yarnalong...

A couple things finished.  

First .... Lily and the Octopus, a debut novel by Steven Rowley.  Two chapters in, and I knew I couldn't read this book.  I knew the ending couldn't be a 'happily ever after' and I wasn't sure I wanted to go there.  And yet....just one more chapter.  Just one more.  And the next thing I knew, I was done, amid a bucket-load of 'eye rain' (from the book). This is a story of love, forgiveness, dedication, and loyalty. Some parts reminded me a bit of Life of Pi. I truly loved this little book. I didn't want it to end.  I read right through the Acknowledgments (who ever does that?!?)....and you must.  The last paragraph of the acknowledgements.  WOW.  Summed up the whole book.  I really can't recommend this one enough.

 YOU!REALLY!MUST!READ!THIS!  (read the book and you'll 'get' the type.) Believe me, I tried not to, and I'm so glad I failed.

 

In keeping with the 'nautical' theme of the octopus (boo-hiss on the octopus!), I decided to finish the little sea turtle I started about a month ago.  Why do I leave projects undone when they are so close to being completed?  All the pieces were knit.  The finishing took maybe 45 minutes, which included running to get a glass of tea, checking my emails, bringing in the snail- mail, f-i-n-d-i-n-g stuffing...in other words----it was done in a snap.  The grands are coming to visit in about a month.  On their beach vacation, a sea turtle nest next to their cottage hatched while they were there.  (Since they all know this is on MY bucket list, the oldest started texting me and gave me a blow-by-blow account of the babies walk to the ocean! --too dark for pics--  Hubby had to hold me back...I was ready to jump in the car and make the 12 hour drive to see for myself.  Surely some slagger would still be slugging her way to the surf by the time I got there.)

She still hasn't made it to the water.  She's on the bed waiting for little ones to visit and love her.

Comments

[marilyn Ann Denton]

My girlfriends from church and I were in Jupiter, Florida and watched a Loggerhead lay eggs. We waited in an area with the staff of the Loggerhead center until one of the "spotters" called us to come. We walked in the dark to an area on the beach (no talking). We stood behind the massive turtle (she has to be able to see the water at all times). She dug a huge hole and began dropping about 300 gelatinous ping pong balls (eggs). When she finished, she flipped her flippers and you could not find the hole. We walked behind her to the sea (about 9:30 at night with a full moon). We scraped her shell and it was phosphorescent. We gave her words of encouragement, knowing that she would never return or see these babies again. Bitter sweet...The loggerhead center does not announce a hatching. The turtles crawl in every direction and if they don't get to the sea, they die. If people are close around, they get confused. It is a beautiful act!

[Andee]

Oh I love that turtle!

[Lisa]

Oh, my goodness...I want to hug it and squish it! It will surely be loved by your grandkids! I don't know if I would be able to keep from jumping in the car myself. ;)

[Flo]

That sea turtle is SO CUTE!

[Caroline]

What a great post! Toodling off to download the book and loving your little turtle. :-)

[Andrea @ This Knitted Life]

That turtle is too stinking cute. THe other night at bedtime, Reed asked me to teach him how to knit so he could make stuffies. Soon, little one. Soon.

[Jane]

So fun to look forward to the Grands coming to visit. They will love the little turtle. We just had some of ours for a four day visit before they moved out of town. Bittersweet but we have a visit planned to see them in about six weeks.

[Caffeine Girl]

Your grands are so lucky to have watched the hatching of a sea turtle! But, let's face it, the real thing could not be any cuter than yours.
Lily and the Octopus sounds good. I'll try to get my hands on it.

[steph@woolythyme]

I love that he wants to knit!  My grandson was my first knitter.....only after he learned, did the girls want to learn.  And then my daughter's boys were really bored on a trip....and they let me teach them to knit. (I'm 7 for 7) Only one has actually MADE something, though.....the car riding left-hander knit a whole scarf en route home.  The one and only thing he knit!  I don't think I have any fanatics yet.  What a shame.  Who inherits my stash-legacy????

[karen]

you make a compelling argument to read that book....maybe, maybe! I love your turtle so sweet and so cute. I know when you do have your visitors there will be a fight over it so you better cast on another one :)

[AsKatKnits]

Well, maybe I need to add this book to my list! What a fantastic review! And, that turtle is just darling!

[Alina]

Your review makes me want to read this book right away!!! The turtle is absolutely adorable!!

[Tahnee]

That little sea turtle is so cute! <3

[DIane]

your sea turtle is adorable. But you have my curiosity more than piqued with your book recommendation! Okay I'll check it out for sure!

[ellen]

I saw this darling turtle on your IG and got a little swoony. He's so cute. I love when you give a book review. I'll put it on the list. Have a good weekend!

[Juliann]

Putting this book on my list
I love to read the acknowledgements. Sometimes I read the first!

[Mary Lou]

Turtle done in a snap - ha ha. I loved seeing the monarch info on the last post. We have quite a few here in my yard. Leaving milkweed and planting butterfly weed helps. I have only once found a chrysalis, one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in nature. Hope you find some down your way.