Sheep Shots

Yes, it's time to "pick myself up" because I can feel a serious bout of pre-holiday depression coming on.

And so, I dabble in the very dangerous hobby of "retail therapy." I Do Not Need Any More Yarn! And I Will Not Buy Any Either!

But there are lovely things everywhere I look.




I just need to look a little more closely at the stuff in my stash, don't I?

It isn't as though there isn't a ton big bunch of yarn on the shelves.
Yes, those are hand-knit sweaters (mostly). And hand-knit Christmas stockings, too.

Some years, there were Christmas sweaters, but mostly, sweaters were made and worn as soon as they were finished.

There was no mad frenzy of Christmas Knitting in the dark of night so that there would be Surprise Sweaters under the tree.






No, sweaters were made and worn as soon as the last end was woven in.

I dearly hate this time of year. It bothers me to see and hear the sounds of people throwing themselves deep into debt to make what they hope will be a "happy holiday," and how it simply never is.

It's hard to put a finger on where this general feeling of sadness starts. I cannot remember many happy childhood Christmases, and the ones of my teen years were an absolute horror. It was only when I went away to college and married that holidays began to look a little bright.

And Christmas with small children! There's nothing better.



I hate that people call looking for a Thanksgiving turkey (though I certainly understand the need for a bit of holiday cheer) when its likely that there's no cereal for breakfast, and no peanut butter for lunch, but lord knows, there's got to be a turkey on the table even if the leftovers won't be fit to eat because there's no refrigerator to store them.

I hate that there will be fortunes spent on "retail therapy" by people who can't afford to put sneakers on their kids' feet.


I'm appalled that there are guys camped out waiting for the release of the latest $500 game system and that those same guys won't have the cash to pay the electric bill so that they can run that system.

I hate that Christmas is no longer Little House on the Prairie sparse in the gift department and generous with the things that matter.

When did we lose that spirit?

Can we get it back?

How much does it cost?


Aran update: The first sleeve is bound off and I'm starting to worry that it still isn't big enough! It needs a good soak and block. Second sleeve is On The Needles and looking good.

Please let it be big enough!