BaNNeR RooTS

Big Juicies

The blues are now squishy as ever from the multiple frosts we've had the past week. We've now moved onto blackberries...crunchy, juicy, tundra-tasty blackberries. They'll add the perfect contrast to creamy akuutaq this winter. And they're a blast to pick, NOW!

 

 

Why are they a blast to pick? Because they're tough. They hold their own...VERY unlike the blues. Blues get picked and they're a little pissed about it. They threaten to cry and smash and squish and make a purple mess. Blackberries head to the bucket with pride almost. Even making a proud noise when they hit the bottom of the pail. It's quite fun. I pretty much "right on!" the blackberries every time. It's quite satisfying.

Sid just asked me, "Are you talkin' bad about blueberries?" She has a point. Blueberries, while they're a little fragile, are the most versatile berry we've got. The tangiest and boy do they pack a punch when you pop 'em in your mouth.

But blackberries. Just look at 'em!

 

Sorry Sid, but they are more fun to pick.

Pick

 
I love picking with this girl. She reminds me so much of my mother - optimistic, goofy, sweet, crazy, loving. And she's a picker! I'm quite the proud lady. I know Ma is too.

 

 

 

"I almost picked as much as you," she said. And she's right!

Handmade

 
Sometimes knitting sounds like a fun thing to do. Especially when you have five-hour flights and lots of idle time. That's when having a few sticks and some wool is sanity saving because there's only so much ginger ale you can drink. And because there's just something about the repetition of stitching that is soothing and therapeautic. Like a soak in the tub, but then! At the end, you have gifts. Handmade gifts. And I don't know about you, but I love receiving handmade gifts. And I love giving them. They're just so freakin' special!

 

Here's the thing. I was always a hooker. OK. A step further. A crocheter. Well, one day I decided enough was enough and with the help of a knitting wonder, I made one sock. Then a few months later, I made the other. All. By. Myself. I'll just say it. I'm quite proud. Here's why. My mother was a knitter. She knitted thousands? of socks in her lifetime. People all over have socks made by her. It was her thing. And happily, now it's mine. Hooker turn stitcher. I think Ma would be happy. 

 

And the stitching continues because learning a new thing is fun. And people need hats too.

 

 

I will say (and you might not agree) that knitting is so much more versatile than hooking. And there's something about those little v-shaped stitches that delights my liver. Yes. My liver. If I could, I'd stitch a cosy for it.

Cheers to all the other hookers and stitchers who just love the feeling of fiber between your fingers. And anyone who enjoys taking material - ANY material - and making something beautiful. I'd give you a hug if I could.

Really Super Special Haiku Friday

Today's a sparkling day. Here's why. If you're a lucky ducky person and you're in a place where there's a clear sky, look up. Tonight is the peak night to view the Perseid meteor shower. And it's fantastic. It's one of those happenings that hollers nicely, "IF THE UNIVERSE CAN MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN, THERE ARE WONDERFUL POSSIBILITIES!"

Now a story. Five years ago, an extremely new friend and I viewed the Perseid meteor shower together. We had just met that summer and we were lucky enough to be outside the night the Earth was traveling through the comet, Swift-Tuttle's, orbit. Swift-Tuttle. Say it out loud. "Swift Tuttle." Fun, isn't it? Anyway, it blew our minds. And bonded us in a way that only pieces of comet junk traveling through the Earth's atmosphere can. And so today, we celebrate. And in my celebration with you, I share the Really Super Special Haiku I received today from my now forever friend.

It doesn't directly address meteor showers, but it does speak of wonderful possibilites and I have come to fully appreciate that message.

 

Orange Sky

It's again raining. But this morning, I was grateful for my early morning drive, because the sky was clear and I was able to see this...

And this...

And this...

Moments like this give fuel for the 2011 summer of clouds and rain. Thank you morning and give me some of that rain water to drink. Today I will be thoroughly quenched!

Slow DOWN! Wait. Never mind. And what?!

I came home to this today. It makes a Mom very happy, seeing a kid read like this. 

I walk in and he looks up and back down and asks, "What time is it? I don't want to get up, this book is so good." Great thing, right? Right.

Except here's the thing. Joe requested the Harry Potter series, so I bought the first three. On Sunday morning. He's nearly finished with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban TODAY - the third book! How does a girl keep up? He officially reads faster, more and files information better than his Ma. It's CRAZY! Thank God today's payday 'cause 4,5,6 & 7 are on their way. Telling a kid to "SLOW DOWN on your READING!" doesn't seem right, so instead we're headed to town for his own library account. I can't keep buying books like this!

And something pops in my brain. And I picture it so tiny and it's so outnumbered that it's scared to even peek around the corner at all the other print loving brain matter, but it does. It DOES! The tiny, little question asks, "Should you join the dark side and get him a Kindle?" WHAT?!?! Brain matter in the majority is shocked. But this little question has a point and has everyone wondering.

Sometimes Cake

Sometimes you come home from work and take a nap. Sometimes you go for a run but you don't want to today because it's still raining. Sometimes you pick berries but again, it's raining. Or you go fishing but you don't want to mess with rain gear today. Then sometimes you make cake. For no reason. Just to mix it up for fun and eat it for fun. Because you can.

And then when you're done with that one piece, the forever rain doesn't matter as much. And then you really think about putting on rain gear to go fishing.