The Big Secret

My friend Carrie has a dear daughter who was scheduled for heart surgery on May 1. I wanted terribly to DO something for them, but since they live eight states away (or more; I didn't count), I couldn't give them hugs or bring them food, which is my usual expression of love and concern.

So I thought about knitting something. A prayer shawl seemed like an okay idea, but not quite right for a five year old. I was stewing about it and not coming up with anything and coming right down to the time when I really needed to cast on or I'd never make it (and yes, maybe panicking a little), and I found the pattern for this.


(Modeled by a friend's daughter, since just lying there by itself on the couch it looked like the dog's breakfast.)

It's a Little Red Riding Hood cape. It's a costume, it's a toy, it's a warm hug, and it's a prayer shawl. I was very happy. (I was also very happy that it was well within my limited knitting skill set.)

Carrie is a loyal reader, so I didn't dare post anything about it before the package reached her. Happily, the mail was quick, and I found this picture on her blog.



Anyway, the Big Secret itself was physically small, but it was a big surprise for Carrie and her daughter. And it was perhaps my favorite thing I've knit so far, and the most fun I've had. It was a nicely done pattern, and easy to knit, but I think the secret was all the love and good wishes that were in my heart while I was knitting.

I am happy to report that Little Red Riding Hood came through surgery like a trouper, and the surgery itself was pronounced a resounding success. She'll be wandering through the woods for many many years, charming the teeth out of the big bad wolf, and spreading her special brand of love.

Oh, dear.

I realized that I never revealed The Big Secret. (Although the person most interested discovered it in her mail, so that's alright.)

And I haven't put up any pictures of our trip to New England.

I'm leaving the house in 15 minutes, so probably now isn't the best time. Tonight, though, or tomorrow. Swear.

Movie Meme

(I was tagged by Carrie of SCAREHAIRCARE.)

Favorite movies you have to be "in the mood" for in order to enjoy:

1. Life Is Beautiful
2. Bull Durham

Favorite movies that make you laugh out loud no matter how many times you have watched them:

1. The Secret of Roan Inish
2. Crossing Delancey (mostly when Bubbe is talking)

Your favorite "Guilty Pleasures"
(Not sure what this means. Taking a shot.)

1. Monsoon Wedding (considering it guilty b/c there's way too much gratuitous cussing)
2. any of the Bourne movies or Ocean's # movies

Favorite movies you have seen so many times, you can recite all the lines

1. The Princess Bride (Even though I haven't seen it in years. You killed my father. Prepare to die.)
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Movies that "Opened your eyes."

1. Hotel Rwanda
2. Khandahar

Most Overrated

1. Citizen Kane
2. The Graduate

What were the last 2 movies you watched

1. The Secret of Happyness
2. Big Night

Favorite "smart" movies
(Again, not sure what this means.)

1. Akeelah and the Bee
2. 12 Angry Men

Your spouse's/significant other's favorites

1. A Family Thing
2. The Secret of Roan Inish

Your all time favorites:

1. Crossing Delancey
2. anything based on an Austen novel