Oh, guys. Victoria, B.C. makes me want to move there, buy a basset hound and a Lay-z-boy couch, open a fancy tea shop/brew pub/batik nook, then spend my days trotting about an oceanview park with the hound and (I must make room for my new love) knitting. It is NICE there. The fresh ocean air rid both Katr and I of our tubucular morning hacking (we don't smoke or anything - it's just the dry air and smog combo here in T.O.) and I had the BEST EGGNOG LATTE EVER at the Java & Juice on Douglas Street. My breathing quickens even now as I think about it - although that might just be my arteries hardening.
I always imagine that the holidays will last much longer than they actually do. Maybe it's a throw-back to school and university, when we got the better part of a month off and I would spend nearly 3 weeks at home, frolicking with the fam, making anatomically correct gingerbread moose, visiting with friends home from their schools; by the time the 3 weeks were over, I was recharged and ready to return to the grind. Now that 3 weeks has shrunk to about 6 days. Being a grown-up blows.
Fortunately, Victoria is one of the nicest places to spend those 6 days (or, really 4.5 days, if you count travel time). The condo my folks arranged for us all to stay in was ridiculous in its gorgeousness and right near the Inner Harbour and downtown. It was about 10 degrees outside and delightfully fresh the whole time we were there. My hair may have been frizzy, but my skin felt great.
Despite the relative lack of crunchy pagan activities, we did have a lovely Solstice this year (thanks for all your "Happy Solstices" - hope yours were great too!) Since we're all trying to cut down on "stuff", we decided to give gifts to various charities. My brother donated to a cool theatre group at UC Santa Cruz, my parents donated a whack of food to a village in need and Katr and I bought a family some chickens and vitamin sprinkles for kids through WorldVision Canada. Katr's brother even got in on the act and donated to women's causes in Katr's and my name. It was good times and I highly recommend it. Unfortunately, we found the "donation-only" model a bit too strict for us this year, so we ended up exchanging presents as well. But next year, I tell you, next year . . . nah, we'll probably do the same thing next year. I like presents. But at least next year, everyone will probably get something I've "knitted".
Yep. There were knitting needles, some yarn and copies of Yarn Harlot and Stitch n' Bitch under the makeshift tree this year and I am become a knitter. Or rather, I WILL become one once I've mastered "purling". So far, I haven't figured it out. But when I do, you'll know, because I'll probably post pictures of it. I also notice that Stitch n' Bitch didn't contain a section on "survival knitting" or any instructions for creating your own yarn from nettles, but I'm hoping to learn that kind of stuff at the knitting class Katr signed me up for later this month. The class is held in Kensington Market (a hippy enclave, for you out-of-towners). If anyone can teach me to make garments from plant fibres, it's the fine folks at Lettuce Knit. Place your orders now.
