Where is November going in such a hurry!

It's been quiet here on the blog...but with good reason. I managed to take a spill in the garden, fall across my birdbath, and break two ribs! All I was doing was hanging a pot on the fence, but the entire thing came away and backwards I went. It has been two weeks, but sewing has been sidelined. I have, however, been knitting up a storm (for me...it puts me to sleep, so an inch or two and I'm out) - and doing a lot of reading, which I love.

This pumpkin creation is the Ayatori shrug style jacket, which I first saw on Yoshimi's blog in September. Super cute and available as a free download on Ravelry! I've made good progress in the last couple weeks.

The pattern is very easy and changes just often enough not to be boring :-)

Nov 18

I just finished "Brazil" by John Updike. What an interesting love story, loosely based on the tale of Tristan and Isolde, somewhat reminiscent of The Gift of the Magi. It's mystical, haunting, and convincing. Enjoyed it so much. 

My other read last week was "Lusitania - An Epic Tragedy", by Diana Preston. Actually a re-read, but I always enjoy revisiting a good book. This one, the story of the sinking of the passenger steamer Lusitania in the early days of submarine warfare in WWI, is beautifully researched. Preston includes a captivating history of the development of both submarine boats and passenger ship service in the Atlantic, as well as the political-economic background leading to and during the early months of the war, in Europe and the United States. And the passengers, among them some well-known names, such as Alfred Vanderbilt, just come to life. Great book.

And I continue with "Victoria" by Lytton Strachey. Dictonary in hand. He wrote with an amazing and challenging vocabulary. And a good sense of humor.

I'm planning to re-read all my Graham Greene books next - feeling nostalgic as the holidays approach.

Bye for now, back soon with sewing! Coco