This and that (including the oddness of the human mind)

[lady_schrapnell]

One minor example thereof on the way. It relates to both a book and reading in general, so it'll justify the non-readerly 'that' which may follow.

A couple of weeks ago I read a line in The Knitting Sutra (Susan Gordon Lydon) which really stayed with me. It's a book that I've been dipping into, but not one that's engaged me much, aside from this one thing. The author's friend was coming over to visit, and there was nowhere for her to sit because all the chairs were covered with knitting projects and stash and the like. That was stated at the beginning of the chapter and at the end she came back to it, writing that Lou might be her best friend, but knitting was part of who she was.

This was idly kicking around in the back of my head ever since reading it, and I changed it to suit my life and thought how well it worked in abstract form. So at the moment, knitting is a good friend and I'm willing to move a bit of stuff off chairs to give it space (it's giving a lot back), but reading is part of who I am. There probably isn't anyone else quite neurotic enough to worry about the amount of reading time/energy being - probably temporarily - given to other things in quite such a personalized way, but never mind.

So - decided to find the quote so I could idly toss it out in an entry, for whatever (doubtless also neurotic) reason, and somewhat to my shock, this is what it was really: 'That's why there's no place for Lou to sit down in my house. Lou may be my best friend, but knitting is my life.'

Which not only doesn't work well as an analogy for me, but really makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. And somehow my mind had by-passed that memory of what I'd actually read and changed it from slightly-squidgy to just right, without my being aware of any of it.

Now that's sorted out, and without any fear that I'll be thought guilty of making knitting, reading, or any thing - or any person - my life - I will now share that for the first time since I signed up in August, there are more people behind me (9241) in the Ravelry queue than in front of me (8276)! Even non-knitters should check out the video tour to marvel at the sheer awesomeness of it all. (I want a Ravelry for books too, though how that'd work is beyond me).

Main project on my needles at the moment is the Mrs Darcy cardigan. See, there is plenty of room in my virtual house for all my friends. And if the real-life ones have to get used to my pushing things off chairs so they can find a place to perch, it's just because my virtual house is roomier and tidier than the real one.

Comments

[emmaco.livejournal.com]

I have no intelligent comments to add to your thoughts - just wanted to say that's a cute cardigan!

[lady-schrapnell.livejournal.com]

It is, isn't it? C (not Charlie - younger daughter!) wants me to knit one for her too, after I've Learned a Lot More from making mistakes on the first one. But I forgot to give a link to the post without pattern but with pictures and a bit of PS dialogue. It's here (http://indieknits.wordpress.com/2007/03/26/here-she-is/). If I managed to do that tag with a fried brain...