Memory Eternal

I finished stitching for the Mother's Day Project over Memorial Day weekend. I didn't plan it that way, but I'm glad that that's the way my schedule worked out. Like many people, I tend to forget about the reason for the holiday and just enjoy the day off. This year I took time to remember one woman who gave her life in service to this country. According to the official report,

"Pfc. Hannah L. Gunterman, 20, of Redlands, Calif., died on Sept. 4 in Taji, Iraq, from injuries suffered when she was struck by a vehicle. Gunterman was assigned to the 542nd Maintenance Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, Fort Lewis, Wash."

According to one blogger's tribute I found, Hannah was an avid reader who loved Gone with the Wind and who started a library on the Fort Taji base. She left behind a husband and young son, as well as many other family members and friends who miss her terribly. May her memory be eternal.

Saying Goodbye to Lloyd Alexander

I never met Lloyd Alexander, but I feel as if I've lost a childhood friend. Mr. Alexander died this past Thursday, May 17, at the age of 83. According to The Washington Post and The New York Times, he wrote over 40 books, for which he received multiple awards.

To me, he wrote the books that made me a Reader. The five books of The Prydain Chronicles were my world as a child -- I had to read more -- more books by Lloyd Alexander -- more books of Welsh mythology -- more books like these -- more, more, more.

Thank you, Mr. Alexander.

Mother's Day Project

I spent much of yesterday working on the Mother's Day Project. ThreadingWater started this project as a way to honor the female Coalition members who have died in the Iraq War. I first heard about it on Franklin's blog, and thought it sounded like a wonderful way to remember these women.

So many lives have been lost in this war, so many lives changed by injuries. Whether you agree that this war should be fought or not, it hurts to see the names and faces of these people roll by when their deaths are announced. At my house, everything stops when the Honor Roll of the Dead is given at the end of the news. No one eats, no one talks, no one leaves the room. It feels like the least we can do to look into the faces and read the names of these men and women. I happen to believe that this war is wrong, but that doesn't change the fact that these men and women gave their lives for us.

So I'm giving just a little of my time to stitch one name, prayerfully and in awe of what Hannah Gunterman has already given.

Ready for winter

Or for excessive air conditioning. My desire for something to keep my hands and arms warm at work is sometimes year-round. Hence the red gauntlets, which are finally finished.





These are the elegant gauntlets from Sally Melville's The Purl Stitch. I used just a little more than two skeins of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. It's a gorgeous yarn, and not too pricey for an accessory. I'd love to make a sweater out of this stuff, but such is not in my budget. But I can enjoy my gauntlets.

Now it's time to turn my attention to a new project. ThreadingWater has started the Mother's Day Project as a way to honor the female Coalition members who have died in the Iraq War. I'll write more about this project as I go along.