Beauty

Well, here it is. September. And what a beautiful start to the month!

It's been a relatively quiet day. Mom had a JJill coupon, so we went out to the local stores and started out our day at Starbucks. Then we visited JJill and Ann Taylor Loft (my favorite). We were headed back home by 12:30, but stopped off at the local farm to get some vegetables. Some fresh tomatoes to go with the fresh mozzarella I bought yesterday. Some NJ peaches. Some grapes. Green beans for tomorrow's dinner. A small eggplant . . . though, it had been a long time since I ate eggplant, but, well, they were fresh and they were right there, so....

I was just putting the car into gear to leave the farmstand, when Mom pointed and said, "Wouldn't that be a good Eye Candy picture?" I immediately braked and said, "Thank you! I keep meaning to stop here, and I meant to get my camera out before we left." So, thanks to Mom, I have pictures to go with today's post.

It really has been a beautiful day. About 75 degrees (24 C), no humidity to speak of, blue skies with fluffy clouds. Absolutely gorgeous.

After we got home, we took Chappy out for a walk and then sat out on the deck in the backyard for a while. Not too long, though, since Mom's allergies are bothering her a lot because, well, it's September and that's what our allergies do. Mine would likely be as bad except I took some Singulair the other night. Much as I hate taking medicine, I want to stay one step ahead of my asthma, so . . . Anyway, we didn't stay outside for long, but Chappy didn't mind. His tail wagged just about constantly the entire time we were out there, so he was happy.

Oh, this was funny. While we were in JJill, Mom was in the dressing room, so I sat down in a handy chair and pulled out my sock knitting. One of the salespeople walked by and glanced down and said, "Oh, I can knit but I absolutely can't crochet, and you know, most people can do one or the other but not both." "Really?" I said, "Because I can do both, though I much prefer knitting." She then went on about how she used to make sweater pieces but absolutely couldn't sew them together, and so on. She was called away by a customer, and when she came back, she glanced at my knitting again and asked, "So, what are you crocheting?" Crocheting! Now, I entirely understand that the difference between knitting and crocheting is unclear to people who don't do either, but she just stood and told me about how she used to knit and she still didn't recognize that what I was doing was knitting? Um, it's easy. Two pointy sticks = Knitting. One hook = Crochet. Sheesh. But, well, she meant well, I suppose.

In knitting news, I did try another swatch for my Autumn Rose--everything exactly the same as on my first swatch except for shifting the rows for changing the colors for the pattern stitches--so that, instead of changing both background and foreground on the same rows, they'd be staggered one row each. The problem? Since I made such a tiny swatch (only one, bare pattern repeat, since I didn't want to waste yarn), it's almost impossible to tell whether it made any appreciable difference . . . or whether it's worth doing for the real sweater. I suppose I could always do the Photoshop-thing that Stacey did with hers....

Oh, and I'm finally sending my book manuscript out into the cold, cruel world again. I checked my records and the last time I sent it out into the world was 2003. Yes, four years ago. Poor thing. It probably doesn't think I have any faith in it any more, though that is not the case. I just hate to think of how many years ago I actually wrote it, and how many rejections I've gotten already--despite the fact that, when I reread it just a couple months ago, I still thought it was good which, of course, is the point. I mean, if I hadn't written it myself, I'd buy a copy of it in a minute (grin). Anyway, I picked two agents out of Writer's Market that sound like they'd be interested in it and will be printing out the submissions tomorrow  . . . just as soon as I change the toner cartridge in the printer. Can't strain their eyes, now, can I? That wouldn't be a good start at all.

I hope everyone else is having as nice a weekend!

Comments

[Kim]

Hey, I know that farm! We got some apples and pumpkins there last year and some plants and bags of potting mix this year. It was a gorgeous day and we just hung around at home and I did some yard work. Good luck with your manuscript!!

[Deborah]

Thanks for sharing these gorgeous pictures. Living in the city I miss being out and about in nature like this. That's one reason why I love visiting my family down south. Knitting? Crocheting? I get that all the time but really, admitting you use to knit and then not recognizing it? Sad. Wish you lots of luck with the manuscript. You know it's good to be persistent and one day it will payoff (keeping fingers crossed that it's sooner than later for ya).

[Julie]

Nice photos, I always do love the sunflowers! Best of luck with the manuscript.

[sprite]

Good luck with the manuscript. Know that we're rooting for you. (Maybe you can tell the agent that you already have a built-in, guaranteed audience?)

[jessie]

I'm behind on blog posts so I'm just jumping in. Congratulations on submitting your ms! I do write, and I have thought about a book, but it hasn't "come out" of me yet and I know it would be a struggle to get published. It's a cruel world out there!

What is your book about?

[Eva]

There's a very easy trick to keep the 2 straight: 2 sticks = kniTTing (2 TT's), 1 hook = crocheT (1 T) :) That's how I explain the difference :)

Good look with your book...

Cheers Eva

[Carol]

You know I'm wishing you good luck on the manuscript! Oh and uh, happy crocheting! ;)

[Amy]

Those are all eye candy pictures. I love September.

[knit chick]

Sounds like a relaxing day shopping with your mom and such great pictures. I know what you mean about people not knowing the difference between the crafts. One co-worker sewed up some xmas stockings for us last year and another kept referring to it as her "knitting" stockings.

Good luck with the manuscript!

[Sharon]

Oh you go girl! You get that book published. Inspire me to dust mine off and finish it. It would be so fabulous for you.

[Ina]

Great pix of the Garden State! Good luck with the bookbookbook.

[paula]

Gorgeous photos. Good luck with the manuscript. I can't imagine writing a book. I have enough trouble with articles for library journals!