Daddy's life lesson

For as long as I can remember, as a child growing up, my dad never allowed me, my sisters, or my mom, to ever speak ill of someone. He was a wise man that way, which was evidenced by how well liked and respected he was by his peers. He was a very generous man, as well as a southern gentleman, so it was no wonder that my mom thought the sun set and rose in him! While he has been deceased for 46 years now, those words of warning still resonate in my head; "if you don't have something nice to say about or to someone, then keep it to yourself!" I was only 14 at the time of his death, but I have tried to consistently live in the way he wanted us to grow up. Then when I had my own children, I used those very same words, and now, I say them to my grandchildren as well. I want them to overlook the faults of others and see nothing but the good. That may be a bit idealistic, and I do believe there has to be a line drawn so as to prevent them being hurt by others, but I also don't believe that they have to conciously seek out everything that's wrong with someone, and then proceed to gossip about the person. That is not a healthy way to live.

Recently, a couple of friends of mine had words that were so unnecessary. They both had had a pretty rough day, and while I have taken that into account, I still think it was handled badly by both of them. Words can't be taken back, and can be so hurtful. I believe taking sides is very juvenile, as I care deeply about both of these people, and what happened between them is where it needs to stay; between them! I hope they can work things out, seek out the good things in each other, and build a friendship again, because they are both lovely people...they are both knitters as well, and Knitters are supposed to be Knice!!

I had a long talk about this subject the other night with my husband, and I told him that in the past, because of all the circumstances where I allowed a person stalker to harangue me every chance she got, I probably would have tried to jump into the fiasco that took place and add my two cents worth, just as I used to do with my stalker. This time though, I quickly realized if I did that, I risked losing the friendship of both of these women, and I value them both!! I heard my dad using those words, and it made me realize how I needed to stay on the path I had only recently decided to follow since I began spending a great amount of time with my grandchildren every day. That decision was that I would only speak words of kindness about and to people. Don't get me wrong...I am not perfect, and I may have slips, but I also would hope for forgiveness.

Okay, off the philosophical soapbox, but I hope you saw the connection I was trying to convey. I hope these two people can eventually speak kind words to each other again, because it's so heartbreaking to think that my friends are hurting....

As I said, I am very fortunate to get to spend time with my grandchildren every day. They don't live far from me now, and I love every single minute with them! They make me laugh, they are inquisitive as little people often are, and I love that we are making memories!! If you've been following my blog, you already know that their papa and I bought them a pool. It's needed here in northern California, as we can have some pretty hot days! It has been a bit cooler the past couple of days though, as we are also wont to delta breezes occasionally. It was a bit too chilly to get into the pool, which was fine. It gave me a chance to do some vacuuming, skimming the top for leaves, seed pods from a tree that is being cut down as I type this, and balancing the chemicals. It is all sparkly clean again, ready for some more kid, nana, and papa fun!!! We might even be able to get mommy and daddy in too!!!

 

I've knitted very little since knit night on Wednesday of this week, but the first part of the week did produce some results. I am loving this cardi so much, and I do apologize if I'm repeating myself. I have done my second increase row for the waist shaping and in one more inch, I will do my third so I can start the lace panels. I will then be finished with the body, and just have the sleeves to knit. It's been a while since I've knitted a sweater for myself, so I'm really stoked!!

My granddaughter took this picture on the fly and it wasn't in the best of lighting, so there will definitely have to be better ones taken! You get the idea though, right!?

 

Last weekend, I got to go to the Retzlaff Winery in Livermore, California, for some fun, fiber, and spinning! Wine tasting goes without saying!! I will tell you about it in my next post, so stay tuned! Until then, here's a teaser....