Ready for winter

The more I verbalize my excitement for the cool and rainy days slowly replacing the heat and sun, the more I realize that I am not among friends. I cheerfully greet others under cloud cover, mentioning something about the lovely weather, and I'm met with non committal grunts. Grunts! It is beyond me! I understand that all people are different, and that each unique person comes with their own personal set of preferences. I think I know, anyway. But why don't more people enjoy this shift of season? Perhaps these folks have not considered the things they've been missing out on all summer long! Even the things reserved for the sunny weather are more enjoyable without the stifling heat! Bike rides and walks are much more pleasant when your eyeballs aren't sweating out of your face. Swimming and water skiing and fishing time can all be extended without the constant threat of over heating. There is nothing I can think of that isn't more enjoyable in 60 degree weather with a bit of a drizzle. In addition, there are a gazillion things I enjoy immensely that simply cannot be done during the summer.
1) Cuddling: I don't care how sweet you are on a fella - snuggling up in an apartment that is gasping for air at 10PM after a 95 degree day just doesn't work. Nope. Enter rain on the roof, or a snow quieted sunrise, and good luck letting go of each other! Get the blankies out and snugglesnugglesnuggle.
2)Wearing Wool: I knit all year round. Cotton and linen and hemp are all very nice - but wool is where it's at! What a joy to dawn a new fleece cap every day, or layer up and finish off with a nice heavy sweater of protein fiber. And to knit without sweating hands! Hooray!
3) Thawing: How can you enjoy warming the bones if they haven't a chance to chill themselves? A hot cup of soup from the crock pot, or a fresh cup of coffee just doesn't hit the spot on a hot day. The warmth of a friends house isn't as embracing as when you've just been granted shelter from the brisk outside air.
These are just a few things to help my fellow countryfolk remember what it is about cooler weather that makes us (at least me) happy. So bring on the rain! Bring on the snow! 10 below, I welcome you! I'll be the gal in the wool cap under the cozy blankets with my guy and a hot cup of coffee. sigh I can hardly wait...

Glass needles

Perhaps it's the hour (2:43 am) or maybe it's the story behind them, but I fricken LOVE my glass knitting needles. I wasn't sure for a while there. I'm 20 rows into the back of a tank I'm improvising (the front is finished), and all of a sudden it hit me! I love them! The way they click like pleasant sounding wind chimes, the way I can see my stitches through them, the way they seem to have become infused with my knitting style - I feel like I could set them down and they would carry on. Ok - so it is the hour. But these needles are pretty sweet.