A Sad Week

Hello my Friends.  It's definitely been a week.  I know how hard it's been in the south with dual hurricane's and Hurricane Jose possibly on the way.  Meanwhile, it seems as though with all of that news, the fires that are STILL raging here in the northwest and the millions of acres that have burned have been forgotten.  People have lost homes, ranches, farms.  Their way of making of living is gone in a puff of smoke!  National monuments have burned to the ground and the fires still rage on.  It's been a long, long time since I have heard anyone on the news shows, other than local news, mention these people.  Lots of us know Teresa in Oregon.  She and her family have been on an Evacuation Alert Level 2 for over a week.  That means she has to be ready to leave her home and everything behind at a moments notice.  This particular fire was all because a teenage boy decided to light fireworks in tinder dry, no burn conditions.  What could lead him to take such a tragic route?

We had a school shooting here yesterday.  In the tiny town of Freeman, WA which is on the southern border of Spokane, a teenage boy shot and killed one boy who bravely tried to stop him and three girls who are hospitalized.  The boy who was killed had lost his father in June in a tragic accident.  His poor mother and sister.  No reason for the shooting is known as of yet.  Speculation runs rampant. What could lead him to take such a tragic route?

An Eagle Scout in a friends boy scout troop committed suicide Tuesday night.  He had everything going for him.  A bright young man by all accounts.  What could lead him to take such a tragic route?

There is some good news.  While nothing can be done now about the last two  tragic events to change the course of events, snow and rain is forecast in Montana this weekend, although not in the Glacier Park area where one big fire is burning.  We may get some rain next week for the first time in three months.  We've broken all records this year for the amount of days over 90 degrees straight and also for no rain.  We're all praying for downpours across Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana.

Our world is going crazy at a rapid pace.  My prayers go out to each and every person affected by the hurricanes, fires, shooting and deaths.  My peace comes from God.  The author of peace and love.  I hope you can also turn to Him for comfort in these troubling times.

Now, more cheerful things.  I was given two beautiful bouquets at the lake last Sunday.

Aren't they beautiful?  This one looks right at home with the vintage table cloth I found in a thrift store for a mere 50 cents a few years ago.  It really helps to makes the trailer nice and homey.

The smoke cleared a little bit for two days last weekend and it was beautiful, although you can still see a slight haze.

This is what it looks like again today!  Yuck!

So, I've been busy knitting and praying for all of the situations that I have absolutely no control over.  These were knitted with some Hobby Lobby "I Love This Cotton" that was given to me as a thank you for making the cell phone purses.  I also made another cell phone purse with this yarn but gave it away without taking a photo.  All three were made with just one skein!

The end of a ball of Knit Picks Dishie Cotton that I had left over.

These two were also "I Love This Cotton" and I made a small square washcloth which was given away at the lake.  All from one skein.  This is quickly becoming my favorite cotton to knit with.  It's so soft.

I have two pairs of socks on the needles.  I think I have figured out the magic loop method of knitting socks which will be great for airplane knitting. I can't tell you how many dpn's I've lost from dropping them on an airplane!  This is the "Petty Harbour" pattern.  It's free on Ravelry.  Knit Picks "Mocha" yarn.

I have no idea why this is so blurry.  I know the light is bad on all of the photos because it's almost dark at noon from the smoke but the blurriness is all MY fault for some reason.  :-)  These are "Monkey Socks" which is free on Ravelry and Knit Picks yarn.  I will leave these socks alone now and save them for knitting on the plane and at Mandy's house.  I've turned the heel on both, so it should be mindless knitting and easy enough for travel along with being small enough to fit in my purse.

I have reached the halfway point on the "Pimpleisse" shawl and am beginning decreases.  This might go to Mandy's too.

I can't take much carry on with me because of the weight limitations for my back, so I'm trying to find small projects to take along.  All of my clothes, etc. will have to be in a checked bag.  I usually only do carry-on, but I fear those days are over.  I'll take my medications, wallet and knitting on the plane with me and that will be about it.

I have only worked on the blanket for the Veteran's Home for two evenings but it's coming along nicely.  Each square is about 5 inches across.  I may add more rows to the length if I have enough yarn.  I think I'm gong to run out anyway and have to buy more and if that happens I will definitely make it longer.

Are you ready for a happy picture after all of the "ick" I shared with you?  Here's Miss Piper enjoying a quiet moment fishing with her other Papa in Nebraska..  This little girl has a lot of people who love her.  She informed me that she didn't catch anything but had fun anyway.

I hope I didn't upset anyone with all of the "stuff" I shared.  Sometimes life is like this.  A series of not so great things.  I think it's important to share the bad along with the good with your friends.  And I DO feel that you are all my friends.

I actually sewed a dress yesterday.  I cut it out Tuesday night.  Most of it was sewn in the morning.  Then I went to acupuncture which went very well.  I came home and put in the sleeves and hemmed it!  Oh, it felt so good to sit at my sewing machine again.  I just have to remember to pace myself and do a little at a time.  I bought material today to make two more, a sundress for next summer and a short sleeve dress.   I use the same pattern for all of my dresses but the sundress just has interfacing around the armholes instead of sleeves.  It sure makes getting dressed really easy!  I've never been a big follower of fashion trends anyway.  :-)

The verse I would love to share with you today is one that Marilyn from the blog "Mountaintopspice.blogspot.com" shared this week.  It's so appropriate and speaks to my heart today.  I hope it brings you some peace too.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." Psalms 91:1-2

I hope you all have a wonderful, much calmer week ahead and that you feel free turn to the One who can comfort us through anything we face.  He's just waiting for us to ask Him.

Blessings,
Betsy