Category: General

Knitting Pattern 1: A Cuddly Bear

Knitting Pattern: Teddy Bear

SIZE

Approximately 10 1/2” tall.

MATERIALS

BERROCO PLUSH (50 grs), 1 ball #1947 Bubblegum, #1023 Shocking Pink or #1901 Cream (1 ball for each bear).

Straight knitting needles, size 8 OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.

Small amount of polyester fill for stuffing.

1/2 yd ribbon for neck bow.

GAUGE

7 sts = 2”; 11 rows = 2” in Reverse St st.

TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

Continue reading “Knitting Pattern 1: A Cuddly Bear”

Oh dear…

A blonde is on board a small two-seater airplane when suddenly the pilot dies.

Not knowing how to fly a plane she grabs the radio.

“Mayday, mayday! My pilot just died!”

Ground control received her call for help and answers back: “Don’t worry, madam.

I’ll talk you down, just do as I say. First I need you to give me your height and position.”

“I’m 5″2′ and sitting in the right front seat.”

Ground control: “Repeat after me: Our Father….. which art in Heaven….

Now that’s what I call a jackpot!

I’ve just read in Le Figaro that a lady from Antibes  won over four and a half million euros on a slot-machine in the casino La Sieste at Antibes yesterday afternoon.  Apparently there is a system now linking the slot machines of various casinos in the same group and this is not the first multi-million euro jackpot.  I presume it didn’t cascade all over the lady’s feet.

I’ve never been into that casino.  In fact the only time we have ventured into such a place was at San Remo.  We wanted to see the James Bond type glamour.  The only part of the casino open at that time was the slot-machine room, a dark, dingy, stuffy place, decorated in shades of brown.  Husband got out his camera to record the total lack of glamour and immediately a couple of heavies appeared and requested that he desist.  They then escorted us off the premises. The children think it highly amusing that Mum and Dad got thrown out of a casino, as if we were about to break the bank or something. I found out later that there was an underworld dispute over control of various casinos along the Italian Riviera, so perhaps we were thought to be spies for the opposition.

Perhaps next time we’re in Monaco I’ll fight my way through the Ferraris and Lamborghinis in Casino Square to see if the atmosphere in that casino is any pleasanter.

In the Bleak Mid Winter: October Short Story

She sits in the armchair smoothing the worn fabric. There is an old key on the table. She focuses on the key, clears her mind of grief and allows the happiness to surface and grow like a flame. On this special anniversary, she is weaving magic in the moonlight, plaiting strands of memory to bring them back to her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, my darling. Don’t be late!”  He smiles, play growls, and kisses her enthusiastically.

She watches him walk to the car and waves as he drives off.  After she has locked the front door and put the key back on the table, she makes a fuss of Jed, tops up his water and climbs the stairs to bed.

 Beyond the kissing gate, the gravestones are rimed with frost, glinting in the sunlight. Her dog looks handsome this morning, sporting a red kerchief and making the best of it. He would rather be about other business, but he keeps pace with her careful steps along the silver path, towards the church door.

Her bridegroom whispers, “You look beautiful, Mary, just like a snow queen.”

Continue reading “In the Bleak Mid Winter: October Short Story”