Plans

This morning I went out to run some errands and ended up at the grocery store.  Now I don't know about where you live, but the food store where we shop has trained their young employees to smile politely and then launch into the standard question game while bagging your groceries.
Here it comes.

Hello, how are you doing today?
Did you find everything you were looking for?
Would you like paper or plastic bags? (this one is so automatic, they don't even notice the pile of bags I've brought from home)

You can tell they are somewhat uncomfortable with this interrogation, and I don't mind all that much.  I feel kind of sorry for these kids,  coercing customers into small talk.  It feels weird.  What manager thought this was a good idea?  Anyway most of the time I chat back, but sometimes I just want to get my groceries and go.  Like today.  I'm trapped at the counter, the basket slowly emptying, lost in my own thoughts, mentally ticking things off my list, and then...

So what do you have planned for the rest of your day?

Ugh. I thought we were done.  In my head I'm saying...
Really?  Do you really want to know?  I doubt it. You're 18 and I'm 57.  Nothing I could possibly do today would be remotely interesting to you. (No kidding, I once had someone ask me what I had planned for the weekend.  On a Monday.  It literally stumped me for a second, as it was a week away and I had no clue).   Instead I usually murmur something about chores or going for a swim, walk, etc.
But I wonder what they would do if I answered their question honestly?
Maybe like this...

Well I need to hurry and get home because our new rider mower is being delivered.  The old mower finally broke and the grass has grown so high we loose sight of the little dog when he runs after the ball.  The yard is looking very furry indeed.  Maybe, instead of a new mower, we should get a horse like our neighbor.  It would be a good deal quieter than a mower and much more pleasant to look upon. Plus I could use their poop in my garden.  What do you think?  Hmmm.   But, as soon as I get home, I'm going to put all these groceries away.   Then whip up the sauce for the fish tacos we're having for dinner.  When that's done I'm going to make a fruit salad.
While all these delicious flavors are coming together in the fridge, I'm going to kick the dogs outside so I can pin baste a quilt on the floor in the living room.  Then next comes the quilt binding, cut and pressed just so.  I need to start quilting immediately, because it has to be completed for my niece's birthday party this weekend.  I know! Not much time left right?
Then I have to finish sorting through my books in the sewing room and tidy the shelves.  When that's done I might add a few rows to the blanket I started crocheting with Knit Picks organic cotton yarn.  The weight of it is lovely and I can't wait to use it this spring.
I'm also going to try and get a picture of a hummingbird that sits at the tip top of our tallest redwood tree and sings for a mate.....
What's that?
You just got called to another checkstand?
You're not going to help me out to my car?
But don't you want to hear about my plans for after dinner?
Smile politely.
Maybe next time then.

The Raid

Crochet swatch of a baby blanket found on Pinterest.  Maybe make a big one for me?

Orphan blocks found during the cleaning raid and turned into coasters. Knitted washcloth.

I like the way February is starting out.  Lots of little busy work and errands to run, but no pressure from the outside world.  Rain showers and sunshine mixed together, dogs snoozing on the couch, quiet afternoons spent playing with yarn and fabric.
I  devoted three whole days to cleaning my sewing room.  What a scene that was.  Rather like a police raid.  No warning, just rush in and take prisoners.  Every closet, box, bin, drawer and bag was dumped out, searched and sorted.  Spread across the floor, the mess threatened to burst out into the hallway, smothering anything in its path (remember that old movie called The Blob?  It just kind of rolled around and sucked up cars, people, movie theaters.  Like that).   My husband would come in every once in a while, look around at the chaos and walk out without saying a word.  Smart man.  I'm sure he was wondering about dinner, or the lack of it.
 I actually had to leave the room at one point because the fabric/yarn dust caused an allergic sneezing fit, complete with watery eyes.  There was talk of hazmat suits.  Whatever.  I sent three large bags to the Goodwill (should have been more), and painstakingly folded all my fabric and lovingly tucked it back into the drawers.  It was a joy to behold.   Really though, I give it about 4 months before it turns back into a dog's breakfast. 

Now I need a new book to read.  Any recommendations?  I want to keep track of everything I've read this year and so far in January there were five. Katherine, The Hands on Home, Big Magic, The Martian, and Gaia's Garden.  The last one sounds like it could be a romance or fantasy novel, but it's really about understanding Permaculture and how to incorporate it into your yard.  Cool stuff.  To be honest I didn't finish The Martian.  I ended up watching the movie (good!) so there was no motivation to keep reading.  Just as well. The book had several pages of technical scientific NASA speak, which I skipped over with regularity.  I hope some day I don't find myself in a dire situation, where everyone is about to perish, and I am kicking myself for not reading the paragraphs on how to properly release hydrazine over an iridium catalyst and turn it into N2 and H2.  Then burn it without blowing myself up. 
Oh well.  I can make a quilt.  Does that count?