I have recently retired from being an elementary school principal, so I fill my days with others things besides being at school. I miss the teachers and the kids but am continuing to learn, reflect and celebrate. This is my first Slice of Life post. It's part of my motto: Never Stop Learning.
I have always been a knitter. I use to knit much more when I was younger. Of course, the crazy life of being a mother, wife, teacher, and principal often got in the way of settling down with the knitting in my hands. But now I have time - precious time - to choose the things I want to do.
I usually knit some everyday. I also try to read and write everyday. My most reflective time is when I sit down to knit. Somehow, life slows down while I am knitting. My hands take on the routine of the knitting while my brain has time to wander.
Yesterday, I went to the store to purchase yarn for a blanket for my grandson. I was looking forward to working in shades of blue and grey. It seemed to be a calming notion. However, my grandson had a different idea in mind. Even though he is only five, his favorite color is red and he wants Ohio State colors (grey, white and scarlet) in his blanket. So I learned to be flexible.
In conversation with my daughter, I discovered that JoAnn Fabrics accepts coupons from Michaels Craft Store and Hobby Lobby. So I scoured the latest newspaper ads and got on line to gather my coupons. I ended up with seven 40% off coupons and headed to the store. So I learned to be frugal.
When I sat down last evening to begin knitting, I was tackling an unfamiliar pattern for the blanket. I worked on a sample swatch, planned my color combinations and began. But after a bit of knitting nearly a dozen rows, I discovered that I miscounted and made a mistake a few rows back. New patterns can be tricky. I had to learn two new stitches and had to keep careful count as I went along. I had to take out several rows before I could continue. So I learned, once again, that mistakes are all part of learning.
I will keep at it. The blanket is a big project and will take me weeks, maybe months, to complete. Being a knitter teaches you patience as your project unveils slowly over time. So I learned that knitting takes patience and persistence.
While I knit, I have time to think. As I work on this project, I will have many hours to reflect on life and its ups and downs. I will have time to celebrate as the blanket grows in size. I will have time to think about my precious grandson and the person he is growing up to be. The life of a knitter is one that is filled with learning, reflection and celebration. I am glad I am a knitter.
