hemming and hawing (mostly hemming)

A new week, and things feel more positive.  I have officially enacted a news blackout, so while Todd is pulling out his hair and groaning, "Matt Gaetz!?!?!", I remain blissfully ignorant.  I catch a bit now and then, but I'm able to see the humor...sort of ("Anti-vaxxer and -fluoride RFK in charge of the Dept. of Health and Human Services...LOL???").  Just trying to focus on other things for a while.  Like...this continued crazy warm weather.  Flowers are blooming in the garden...in mid-November!

The morning glories that I planted in pots and then stopped watering because they weren't taking off fast enough to bloom this year (I thought) are now crawling all over the front porch rails.

It's been so dry that Eagle Creek, where we love to hike, is seeing insanely low water levels...

...but a couple of light rains have been enough to rejuvenate these completely-ignored flowers.  It definitely doesn't feel like late fall!  Some trees are even leafing out with new growth.  Insane!

This means that our tomato plants continue to produce.

I picked EIGHT POUNDS last week (soap for scale)!

I finally got around to finishing some knitting projects.  I started this scarf for a friend and loved it so much that I decided to make one for myself.

I also finished a bulky-weight sweater (Carbeth by Kate Davies).  I had another "LOL...???" moment here, because it was supposed to be a cropped sweater, but it was so long.

I re-read the directions and realized that I had knitted, armpit to hem, 22 inches instead of 22 centimeters.  That's right...I was supposed to knit a little over 8 inches, not twenty-two.  But unlike an RFK-helmed Dept. of Health and Human Services ("LOL???"), this sweater can be saved.  I measured the length that I prefer (about 14 - 15"...8 is a little too cropped for me) and picked up the stitches all the way around with a spare circular needle.

I made one cut in the yarn below the line and carefully frogged the excess, knitted an inch of ribbing, and then finished the neck and armpits.  It's blocking now!  

Currently enjoying cats in sunbeams, too.

And more trail cam critters!  Lots of bobcats...

...turkeys...

...plus raccoons, possums, skunks, rabbits, and deer...many finding cozy sleeping spots in the back field.

I'm loving it.  Have a great week!