Let's Focus on the Good

It is a cold Monday morning here. As I type this, the air temperature here is 9ºF, and that is warm relative to how cold it will be the next couple of days (the predicted low for tomorrow is -2ºF and for Wednesday -9ºF -- and that is just the air temperature and doesn't take wind chill into account). I am off from work today in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day -- and that is what I am choosing to observe today. Like many of you, I'm sure, I'm choosing not to watch the inauguration, and I'm also trying not to think about the celebration we'd hoped to have today. Today, and the next four years, will be hard, but I'm not letting anyone take away my hope or my joy -- and focusing on those things is how I will be spending today.

For starters, I'm going to be enjoying this bonus day with my family. We are all off today, and the weather means we're not going to be going out, so we'll be able to enjoy each other's company. I'm planning to spend the day doing things that bring me joy: exercising, reading, crafting, and cooking. On the top of my list is finishing up the second sleeve of my handspun sweater and getting started on the body:

The last time you saw the sweater, I was not quite this far along on the first sleeve. I got a lot done this past weekend. On Saturday afternoon, while Molly and I were watching the first of the playoff football games, I finished the cuff of the first sleeve and got started on the second. By the time I put it down last night, I think I had two decreases left to complete on the second. I'm feeling pretty confident that I can finish the rest before the end of the day.

Another thing that brings me joy? Spinning. Over the weekend I finished the second bobbin of singles and started on the third:

I'm so excited to see what this yarn will look like when it's plied that it's spurring me to spin it faster. I've been spinning while reading a library book the past couple of days, and treadling has been feeling more like it used to, which is reassuring.

There is a lot of bad in the world right now, but I'm trying to focus on the good and what I can do to make things better, even in just a small way. To that end, I want to leave you with a quote that came to me via Clara Parkes's Daily Respite (to which I know many of you may also subscribe, so apologies if this is something you've already seen today):

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final

word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger

than evil triumphant."

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.