Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore #AtoZChallenge

Blogging from A to Z Challenge
April 2017
This month I will be participating in the “Blogging from A-Z Challenge” 
What is it?

Blogging every day.  It starts on April First with a topic themed on something beginning with the letter A, then every day in April, (with the exception of Sundays)  another topic continuing through the alphabet ending with, of course the letter Z.
I really don’t have a theme.  Some will be fiction.   Mostly whatever strikes my fancy. 

Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore

Alice stood motionless at the now bare window.  Puzzled, she wondered why the curtains were not on the window.    That’s right, she remembered now.  It was spring cleaning time.  She always hand washed her kitchen curtains. They must be soaking in the tub, she thought.
She remembered how she had walked up and down aisles of bolts of cotton and linen, stopping now and then to pull one out.   She must have walked around the fabric store for thirty minutes.   She covered her mouth and giggled.
“No, Alice, it was more like 4 hours.”
David Sr. would always correct her whenever she would tell the story of the curtains.  

She knew exactly what she had been looking for, though.  Crisp white linen with bunches of cherries all over.
“I’ll take seven yards, please,” she told the lady behind the cutting table.
Hypnotized by the back and forth movement of the rusty blue bird feeder as it moved in time with the light breeze of new spring, she quietly watched, hoping for a glimpse of twittering red feathers hoping between the tree branches.  Her mouth curled into a weak smile as she recalled the rush of excitement she would feel whenever she was lucky enough to spot the cardinal among the brooding fingers of mossy green pine needles.
“Mom?  Mom.  Mom!”
Startled, Alice turned towards the voice which had broken her out of her reverie.
“Do you remember where I put the bird seed?”  she asked.
Sadly, David shook his head and gently put his arm around his mothers frail shoulders, leading her towards the door.
“Mom, come on now it’s time to go.”

An Introvert Who Maybe Secretly Wants to Be a Little Less So

What?  No, it can’t be.  It’s March already and no posts yet.  Oh my goodness!

I’ve been struggling with back, hip and knee issues.  I am angry about it too!  Okay, now that we are caught up :)

I just finished recording and uploading the sixth episode of my YouTube knitting podcast called Joey’s Scarf.

It has been an interesting experience, especially for an introvert like me.   First of all, it is strange and a bit uncomfortable to sit in front of a camera and talk.  Although, I suppose it’s like practicing a speech in front of a mirror,  trying to come across relaxed, natural and at ease. 

As I am editing the video, I notice every “uh”, hesitation, and misspoken word.   Not to mention, my wrinkles, saggy neck, and frizzy hair.  Yeah, it’s kind of hard to watch myself.  

Now, of course, with Smart TV’s people can watch these videos on their 42” screens.  Yikes! Now that is scary.  

In fact my son, sent me a text two nights ago with this photo

That’s him with his feet up watching me on his big screen TV.   I was surprised that he would want to watch.  After all it’s a knitting video.  But, actually I am secretly thrilled!  

No, I’m not an internet sensation.  And no, “Joey’s Scarf” has not gone viral.  I’m pretty sure I would not be able to handle something like that anyway.  You know it’s the introvert thing.  

But the group of viewers that have been watching have made my heart swell with the most kind, supportive, and encouraging comments.  

I have definitely stepped out of my comfort zone with this endeavor.  And that’s a good thing for me, the introvert who maybe secretly really wants to be a little less so. 

  

There’s Always The Weather To Talk About and My New YouTube Podcast

February 9th, 2017
Boy it’s miserable out this morning.  Here in Barnegat, NJ, we are having another Nor’Easter.  Right now at 8:13 a.m., the temperature is hovering at the freezing point. Noisy window rapping, icy rain pellets have begun to change over to big quiet snow flakes.  
From my chair by the fire place, I have a direct but partial view of what’s going on outside our front door.

Ross asked me, “So what’s on your agenda today?”
“You’re looking at it,” I said.












Yep, I’m pretty much ensconced in my chair for the duration.  While sipping on a never ending cup of herbal tea, knitting, blogging, watching YouTube videos and staring out the window are on my agenda today.



By the way, here in Barnegat, NJ, yesterday the temperatures were in the 60’s.  


For my knitting and crocheting friends, I have started a knitting podcast called Joey’s Scarf.  I would love for you to check it out.   I share what I’m currently working on, what I’ve made and show you any new and yummy items I’ve added to my stash.
Just as important to me, though, is the segment I have near the end of the podcast where I share memories of my Joe.  It’s interesting, you know, in the past few weeks I have been doing these podcasts,  I have found being able to talk about Joe out loud has fulfilled a need in me that I didn’t realize I was missing.  It has been so comforting.  I think I was beginning to feel that somehow Joe was getting further and further away from me.  Everyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one surely understands the feeling, right?