Up-stares Down-stares
OK, everyone, I feel badly.
It has been how many weeks since I last posted? I admit it. My schedule has been overwhelmed and I don’t know with what really, as things have been somewhat unremarkable but jam-packed.
I am back up at our main place in Valencia and have had a chance to recover from baby-watching (although he has to be the cutest, smartest baby ever) and then dive into all the projects that went begging while I was down south. Including (remind me I said I would never do this again) making a sweater for one of my many sisters-in-law.
The darn thing is patterned on a couple I have made before with Noro wool yarn that I absolutely love. But, it’s pricey and a bit scratchy and even though I love working in wool, in SoCal wool is a mother, i.e., a moth-er. Moth-bait, moth-meal … you get the idea.
So I decided to get a beautiful hand spun yarn with variegated colors similar to the Noro, but made of acrylic. Slippery devils, had to match self-striping, used three different color-ways so designing and coordinating and putting seams together so the stripes were consistent were real bears. I didn’t get much else done for almost two weeks so I could deliver it in time for a birthday bash this weekend. Oi vey.
Before I forget, welcome newcomers. I have had an explosion of new followers and I am so grateful to you that you are willing to endure my tedium.
Back to the main topic, my absence here and my crazy frenzied life now in two places, with two sets of everything to clean (I may finally have to get help, but I hate to do it. I need the exercise and I prefer to spend the money on stuff. Oh well.) I have to give Geoffrey credit though. He manfully did the laundry (and folded it — setting it out in neat piles like decorations all over the bedrooms, hee hee), the yard, the animals, even the bathrooms (!!) and still got all his work done. Then he gave me the most thoughtful Valentine gift and card. What a good guy.
One thing I discovered while in SD is that the places above Downtown are referred to collectively, by the locals, as Uptown. I hadn’t really known any other place that seriously identifies itself as Uptown, as it has sort of a noblesse oblige sound to it that relegates the term (in my mind, anyway) to the 19th century. But then I realize that I always seem to gravitate to upper reaches anywhere I go. I wonder if this is some past-life mandated longing for the Arctic? 😀
As I wandered around taking random shots, I felt more scrutiny than usual. Literally people eyeing me suspiciously. This seems to be happening more and more and makes me less likely to drag out the big cameras and lenses and just take cell phone shots or my smallest camera and lens. I am thinking of buying a Nikon Lens Baby and just pop the smallest camera into my purse, discreetly. That is why a Rolleiflex would be so handy – as it sits at the waist, is viewed from above and no one really knows you are taking pictures.
This last trip to the southern reaches made me realize as well that I had not been to Downtown San Diego at all. I am going to have to remedy that, as it is quite unique and beautiful in its own way, much like the other old city centers around the country. That will be upcoming.
Now I have rambled on enough, caught you up. Still raining here every week. Can you believe it? I hope it continues as it makes me feel like I am back home in NY.
I will be around to visit my friends here. A hug to you all in a belated Valentine wish.
Images: Chez Bibi assets: Uptown San Diego
Beth Byrnes 
Lovely as always, Beth. But knitting?! You are utterly mad, my dear, with all else you do, to add that little task as well. I know, hand-made-with-love is a lovely thought – but so is purchased with a lot of thought to what you’d like (and shopping sure sounds like more fun to me!)
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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Ugh, I am going to avoid taking this on in the future. I simply have no time.
Now I have to figure out what to do with bins and bins of yarn, gathered over the years, lol.
Thank you Madelyn!! xxoo
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Donate it somewhere – quick, before the bug bites again!
xx,
mgh
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I was thinking of that just last week! Great minds … xo
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Although – given what’s going on politically – it might be useful to help you pass the time in the bunkers (unfortunately, only half kidding)
xx,
mgh
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Sigh!!!! Don’t get me started. Love you, Madelyn xoxo
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Indeed. That’s why I started the Friday Fun series – to keep my wrists pristine and the blood off the couch.
xx,
mgh
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We need some relief. I want to join the rallies, but it just gets my BP going again and we have four more years to go!
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Daunting. But the more we let slide by the worse it will get. We can’t allow him to believe that he really CAN do anything he wants.
xx,
mgh
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What a lovely place, the bungalows look so cute. Be happy 😊
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San Diego has a thriving classical music community and a huge concert hall. Maybe I will be attending to hear you perform some day, Charlotte. Hugs.
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Glad you’re back! I missed your posts. “Unremarkable, but jam-packed”, sounds like life. “But then I realize that I always seem to gravitate to upper reaches anywhere I go. I wonder if this is some past-life mandated longing for the Arctic?” No Beth, no. We went through an arctic spell a few weeks ago, -30 and above for over a week. There is no such thing as a longing for the Arctic 😀 .
Enjoyed your beautiful pictures as usual, nice to see and learn about every day life in other parts of the continent. Welcome back!
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Oh, JM, you are too kind. I never know if anyone notices when I miss my schedule. It appears you do and so I am more motivated to be disciplined about it. I hate to bore people with every move I make in my little world, but it is of ethnographic as well as social interest to me to learn about life elsewhere, so, I can contribute to that myself.
I lived in lake-effect snow close to the Canadian border back East for four years, where the nights would often drop to -20F and with windchill occasionally reach -30, so I know what you mean.
In fact, one of our Christmas gifts from the in-laws is a DNA kit. At some point I am going to use mine and find out if I am descended from Vikings or some other arboreal clan as I like cold so much better than heat. When I do, I will put up a post about it!
Yay, you gave me a great idea, JM. Hugs to you.
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