Author Archives: Myrtle2911

WIP Wednesday: Alexander and Jasper and Squares, Oh My!

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Time for my weekly progress report and link-up to the Yarn Along over at Small Things.

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The Hook

I’m still plugging away at my afghan. I am to 16 squares, however all but 5 still need their end bits taken care of. I am telling myself that, as soon as that blue bin is full, I will stop and take care of all those ends. I’m using a US-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook and “I Love This Yarn” (worsted) from Hobby Lobby in Dark Country Blue, Navy, Stonewash, Pale Denim, Iced Violet, Old Rose, and White. I plan on joining the squares with white, so all the squares end in a white row. I’m also trying not to repeat colors within each square. Other than that, I’m trying to be random. I realize that’s a bit of an oxymoron. I like to be spontaneous, but random doesn’t just happen.

The Book

Yup, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It is my very favorite children’s book. I first met Alexander while sitting “crisscross applesauce” on the floor in my kindergarten class, and have loved his story ever since. There is much comfort in knowing that you aren’t the only one who’s had a bad day. This copy is a gift for a little one, but I had to read it again myself before wrapping it up. Even at fortysomething, I still haven’t outgrown it.

I’m also still reading Divergent. I haven’t started on Bonhoeffer yet. I must get a move on, though. Our first book club meeting is on the 10th!

The Needles

I’m very nearly done with my bloom. I only have 3½ rows left plus the bind off row. That’s it in the bottom of the photo, blurred a little on purpose. I’m hoping to finish it tonight.

The Cat

Okay, he’s not really a WIP, but since he volunteered his tail for my photo, and was sitting in excellent light, I shall include a gratuitous photo of Jasper, my 14 year-old.

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~Janet

Sunday Sabbath: Compline

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“Compline is the final church service (or Office) of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours. The English word Compline (pronounced ‘comp-lin) is derived from the Latin word completorium meaning completion, since Compline completes the liturgy of the day.”

 ~The Compline Choir

One of my favorite “discoveries” in the past several years has been the Compline service at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. The service is entirely sung and chanted by an all-male choir. It’s truly beautiful. Listening to the live radio broadcast has become a weekly ritual for me, a nice bookend on my week. When I am able, I like to attend the service in person. It feels a bit like sneaking into a monastery and listening to the monks sing their bedtime prayers.

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, there are several options available:

  • First, if you live anywhere near Saint Mark’s, I encourage you to attend in person. The service is at 9:30 PM every Sunday night and is truly “come-as-you-are.” The parking lot is small, and the service is very well attended, so plan to come a little early. The service is only 30 minutes long and is often followed by an organ concert on the cathedral’s Flentrop pipe organ.
  • Secondly, you can listen to the live radio broadcast on Classical King FM, both on the radio or online.
  • Thirdly, if 9:30 PM (Pacific) is too late for you, or inconvenient due to time zone differences, The Compline Choir keeps an archive of recent services on their website.

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Have a blessed Sunday,

~Janet