looking ahead

As I sit here working on end of year inventory data entry (the exciting life of a small business owner!) I find myself creatively avoiding the task at hand by contemplating the past year on this last day of 2017. 

It's fair to say, without even touching on politics, that it's been a challenging year for most people, myself included. Ironically I remember a year ago when those around me all thought 2016 was such a difficult year, turned out it had nothing on 2017.

My father passed away in the spring and for the last few months I've been caring for my two dogs, Freia and Cody, both diagnosed with terminal illnesses.  Freia has end stage kidney disease (and basically is on a week to week life expectancy) and Cody has Lymphoma and statistically should live until September. I've also been plagued with a bout of trigger thumb which has prevented me from knitting also for the last few months, much to my endless frustration. 

Yet, Freia defies the odds and continues to eat and enjoy life, Cody has responded well to chemo and I'm trying my hand at knitting again. I'm able to tolerate working with super bulky yarn and large needles which suits me just fine. I've been slowly making a Pompom and Tuft Hat in Chinook that I hope to wear soon on these chilly days and nights when I walk the pups. 

I think it's time to pack away this "Annus Horribilis" and look towards 2018 with hope and  optimism. There are  changes ahead which I'm looking forward to sharing with you over the next few months. With change comes challenge, but that is life and what is life without continued growth? We adapt and keep going. I am lucky to live where I live, where I have food on my plate, a roof over my head and a shared love of yarn, color and knitting with a lovely community of like-minded people.

Best wishes to you all on this coming year, may it be better than the last!

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