Happy Groundhog Day!

Oh Ned Ryerson - don't we all know someone just like him? I have to admit that "Groundhog Day" is one of my fave movies, becuase it is so ridiculous, but also because I often feel like I'm living in the same kind of world - not one where it's actually Groundhog Day each day, but one where the events that keep repeating are unfortunately horrible ones. Even before recent events, though, I'll admit I'd still have days when I'd think "Wait, didn't this just happen yesterday the same way??"

If Gtoundhog Day is not your thing, it's also St. Blaise Day, when we used to get our throats blessed when I was in school. One of my favorite saints' days, since I have always had throat issues, and I always felt that St. Blaise was trying his hardest to help.

Or, if the saints don't grab you, it's also the birthday of James Joyce. We always have some gorgonzola cheese on rye bread with a glass of white wine, as Leopold Bloom does in "Ulysses." (Which I never made through - I was lucky if I read 20 pages. The Tim, on the other hand, can practically recite it.)

In any case, I hope you are doing OK and if you are in the storm area/deep freeze area, keeping warm. Frankly, I if I hear one more person tell me how many days are left until the first day of spring or summer, I'll find a way to bury them under the ice forever. But as usual, that's just me. (I do mean it though.)

Over the weekend, I was thinking of what I want to knit next, as far as a larger project. I am almost there, but I was in one of those moods where, no matter what pattern I'd see, even if I had the right yarn, etc., there was always some reason it just wasn't right. Do you ever do that? At one point, I stopped looking at things because I decided I wasn't going to be able to decide to try anything in the frame of mind that I was in. Which is an improvement, because in the past, I would usually keep going, and then just be ticked off at myself, my knitting, and the world in general for three or four days. 

Anyway, I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I did start working on a Cozy Comfort Throw a couple of weeks back, in an attempt to use up a lot of scraps and minis that are not being used for anything else. I bought some yarn for the  main color - but before the end of 2025 ... I already knew I was going to try and not buy yarn for at least the first six months in this year, so I headed myself off at the pass, so to speak! It's only cheating if I think it is. 😉 I haven't tried to photograph it yet, because it's still sort of at the point where the needle I'm using is kind of twisted, and trying to get it to be flat for taking a picture is more work than it's worth. But I'm enjoying it, and it's satisfying to watch those small amounts of yarn leftovers turn into something that I think looks nice and that will be useful. I'm waiting to see how it looks once it's finished before deciding if it will be for us, a gift for someone, or a cozy donation. That's mainly because I'm not making any effort to make it look thought out - I'm just grabbing whatever is next out of my bag when it's time for a new addition.

Other than that, there's nothing much to report. We're all hanging in, and so far, other than the cold that The Tim had (which he claims I gave to him, though I didn't have a cold), which *he* then passed to me, no one has been sick, injured, or any other version of being under the weather, so to speak. Let's hope that continues. 

Here's hoping a good week is ahead for all of us!

It's Winter, Even Though It's Not

 Happy Groundhog Day! 

Apparently, I'm one of the few people who actually enjoys Groundhog Day (the day and the movie, actually). I have always enjoyed seeing what Punxsutawney Phil has to say, and getting to see him all over the news. Of course, I also love winter, so I'm full of unpopular favorites.

But seriously, why do people get so worked up over a harmless tradition? Already today on the news, they have said that "No one cares what a huge rodent says," and that "This has just been a terrible winter, it needs to end." And I know so many people who become *furious* on Groundhog Day, because "Why should a groundhog determine how long winter lasts?" Um, you do know how it all really works, right?

And seriously, I realize that a lot of the country has had severe winter weather, but here in the Philadelphia area, I just have to say COME ON. We've had about 5 truly winter-cold days, including this coming weekend, which is supposed to be seriously cold. We have had barely a dusting of snow, which happened overnight on Tuesday, and is already gone, and it's been way to warm for this time of year. Plus the rain. THE RAIN. Not even April showers bringing May flowers. I mean, come on people, get a grip. This is not what winter is. Yes, technically on the calendar and metereologically it's the winter season, but otherwise, it's not. And yes, I know it's due to global warming, blah blah blah, but it still sucks for those of us who would always prefer winter weather to hot weather. As I said to someone the other day, I only slog through summer because I know once it's over, winter will eventually arrive.

Anyway, leave Phil alone, people! He's carrying on a fun tradition, he's not hurting anyone, and he makes some of us smile at the start of February. 

And remember to watch out for that first step, "it's a doozy!"

Happy Groundhog Day!

Be careful out there ...

And watch that first step ... it's a doozy!

Have a great first weekend in February. :-)

Don't Drive Angry, Phil

Happy Groundhog Day!  I love Groundhog Day, the event and the movie.

Everyone always gets so worked up about Punxsutawney Phil, but I find it highly amusing.  I feel sorry for Phil when the "town fathers" pull him out of his space and hold him above the crowd, but otherwise I like the idea of Phil, and the idea that he can predict the weather.

As for the movie, the incredible ridiculousness of it pleases me.  I guess it also helps that I like Bill Murray ... and because I think we all know someone like Ned Ryerson.  Right? Right?

But anyway, moving on, today is Think Write Thursday, and the topic is Hello, February.

So - Hello, February!  I am happy to see you, because of things that happen during the month, and because of hopes I have for what could happen.

I know a lot of people whine about Valentine's Day, but I love it!  Growing up, it was always a big deal in our house, not as the lovey-dovey kind of thing, but to let friends and family know yow were thinking of them.  And currently, not only is it Valentine's Day, but it's also the birthdays of Jetsam and Pip, so even more reason to celebrate.

And then, it's always nice to have a long weekend from work because of Presidents' Day.  :-)

I like that February is different, because it has fewer days than other months.  It's distinctive that way.

I am *hoping* that when I go to my dr's appt on February 10, that I will find out that my ankle is healing the way it is supposed to, and that I can soon get rid of the cast.

I am looking forward to going to "Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" at the Kimmel Center here.  The tickets were one of my Christmas presents, and I think it will be fun.  We both really like Alan Cumming, and I think we'll have a good time.

And I am looking forward to more cozy days, when I can be at home and knitting, reading, or whatever else I feel like doing.  I like this time of year even though most people just want to get past it.

February, since January ended up being a bust for me, I'm hoping I can feel like I'm getting a good start with you.  I have some goals for the year I'm hoping to organize, so that I can actually work on them, and I'm hoping that even if the state of the government doesn't improve, that I'll be better able to deal with it and still take care of myself.

I'm glad to see you.  :-)

Four Things for February 2

Today, is of course, most famous here in the United States because it is Groundhog Day.  If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there are six more weeks of winter.  Seems to me that Phil can't help but see his shadow, since TV stations cover the "official" event, and those lights would make anyone see their shadow, right?

I know a lot of people who get really worked up by the whole thing.  I enjoy Groundhog Day, because I think it is just one of those fun days on the calendar.  I don't really care if Phil does or does not see his shadow, because winter doesn't seem to pay much attention to anyone's calendar, though it technically ends on March 21.

Speaking of the day, "Groundhog Day" is one of my favorite movies.  I love the part where Bill Murray says, "Don't drive angry, Phil."

Today is also the birthday of James Joyce.  I have only ever made it through "Dubliners," which I love, but The Tim can pretty much recite a lot of his work.  And he has actually read "Ulysses" all the way through more than once.  What??!

And though some say it is tomorrow, when I was growing up, we always got our throats blessed on February 2, in honor of the feast day of St. Blaise.  Did you know that he is the patron saint of wool carders?  He is also the saint to ask for help with throat illnesses and disorders.  With my throat issues all of my life, I may have worn him out ...

So even if it is a Monday, and the weather (at least here) is dreary and cold and wet, I like knowing that there are at least four things that make today noteworthy.

I hope the rest of the week is good for all of us.  Onward and upward, right?