My Bluebird is a Robin

And 320 million birds should be very pleased today.

I know that I am pleased, as my decision to knit Rosemary Hill's lovely Bluebird pattern in a robin's red breast hue, has resulted in a stole that delights me as much as the robins outside my window:

 

 

And despite a little worry about the finished size, it is long enough.  The blocked stole is 21"x80" and it's lovely (although I think you know that already).

The color in these pictures is a little more intense than the actual stole.  The yarn is Dream in Color Baby in Cinnamon Girl (about 1 1/2 skeins used on size 3 needles) and the true color is more like the cinnamon in the spice jar and very much like my feathered friends:

I sometimes think that birds are the angels among us and that songbirds remind us that life is full of joyful moments that you don't always see coming.  Soon enough, the robins will make themselves scarce, but I'll always have the stole around to remind of of their early morning songs and the hope they bring each spring.

To say that I'm emotional today would be an understatement.  I had a big deal doctor's appointment about the next phase of treatment, not a chemo cycle, but a course of maintenance drugs that require more monitoring than I thought they would. 

The Mr. found out that a whole level of service to his students is being eliminated in the next school year.  It involves his old job, but will impact his current one.  Yet another short sighted move and a huge setback to the program, complete with discriminatory undertones.  And The Mr. will have a lot of trouble managing his anger about this one, retirement is being discussed about every 30 minutes around here.

But I heard from #1 Son and he had good news from the doctor.  His arm is healing better than expected and he may be able to get out of the cast in 2-3 weeks instead of 4-6.  I had a nice chat with his teacher (who I now suspect is a Canadian - not a bad thing, but how could I have missed the "ayes" and the wardrobe that screams Roots?) but I fell apart when he said, "I understand why you miss him, he's very funny and everyone here in Germany wants to keep him." 

Monday can't come soon enough.  Even my robin is nodding in agreement:

Comments

[Carrie]

Beautiful stole, but you knew that. I wish we had songbirds here. Grackles don't make a pretty noise, for sure.
I'm sorry about the rest of it. This has been a bad week for a lot of people, for sure.

[Bammerkt]

Because the Germans are so well known for their senses of humor :|

The stole is absolutely stunning!

[Alison]

Simply stunning stole Joan. Who would have though a bluebird could look so grand in red.
It will be nice to have the #1 son home with cast and all.
I'm thinking about you, I know those dr appts can be pretty heavy with information. Do you ever pull out the metal pointy needle to make a point with your doctors. Do you get a little more respect with the staff, just wondering.
It's time to knit on .

[Sarah]

The lace is, of course, lovely, and a will be a wonderful reminder all year long.

I'm glad the #1 son is healing well.

I'm sorry that the greater level of monitoring will be necessary.

I hope Mr. FGK is able to find a way through the anger and frustration from those decisions.

xo

[Nicole]

ugh. rough week. beautiful stole. :)

[Cookie]

He's ours! They don't get to keep him!

/ahem

The lace is gorgeous as I knew it would be. Well done.

I'm so sorry things are not going well at the Mr's school. Those people don't realize just how lucky they are to have him. I'm also sorry that the medical people want to keep a closer on eye on you. I'm sure that won't be fun.

xo

[Nora]

Gorgeous lace, and so good about the boy!

I'm sorry about the rest. Somehow you make it all sound like it's being dealt with in your usual efficient way. But still.

xoxo

[Gale]

Clearly you've raised a delightful young man. As usual, your stole is lovely. So sorry to hear of the rest of it.

[cindycindy]

Of course, the stole is gorgeous. I have yet to see a bad knit off your needles. Good news from #1 Son. I'm also sorry about the Mr's problems. The current economy is making for some huge job/program losses and disappointments. You all are in my prayers.

[Angie]

Your stole is lovely and that it carries your robins with you always is wonderful. I'm so glad #1's bones are knitting quickly and Cookie's right, they can't keep him!

I am sorry to hear about the rest and I hope there's some relief for you soon.

[Cheryl S.]

Sorry to hear about the bad stuff. But that's a gorgeous shawl, in a perfect color.

And don't worry, I'm sure #1 son won't let them keep him.

[kmkat]

I love that the stole will be a robin in your life when the feathered ones have flown south. It really is lovely.

Budget cuts are horrible, both for those who make them and especially for those who are affected. The so-called fat has already been cut in prior years, and current cuts must necessarily cleave muscle and bone. At the risk of making a really, REALLY bad joke, it's a cancer or polio situation. (Yes, I am one of those who is having to make cuts, although thankfully mine do not affect you.) Every one of them could easily be termed short-sighted, but the reality seems to be that in this economy we do not have the resources to consider the long term like we should and would love to do. ::descends from soapbox:: That said, I am so sorry for the bad stuff that is affecting you and your Mr.

[Stacey]

That color of red is splendid. I closed my eyes after reading your description of the color and thought "how perfect". It did turn out lovely.

Good news about the boy-bird's wing. You've certainly done a wonderful job with him too if everyone wants to keep him.

Could you survive his retirement? O.o

[Romi]

It turned out so gorgeous!!! Well done. :)

Many good wishes for your health and your son's, and for your husband! I'm sending good juju your way.

[Carrie K]

The stole came out perfectly, as expected.

Sorry to hear about the bad news of monitoring and budget cuts. Sweet that they want to keep Son#1. Awww.

[Walden]

The stole looks beautiful!

[sophanne]

beautiful beautiful

[LisaK]

That is a very beautiful stole. Great job!!