Pressure

Low pressure systems...you gotta love 'em.  Yes, we are heading into our regularly scheduled Wednesday Winter Weather Event.  This has become something of a pattern this season.  And it is one with which I am rapidly losing patience.  This one should only dump between one and three inches of nice new snow on what was an optimistically melting amount.  Then it will (hopefully) turn to rain and make itself go away.  It's not enough for a snow day.  But enough to make for a potentially challenging commute either coming or going to school.  

It is also enough to cause a decline in the moods of children who are entrusted to me for seven hours or so per day in order that I might prepare them for life on the outside.  Kids always react to weird weather.  Apparently, adults do as well.  The only person in the room who was in even a remotely good mood today was the kid who is usually grumpy as all get-out.  And I suspect that his chipper attitude was due to his overall contrary nature and desire to drive me utterly, stark-raving mad. 

 No.  I am not paranoid.  Why do you ask?

But even he couldn't keep it up.  He fell asleep in his last class from the sheer exhaustion of smiling while the barometric pressure dropped like my jawline did back when I turned 40.

It made me question just why I was rushing to the store after an extended day at the Learning Factory to replenish the snack cupboard.  The children made it very clear today that I am an ogre who does not deserve their kindness.  They shall ever spurn my attempts at making nice.  I suspect that they will bat the pretzels and cereal bars right out of my claw-like hands as I try to lure them into learning with these paltry bribes.  

Then I came to my senses and remembered that well-fed children are children less likely to let the air out of my tires.  And that the reason we are low on snacks is because I ate all the pretzels.  

Nice, new yarn is always just the thing when a girl needs a little pick-me-up before the big storm hits.  (Or even a little one that isn't going to really amount to much but still gives you an excuse to show off the yarn you spun over the weekend.)  I'm particularly taken with this skein:

It's the mossy yarn that makes me think of summers at the lake!  

Back in the dark days of December when I was saying the long good-bye to my sick kitty and desperate for something to brighten things up a bit, Cathy mentioned that she had this neat blend she'd be willing to share.  Timing is everything, wouldn't you say?  The universe does jump in and give you just what you need every now and again.  This lovely fiber arrived within days of our discussion and I was stunned by how well Finn and Shetland could work together!  I had hoped for a thicker yarn but overestimated the "post spinning poof factor" I would achieve.  It actually came out much finer than I'd planned.  But, I think it will make for a nice pair of hard-wearing socks, perfect for those days I need to go rescue the truck from a snowbank.  And while my feet are toasted by the wool, my eyes will see mossy rocks at the sunny lake.  This will make for a Sheep who is warm of both foot and heart!  Alllllll good!!!  Thanks for this one, Cathy!  It's special beyond words.

Think I can have those socks finished by tomorrow?  I may need them...

SA