History says, Don’t hope
On the side of the grave,
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up
And hope and history rhyme.
— Seamus Heaney, The Cure of Troy (an excerpt from Joe Biden’s acceptance speech, 20 August, 2020)
There has been a most welcome reprieve of the miserable hot weather this week! We have had cooling nights, chilly mornings, and moderate days, which in turn meant no drone of the AC, wide open windows, and autumn dreams! This week I noted a marked change in morning light as well! I am up before the sun and the dark mornings have added to my autumnal mood! Add to that, the four stellar nights of the virtual DNC convention and I have “fall feelings on overload” and my election day count down clock reminds me that there are just 74 days to go.
Last night, I sat on the porch for “Zoom Knitting” and watched hummingbirds flock to my verbena. It was the perfect ending to the day… knitting and laughter!
Taking to Heart —
My inner poli sci major has loved the “un-conventional” convention this week. From the beautiful diversity, to the pointed speeches… I soaked up every bit of it. But I especially took to heart President Obama’s jeremiad on Wednesday night…honestly, I am still thinking about all he said but if we want this democracy to continue, we need to vote like our lives depend on it. The election results need to be overwhelming… and hearing so clearly this week about the desperate need to return to decency is so true. I am ready for a president who will represent all 3.28 million of us! Do you have a plan for voting? If not, get one! And if you need inspiration to make that plan, look no further than Joe Biden’s acceptance speech last night! First, Joe is a man who “reads everything,” including poetry! In his closing words, he shared the lines from Seamus Heaney’s poem, The Cure of Troy. We need to be part of that tidal wave of justice! Why? Well, Joe told it best: “For love is more powerful than hate. Hope is more powerful than fear. Light is more powerful than dark. This is our moment. This is our mission. May history be able to say that the end of this chapter of American darkness began here tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the soul of the nation. And this is a battle that we, together, will win.”
And in case you need a bit of levity, Mark Hamill provides some:
“Here and now, I give you my word: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst. I will be an ally of the light, not of the darkness.”- Joe Biden
November 3rd #VOTE to DEFEAT THE DARK-SIDE#HelpUsJoeBiWan_YoureOurOnlyHope ???? pic.twitter.com/v6ZSQZe0LZ
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 21, 2020
Going, going —
Vacation in Pandemic is not happening (at least not anywhere out of the state because of the current guidelines that Steve would have to follow to return to work…) but I have been contemplating places to go that are nearby… Although, Steve is absolutely not on board with this I am having some fun day dreaming about a trip to Lake Erie.
Inspiration —
I have gotten to the point in Pandemic Times that I am seriously contemplating my wardrobe. I wear leggings and a tunic almost every day…soon it will be leggings, a tunic, and a sweater, lol. I have no desire to go shopping, but boy… my wardrobe is feeling very monotonous. So when Grainline Studio’s dropped a new pattern this week I felt the desire to change things up and make an Augusta shirt! It is just different enough to break up the monotony of the days! I will be looking at my fabric stash to see what might work for it! And, since masking up is the new norm I need to have another “Bout of Mask Making” so there will be more mask sewing next week. I am going to try a new pattern and will let you know what I think next week!
Farmer Girl —
My daughter sent this photo this week… Vivi got her first egg! Personally, I think all Farmer girls should be in mermaid dresses and boots while they collect eggs! Ha! And yes, Vivi has charmed the chickens… she likes to carry them around!
(Also, I have updated the project page for Leland, if you are interested in the final details!)
And that is all I have for this week. I will be back next Tuesday to share my word update with Honoré! Have a great weekend everyone!
What a cute egg-gatherer!!!
I am finally feeling some hope that our country is going in the right direction. 73 days and counting down.
I went to see your notes on Leland, and it took me to the mask making tutorial. :/
Have a great weekend!!!
Your morning message is so right on. Thanks for sharing. I am visualizing Biden’s view of the days ahead.
I enjoyed the feeling of hopefulness this past week, what a refreshing feeling! Your grand is the cutest grand ever with her chicken and egg!! I haven’t gone shopping for clothes either. I need a dress for my son’s wedding in January and I don’t think I can try on dresses! So I’ve been internet searching….not the same. Grr.
I’m also seeing glimmers of hope – the DNC, a president that reads, pays attention to science, is empathetic, and cares about all of his constituents, and cooler fall weather slowly approaching. That photo of Vivi is just wonderful! I got my nephews this book for Christmas and it was a big hit: https://www.amazon.com/Tillie-Lays-Egg-Terry-Golson/dp/054500537X
I agree! The DNC convention by internet hit it out of the park! I loved how they went around the country and talked with ordinary good folks, we still exist!!!!! So encouraging! Both Michelle and Barrack were over the top! Everyone did so well, and it was uplifting to remember that their are far more good people in this country than mis-informed blinded cool-aide drinkers,(nicest way I could say it.)
I feel sorry for these blinded supporters of trump, what a life to be fill with hate 24/7…ugh.
We are on our way-73 days plus a few hours! May progress, truth and love win BIG Nov.3, 2020!
I am watching the goings on from afar and hope that your country lines up behind a different president, it would make many in the rest of the world happy too!
Your finished sweater is gorgeous, I love the idea of having a page on your blog for your finished items, I might just have to copy that….
I love the photo of the farmer girl, a perfect outfit for collecting the eggs.
Farmer Girl ViVi is beautiful! What a great picture. (Love the outfit too.) Yes, Fall is in the air. Fletch and I should be receiving our mail in ballots any day and…rather than mailing in…we have a place nearby where we can drop them off. YAY!!! I’m feeling optimistic.
Aw, look at how proud Vivi looks!
I too found the convention to be very inspiring. I just hope that voter turnout is way up!
Oh! Vivi and the chicken just made my day! 🙂
Leggings and tunics are my go-to during the cool months. Every day. All the time. 😉 The Archer shirt looks great — can’t wait to see what you think of it.
Enjoy the weekend, Kat.
The convention was glorious. I loved it. So inspiring and hopeful. I’ve decided that I’m going to take the risk and vote in person this year. I need to pull the lever (or press the button). I’m hoping to God that we elect Joe and Kamala. Our future truly depends on it.
Oh, Vivi has one fine grip on that chicken! Good for her! I LOVED every minute of the ‘un-conventional’ convention, Absolutely loved it. My whole family gathered in front of it every night this week–it felt like the old days when you wanted your kids to know their leaders. I’m not only hope-filled; I’m really inspired to help get out the vote. Lake Erie! Can’t wait to hear if you go! Whereabouts are you considering?
Vivi is so cute! I wish she and my youngest could play together – I think they’d be friends!
I only saw bits and pieces of the convention, but it was amazing how many “regular Americans” they were able to include thanks to the virtual setting. They even included a young boy from New Hampshire (and the town where I live!) who bonded with Joe because they both have a stutter. His campaign focused on Joe’s humanity this week and I hope that goes a long way in November. I was a Warren supporter during the primaries, but I’m definitely excited to vote for Joe and Kamala in November.
(my summer uniform has totally been leggings and tunics too. Soon it will shift into leggings, tanks, and sweaters!)
aw, chickens! what fun for Vivi! … and the virtual convention! what fun for US! (and gah! I am trying not let myself spin out of control thinking about next week … and simply enjoy this past week for at least another two days)
I hope you head to Presque Isle in Erie. It was as close to being at the ocean as we could get w/o the long drive. Walk the beach for hours, look for lake glass along the shoreline (it’s amazing how those shards of color will jump out among the stones), listen to the waves, maybe rent a bike & ride the trail. I’m now too far away to enjoy this. Let me live it vicariously though you. lol!
Oh my goodness, that little egg gatherer with her chicken! Ali’s chickens haven’t begun to lay yet, but it’s a hoot just watching Malina feed them. We certainly have to be creative with the vacations this year!