A Shot in the Arm

 Nothing like a 'shot in the arm' to jerk you up and get you going. 

I started a sequel to my 'Springtime in Magnolia' book ages ago and then I just ignored it. I had 80 pages written but for some reason I stalled and couldn't get 'unstalled'. 

But, the other day I opened that file back up on my computer and decided I'd give it a look-see. I needed some info to move me forward so I asked ChaptGPT for information about an unexperienced young man starting a job at a bank in the late 1940s. I like to be factual and I had no clue about banking then or now. 

Well, as I chatted with GPT I got so fired up and the next morning I spent 4 hours at the computer writing and writing and correcting and editing. I gotta get this novel finished. I mean, folks, I don't have years and years to write. These old hands are already giving me a lot of trouble. Of all things my index finger on my dominant hand locks up (trigger finger, they call it). Some times I can get it unlocked fairly easy and other times it just does not want to turn loose and is so painful when I force it. So,  yes I need to write while I can. 

Or... maybe it can be fixed. Got an appt. with the dr. Monday. We'll see how that goes. 

I published 'Springtime in Magnolia' in the fall of 2013. About time I got that sequel done, don't you think? 

Knit one, Purl Two

 Last night as I lay in bed I started wondering what title I'd give myself. It's tough. I've always been way too hard on myself and never given myself credit for what I have done. So... Let's see I could be called an artist. I am a published author... but let's be realistic. I think I am a doodler! 

Looked it up. A doodler is someone who doodles!! Doesn't fit. I have been creative all my life but I never doodled!  

The first thing I ever did was learn to crochet. A newly wed with an infant on the way and I needed to act like Moms do... I needed to make that kid some clothes! So, a friend helped me learn the stitches and I crocheted some booties for that little bundle.  and yes, I won a blue ribbon at the county fair with them.

I made doilies. Oh my.. did I ever. Remember the day when every room in every house had doilies all over the place. They were on tables, the backs of  couches, draped over chair arms. Yep, I  was way into the crocheting craze. 

I made a toy or two and made myself a crocheted pin cushion (I still have the pin cushion). Those were very popular at one time. 

Those, like all crafty things do, lost favor. So, I started to knit. Made myself a sweater.. it's a pretty shade of green and do you know... I still wear it and it must be a "hundred" years old by now. 

And, I made my daughter one when she was in high school. Of course it's long gone. After all she is shall we say, AARP age. That got a blue ribbon, too.

I couldn't give up that urge. So. I started crocheting baby things again. After all, I had grandbabies and then great-grandbabies. Having that motherly instinct I needed to make those kids some clothes!! 

and don't forget the blankets!

Have you ever crocheted or knitted? I really miss it but it's a thing of the past now. The old hands just won't cooperate! But, if I could, I bet I'd still be doing both.