It’s the time of turning — from summer to fall. From long, hot days to shorter, cool ones. From daylong birdsong to just an occasional racket of jays trying to scare off a hawk. From nights filled with crickets and katydids to ever-increasing silence (except for the coyotes).
Time to say so long to the hummingbirds and monarchs and wish them well on their journeys. (How I wish I could magically fly along and see where they go!) Most days it’s hard to find anything positive to say about the coronavirus pandemic, but there have been a few blessings. Being home so much over the summer meant getting to see the hummingbirds much more than I usually do.
The annual “hummingbird cafe” I grow in pots on the deck outside my living room had lots of visitors every day this summer. It was a joy to see them. Any day now they’ll depart, and then the long season of waiting for their return will begin.
This is a knitting blog, not a nature blog, so I guess I should share some knitting content, right? During the summer, I mostly worked on two new designs that will be published later — one in the fall, and one in 2021. They’re secret for now, and I can’t wait to show you them when the time is right.
I also knit quite a lot on a log cabin wrap inspired by my Next in Line Afghan. The afghan was worked in four colors of worsted weight wool, but the wrap uses five colors of fingering weight or sock yarn. Like the afghan, the wrap employs a log cabin construction and stripes to create a striking geometric design. There are two identical ends — I’ve finished those, yay! — that are joined by a center colorblock section (I’m working on that now). Look for the pattern this fall.
I’ve got a colorwork sock pattern in progress, too — something fairly simple I can take with me on bike rides this month. The yarns were a set I purchased over at OlannGra on Etsy; the colors are November Skies and Pigeon Gray.
I’m riding both indoors and outdoors this month as part of the virtual WillBike4Food fundraiser for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Cyclists of all ages and abilities are riding to raise funds for emergency meals for those in need in our community. So far I’ve ridden 17 miles and raised $225 — I’m only $25 away from my goal of $250! If you’d like to donate, just visit my donation page.
This is another unexpected positive of the pandemic — the usual one-day ride can’t be held, so they’re doing this monthlong virtual event instead, making it possible for casual riders like me to join the effort. A daylong ride up and down hills isn’t my cup of tea, but I can definitely manage 25 miles in smaller rides. Plus, it’s great to choose my own terrain and scenery, and to ride indoors on a stationary bike, too.
I’m taking the sock along with me whenever I ride. To follow my rides and progress on the sock, follow me on Instagram.
I hope you’re enjoying these late summer days. It’s been beautiful and peaceful here in western Massachusetts, but every day the news reminds me that’s not the case out on the West Coast. The destruction of communities and rising number of deaths caused by wildfires are just heartbreaking to witness. So many have lost their homes and possessions or are dealing with poor air quality; and all this suffering is happening during a pandemic.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, but you can make a difference. Wear a mask and social distance; donate funds or your time to groups that are helping others; and, above all, exercise your right to vote this fall!