Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Encouragement Beyond

I always find it interesting when I'm thinking of someone, something, or even a concept I want to try crocheting up when suddenly something related to those thoughts appears.  I'm not sure if one would call this a psychic ability or more of sheer luck, but I do like when it happens.

The latest of these "phenomenons" if you will, is my recent (heavily) thinking of my Grandmother who sadly passed away over 15 years ago.  She's the one who introduced me to the concept of knitting, and based upon my lack-luster take to it, she had strongly encouraged me to return to my beloved crochet.  I've been thinking of how much I miss having her in my life when last night there was a knock on the door.  It was my father.  In his hand were several old knit & crochet magazines along with a pair of circular knitting needles.

He said, "I was cleaning out a closet when I came across these.  I think she (meaning my Grandmother) would have wanted you to have these."  I knew she was a knitter, but never knew she used patterns, or for that matter had knit/crochet magazines.

Oh, go ahead and insert the
Twilight Zone theme music here, right!?  Was it a coincidence?  Or is this my Grandmother reaching out from beyond to encourage me to pick up the needles and keep trying? 

I mean, is it possible that she knows I'm interested in knitting but just need the time & positive reinforcement to finally embrace it?  (If this is the case, does this mean that Spirits from Beyond read blogs?)  Or does she know that my daughter, her great-granddaughter, has been taunting me with her new knitting skills and she wants to taunt me too (she always did like a good joke).  I mean, as the magazines are -- I cannot use them as
I need to figure out how to remove/lessen the aroma coming from the books -- she was a heavy smoker.  Any suggestions?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh, so "the weird stuff" happens to you too, eh?  Yes, I'm a believer because I've had it happen.  And yes, I do believe that it wasn't just a coincidence that your father showed up with Grandma's knitting stuff.  No wonder you didn't freak out when I was asking you questions about your departed Aunt when you memorialized her.  (I really hesitated with asking you those things because I am also aware that "the weird stuff" goes against the Catholicism teachings).

I hope you embraced it, said a prayer, and thanked your Grandmother for the sign that she is still around. :)

As for removing smoke smell from magazines, the only suggestions I can offer would be a) put the magazines in a bag with a little baking soda and shake.  Leave for a week and see if that helps.  b)  store in a bag with a fabric softener sheet for a little while???  I really hate to suggest misting with anything like Febreze because of the paper.  If you've ever taken a wet magazine out of a mailbox, you know what I mean.  Let me see if I can find something on the internet for you.

Hugs,
Sheila

Anonymous said...

Sheila of CT stated on 6/26:
"I wanted to respond to your blog (but I think I have to sign up to AOL to do that???) about your dad dropping off the needles.  My thought was that perhaps your grandmother wants you to pass them on to your daughter KNOWING how knitting is becoming her passion and crochet is yours.  You said how she pushed you on to continue your crocheting knowing how much you loved it.  She's smiling down enjoying watching your daughter get into what she used to do!  Just a thought!"

Great observation, Sheila!  :)