I'm over my Big Dog Fever. I ran into a neighbor, out walking her THREE little girls in a stroller built for two (they were packed in there solidly) and of course Murphy had to visit and kiss and get petted, since little girls are his favorite variety of human - much wagging, licking, squealing and giggling ensued. The mom commented that the girls loved him because he was little, and they had a big dog. I mentioned my Big Dog craving, and she immediately said, "Don't do it. The poop is bigger. The shedding is bigger. The holes they dig are bigger. Little dogs are better. Stick to your little dog!" I thanked her for saving me from myself.


I do not need a big dog. I work long hours and occasionally travel, on business and for pleasure. I do not need the expense or the extra work. I love 'em, but they do not fit my lifestyle. If God wants me to have a big dog, He can help me win the lottery so I can buy a farm. Then I'll get several.


Sometimes life is like that - you have something on your mind, and someone crosses your path to smack you or give you inspiration, and send you off in a different direction. That happened twice today, once with my neighbor, and once with a conversation on Knitter's Review. You may recall I've been contemplating a cotton-acrylic afghan, and I wanted to use Lion Brand Cotton-ease, because it's sturdy and machine wash and dry, as well as wonderfully soft - but none of the colors by themselves were right for my decor. Then someone on Knitter's Review mentioned granny squares and I felt like
DOH! I haven't made a granny square afghan in years, but suddenly I could picture it in those poppin' Cotton-ease colors, with a white border, and I was off and running to Joann's, because the moon is in some yarnie house and the planets are aligned and Joann's actually has yarn in stock, and that hasn't happened in years, so clearly this was a Sign. And I filled up my cart with this


Then I went to the nursing home to spend a couple of hours with my husband, where I made these:

The colors that did not work individually look all bright and sunny and tropical together, especially with that crisp white border. The afghan will be a fun shot of color in my otherwise fairly neutral bedroom. And granny squares are the perfect "it's too hot to knit" project, they give me my minimum daily requirement of fiber without the hot flashes, they are small and portable and cool and easy to work on, especially in that soft cotton blend yarn.


So I have my next mindless, soothing project, and between these afghan squares and Sitcom Chic, I'm set for the next few weeks.



HOORAY FOR GRANNY!