home early.  Our first couple of days in Orlando were very cold.   The accommodations were not what we had hoped.   By Wednesday, it had warmed up nicely but by then T1 was sick.  We were already considering not doing a Disney New Years.  According to a very nice cast member, you have to get into Magic Kingdom or Epcot by 10am, you must not leave (even to visit your car) or you may not be able to re-enter, and it is unlikely that you will leave before 2am.  Love Disney, but 10am to 2am?.  Hubby, T2, and I were appalled (fuddy duddies that we are).   T1 was up for it until he got sick.  By the time T2 came down with T1's cootie, we just decided to call it a trip and come home.

There were a some of high points, however.    We visited the Titanic Experience.    What fun that was.  Even the boys liked it.    We had a really engaging guide.    Later that same day, Hubby took me over to the Black Sheep.   In addition to some needlepoint threads, I treated myself to a Helen Hamann "Mile-Long Scarf" kit .   I love this shop and so wish it were closer to home.  On a friends recommendation, we had dinner at Cariera's Cucina Italiana one night.   We all agreed that this was the best pizza we have had since we moved to FL.   The owner is from Michigan, go figure.   My back has been bothering me quite a bit making the hot tub heaven sent.

So, in the end, we spent a nice quiet New Years at home.   I went to sleep at 9:30.   Hubby and the boys stayed up to see the ball drop and eat junk food.   A good time was had by all.

WWKIP...Where were you?

T1 and I like to do something on our own, before he leaves for to visit the ex for any length of time.   Since he leaves for six weeks on Wednesday we decided that a trip for two to Disney was in order.  So, Saturday morning we got up early and headed for Orlando.  Once parked, we split up, with Hubby and T2 heading over to Animal Kingdom, and T1 & I making our way to Hollywood Studios.   The plan was to do our own thing and then meet up for dinner to discuss our outings.    

Hollywood Studios was busy for an off season day but not nearly so bad as a summer crowd.   We actually got to do everything we wanted to do with relative ease.   Since it was WWKIP day, I made sure to get as many characters as I could (without waiting on line) to hold my traveling sock.   I even got a storm trooper to do the deed (It was also Star Wars weekend).

It was awfully hot.   By lunch time I was longing for a sit down and some a/c.   With that in mind, we made reservations at Hollywood & Vine.   The idea of a buffet was appealing because we could take our time.   The food worked out well enough and we definitely did not feel rushed.  What we did not expect was that H&V is apparently a Playhouse Disney themed establishment.   Meaning, that I have no idea who these characters were who stopped at our table (LOL).  

Despite the heat, we had a terrific time.   I am so grateful to have these times with my boys.

Better Days...

Year of the Tiger

(1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010) 

You are sensitive, emotional, and capable of great love. 

However, you have a tendency to get carried away and be stubborn about what you think is right. 

Your sign shows you would be excellent as a boss, an explorer, a race car driver, or a matador.

Yesterday, we spent the day at Epcot.  Living in FL, we go to one of the Disney parks at least once a month.   I was even starting to get bored with the whole thing (thank goodness for Kindle for Blackberry and hand knitting socks).   However, for whatever reason, I was really looking forward to this weekend's outing.   We had a great time!  It was the last weekend of the Garden and Flower Fest, which was just beautiful  (I want an EcoWall).    We got an early start so we were able to take our time and still do a lot.    We ate somewhere new (for us), rode all of our favorite rides (mine is Soar'n), and did some fun shopping.   We came home last night exhausted and very happy.

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