GOOD FOR HER AGE

or worn out old bag?
The thing about self-portraits is that one always ends up looking severe and slightly miserable. It's amusing to look back at my drawn and painted self-portraits,with their look of intense concentration. So serious. With photographs I suppose one feels self-conscious. Still,I could have smiled ! I look so much better when I smile. Less intimidating !!! [sorry,semi-private joke]
The thing I dislike the most about my image is all the moles,lumps and bumps that have appeared over the last fifteen years or so. The grey hair and aging face don't bother me. They are testament to my life. My struggles and the moments of pure joy I have experienced.
I feel that our society is moving in a dangerous direction when no one seems to find it strange,well,in my view,insane,that women will have hours of radical surgery in order to deny their age. I feel that it's more commendable to age with some grace. Having said that,I don't much care what most people think of me ! That makes it an easier choice to make. Of course,the fact that Allan,twnty-five years since we met,and me at least twice the size,still loves me and thinks me beautiful. I still love him,am ''in love'' with him and think he's rather sexy. Makes ploughing my own furrow a lot easier !
So,here I am. Forty-six today. Bloody hell !

I could do without the aching joints mind you. I haven't got much knitting done as the damp,cold weather has made my fingers swell and ache. My knee is still very problematic. I have to stop a couple of times on the very short walk to school to ease the pain. I'm seriously considering buying a stick. If you click on patterned canes you can see what I have in mind. If I'm going to plummet into decrepitude I may as well do it stylishly.

~

Not much by the way of knitting. The bracelet is finished. Have you all finished yours ? :0)

~

I have numerous gifts and trades to mention,that go back quite a way,but I shall just show you two things that arrived today. The first was posted in November. A gift from a complete stranger,so appreciated. Thank you Edith. Please leave a comment so that I can e-mail you.

This will spin into deliciously soft lace-weight yarn,to knit into a delicate lace scarf. Gorgeous.
My Better Pal timed her latest package perfectly. A lovely birthday surprise.

Incredibly soft and squishy sock yarn,that she wants to see knitted into Jaywalkers ! A fab shawl pin skewering some pretty roving,a knitting magnet and some biscuits,which have disappeared. Somewhere !
Thank you so much for such great birthday gifts. I did sign up for the Jaywalker knitalong,so maybe I do need to knit some !

~

Oliver's N.H.S. indoor use electric wheelchair arrived at school last thursday.He's very excited. On the road to autonomy.

The joy-stick will go on the tray,to his left. The engineer was fiddling about with it when I took this pic. A clear tray is being made. This solid one rather inhibits steering around obstacles. They can't be seen !
Now,where's the Hippo ?!!! I feel a telephone call coming on...