Must Keep Knitting

I was looking through my files today, and thought I’d share a bit of my writing.  It might not be too great, but I present you my Valedictorian speech:

Today you can be anything you imagine.

These words have followed since we were young.  As children, we imagined ourselves to be many different things.  Our dreams of a career included: firefighter, police officer, astronaut, doctor, teacher, or maybe just our mom or dad.  No matter what the career, at every point we wanted to be a hero, because heroes are cool.

Heroes are the ones who do not despair in the face of hopeless odds.  According to the philosopher William James, it is the hero that can face life when it turns up its dark abyss to our view.  Heroes teach us lessons about life and about courage.

In preschool, the hero was the kid who played with us when we didn’t know anyone, for she taught us not to be afraid in new situations, they’re not as scary as we first think.

The teacher in elementary school that taught us the importance of sharing is also a hero.  Thanks to her we learned to form equal and meaningful relationships with others.

The firefighters, police officers, and others who put their lives on the line when the World Trade Centers were attacked on September 11, 2001 are heroes; but also, in their own way, our middle school teachers who silently comforted us as we watched the horrific events unfold before our eyes on the television screen.

People we know who have battled cancer or another life threatening disease are the heroes that taught us to live life to the fullest, look death in the face, smile, and cherish every moment we breathe on this earth.

Soldiers and sailors serving heroically in harms way, knowing any minute they may be called to make the ultimate sacrifice, have taught us the true cost of freedom.

Closer to home heroes include the teachers in our high school that became our friend or enemy, depending on the day.

            The teacher who assigned way too much work, but from her we learned our best study habits and time management skills.

            The teacher that let us sneak into her classroom to use our cell phones and the one that gave us a break from our other classes.  These teachers taught us its okay to bend the rules every once in a while.

            The lunch lady who always remembered us and offered a smile no matter how her day was going.  Her lesson was the very person we come into contact with is important, even if they are only in our life for less than a minute.

            The students who came to the aid of their fellow classmate two weeks ago.  Some ran to get help and some stayed by his side.  These people exemplified for all of us the beginning of our new journey – the one where we become the heroes.

Today marks a new chapter in our lives.  Some of us are off to college, some choose to enter the workforce, and some will join the armed forces.  No matter where life takes us, each one of us has the opportunity, the ability, and the obligation to become a hero.

We may not aspire to be the hero of our childhood.  Throughout our past four years at Forestview, we have grown and have learned so many new things.  If w set our goals and take action, we will become someone’s hero.

            Teddy Roosevelt said,

“It is not the critic who counts, not the person who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again but who actually strives to do the deeds, who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause.”

It is so easy to stand on the sidelines of life acting the critic, but always remember he is not the hero.  I urge each of you to be the man in the arena.  Stand tall, face the world, and as William James said, “let it know it has found its match, and show everyone you can stand the universe.”

Seniors,

Today you can be anything you imagine.  Imagine to be a hero.  Tomorrow and for the rest of your life make it happen.

I have had a change of heart, or rather a slight case of crafting ADD.  I really can not finish a project, or start on one, or continue with one.  So, with that said, here is what is on the agenda, what is off the agenda, and where I am at with the progress.

 Finished:

• A Sock Monkey for my Dad, which I sewed by hand because I don’t know how to use a machine, but the man wanted a sock monkey, so sock monkey he got. - (I will have a picture later because I am too lazy to recharge my batteries…and I don’t know where they are.)

Working on:

• The Honey Bunny…still.  2 Arms, 2 Ears, a Bow, and a Dress to go.
• Classic Wool Socks  I will be starting these as soon as I am finished with this post.  They won’t be gray.  They might not match.  We will see where the wool takes me.
• The Luxe Ripple Throw  I finally got my shipment of Casual Cot’n; however, I had to substitute the Moda Dea Frivolous (not made anymore, thanks) for Yarn Bee Dream Girl (it looks okay).
• Mantilla  It’s pretty isn’t it.  It’s a pain in the arse.  Tiny needle, Tiny Thread. Eyes hurt!
• 13 Stripes Crocheted Afghan from Crafts n’ Things.  Don’t you love when patterns are wrong.  I sure do.  Don’t you love when people don’t answer your emails back.  Again, I sure do.  I will be done with this once I try and rewrite the pattern.  Thanks  editors.
• My Scrap Afghan..some day it will be done.
• Blushing Grannies.  I don’t think I will ever weave in the ends!

Saving for Later:

• Cross Strap Top I lied for a while.  I didn’t know how to do the shirt, but I thought I did.  Then, one day, it hit me! Now the needles I need are occupied by that dang rabbit.  Finish the Rabbit, Kate.
• Fourth of July Pinwheels from Crafts n’ Things Magazine
• Coasters from Crafts n’ Things Magazine
• Everything else.  Please don’t let me start anything else.  I can’t take it!

We are having a yardsale next week.  I plan on trying to sell all this yarn.  It puts too much pressure on a girl.  Calling your name at night, begging to be used.  Well, I don’t want to use it - it’s ugly.  I want new, beautiful yarn.  I bought some Berroco Gem in Sphalerite. I am excited about it.  I think it wants to be a scarf, we’ll see. 

In other terms of “Change of Heart,” I got to be a little kid again yesterday.  The boyfriend and I started our night off playing tennis (and ending that with me chasing him with the racket.  Boys are mean.)  After we took a water break, we went on a walk, then played on a nearby playground.  However, I think we were a bit too big for the swings.  We caught a few lightening bugs.  After that, we raced up a street, then went exploring in the houses being built.  All in all, it was fun to get outside.  It was more fun to goof off with the one you love.

As for now, I am going to start with my first pair of socks.  Wish me luck!

Happy Knitting..and other crafts,

Kate

I went to some yardsales this morning (exciting!).  I bought some green Caron yarn, a mason jar to catch lightening bugs in, and a sweater to rip apart and keep the yarn.  I also went to the Fresh Market, which I had never been to before.  From there, I got a delicious brownie and a beautiful bouquet of orange, yellow, and pink roses; and a stem of orchids, blue bells, and daisies.

As for my projects, I am almost done with the Honey Bunny, but I haven’t started on anything else.  I still haven’t finished weaving in the ends on the Blushing Grannies yet either.  I plan on making my dad a sock monkey for Father’s Day (I got the socks in the mail a few days ago).  Pictures of everything will be available once I take them.

As always, Happy Knitting and Crafting,

Kate