What do I want for my children? (And UFOs)
Ruth asked me this today. And I was terribly proud of my answer, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. I want them to be inspired. Not driven, inspired. I’d like there to be something – who knows what (please, please, please, NOT arms sales – I could cope with many things, but not arms sales) – that makes it worth getting up in the morning. But I don’t want it to be so all-consuming that when they reach their natural level, or it goes wrong, that it is the end of the world.
At the moment Adam wants to be Sportacus – there are worse role models! And Ruth wants to sit in an aeroplane. She is very clear about this – she doesn’t want to fly it, she wants to sit in it. We haven’t yet established whether she wishes to turn left or right when boarding, but since this is the little girl who refused point blank to be born until there were doctors on the scene I can hazard a guess (her middle name isn’t Sarah (meaning princess) for nothing!)
Knitting – hey ho – Scout is challenging us to out our UFOs. Strictly we are supposed to post pics of our UFOs, but since I was always very bad at “Spot the difference”, particularly when there aren’t any, I will just list them:
1) Swatch (the grey/white lacey thing)
2) Linux Illusion Scarf (the grey/brown thing)
3) Donkey (the little shapeless grey thing)
But this is about UFOs, not smug listing of the (very) few items I’ve managed to complete. So we also have my
4) Sunrise Circle Jacket (which is growing),
5) I Do shrug (which still needs the ends weaving in, and blocking – I’m a bit scared of the blocking (I’ve never blocked before – shhhhhhh…. – and I’m not sure where to find room…. ))
6) red beanie and the Trekking socks
I think that’s all…
We’re off Ooop North tomorrow for a while – including 3 nights in Blackpool where Adam and Ruth will finally get to see the sea 
(I managed to get them to the beach last year, but the tide was way way out – this year I guarantee sea.)
six comments:
Inspired is a fabulous choice. Inspired choice!I was waaay too busy in March to take stock of my UFO’s but I’d bet good money that anything I’ve finished was new after that.
Carrie K () (link) - 04 August '06 - 21:56
That’s better than mine. I came up with ‘happy’, but I think because, out of the three of us, (I have two siblings) happiness is something we have all struggled with, because we were ‘pushed’ and there were ‘expectations’. I just want my children to be happy. And not sell arms!Louise - 04 August '06 - 22:24
Wow, that’s not bad at all! Hope you’re having a great minibreak.Chris () (link) - 06 August '06 - 03:00
I wonder if anyone’s tried blocking outside during the Summer? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it mentioned, but I can’t see why something couldn’t be pinned out on, perhaps, a picnic rug or similar in a shady area somewhere. Would dry a lot lot quicker and also not take up valuable house room!Daisy () (link) - 06 August '06 - 18:55
I’m so glad I’m not the only one still slogging away at the Sunrise Circle Jacket. No more knitalongs for me, I can’t keep up with the other participants!Kate () (link) - 07 August '06 - 12:54
... and it wasn’t ONLY Anne’s answer to that question that was rather brilliant. Her fresh green herby salad from the garden was also little short of wonderful. Sorrel, mint and Irish / Scottish onion wasn’t it Anne? Now that’s what I call inspired!Big Ruth () (link) - 08 August '06 - 18:47
