Mystery Solved!!!

Good Morning Everyone!

It certainly feels like summer is slowly making its way back to us, I've got black fly bites to show for it. Thankful they will be gone soon only to be replaced by the deer flies, it makes mosquitoes seem tolerable. I realize they all have their place in the world, but my feelings wouldn't be hurt if they avoided me like the plague. Bernie shares my sentiment, his snout is covered with bites and he snaps viciously when they encroach upon his personal space. It amazes me how something so small can create such an annoyance, a reminder to never underestimate the little things in life.

Many of you know I absolutely love owls. For the past few months I've been seeing one in the same location every morning while hiking with Bernie. I stop and talk to it, yes, I'm a bit crazy, I actually started calling him my boyfriend, lol. I am up there all the time and occasionally see one, but this to me seemed special, now I know, it's my friend Walter. I had a wonderful surprise in Compton on Sunday, my friend Claudette just happened to be at Needle In A Haystack. I haven't seen Claudette and Walter for about a year. They are in Montreal and between COVID and the rather strained relationship between Canada and the US, they simply weren't coming down here anymore. I miss so many of my Canadian friends, but Walter was just special to me (it didn't hurt that often times, he brought me a nice bottle of gin and a wedge of Oka cheese). I was so happy to see Claudette, but there was no Walter. She told me Walter had passed away and my heart just sank. I shared with her, and her daughter, my story of the owl and how I now believe it was Walter coming to see me. Oddly enough, her daughter told me she'd also seen an owl just before her dad passed away. What's even more interesting, the owl is no longer in that tree, Walter got to say goodbye to me. I know you're reading this, Claudette, I think of you often and treasure the wonderful memories of Walter, you are one of the many reasons my shop is so special.

With the mystery of the owl solved, it only seems appropriate that I'm working on a Mystery Knit Along, I am having so much fun with the Quiltstar Shawl by Gabrielle Vezina! I am so excited that Clue #2 is releasing tomorrow, I had my first clue finished in 24 hours and I've been anxiously awaiting to see what's next. This is really a lot of fun, it's not too late if you want to join in, you could easily catch up. While I've been waiting for the next clue, I've been working on my Audrey's Pullover, it's getting so close to the end!!! Interestingly enough, serendipity stepped in, I found the ball of yarn Paula gave me to use for my contrast stripes. I thought I was past the point where I was supposed to start adding them, NOPE! Apparently, I cannot measure, is anyone surprised? You all know how it is, you measure, knit some more, measure again and it's shorter. After destroying my knitting throne and emptying and re-emptying my project bags, I discovered that little ball of yarn underneath my rocking chair in my shop. How did it get there??? Needless to say, I'm almost finished with sleeve #1 and it looks to be a perfect day to sit on the porch and KNIT, I mean "work."

I can't believe Andra will be here in exactly one week to show me all of the wonderful new yarns and patterns for Fall/Winter 26-27, YIKES!! We did have a Zoom meeting last week, the Berroco warehouse is officially up and running in Texas. Shipping times are longer, drop ships do not arrive in a couple days, these are small adjustments we can get used to. Good things come to those who wait, but do keep me posted if we've done some dropshipping, there have been issues.

A gentle reminder that Worldwide Knit In Public Day is this Saturday, June 13th. We will be meeting in Taylor Park at the fountain starting at 9:00. If it decides to rain, we can set up our chairs in the gazebo. We will be meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6-7:30, for Stitch and Bitch, I hope you can join in the fun. Make it a great day and I"ll see you soon!

Katy