Sit right back for a tale of woe. Because, really, aren’t tales of woe the more interesting ones? Don’t pull out any tissues; things aren’t that bad.
I was in a funk yesterday. Perhaps the weather did it, perhaps yet another visit to my dentist (although everyone there is quite pleasant, I’d rather not spend any more time with them), perhaps just mid-week doldrums. In any event, I popped in a movie (Saving Grace, should you want details) and set to work on Chart B of Clue 1 of the Mystery Stole 3. I made some good progress, I’ll have you know, but I had to put the scrap of lace down for the dogs’ afternoon stroll (I don’t say or write walk. They’ll know and expect it to happen pronto!), but after a delish salad prepared by my darling husband, I settled in to continue with the Mystery. I had some knitting mojo, and I was smart enough to be humble about it. "Oh, lovely," said I. "I’ve got the right number of stitches." And, "Isn’t it grand that I’m able to keep track of the row I’m on? Aren’t I fortunate?" The knitting gods like that sort of gratitude.
On goes disc one of the third season of Deadwood (oh, how I love this show. I have such a crush on Al. Don’t tell me you don’t have just a little one on him too, K.; I won’t believe you). Neal and I are happy as we recall each character’s story from the end of season two. Blink. Off go the lights, then back on. It is raining, after all, and a bit windy. I return to my lace, about to start a new row, yet I hesitate. Off goes the power. On. Then, for a final time, off.
But, whine I, I have knitting mojo. Lace knitting mojo. This isn’t to be squandered. "Don’t we have a generator or something," I ask Neal, my voice as persuasive as I can make it, as though my desire will make such a thing appear. Negative. We talk about the future for a while, but the entire time, my thoughts are elsewhere. They are on Chart B, which was going so swimmingly back when I had electricity at my beck and call. Finally, we toddle off to bed. Neal pulls out his headlamp (one of my first gifts to him, may I add) to aid me in my evening ablutions. As I brush my teeth, I see a lightbulb above my head, and it’s not just the lit headlamp. It’s an idea.
Why not knit using the headlamp? I mention my thought, and it is promptly refused. "You can’t waste our only light source on knitting." Waste? WASTE? I resist the urge to remind my husband (who does not, it would appear, understand knitting mojo) that there are plenty of candles about the house to use as light sources. I’m afraid he would suggest that I use those to light my lace.
Even I’m smart enough to know that would be taking my mojo too far. I know its limits, and I won’t mess with them.
I will, though, get a headlamp of my own. My own personal back up lighting system for lace knitting/power outage emergencies. You might consider it yourself.
What a disaster…thanks for the tip, I will be looking at my emergency sources today to make sure I have some emergency knit/spin light. That would not go over well in my house!
I hope you were able to make lots of progress on your MS3. Seeing how lovely your Print O’ the Wave shawl came out though I believe a fair amount of talent is involved here as well, not just the magical Mojo.
Oh, those knitting gods. They’re worse than some of the Greek and Egyptian gods when it comes to playing foully with mere mortals.
If you watch Deadwood & don’t have a crush on Al, then you’re not really watching! (Who cares if he runs a whorehouse!) You must e-mail me immediately when you finish season 3–I think it was a brilliant, satisfying end, even though I was desperately wanting a Season 4.
Been thinking about you lately… glad to see good ideas (at least) springing from weather-related misfortune! 🙂
Oh WOW what a drag. I hope that you remember where you are when you pick it up again–that happens to me and I am unable to figure out exactly where I am and then manage to muck everything up. Hope I’m not jinxing you!;)
Bummer! Husbands can never understand knitting mojo!
I have a Petzl LED headlamp (that, might I add, I have had longer than I’ve been a mother and it’s on the original set of batteries) and I’ve been known to knit in the car with it. I just have to be careful where I look!!
You married a man who doesn’t understand knitting mojo? Oh my. I vote no more socks for Neil till he understands or is more willing to play along.
I have the Coleman lantern from my childhood. Worst case, I’m in the garage knitting by the light of that puppy.
Ooo, a headlamp is an excellent idea!
I love Deadwood, and I’m right there with you with the Al crush.
My headlamp is always safely packed in with our camping gear, but that always means that I have access to it in the car driving back from who-knows-where at God-knows-when!
Hope your mojo sticks with you.
I kept thinking that your post was going to end on a “I had to rip out 20 rows” note, but I know what you mean! I’ve been doing 2 or 3 rows per day and am only on Row 120. Or already on Row 120. I guess it’s a question of is the glass half full or half empty! I’m glad I’m able to have the right count each row, but I haven’t put a lifeline in as of yet. I feel like I’m tempting those knitting gods myself!
Hey there — I am tagging you to list 8 facts/habits about yourself and to then tag 8 others. Hope you’re game, but if not then no harm done.
Nothing like a power outage to mess with your knitting mojo! I think it would be a great idea to get a headlamp of your own for just such an occasion.
My headlamp lives in my knitting bag – my hubby got it for me especially for car knitting. It works great!
I’d been meaning to get you one for your wedding present since we’d joked about that before but never got around to it.