Winter Survival Tip: Crochet a Rug

When facing the chilly days and nights of the Pennsylvania winter it is important to keep your blood moving. One might take to the activity of running in place as running outside on the snowy, icy sidewalks is more of a health risk than a benefit. I for one prefer to find an activity that keeps me moving in some regard while I am safely tucked in some nice warm blankets. Is this really possible you might ask?

My solution this season: crochet a rug. Not just any rug mind you, a rug made from T-shirt yarn. The making of the T-shirt yarn alone has increased my deltoid strength not to mention the arm workout I get from turning the heavy rug as it gets larger and larger. The added benefit too of that heavy rug adding yet another layer of warmth to shield against the drafts that seep through windows as the cold northern winds blow fiercely. This project keeps those days spent indoors much more enjoyable and productive bringing a small glimmer of hope that you may just survive yet another winter and add a slash of color to those grey surroundings all at the same time. Happy crocheting!

Caution: Trying this project in the summer could cause excessive sweating which could lead to dehydration and fatigue. Proceed at your own risk and remember to drink lots of drink water.

Frey's Season 2

A new season is here. The snow still covers the ground outside and the heater rumbles next me. Soon Les will bring in a cart full of plugs to be transplanted. One tray can have over 500 plants started. The first tray of hundreds. Each day has a rhythm and muscle memory has already started to kick in. 

Les and Gloria work hard at feeding tray after tray of pots through the filler. There are moments when I think I will beat them. With only 50 trays to go, I will wonder if I will get to ask to have more filled. Nope. I never get the chance. Like a sixth sense, Less will walk in and start filling more trays when I only have 10 left. After 30 years, he just knows. I am still amazed as I watch him drive a front loader full of soil into this tiny transplant house to put another load of soil into the filler and then back it out again. His muscle memory too has kick into gear. 

At this point I am still working part-time at Hobby Lobby. Having two completely different jobs give the week great variety. I almost feel like two completely different people. I can walk in wearing the same 3 layers I wore the day before here. That is just the norm. Not the case at the frame shop where business casual is required, and so I stroll in looking smart while trying to clean out any remaining dirt from under my fingernails. I try my best to wear gloves, but there is something about feeling the soil and mud and then wiping those dirt hands on my already dirty clothes.

As I plant this year I have decided to try and educated myself. I am venturing into the world of audio books and language lessons. For thirty minutes of my day, one might walk in and hear me practicing my Spanish. I remember thinking last year how much I would have appreciated someone telling me all about the plants I was planting while I was planting them. My wish won't entirely be granted as that specific information is hard to find on an audio file, but I am resolved to believe that listening to a reading  of The Secret Garden while planting flowers will only make the story that much more magical.  

(Insert ear buds) So it begins.