ILONA ANDREWS

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I am down today. I need to get off the computer and start cleaning the house, because it’s Friday, but I can’t seem to get going. My favorite tea didn’t work.

Gordon wants me to add more yarn to the Christmas list. I looked for some and in the great big sea of yarn, I didn’t find any. I don’t know what to ask for. I want something with pretty colors and for some reason all the yarns I kept finding were swamp green. Like you know when you open the yarn store website, click on a particular yarn type, and it gives you the sample image? All of mine were swamp green today. And not a pretty swamp green either.

It doesn’t help that it’s gloomy and rainy in Texas. World is damp and grey.

Meh. Today is not my day.

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  3. With you. Here’s to brighter day soon. On all fronts. And a riot of beautiful colors and lux texture ????✨

  5. I can totally relate! I’ve been procrastinating on the cleaning today. I’ve been writing (or is it venting?) to friends via newsy emails this morning! Hope that you find your mojo!

    • We have a house (in Sweden) originally for 2 families. Each level has a kitchen-with-storageroom, the upper kitchen is my workspace. The foto shows one corner of my storageroom: no dark colors to be found! I need to become 120… 😀 But I just cleaned the one downstairs today, to store everything the family is going to bring. No fun, but I really anticipate seeing my sons again, and both kept quarantaine for 2 weeks. So… In spite of unpleasant work there are colors ahead.

  7. Same. 2020 holidays don’t feel right and I’m not even much of a Christmas person ordinarily. About half my immediate family (the parts without kids who expect Santa) has postponed Christmas until later since we’re all feeling kind of crappy. Then work stress with year end has escalated to the point where I broke out in hives again and had to go to urgent care. The only things that makes me feel better seem to be baking for other people and walking the dogs. On the plus side, walking helps counteract some of the baking, cyberpunk 2077 arrived yesterday, and pat mcgrath is having a great sale on lipstick. I may have gotten carried away with the last one. I’m so done with this year.

    • My neighbor made a holiday decorated sign that says “survived 2020”. He was going to put it out this week, but his wife said “No way.” Not until New Year’s Day. Not tempting fate. Or 2020.” I’m thinking maybe New Years Day 2022. Just in case.

    • I love that vibrant cake style! my friends keep procreating so I’ve busy slowly knitting blankets, but I haven’t done those cakes yet. my stash is full to overflowing.

      that said, I decided to get myself a yarn miniskien advent calendar this year. that’s been fun!

    • the whole MCU details made me smile, was way overdue (the smile).
      Hmmm a lot of people feel not that fine too?
      Can‘t wait for next weekend, early ‘vacation’ time here for all who work at schools.

  10. I’m sorry to hear.

    A cheerful story: our rescue cat who learned how to bark from a poodle-terrier mix and learned how to putt from our more reasonable cats, loves being near the bathtub. Today, he slipped in before I got the door closed and started to purr. The purrs became louder and more triumphant when Others tried to enter and were unable. Cat gloating. It’s the little things.

    • OMG! Yes, cat gloating is a thing, and you made me laugh out loud, alone in the house with my cat — who prefers my husband — and his cockatoo listening and now wondering why I’m laughing instead of my usual silence as I stew, waiting for things that will happen next week to hurry up and get here!

    • ???? I love this tremendously. & wish you had caught each snippet on YouTube to watch obsessively in tricky times!

  11. If I could knit, I’d knit you a blanket to hide under. Some days you get to say ”no” to. Grab a favorite book and just exist.

  12. You should ask for a gift card from your favorite Indie-dyer! Then, you can pick out what you want later when the inspiration hits you.

  13. Up, up and at ’em. You’ll feel better once you are busy. Kick the GD computer as you pass by. This is just sharing because I’ve been telling myself this for forty minutes now. And my tea was about strong enough to eat the enamel on my teeth.Hope it works soon, I’ve got a pile of stuff to do. LOL.

  14. I bought some glorious pinkish.reddish, alpaca yarn five years ago just because it made me smile. I have yet to do anything with it

  15. I’m not a big knitter but i do a fair amount of crochet and i’ve been making chonky plushes for my nieces and watching Gilmore Girls. It helps

  17. Awe, Im sorry your mood is down today. I hope you find more yarn for the list that makes you happy.
    This week I found a new romance author I am really enjoying. Her name is DL White, and I am on the last book of her Potter Lake series. Its a cozy romance set, just sweet enough for the holidays. I know you like Beverly Jenkins and she reminds me of her a bit. So maybe that might help if you feel like taking a look. Also maybe a nap? Those help to reset me on gloomy days.
    I know you’re a gamer too, maybe Assassins Creed or Cyberpunk 2077 that came out this week. My 17 yr old had a Senior Skip day today and him and his friends are playing while talking to each other on face time. It sounds exciting.

    Good luck and feel better.

    • As quilters/fabric hoarders I buy a lot of fabric with no pattern. I am a batik girl so must of mine are bright and happy.

  20. Sorry you are down. A few weeks ago, I noticed the dust bunnies lurking in my house, so no pressure to clean. My go to, to feel like I clean like my Mom is Stiffer! I bought the heavy fluffy brand sheets. I whip through the house and see the amazing destruction of dust bunnies. I feel like I won the war and back to reading and games. #noguiltcleaning

  21. I feel your pain. Yesterday was very hard. Decided to wear a colorful sweater ( sort of muted salmon) and go outside for some fresh air.
    Take a dog for a short walk. Breathe some fresh air.
    Then you will be able to tackle the cleaning.

  23. Yarn.com? There’s lots of indie dyers out there also. Going down the Instagram rabbit hole if a good place to start.
    Trippinwithdixfiber
    Fearlessyarns
    And more!
    Cheer up! It’s a great say to buy yarn

  24. I hope you are doing better…here’s a little pic that I hope makes you smile. I love snowmen and they remind me of my Mom…take care.

  27. Just saw that it’s gloomy in Texas, so no walking the dog. But maybe you can play some music you like. While you clean. And light a nice fragrant candle.
    Found a caramel apple candle that is nice and not too sweet.By Harry slatkin.
    You are allowed to have a bad day.
    And I wish you could read your books, they really make me feel better.

  28. Since it’s Christmas, and thus time to splurge, how about Hedgehog Fibers? Yarn.com sells their stuff now, and I got a couple of really bright pretty colorways recently.

  29. Sent you tons of pink hugs, millions pretty red hearts, hot yellow suns , smelly violet flowers, and a lot of love with all the colors of the rainbow.

    • Mmmmm +1 Miss Babs. Lovely yarns and colors.

      You could always ask for a nice knitting accessory like Addi interchangeable needles. Or perhaps another craft? Gifts don’t count against the stash/craft storage quota, right? Right!

  31. May you find the right yarn and something to brighten this day as you so often brighten ours. I’m out of ideas after a long work week but sending virtual hugs your way.

  34. Would you like some good news? I have been fostering for the local animal shelter since early spring. Each kitten tore my heart apart once they left. I get the ones who are sick or tiny or so frightened they hide under everything. Then came a two month old, male, smoke point Siamese in a cast with a splinted broken leg too fragile for surgery. I named him Hiccup and hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. In less than 24 hours I fell in love, four legs or three. GOOD NEWS: His cast was removed on Tuesday and I welcomed him home again, but this time it is his forever home. I am his.

  35. Tell Gordon that if you pick it out, a gift just isn’t the same as if he picks it out. That ends the yarn dilemma.

    Gloomy days happen in December. So it’s Friday, but if the house doesn’t get cleaned on Friday, you can still do it on Saturday. As long as your kitchen is clean, you can still have meals, and if you must, you can change your sheets without washing them all today and putting them away. Most cleaning chores will wait for you to do them. They won’t do themselves. Trust me on that one.

    I’ve had a lot of gloomy days this year. I agree with the person who said to take a nap. You wake up and it’s a new day, even if it’s the same gloomy day outside.

    But keep in mind that we’re all entitled to an internally gloomy day now and then. You can’t be “up” and “cheerful” every day of your life or you would never enjoy the days when you are, because they’d be normal to you. Tomorrow will come, no matter how you feel today, and you’ll be yourself again in no time, as long as you don’t obsess about it. You are human, and you should revel in the fact that as a human, you have the same emotions as all the rest of us, and gloom is just an emotion none of us want, but we all have now and then.

    I adore that picture of the little girl with the huge lion.

  37. Sorry if I have missed earlier discussions on this, but there are some advent calendar style yarn options, maybe too late for this year, but they look like fun. Yarn Advent from DayDream Dyeworks is one, on Etsy

  42. On the same “meh” page, gonna bust open my colouring books and bring some rainbows into my life this evening.

  43. Yeah here in South Dakota it’s also grey and gloomy. Teleworking is great but some days it’s hard to motivate and be productive. Nothing I want to read, movies to watch. Too cold to go out and enjoy the weather. Ugh. I could always clean…..sigh. oh maybe a corned beef sammich and cup of tomato bisque from my favorite cafe for lunch would help!!!

  46. Also I think I’d rather watch rain fall than deal with the last cat I had at my house call (I’m a house call vet). It wanted to remove my fingers from my hands. When I wouldn’t let him do that, he pooped, peed, and let loose his anal glands on me ????‍♂️????

  47. I was down so I made Christmas cookies.Maybe that would help? Snow clouds here in Wisconsin. Or visit a library in a mask and social distanced?

  48. If u cannot shake the mood….make it your own. Put on some music, even if it is slow and calming, dance with hubby, or snuggle down with a blanket for a nap. Some days you just need to go with the flow, be a bit more low key or just be a couch slug. Tomorrow will bring another chance for sunny skies, non swampy yarn, and cleaning.

  49. Virtual hug, take a day for you. I call it my day off from life. I refuse to participate and be productive when I feel emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted.

    Eat bad food, watch something that makes you happy. Let yourself just be for a day. That usually works for me. Do things that bring you comfort. For me it’s usually one of your books ????.

  50. Have you tried Juliespins on Etsy? She is the only Dyer I buy from. Mostly I just use my own handspun since I’m a fiber Dyer but sometimes you want someone else’s work. If you ever want handspun hit me up. I’m drowning in it and would be happy to send you some.

  51. Yarn options for you; Fiber Optic Yarn – gradient color changing, Miss Bab’s yarn, and Muststashshop.com – self stripping colorful yarn located in Texas. There are others. Lots of pretty colors.

  52. Flowers. You need some flowers. Daisies are my favorite. They alway’s cheer me up on those gloomy days. It won’t let me paste some here.
    Then, tackle 1 thing on your list. The rest will always be there to tackle another time

  53. May I suggest getting on tiktok or etsy and ordering a yarn from a small business? I see a lot of beautiful custom dyes on there and you could probably even pick your own colors with some people. Also for some reason having troubles on my phone editing this comment.

  54. First, breathe. Second, go outside and do some more of that breathing thing. Not all days get 5 stars. To hell with housework. I don’t knit but a passionate knitter friend swears by The Woolly Thistle. I like just looking at all the colors and textures, dreaming of being capable of more than crooked hot pads!

  55. This made me smile today…my parents just got a new puppy, a German Wirehaired Pointer who is the great great great granddaughter of the dog I grew up with. She is a total cuddlebug, but is growing super fast, so my mom made Cami (the puppy) stay off my mom’s lap while she was working on her computer. Cami dragged the cat tunnel over and curled up on her own “pawfice”. The image might be too small for you to see, but if you can, I hope it makes you smile too.

  56. This is one of those days where the blanket over the head comes in handy.

    When I thought of that, it brought me back to Sweep of the Blade where Arland’s uncle put a blanket over Arland’s head because Arland was saying how busy he was when he was younger and didn’t have time for other things. This was in the conversation with Maude about the groom’s flying habit. 😀

    When I get that way, I pick at stuff. Example: if I vacuum, I just do one area and leave the rest alone. I walk away and later do another area. Before I know it all the vacuuming is done.

  57. You make many of my days so much better because of your exceptional work here is some advice. Fuck cleaning the house. Do something super nice for Gordon he doesn’t expect. When I am down, making someone I love happy brings me out of it. You got this.

  60. Is swamp green ever pretty?
    I work with seniors, and they’ve been hard hit with loneliness having to quarantine by themselves. I make activity kits to mail out to them, and one page is always dedicated to humor. So I’ve looked up “list of best 2020/Covid-related jokes” and it’s had me in stitches. They’ve loved the kits.

    Have you seen new Match.com commercial of Satan meeting his new match? It’s the best ad of the year, hands down. (Also love the reference to Darkness from Tom Cruise’s Legend Movie)

  61. That was my day yesterday. I started out with a good attitude and the world went “Nope, can’t have that” and proceeded in destroying my day.

    The topper to yesterday was my chihuahua ralf (and he’s a texas chihuaha – 16 lbs and thinks he’s a gazelle, not one of the scared of his own shadow ones- we got him from a rescue when we lived there) decided to take an unauthorized walkabout in the neighborhood.

    So I started my scream and walk search for him. We found him down the street and around he corner. I get out of the car to and as I’m standing there calling him down from a neighbor’s lawn (big lawn) he comes barreling down. I realize (as it’s too late) the drainage ditch he’s headed towards has water in it. Not deep, maybe an inch and a half, but enough when my dog, who suddenly thought he is a sleek, athletic greyhound leaped he landed oh so gracefully with a splash.

    Then he promptly ran over to me and stood up hugging my knee, giving me that, “Mom, did you see that? Wasn’t that cool? Don’t you love me best?” look. At that moment I loved the cranky, bossy, hot mess yorkie best, truth be told. And as he jumped down I see my leg from the knee down is now covered in mud.

    Then there was the wrangling of him into the car. Next came wrangling him out of the car which he did NOT want to leave. Hop to the front seat, back to the back, into the front, etc… He really enjoyed that game.

    Then the finale and my personal favorite (NOT), the bath on the front steps before we could enter the house. It’s Florida and normally it’s warm, but we’ve been having a cold snap and so the water from the hose was cold, and neither he or I enjoyed it too much.

    Hopefully, my tales to yesterday’s whoa, may have cheered you a little. Some days are just “Meh” and somedays you have to hose down the dog. Yesterday, I hosed down the dog, today I’m hoping for “Meh.”

    Have a good day and wonderful weekend. And thank you for all you give us, you are appreciated and loved by more than you know.

  64. One thing that puts a smile on my face is the ADVENTure Gnome by Imagine Landscapes. She is sending out daily updates on either the mystery gnome pattern or additions to a cute gnome story or even recipes. It is cute, fun and lighthearted. Bonus, the gnome officially uses 4 mini skeins (20 gms) of fingering weight, but I bet you could use any weight yarn or scraps you have left over from previous patterns. I am sure it won’t use all that yarn, you will have left overs. You could easily catch up on the knitting, there have been only 6 clues so far and most of them have taken an hour or less to complete. I’m two clues behind and know that I can easily catch up. Plus, I’m completely charmed by the bits I’ve finished.

  66. {{{Hugs }}} Living in the Seattle area, I know how those wet, rainy days can drag you down. Hence, a Starbucks store every 6 feet!
    Sounds like a good day for a little self-care and maybe some Christmas baking 🙂

  67. When I’m down I grab my favorite author 🙂 and read. Y’all have helped me combat the blues for years. Maybe start a fire for the dreary day, turn on the Christmas lights and eat some comfort food or drink some hot chocolate. Thinking of you 🙂

    • That is what I’m doing today! 2nd Kate book for who knows how many times. A different world can help 🙂

  68. I thought I’d share some yarn that I have that makes me happy to look at. Seriously, the jewel toned one sits on my bookshelf because my crochet skills are sub-par and I think it’s too pretty to mess up (and I like looking at the colors). I like variegated colors.

    The jewel one is merino from Malabrio (I don’t know what the color is called, but if you really wanted to know, I could try to ask the boutique where I bought it if they’d know).

    The other is cheaper. It’s a sparkly purplish/pinkish cotton blend from Lion that’s part of the Shawl In A Cake line and the color is Lotus Blossom.

    May the rest of your day be full of sparkly rainbows ???????? ✨ and no more swamp green! It’s gloomy here too, so I turned on my Christmas tree ????.

    By the way, if today isn’t your day and you don’t want to clean, don’t feel guilty about taking the day off. I vote that if your kitchen is clean and you have at least some kind of clean clothes to wear, then you’re good! ????

    • Hmmm… I know I attached it. I’ll try again.

      Oh, it was too big. Let me try to crop it to reduce the size. (I had to cut out the tree in the background. I tried to make it a cheerful picture, sorry.)

  70. I hear you. Central Texas can be lovely in the winter, but today it reminds me of southern Kentucky: everything is gray or beige or greige. Good day for hot tea and vegetating.

    Yarn: have you checked Etsy, looking for small craftspeople? There are ladies here in our town who spin and dye their own lovely yarns.

  73. Thank you for all the amazing things you give us! I love all your books and enjoy every series!
    I have been having some “Meh” days. I work overseas and traveling home for the holidays is not going to happen.
    To cheer myself up I had a cookie baking marathon last weekend. I started my KD reread and listened to book 1 while baking 8 batches of cookies over 2 days. ???? These peanut butter magic middles always get compliments.

    I hope you find something better than swamp ????.

  75. Poor thing. Time to watch some Asian soaps.

    My mom has been using the yarn with loops and you stitch the loops together with your fingers. It’s easier on her arthritis for some reason.

  77. Boy do I know the feeling. You are starving and there is nothing you want even though the frig is full. Sometimes I think a month of isolation would really help but I still would have to come back and that would ruin the month off. At least you would have had a month of peace. I hope the swamp green disappears and what you want appears.

  78. Here are some of my favorite dyers, in case they cheer you up and help you add to your list. 🙂

    Ones I’ve purchased from:
    Goosey Fibers: http://www.gooseyfibers.com I’ve knit a bunch with her goosey sock and it’s great!
    I just found this dyer: https://www.meadowyarn.co.uk/ She has super interesting and unique color combos.
    Neighborhood Fiber Co: https://neighborhoodfiberco.com/ I made a sweater in her studio DK and it’s perfect – I’m never too hot or too cold in it. Also, she is a champ in the anti-racism fight.
    JunkYarn – https://junkyarn.myshopify.com/collections/yarn Kemper dyes super fun bright colors

    Ones I stalk on Instagram and are on my “to buy” list:
    The Blue Brick: https://shop.thebluebrick.ca/pages/shopping-guides Really gorgeous ombre yarns (and pottery!)
    If you’re looking for some more wild colors, I like these: https://linkin.bio/oldrustedchair (Plus she volunteers as an escort at Planned Parenthood, which I love!)
    Tanis Fiber Arts: https://www.tanisfiberarts.com/ Gorgeous colors. Also a yarn puzzle!
    And, finally, if you’re more into pastels, definitely check out La Bien Aimee: https://www.labienaimee.com/

  79. I know what you mean, I’m feeling blah too. The yarn shop near our house didn’t survive COVID and is due to close next Saturday 🙁
    On a positive note, I did find this UK company that make hilarious ceramics based on a riff of the blue Willow pattern except with monsters and robots https://calamityware.com/

  85. Here in NY we get a lot of gloomy and rainy days. I try to hold onto an experience I had while flying out of Milwaukee in 2010. I had been there for a 2 week training and it was another rainy grey day and I got on the plane with a group of middle school kids who were going on a field trip. It was early in the morning and they were loud and noisy and I was miserable. The plane took off and once we got up above the clouds the sun was there in all of its radiance and I was just staring out the window with my mouth hanging open and I could feel my spirits lift. The kids were so excited and that made it an even better experience watching and hearing their reactions. So I always try to try remember the sun is up there even if I am not seeing it. I am wishing for you a magical moment like that to lift your spirits today. ❤

  86. I live in Hawai’i. It’s a spectacularly beautiful day, which makes my desire to hide in bed feel doubly bad. My town is very, very small. I’m trying to shop locally for our economy but there is nothing to buy my kids, literally. How much coffee and macnuts can one family need? So, like you, I’m on line. I feel like I’m swimming around in a sea of jellyfish that are all yelling at me. Buy me! Buy me! But you can’t touch me, or smell me, or really tell what color I am. So maybe I just bought my teenager a sand colored hoodie… or it might be baby s*%t green. Won’t know until it gets here… probably after Christmas.

  89. Ha ha ha, thank you for the post, Ilona Andrews. I woke up this am in a mean, vindictive, b -word mood.

    Then on our am walk, Titan and I flushed a genuine red fox in woods. Not the fox coyote hybrid that has been eyeing my chickens. I Unclipped his lead and let the knucklehead lunatic pup go. The cat and I enjoyed rising sun/ sunshine while we listened to nature awakening. Eventually Titan came back to check on us all wet, muddy and totally thrilled.

    I don’t know why but sitting in the middle of the back pasture waiting on the knucklehead lunatic pup, with a purring cat snuggled next to me, to return helped resolve my foul mood today.

    I hope you are successful in banishing your blahs. On positive note could have been sleet, ice and polar vortex instead of dreary gray dismal rain this am. That what I am going to tell myself when gets here in 2 or 3 days. ????

  90. My favorite yarn is by an independent dyer names Brooke. Her company is Sincere Sheep. She uses natural dyes and locally sourced material. I highly recommend!

    Also, it’s okay to feel down.

  91. Sure it’s your day! You have us to complain to, and we don’t mind a bit. Sometimes misery truly needs company, which is why we’re here!

  92. Blue Brick Crafts in Canada. Their Facebook feed is filled with yarn and ceramics and pretty puppy dogs. And when they make yarn you like, you can order it. They have knitting kits, too. It makes me smile to see them on my feed. Hope tomorrow is better!

  93. This yarn is glorious. Soooo soft, and easy to work with. It’s expensive, but to me anyway, well worth it.

    Juniper Moon Farm Cumulus Dappled

    Fiber Content: 94% Israeli Mako Cotton/6% Nylon
    Weight: Worsted
    Gauge: 4-5 sts = 1″ on US 7-9; 2.75-3.5 sc = 1″ with 7-I hook
    Weight/Yardage: 100g/251yds
    Care: Hand Wash, Dry Flat
    Country Of Origin: Italy

  94. Maybe you should just sit back a read a good book. I can recommend books from an awesome husband/wife team of authors who have given me literally hundreds of hours of pleasure as I read and re-read their books, and then buy them as audiobooks and listen to them while driving or working in my wood shop.

  95. It’s gray and cold in Wisconsin too! I got up this morning thinking that if I did a search for paint colors, somebody would have named one “December gray.” Or a whole color palette named “ December Grays.” I could go on . . .

  98. That is what I’m doing today! 2nd Kate book for who knows how many times. A different world can help 🙂

  99. These types of days are always a challenge. Feelings are impermanent so hang in there until something moves. Sending a virtual hug. ????

  100. Chores suck especially when you’re feeling down. One suggestion for tackling a to do list that you’re resistant to start is to do things in 15 minute chunks. Set a timer for 15 minutes & do one thing on the list. When the timer goes off switch to something else for 15 minutes. Do that twice more (for a total of 1 hour) & then take a 15 minute break. Rinse & repeat. You may find it hard to do if you’re a completist, but tackling things 15 minutes at a time make them seem less overwhelming. Many thanks to you & Gordon for all your wonderful books, they bring joy to so many of us and that’s an amazing gift. 🙂

  101. I hope things get better. I live near Pittsburgh so gray days are familiar. But today and yesterday were both sunny and for that I am going to share some gratitude.

    I have zero knowledge about yarns or fabric or anything textile related. I am better with hammers and blow torches and saws and things.

    I have also been completely addicted to watching this video. It makes me laugh so I thought I would share! Maybe it will bring a sardonic smile to you as well. It sums up my feelings pretty well. She’s an amazing singer too.

    https://youtu.be/z9xwXJvXBIw

  102. I’d try and think of things that might cheer you up but, personally, I like to wallow once in a while. So far be it for me …

  103. Miss Babs has a color called Tea Cups that is a lovely hot pink if you wanted to make something just for you (going out on a limb that this shade would not be Gordon’s cup of tea). If you wanted a colorway suitable for making His & Hers objects such as hats (i.e., same yarn, perhaps different patterns) then Coffee Break might suit you better.

  105. If you’re in the mood for an outstandingly funny read that makes depression, anxiety, mental health & chronic illness relatable, then you might enjoy Jenny Lawson’s Furiously Happy (or Let’s Pretend This Never Happened). One of the few times where you should absolutely judge the book by its cover.

    Jenny also writes an amazing blog called the Bloggess.

    I hope your day gets better. ????

  106. Sorry you’re down. Peppermint tea has always helped when I’ve needed a little pick-me-up. Harney’s has a very nice one. BTW thanks for writing about their Chocolate one. I never would have tried that in a million years – it didn’t seem appealing to me. But I actually like it a lot now, and it’s fixed in the morning rotation.

  107. All I can do is send virtual hugs. All I can say is to ask you to be kind to yourself. No yarn, funny stories or tea, just emotional support and whatever universe positivity I can send. May tomorrow be a better day.

  111. Might I ask where you shop for yarn? I’ve just bought a weaving loom and am looking for a good supplier.

    • Sorry, Judy I meant to post a reply here but it landed a little farther down (3 comments down). They have great yarns for weaving as well as knit , crochet, and macramé. They also take PayPal, btw. Good luck!

  112. I live for travel and educational tours are my favorite. I just booked Egypt (a life-long dream) for Sep 2022.

    Totally amazed how my spirits lifted! One: didn’t realize how down I was. Two: I now have something to anticipate with joy.

    Besides the vaccine ????

  113. Down days/whiner days seem to be coming more often for me. I live alone and decorated for Christmas but didn’t put up the tree. My little internal whiner voice is saying what’s the point? Not like anyone can come over. Sucks. But I will think positive thoughts, for you and for me ????

  114. I had that day yesterday, even though it was sunny and warm, so I can commiserate! Sit and watch a favorite episode of something or read is my go to on days like that. Something fun (not cleaning house! LOL).

  115. I’ve bought all of my yarn for the last 3 years from Yarn-paradise (ICE Yarns) {{{Not Paradise yarns}}} and I ‘m talking about enough yarn to make a couple of dozen sweaters, of which I’ve made up all but about 4 or 5 bags. You’re buying it at real wholesale, even with the shipping from Turkey. And you get it in 3 to 5 days.
    The importers here take the labels off and put their own on with the identical info, and BAM! up goes the price. I’ve bought and compared like balls of yarn with different labels for years, so this is a well researched opinion. The only thing to watch is that most colors are much more saturated in the pictures unless you look at the one with a single thread over the knitting needle showing the size. They have a store on eBay for those who don’t want to deal direct. Their search engine is the best I’ve seen (especially including Amazon and eBay, and you can look up yarns by fiber (silk, alpaca, etc.) or by weight. I never could have afforded to get so much yarn if I hadn’t gotten it there. Any pattern you have will tell you how many balls you need or how much yardage so it’s easy to calculate by yarn weight and yardage to know how much yarn you will need for any project.
    Hope you find something yummy.

  117. When the usual pick me ups don’t work like chocolate. Pop some popcorn. you don’t have to actually eat it, but you could, but the smell is what you need. I find it works when chocolate doesn’t.

  119. My mom also likes to knit, so my sister got her for Christmas this book.

    Outlander Knitting: The Official Book of 20 Knits Inspired by the Hit Series

  121. Sorry you are down. I hope you find something to cheer you up soon. I really want to email you myself but I don’t want to abuse your form. Take care.

  122. I love window-shopping hand-spun/hand-painted yarn on Etsy. PancakeAndLulu is my favorite shop to browse; I especially love the fat, fluffy yarns, they remind me of cotton candy and I want to eat them.

    And now for a question on a completely unrelated and selfish topic: have you guys ever addressed what happened with Lorelei after Hugh’s dinner from hell? Will she ever make another appearance in future KD world books, or is she sitting in a basement somewhere dying from shame?

  123. After the hectic days of pre-release, comes the downward slump (even if accompanied by relief). A walk in the cold rain? A pot of chili? Maybe just a nap. Cleaning will always be there! Hugs!

  125. Remember Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians? They have a song called Circle that always plays in my head on days like today. Sometimes you just have to embrace the wallow before you can find some sunshine. Also, its grody gloom here on the Texas Coast, too. The kind of gloom a 100 candles can’t brighten.

    Everything is temporary anyway
    When the streets are wet
    The colors slip into the sky
    But I don’t know why
    That means you and I are
    That means you and I
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_GkjymuQ9U&list=RD7ggtSd75poI&index=15

  126. Is there such a thing as a pretty swamp green? “Pretty” & “swamp green” sound mutually exclusive. Just sayin’

  127. At WEBS Yarn Store….GORGEOUS. I walked in there a few years ago and bruised my chin on the floor. Hehehe….Someday try to come to Western Massachusetts and check out there ‘store’.

  128. Do you have one of those sunlight lamps? That’s the kind of mood some of the people around here benefit from Fake Sun to improve the day. (We live in the greater Seattle area, so Lack of Sun Makes Me Sad is a problem).

  130. It is cold and snowy and meh! here today too. I should be cleaning or sending out more resumes…haven’t made it off the couch yet!

    Have you ever looked at the Malabrigo yarns? Love love love the colors, and not a swap green amongst them! They even have silk blends, which are a true joy to work with, imo. I just got some new fiber to spin with, raime and linen and 3 different varieties of wool to try to blend for the perfect fisherman’s sweater weight. The raime is so soft you’d never guess it came from a weed! (Nettles, who knew?)

    Hang in there, my rx is puppy snuggles, more tea, and no housework for a day. And maybe some Malabrigo for some instant sun.

    Love from Colorado!

  132. How can anyone appreciate the up days without some down days?

    Unless you can’t- go to a yarn shop. Nothing beats in person shopping. If not for yarn – something else you like.

    Take a walk – at least it isn’t snowing or freezing rain. Walks help keep what little sanity I have. If there is a public park nearby getting out helps me.

  133. Winter is coming here in Mn. I dread it big time. Movement correlates with a giant slug. Just need a shell to hibernate in. I feel your blahs.

  134. Maybe its a thing today but I was down this morning too. I tried calling a few friends thinking a chat would help but no one answered. Finally put on an audiobook and did some sewing and eventually cleaned my bathrooms. Sometimes if you can just get one thing going, it gets better. I hope you ended up with a reasonably good day. Thank you for all your wonderful stories!!

  136. Ooh me too!! I went to Whole Foods and got some gerolsteiner water. Not a fan of sparkling so i wait out the bubbles. there’s a mood enhancer in the “other ingredients” it helps!!

  137. Not to advertise, but have you looked at a company called “Darn Good Yarn”? You might find something unique there.

    Also, I am not an Instagram person. I would never have complained about not seeing the “cute boys”. Can’t miss what you don’t know. However, those boys are very cute and I LOVE the illustration of Bernard. ???????? Thank you for sharing. I might need to up my Instagram presence. ???? and hang in there! Everyone has tough days. I find it is best to feel it and own it. Sadness has its own healing properties. ????????????

  139. Try Michaels, Caron Latte Cakes, Lovely Layers. One skein makes a perfect shawl or scarf or muffler and it’s sooooo soft and gorgeous colors. I have spent this quarantined year making scarfs, shawls and mufflers for everyone I know and everyone in the church using this yarn (20 and counting). It’s really awesome! And you can order it online. Good Luck, cheer up and don’t worry about the house. It’ll just get dirty again after you clean it 🙂 MERRY CHRISTMAS and soon to be a different NEW YEAR!

  140. I just wanted to take a moment to hopefully brighten your down day but also thank you for your amazing books.

    I am an essential worker who provides inpatient physical therapy to patients who are the hospital. With the outbreak of covid 19, it has really changed how therapy is provided to patients. Here in Michigan, our state had a large scale closure both in the spring and now late fall to prevent the spread of covid. There wasn’t much else to to except read, which I took full advantage of in March. My little local library launched a new app and I was having a hard time finding a book/series that was available. That is when I stumbled upon your Innkeeper Series. Your writing is a genre that I do not usually read but, man, I love that series! Which now has turned into my loving of the Kate Daniels World, The Edge, and Hidden Legacy series. I just want to thank you for your excellent works and for giving me some humor to forget about some of the horrors I have seen during this trying/difficult times. I know if we all do our part, we can make kick this virus!!

    Again, thank you for giving me some reprieve and I am looking forward for the release of Blood Heir in January.

  146. I don’t know if this helps, but I have been wanting to write to you for a while now about the fun and joy your stories brought to me and my wife. As her health and eyesight declined I read to her. I am a SF guy and she liked romance and the like. Your stories were a happy medium for us along with Molly Harper’s.

    I will never forget your kindness in sending an advance copy of Iron and Magic to me to read to her in the hospital.

    My Jenny passed a year ago in November. Rereading your books brings me happy memories.

    When things get you down, never forget how much joy you bring to your readers.

  147. Sorry to hear this. I’m familiar with days like that. Maybe instead of tea, you should drink wine. Good luck for a better day tomorrow.

  148. I hope your next days get better! I’m in the Midwest and everything is grey, wet, and cold right now…doesn’t bring anyone joy!

  153. Come to Florida, it was nice, no rain and breezy in the city of clermont in lake county! Seriously though, Sorry to hear your down! Have you tried a hot chocolate bomb? The Disney laid off cast members near me make them….so yummy

  154. I’m so with you on this day. No matter how much I wanted to get done, it just wasn’t happening. Like that song in “Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer “—There’s always tomorrow .????

  155. Ok let’s see…
    Your website is really pretty. I went to your books section and oggled Rogan and Nevada’s picture for the umpteenth time just now.

    Your books are really good. I can’t speak for the rest of the BDH, but re-reading a series is not normally my thing unless I really love a series. I have re-read your books many, many times.

    Your kids seem like well-rounded well-adjusted individuals, from what we’ve seen and heard of them here on the blog. I especially like the way you handled their sex-ed and I will be buying an educational book to leave around the house as soon as my eldest hits around 11.

    Hope this little list of general observations helps and that you’re feeling better, I think you’re awesome and sending you lots of hugs ????

  156. There is no shame in deciding nope, and going back to bed. Curling up and reading or snuggling. Housework and everything else can wait. Bonus points if you can have food delivered.. Some days one does not have to adult. Just be. Squishy hugs from Australia.
    I did this yesterday.. Today am rocking along with the local radio station playing everything from the 50s to the 2000s and building a Christmas tree. Some days it pays to be kind to ourselves and take a break.

  157. I’m scrambling to knit Christmas gifts for everybody and it’s making me miserable because everybody always wants black, navy, and grey, so I bought fire engine red worsted yarn (nothing fancy—close out Cloudborn highland worsted from Webs) and cast on a big ribbed scarf like the one in the K-drama, Guardian. It’s so bright it’s hard to photograph and it’s drastically improved my mood. ????

    Hue Loco and Onyx Fiber Arts are a couple of my recent favorite indie dyers. Hue Loco has a line based on breeds of chickens, which I find oddly charming.

  160. Maybe you could look at some storage porn? The Container Store or IKEA – or just Pinterest “storage ideas”. There is something so soothing about all that organization.

  161. Check your email… I “think” you will be getting something pretty funny from a friend… dental climaxing comes to mind!????????????

  163. A virtual hug to you. Maybe it’s the fact that we are approaching the shortest day of the year. I know that this early darkness is making me feel sluggish. Down with Daylight savings! Once I hit my 40s, my body started rejecting this whole dark by 4:30 pm nonsense. Add to that working from home and sitting at a desk all day…

    To address it, I started doing the 11 minute morning yoga routine that comes free with Amazon Prime to wake my body and mind up. From one Capricorn to another, try to find some kind quick exercise to do in the AM. Also, a sunlamp or sunlight bulbs for lamps might help. And make sure to listen to music or watch something that makes you laugh everyday.

    Any old way, wishing you a healthy, happy holiday season.

  165. I had that feeling all Spring. It was really suffocating. Usually Spring is when I feel rejuvenated, alive and just full of energy. This year all that happened in September – October. Whole family is in shock and do not know how to react. I should been starting to appear like a bear -> ready for hibernation. Instead I became ADHD, wanting to do everything, like waking from a 30 year sleep.
    My point is – sometimes we just need the bleeh days. And I agree, for many of us the sun missing has a lot to do with feeling like that.
    On that note: the daylight here in Southern Finland is now from 9 am to 3.30 pm. Yep. Darkness. Gosh I do not understand how they survive in Utsjoki where the polar night lasts months. *shivering* I feel cold and desolate just thinking about that. But Northern Lights – those I will go see someday. After Covid-19..

  167. You should have just finished off your Prednisone taper within the past week. I have RA and I know how the demon steroid works. You’ll feel sad and down for about a week or two.

  168. Sending you warm thoughts and wishes. I found a sparkly ornament today that made me smile. I hope you find your sparkle.

  169. Sorry to hear your favorite tea didn’t work, that’s my go to as well 🙁

    Some days last week for me were like this as well, hope life looks up soon

  170. For everyone needing it… this song sums it all up ❤️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA7J1nEOlQI

  171. Oooh! What if you made something more nature like colouring. Similar to a River or small stream. While adding the swamp green? That would be soooo pretty!

  172. Maybe these yarns will lift your spirits. I was ordering a gift card from my favorite yarn shop here in the twin cities and fell down the rabbit hole that is the yarn collection at StevenBe. The first reminds me of gemstones set in gold. The second 2 remind me of my daughter & I may order them for something for her…not sure what but they are lovely yarns. I am trying to limit my yarn buying to something I can picture making and using. Other Madeline Tosh I love on this site are the dk firewood & cousteau. Actually I just love Mad Tosh in general.

    Hope today has been a better day.

    https://www.stevenbe.com/shop/Yarn/Yarn-By-Brand/Alchemy/Haiku/p/Alchemy-Haiku-Jasper-x26910559.htm

    https://www.stevenbe.com/shop/Yarn/Yarn-By-Brand/MadelineTosh/Impression/p/Madelinetosh-ImpressionIMP—Copper-Pink-x47203030.htm

    https://www.stevenbe.com/shop/Yarn/Yarn-By-Brand/MadelineTosh/TML–Holo/p/Madelinetosh-TML-Holo-Glitter—HiLo-x49397418.htm

  173. Christmas is my favorite time of year. It always has been, good times or bad times Christmas lifts me up.

    Not this year – its like a roller coaster. Sometimes I’m up, most times I’m not, I am fighting it but my gosh its a slog. This blog helps so much. Thank you.

  174. I felt yucky today too. So I put on make up. Not going anywhere,other than my sewing room. It just made me feel human. I miss feeling like a person who goes places. So I understand feeling gloomy. It is this whole year….

  175. Swamp green? …Yarn colors as a mood ring! ???? Hope your colors are more vibrant or lush woodlands today. (Although someone out there clearly loves swamp green if people are selling it.)

  176. I had a moment I wanted to share with as it made me smile.
    So I have a face. It is clearly a face that makes complete strangers want to tell me their life histories, sometimes including facts that make me squirm. I think it is very humbling that people want to confide in the face, but I do get a bit tired of living up to the face and being kind, when the real me behind the face is screaming in despair.
    I was listening to another story of workplace injury and difficulty, unprompted, when I remembered the snippet when Julie realises the face has done its trick again, as though her face is an entity apart from herself.
    This (and the two of you) gave me joy I wanted to acknowledge and share. Someone else has a face that operates independently from its owner!
    THANK YOU!

  177. I dont know of this will cheer you up. But on Dec 17 Epic will be giving a free game each day for 15 days. Maybe there will be a free scifi space game for you.

  178. I hope you will feel more “up” knowing that all the blog posts, snippets, short stories, partial stories, novels, etc. have made a huge difference over the years (but especially in these trying times) in so many peoples’ lives including mine. Thank you!

  180. Just came by–I’m sorry you are having a down point. Here’s a link to a perfect place if you want something REALLY different–the warmest yarn in the world. Qiviut (musk ox.) This is a native coop, and they almost never sell the yarn, but they have some available. I have seen it other places for nearly $200 an ounce, so this is a good price.

    https://www.qiviut.com/shop_gifts.cfm

    Also–I have bought brilliantly dyed soft yarns from this woman, she gets stuff in from various sources. Worth asking her what she has on hand.

    https://www.facebook.com/pg/aweebitwarpedweaving/posts/

    Hope the weekend was better!

  182. Try Emma’s Yarn for wonderful colors. The owner of the physical and online shop Four Purls (fourpurls.com) has two daughters who are dyers. Yes, they have swamp green but every other color of the rainbow too, all small batch dyed by hand.

  185. Unplanned Peacock!!!
    unplannedpeacock.com
    Natasha doesn’t have a drop of swamp green in her collections.
    Enjoy.

  186. To Ilona and Andrew,

    You’ve heard this a thousand times in a thousand ways… thank you. You are amazing. Your stories are some of my absolute favorites and you’ve made a hard year a little better for so many.

    Best wishes and may 2021 be kinder,
    Eric Luther

  191. I have a friend that has the prettiest hand dyed yarn. Her site is T&H Fiber Works. I would suggest trying her out. You might just find something perfect for you.

  196. As I’ve been struggling for way too long to write a couple of paragraphs – instructions for a completely new type of crochet diagram (meh…) – I’ve kinda been feeling the down thing myself.

    So I thought I’d share one of the places I go for a yarn pick-me-up.

    https://naturalyarns.co.za/

    And just in case Gordon is wondering, they do ship internationally – hint, hint…

    Anyway, thanks for creating worlds in which I can find refuge time and time again and for these posts (they work almost just as well).

  197. I think many of us are ‘down’ and ‘over’ all the covid crap, lockdown, etc.
    I just wanted to say I got on your blog for the 1st time today to read some of the wonderful short stories you guys have posted over the years as well as the moving blog comments. You are the only author(s) I ‘follow’. I have just reread everything you guys have written recently because they make me feel good and heaven knows we need that these days.
    Thank you both for the creativity and just plain fun you have given me over the years.
    Looking forward to your next publications!

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