100 years ago, buying something you could make was considered wasteful; now making something you could buy is considered wasteful. I am not convinced this is a step in the right direction. ―
I thought this quote was exactly the reminder I needed as I am about to embark on Me-Made May – minus the IG posting frenzy, that is! I am going to do my best to wear only things I have made during the month. But I have plans to do a wee bit of sewing for myself in May as well. My wardrobe is in need of a little refresh after 12 plus months of Pandemic Living! Re-entry is not easy but maybe a couple of new items will help!
On the knitting front, I am almost to the sleeve division on my Marled Purl Strings – just 6 rows to go! I kind of worried that the “purled” rows would not show very much in the marled fabric, and while they are not as dramatic as they are on the single color sweater, I love how it looks and hopefully the body goes as quickly as it did on my first sweater. (at least once I picked it up and actually knit on it!)
Today though is all about learning as I have a full day of classes for MDSW! I will spend the afternoon with Maggie Casey learning about twist and this evening with Dame Judith and some Columbia fiber! I will have a tiny break between the classes and I made a pot of chili on Sunday so I could have something to “zap” and eat! lol
The reading this week has been wonderful! I had FIVE finishes!
The Thunder Before the Storm: The Autobiography of Clyde Bellecourt by Clyde Bellecourt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A friend described this book as having the feel of the author sitting at the dinner table with you, sharing their story. Yes!! That is an excellent way to describe this book. I kn0w little about the plight of Native American’s and this book is an excellent introduction. It is eye-opening and stirs the desire to learn more. I highly recommend!
The Dead and the Living by Sharon Olds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think writing poetry is hard (if not impossible for most of us) but writing good poetry about hard topics is just amazing. This collection of poems made me stop and think. At times it made me uncomfortable. But the way Olds puts together phrases and uses words to paint an image in the readers mind are brilliant. I highly recommend!
Stag’s Leap: Poems by Sharon Olds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Intimate, poignant poems… Sharon Olds has a gift… the ability to write about hard things and she does so in the most incredible way. She draws you in, shares the raw emotion, and then carries you along – tenderly – with her. I find myself wanting to stop and read everything Olds has ever written. I highly recommend!
A Death In Vienna by Daniel Silva
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Four in the Allon series, but Book Three in the trio of Holocaust series. In this story, the history of Allon unfolds and we learn more details about his past… and his parent’s history. Allon is an edgier, more turbulent version of Armande Gamache – and that is not a bad thing, he is complex – he has a sense of justice, and is brilliantly smart! I love watching him put together the puzzle and win! I highly recommend this series!
Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Racism in America has to be the ugliest thing on earth. Like many others who have read this book, I had to remind myself it was not a memoir…but a novel. It sheds light on life as a Muslim in America post-911. It is a riveting story and I had a hard time putting it down. The writing is wonderful. I highly recommend!
That is all I have to share today, if you wrote a post to share, please leave your link below!
See you all back here tomorrow with my choice for Poem in Your Pocket Day!
You’ve sure had a banner week reading-wise Kat! I need to check out the Daniel Silva books. Your marled sweater is going to be gorgeous!!
I can’t tell you how many people have told me, “You know you can buy socks at walmart. Why are you knitting them?” I hope you will post a few photos of what you are wearing during May; I love seeing your me-made outfits! That marled sweater looks beautiful and I hope you are having fun at your MDSW classes.
I’m a little jelly that you are taking classes! Yay for you!!! 😀 Enjoy!!!
One day, the full time work thing for me won’t be a thing. LOL
Your sweater is looking great!
Enjoy the spinning classes! I can’t wait to hear about them. I like to do a deep dive into the work of one author so stopping to read more of Sharon Olds sounds like a good idea to me. Your sweater looks like it is off to a good start.
Enjoy every moment of this day, Kat! A pot of chili sure sounds good right now… And I’m going to read some Sharon Olds–thank you. This is the the second or third time she’s come up this week, which I always take as a sign! Have fun with the sewing projects, too.
I hope you enjoy those online classes from MDSW!
pretty knitting, such wonderful reading, and I’m stuck on that bit in the middle about MDSW – woot! Hope you’re planning to share details!!
I read the first Daniel Silva book–thanks for the tip! Can’t wait to read more.
I hope your classes were wonderful! I have mine on Friday afternoon and my materials finally showed up earlier this week — I was starting to panic a little!
I hope you enjoyed the classes, Kat. One of the pandemic-silver-linings is all the online learning opportunities! I hope those stick around . . . Isn’t Sharon Olds wonderful? (She’s another favorite of mine.)
Wow – what a wonderful week of reading, Kat! That list makes me so happy 🙂 Sharon Olds sounds wonderful – thank you for sharing her.
And how cool that you’re able to take virtual spinning classes right now! I’m wondering if virtual classes are something that will stick around after we can start small gatherings again? It sounds like a great opportunity for all of the sheep and wool festivals out there (and for those of us who find it challenging to attend)!
I hope you have a great weekend!
I always enjoy seeing what you are knitting and again, you are knitting something beautiful that I would knit!