Getting Things Done

Or at least trying. Also, a lovely book recommendation & other distractions.

Squares from a work in progress

Today is Day 223. #bringthemhome

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Back in December, we had a little flood in the basement. The gasket on the water main froze and cracked, and the next thing I knew, there was a pond in the closet where I store my yarn.

Luckily, most of my stash was safe in large Rubbermaid bins. The rest I kept on the floor in heavy plastic zippered bags, the kind a new comforter comes in, though they were not as secure as I’d hoped. To my chagrin, they were filled with several inches of water. Yet I remained composed enough to take care of the gasket/flood issue before I dealt with the yarn.

I managed to salvage about half and tossed the rest, mourning the loss while fully aware it was only stuff. Stuff I loved, but stuff nonetheless. It was an amalgam of leftovers from various projects, mostly long-ago completed afghans. A few whole skeins, some half skeins, and a ton of small balls of yarn in assorted colors.

Onto the guest bed went whatever I could redeem. First, I confirmed it was dry before — I know this is going to sound weird — sniffing the yarn bits one by one for any hint of mildew. But what to do with it? Store it in a large bin or crochet what we call in crochet parlance a stash blanket?

A quick aside about afghans before I continue:

1. They don’t require measuring and I don’t like measuring.

2. They comfort and cocoon you, even as you’re crocheting them.

3. The colors and patterns make me feel like a kid in a candy store.

The point is I needed no convincing, especially now. What was I saving it all for anyway? I mean, life is short and the world is in chaos and I wouldn’t bring a massive jumble of yarn with me if we were to make aliyah, which has become my bar when I’m debating whether to keep or toss anything. Not that we’re going anywhere soon.

In truth, I knew a granny square afghan would fill a longing while making fast work of the yarn. It’s a perfectly portable project I can crochet in the car when I ride shotgun or while watching a show with my husband. Soon enough, the squares began to pile up. And then one day I put down my crochet hook and stopped all of a sudden, not that I could tell you why.

I suppose I’m distracted. Aren’t we all to one degree or another since October 7?

Besides, it’s not the only thing I haven’t gotten done. There are numerous writing projects I haven’t finished. Best I not mention the fix-it projects around the house that require my attention. And alas, I’ve gone from reading to skimming The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas, my book club’s selection this month, because I can’t possibly be expected to focus on anything 1,300 pages long.

I feel bad about it. I’m usually a person who gets things done.

I can only say, Oh well.

And yet, somehow, this pretty pile of granny squares I keep stacked up on an ottoman in the living room brings me joy. The lot of them wink at me, flirt, blush, as if they were reminding me not to forsake them. Telling me not to worry, that the potential of my work in progress is not lost, that they will comfort and cocoon me in due time.

I nod. I promise them, “One day,” and I mean it.

For now, I lay them out on the couch occasionally so I can admire the colors and patterns and remember how they emerged from a loss. Also to know they are fine as they are, whether they have it all together or not.

Book Recommendations & Other Resources

I’m hoping to pick up my crochet hook again soon. But in the meantime, I need little escapes more than ever. These are great:

• How did the classic story 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff elude me until now? A treat especially for book lovers, but not only for book lovers. The perfect read for a Shabbos afternoon.

• Next up, something light. Hoping to start Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper, which I picked up at a library book sale last month.

• This short sweet video of Winnie the Pooh by a very talented knitter will delight you.

• If you’ve been reading my newsletter for a while, you know I’m a fan of typewriter concerts. Check out this performance by a typist with an orchestra.

• Let this video tour of the new National Library of Israel in Jerusalem hold you over until you can get there in person. The best line, “I love books. I can smell it!”

For anyone looking for more dispatches from Israel, read Fern Musing, a newsletter with meaningful updates from Jerusalem. I also recommend this important piece about Book Publishing and Antisemitism by Kathleen Schmidt.

Want to Help a Girl Out?

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Drop me a line or leave a comment. Tell me what you’re reading, watching, making, and cooking these days. I’d love more happy distractions.

In the meantime, Gut Shabbos! Shabbat Shalom!

Love,

Merri