Yesterday didn't come out quite as I expected it. I had such good intentions.(and we all know what the road to hell is paved with, don't we? Good thing I don't believe in hell.) We called around to get a part for our oven. We are familiar with this part. We have replaced it before. It's a computer-like component that controls all of the electric functions. Like the burner ignition, the oven and broiler. It's important. We got lucky and found one at a dealer only about 45 minutes away. Or so we thought. Forgetting that it was one of the warmest, nicest Saturdays we've had this year, we set out on the expressway. Only to run smack dab into the traffic headed for the zoo. And the construction traffic that regularly clogs the road. It took us over an hour and a half to get there. And two hundred dollars later (none of these parts is cheap) we set off for home. We took an alternate route that went out of our way but it took less than an hour. Pk put the module in and we have a stove. Next, we have to replace a module in the dishwasher, the microwave, probably the dryer (the heating element is not working and we may not be able to fix it), the cd player and stereo receiver. All because of a power surge. Such is life. We still think of ourselves as lucky.

So, the cleaning got done but not the windows or the curtains. I had to take the wet clothes to the local laundramat to use the dryers. Not really a big deal. They're not busy on a late Sat. afternoon and it only took about an hour and five dollars worth of quarters. We had some sandwiches for dinner and called it good.


Today, Pk and I went to the grocery store and foraged for food. He is in the garage using a lathe to make a handle for something. I have been working on my lace. It's knit in two parts. I am finishing up the first (of four) repeats for the middle and then I'll put that on waste, or maybe a needle since it will be grafted to the other side. I tried to stretch it out a bit to get an idea of what it'll look like and it's nice. These colors are true but you can't see the bits of purple that run through it. It's a merino/silk blend and it's light as a feather. It's the North Sea Shawl from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle. I think I'd like to make all of them in the book. Some are just wonderfully comforting looking and some are spectacular.


We are having some summer-like weather. It was so warm last night that all I did was sweat. Pk went out to the garage and found a fan and that made it bearable. It's not humid but we aren't acclimated to this warmth. This past week we were still getting frost overnight. I haven't even gotten the summer clothes out of storage yet. That will be next week's chore. It feels nice to run around in bare feet with shorts on,though. I had to give myself a pedicure yesterday so I'm not ashamed to put on flip flops. And I have to find some short sleeved shirts to wear to work this week. It won't last. The cooler spring weather will be back and summer will have to wait it's turn.

National Poetry Month is almost over. And this past week was ANZAC Day. Bells shared a favorite memorial type poem/song and I want to share mine. We often hear this in May when we celebrate Memorial Day but it's just as appropriate now.

In Flanders Fields By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I hope you're enjoying the rest of the weekend.