Knitting

As some of you know, after a long gap, I started knitting again. Just scarves so far. They are easy, no counting rows. Over the past 1 1/2 years, I have knitted over 60; many were knit during my father-in-laws illness when my husband and I would have sit and wait for doctors and others. Simply knitting is a good way to pass the time especially when you are not at home.
Yesterday, I attended a knitters workshop . I could not believe how many people were there and how far they had travelled. Some had come from Washington, D. C and other parts of the eastern United States for the two days. This was an opportunity to attend workshops and buy wool and buy wool they did by the bagful. There was yarn of beautiful colours and textures. Joseph would have appreciated a coat made from these fibres.
In addition to yarn, there were tools- the instructor for my second workshop had bought a set of knitting needles: 10 for $300. I had trouble getting my mind around this. She is a professional knitter in addition to working for bus company dispatching the buses. As well as knitting for knitting designers and having her worked photographed for knitting books and magazines and for sale in specialty stores, she is a speed knitter. She placed second in the world in a recent contest in Minnesota.
After an afternoon with dedicated knitters, I decided that this is not my group. I love knitting but only as a diversion and break from other things that I am doing such as computing which captures my imagination and can keep me occupied much longer than I am willing to admit.
Going to take a break now and knit a few more rows on a scarf that I am knitting.

Giving

After reading books about the lives and ambitions of the Clintons, it was good to read Bill Clinton's book, Giving which focuses on his foundation which he started after leaving the White House and the work that many others at all walks of life are doing. He offers hope that we can all contribute to help make the lives of others better. We can give skills, money or time or combinations of these. It is good read about people who have wealth and do not just flaunt it and use their wealth to lead lives that do not help others despite the fact that the media glorifies them and gives them inappropriate amounts of attention.
I am not under the illusion that Bill Clinton has given all his money to charity and that he has not become wealthy with his speaking engagements and books but he does give some of his time to very worthy causes and helps to make the world a better place. If we could all spend some time doing things. The world would be a much better place.

May flowers

The old saying goes "April Showers bring May flowers", well I don't know where the April showers are but the May flowers are here. Violets are blooming in the garden already and lily of the valley which I have a love hate relationship with because it spreads every where is already poking up. Everything in the garden is well ahead of schedule. Usually, I am lucky if the garden is this far along in May on the long weekend.
My lilies which the squirrels enjoy are also making their presence known. Time for me to start working on my photography and posting some photos.
What a wonderful spring as long as you don't have allergies.

Schmaltz

A few days ago, I commented on a friend's blog that sometimes over 30 years after leaving home I still crave schmaltz. Apparently, I am not the only person who enjoys its flavour. An article in today's National Post has an article about Kosher chicken schmaltz. There are stores that sell schmaltz in a bottle and the article explains how to make chicken schmaltz. I must confess that the schmaltz that I crave would not fit in a kosher diet. Never found it in a bottle at the butcher's. The containers were round tubs much like margarine containers.
Jason Chow who wrote the article mentions that many Jewish stores sell the stuff and Toronto Kosher has as its name suggests, a rabbi-approved version. He incorporated schmaltz into his Matzo Brei, a Jewish frittata made of eggs, matzo and onions. With schmaltz it must be yummy.
Always interesting that what we crave is not part of a fat-free diet. How did we survive?

Goofing Off is good

"The internet is often seen as the nemesis of productivity in the workplace. Bloggers write myriad posts in the hope of someday signing a book deal. Proud parents e-mail pictures of babies outfitted as small animals. MySpace profiles are used to communicate to the world that a favourite book is Ulysses, despite having read only 40 pages seven years ago.
But a new study by a U.K. research group might help boost the Internet's image. It found that taking short breaks to surf the Internet at work might actually beneficial to an employee's productivity."
What a relief that these indulgences are actually positive. I don't have to be concerned about the time that I am spending writing these posts on my blog. Yup, I spent too much time reading the paper this morning and did not have time to post before work. I am now gearing up to get some serious work done before I face my students.
Oh, no just read further, apparently, I need to be careful- "It turns out a little surfing of the internet at work isn't such a bad thing. But some are questioning where to draw the line between a reasonable break and an unnecessary distraction." Guess it is time to get those letter to parents done and need to organize next week's concert.

Good News

In my never ending quest to find new publications in the GTA so that I can publicize the many groups that I am associated we and try to help I discovered a new publication "Good News Toronto". The Publisher, Eva Karpati decided that we read enough about the negative activities of some of the residents of the GTA but rarely about the positive accomplishments and contributions of others. She started Good News Toronto to give voice to those people and their groups that are helping make this a better city.

There are many people who quietly go about their lives making the lives of others better. Hopefully, their efforts will be recognized. Sometimes, people who contribute are very reticent about letting others know what they do.

If you are in the GTA, pick up Good News Toronto and if you know someone who should be recognized write or contact Eva at info@goodnewstoronto.ca and check the website www.goodnewstoronto.ca.

Spring

Spring is definitely here. I spent over two hours in the garden clearing the flower beds and planning what I would put in the few bar spots. Tomatoes are definitely are requirement. Last year was the first time that I was able to plant vegetables in nearly twenty years because we never had a sunny enough spot. After much agonizing over the decision, we had an overgrown cedar hedge removed and now I could plant tomatoes and roses- what a combination. Love fresh tomatoes from the garden. Might even try a heritage tomato this year. Need to get to the nursery and get those seeds planted indoors now and if I have extra plants, they can be given away.

I found a pansy blooming this afternoon and not an icicle pansy which I would have expected. Love these days when I can get out and just dig, prune, fertilize and plan the garden. Feels good to be moving out doors and love the results. The robins were happy digging for worms. Last Sunday, saw a hawk in a neighbours tree, hard to believe that we are almost in the centre of the city.

I also make cards with the photos of the garden. Too early to get the camera out but the daffodils look like they will be ready to reveal their blooms any time.

Amazing what has been hiding under the snow.