One stitch at a time

A couple weeks ago, on a warm autumn afternoon, I spent a few hours helping sort, tag, and bag more than 300 hand-knit or crocheted blankets and about 200 toys—all for kittens. Say what? You heard me, for kittens. I recently became a volunteer with Knittins for Kittins (K4K), a non-profit organization whose members createContinue reading “One stitch at a time”

Perfect Strangers

The other day at the grocery store, there was an older fellow behind me with only two cartons of milk in his cart, while I had several items. I asked him if he would like to go ahead of me, but he said no because he wanted to stand and rest a bit. I guessContinue reading “Perfect Strangers”

Mercury is where?

The other day, during a lunch out with a couple of friends, our conversation went from the weather and smoke from northern fires to some of the annoying things that had been happening to each of us lately. “My boss has been a real pain in the butt,” said one. “It doesn’t matter what IContinue reading “Mercury is where?”

When I’m 64

Growing older is inevitable, as are birthdays. And yes, I just celebrated another year. Sixty-four isn’t a significant number, although every year we are here should be treated as a major accomplishment. Still, for some reason it really got me thinking about mortality, ancestry, and the philosophical aspects of aging. Let’s blame the Beatles andContinue reading “When I’m 64”

The Heat is On

Man, it’s a hot oneLike seven inches from the midday sunWell, I hear you whisper and the words melt everyoneBut you stay so cool —Smooth, Rob Thomas and Santana, June 1999 It’s 9 a.m., and already I can feel the heat of the day. 24 degrees right now (that’s Celsius, so about 75 Fahrenheit). Yes,Continue reading “The Heat is On”

Summer Reading

Today feels like a good day to hang out and read. I’m sitting here on my deck, coffee in hand, gazing longingly at the backyard swing. I swear it is whispering to me. “Julie, hey Julie, you know you want to.” But alas, I must go to work, so there will be no hanging outContinue reading “Summer Reading”

Let’s Get Moving!

Ah, exercise. The bane of my existence. I have never really enjoyed exercise. Sure, when I was young, I was in track and field. I played badminton. I cross-country skied. I tried aerobics (you go, Olivia Newton-John), jazz dance, joining a gym, jogging, racquetball, etc. I tried riding a bike. Walking. You know how itContinue reading “Let’s Get Moving!”