A confession: I’ve been neglecting my knitting. This is problematic when you’re a knitting blogger. The yarny hiatus is temporary, and it’s partly because we’ve reached peak season in the veg-growing calendar. My coping strategies for covid, cancer, Brexit, and perimenopause are all pretty similar: grow as much fruit and veg as possible, drink wine, go running a lot, and laugh in the face of adversity. Oh, and – usually – knit or crochet too, just not these past couple of weeks.
It’s the time of year when eleventy hundred seedlings are waiting impatiently to be allowed unsupervised access to the garden. They’re crowded along every south-facing windowsill in the house and on every shelf of our tiny greenhouse, shoving each other aside and pressing their leaves longingly against the glass. There are many, many, many, vegetables, plus a large number of the types of flowers that attract beneficial insects.
Honestly, it’s like having an enormous brood of needy babies. But given that we’ve just had the frostiest April since woolly mammoths* roamed this land, I daren’t let my plants spend a night outside quite yet. Instead I waste hours indulging their every whim indoors, because I know that if I so much as forget to read them a bedtime story, they’ll clutch a withered leaf to their foreheads before collapsing melodramatically in their pots. Seedlings are such divas.
And briefly, because I’ve no idea whether this is your kinda thing, I’ve also been reading and reading and reading about rewilding, forest gardening, wildlife gardening, permaculture, plant biochemistry, ecology, and no-dig. Our garden may be small, but my ambitions are vast, because I’m an optimistic megalomaniac. With the twin priorities of growing food and encouraging wildlife, I’ve been planting more trees and fruit bushes, establishing guilds of mutually beneficial plants (e.g. peas climbing up the cherry tree), and generally making changes that may or may not be of interest to anyone outside the sofa on which I’m currently sprawled. If you are interested, I have a second Instagram account HERE (in addition to my yarny one HERE) where I show you all things garden.
It’s been a weird few weeks to be a veg-parent. One minute it’s cold-but-sunny and then the next, I unexpectedly open the curtains one morning a few weeks ago to see THIS. What the….?! Just………… what?!
I was so gobsmacked, I ran up to the top of the tower to get a better view:-
But never let it be said that the British weather lacks a sense of humour, because barely four hours later, the garden looked like this:-
Crazy, huh?
And even as I write this post, it’s hailing, with the occasional rumble of thunder. Honestly, how’s a knitter supposed to organise her cauliflower seedlings, let alone get round to her yarn, with all that going on? But focus on yarn I must, because I’ve got an exciting knitting design commission due terrifyingly soon. Details to come, I promise, but it’s all a bit hush-hush-secret-squirrel, right now.
And having dragged you away from the yarny focus of this blog to talk about growing stuff, I’m now going to commit the even greater social faux pas of asking for donations to a charitable cause. May as well be as irritating as I can before getting back to the usual yarny content soon, yeah?
OK, so around the time I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August last year, I figured that I’d better find a focus to distract me and to maintain my health. (Yes, I am a psychologist so I can read your thoughts, and I’m well aware that you’re currently thinking, “For the love of yarn, will she please stop blithering on about cancer. It’s getting boring now.” But hear me out, please.)
All the ‘normal’ running races were cancelled last year, so I signed up for a virtual race. The running is real, but the location is virtual, in the form of a very wiggly route from toe to tip of the UK. I’m running 1083.8 miles (1744.2km) from Land’s End to John O’Groats. When cancer treatment has made running impossible I’ve walked, for example after surgery I shuffled one mile the first day, two miles the second day, and so on. ANYWAY, I’m doing all this in aid of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund because amongst all the hideousness of cancer, pancreatic cancer has one of the worst outcomes, and I desperately want that to change. I was lucky that my breast cancer was very treatable, but a pancreatic cancer diagnosis must be terrifying.
So here’s the bit where I flutter my eyelashes at your poor beleaguered credit card. I’m 730 miles in to the race, and recently crossed the border into Scotland. 354 miles to go, so I’m two thirds of the way. I’m determined to get the job done within a year, so I’ll be finishing in mid-August.
I realize that the past year has quite possibly done horrid things to your financial situation, but if you have any cash to spare, and if you’d be interested in supporting this very important cause, my JustGiving page is RIGHT HERE.
Any pennies that you can spare would go towards making a real difference in future outcomes for this horrid illness. Thank you.
Right, shall we get back to the yarn next time?? Yes, I really think we should.
*Woolly mammoths you say? I do wonder whether their fur would’ve been knittable. Perhaps they’d have had a soft, fluffy, underbelly, like a musk ox…
Aha, yes I always think that Wooly Mammoths have morphed into Musk Ox. On the subject of Canada, we also had a very late snow but since it’s Canada the rest of the world expects it.
And you guys do snow PROPERLY! Bet yours lasted for a little longer than four hours…
Love your blog. Whatever the focus – knitting, crochet, diva veg, weather, cancer or woolly mammoths – it always make me smile. Well done on the fund raising and i think your choice is very deserving. So many advances in treatment and outcomes for so many other cancers. Pancreatic cancer remains horrible and it would be good to see that change. I felt heartened to hear of your creative hiatus. I have completely lost my knitting mojo – and I’m supposed to be in the middle of a test knit! Just can’t work up the enthusiasm. It was all going so well earlier this year and then I hit the troublesome knits – the ones that just won’t work out and have to be frogged. Even the socks I’m working on are hideous (it’s the wool – yuk colours). At least your hiatus is largely the result of nursery needs and think how delightful it will be to get your own back on the demanding veg when they land on your plate! Keep safe, keep well. Claire x
Hi Claire – lovely to hear from you! I really hope that your knitting mojo comes back v-e-r-y soon. It’s horrible when your hobby begins to feel like a chore.
Your posts never disappoint yarny or gardeny or cancery. It’s actually nice to know that your seedling parenting is as frustrating as mine here in the midwest USA. When I got the chime on my tablet to alert me to your post I also got a verbal warning about the freeze coming tonight. I still don’t know who the strange man in my phone is but he only bears bad news. I just bought 108 tomato plants and 36 eggplants yesterday. Mother’s Day is Sunday and the greenhouses will be picked over by Monday. I wanted certain varieties that are very popular. Today they are covered to protect them. I have had enough of this weather. At least it hasn’t snowed yet. My work table is covered in flats that hold my precious African marigold seeds that grow at least 36 inches (I think that’s 39 centimeters.) cucumbers, pumpkin and watermelon seedlings. The garden amenities are waiting to be applied to the soil and the temperature is still winter coat cold and the wind makes things even worse.
My days are full of yarn because I need to get a big start on Christmas and those wretched grandsons insist on growing and larger projects take more yarn and more time. Plus the joyous news that there is a new great grand baby this November and a another great great niece or nephew in September. Oh the joy of baby blankets, a change from Jedi robes and letter sweaters. ( A letter sweater is for high school athletes to show off their awards in the form of letters. Grandson #1 has autism and will never be athletic but he is my superstar and he is getting my version of a letter sweater.) I feel like my life is in a rat race against time and the rats are winning.
You make me smile, your writing is so much fun to read and we all will forgive you for having a life away from yarn. May your seedlings grow into strong and healthy children and give you hours of joy and many meals.
Teresa, Michigan USA
Thank you Teresa, and congratulations on both forthcoming additions to your family! You sound like such a loving grandmother. But yes, the endless cold spring we’re having this year is GRIM. May your garden warm up soon.
As wonderful as always to hear from you, Phil !
I should like to’ve been able to contribute more, because I lost my beloved husband to lung cancer – another instance of the fingerpost, if you like – and also because I think you would’ve felt oogy about even asking ..
Oh, if ONLY Instagram would let me in and keep me there ! Grrrrrrrr ..
Keep it up mate, you’re doing good. 😀
Your donation is more than generous and ANY amount makes a difference, so thank you. I’m just sorry that you know the pain of losing someone beloved to cancer.
Happy to read about your gardening efforts as I’m one of the same when it comes to gardening.
Was ready to get started when I woke up to 6” of snow about 2 weeks ago. Not too surprising in Montana, but geez, I’m supposed to be in the banana belt.
Pair my gardening urges with the fact that I’m supposed to be moving in 4 weeks and all packed up, is a bit unsettling. I needed to plant the roses I’d purchased and see which dahlias had wintered under the house. Planted the 3 survivors yesterday.
Who knew I had so much stuff and so much YARN. I’m using my quilting fabric to wrap my breakables and yarn to cushion things in boxes. Killing 2 birds with one stone so to speak.
I’ll be thinking of you as you make your run, glad to hear you’re up to it. Good Job!
Oh YIKES, I can’t really complain about our rubbish spring in comparison! May the weather warm and your house-move go smoothly. 🙂
I’d like to agree with all the people who commented above and whose remarks are put so much more eloquently than I could have done. I hope to contribute to your v good cause in July. Things are very tight for me until then. Thanks for the beautiful photos and the very welcome laughs.
Julie .. even the simplest comments are eloquent of those who write ’em – as I’m sure Phil agrees.
Right, boss ..?
Julie (and M-R and everyone else), absolutely no pressure. It’s not as though all the money in the world is distributed fairly, especially in these current times. Some people have spare cash at the moment, but many (most?) don’t.
I so enjoy anything you decide to write. My daughter In law was just diagnosed with breast cancer so I’m in it now and I’m angry. I truly believe it’s the food we consume that’s causing cancer. I’ll stop now. Thanks for your posting
Debbie, I’m so sorry that your daughter-in-law (and therefore you as well) are going on this journey that nobody wants. I hope that wherever she lives, there are excellent medical services available to her. Breast cancer survival rates have increased SO MUCH, but I know that doesn’t stop this being a frightening time. Wishing you and her health. And yes, you may well be right about the food, hence my manic veg-gardening!
I have the same issue with seedlings! I’m completely ready for the weather to warm up so I can get them all in the ground.
Have you ever looked into worm composting? I’ve recently started (in a tray from my kids IKEA toy storage). I’m finding it so fascinating and it seems the sort of thing your and your children might enjoy x
Yes, the wait is so frustrating, isn’t it! I have sometimes considered worm composting, but I do worry that I wouldn’t be a good enough worm-parent. Is it really as easy as some people make it sound?
Um, I always killed the worms when I tried it, but you have far more success with seedlings than I do (I seem to dry-roast them rather than nurture them in the heated propagator!). On the bright side my local council collects food waste so my local grey squirrels don’t eat the compost contributions…
Donation made. My son in law did John O’Groats to Land’s End in one day on his motorbike a few years ago to raise money for cancer research, having driven up there over the preceeding 2 days from his home in Devon. All the best for your virtual run!
WOW! Even on a motorbike that is seriously impressive. THANK YOU for your donation.
Hey Phil
Your recent life and priorities have been very similar to my own- less yarn/ making and more garden. The weather has been awful, here in Suffolk it was cold and dry and now it’s just way with the of dry day where I’m getting as much done as I can, my little greenhouses and windowsills are bursting and we’re making the garden more wild friendly too, it wasn’t bad before but we’re really going to town with wild areas in the front and sides of the house, a hog house, more water collecting etc. It’s a nice distraction as I’ve had health challenges on top of the normal health challenges.
As soon as I’ve done this in going to follow your garden insta then I’m going to donate as I lost my best friend to liver cancer that spread to his pancreas in 2003 and then lost another male friend from the same 4 years later. I tried to get him to go to the doctor as he had the symptoms my BF had but men and visiting doctors etc aren’t always the easiest to make happen. By the time he went it was too late as it had spread to his pancreas too so in their memory I’ll be giving what I can.
Your yarn will be there once the garden is in order. Whatever one you’re working on enjoy!
Oh gosh, I’m sorry that you lost two friends to such hideous disease. Life is cruel, and I often think that the horrid stuff always seems to happen to good people.
But on a lighter note yeah, I feel your gardening pain! I hope that we’re at last past the stage of frosts, so I’ve dared to plant some seedlings out today.
Love to read your blog. Love hearing about the gardening antics and Robin so please don’t apologise to me. The knitting and yarn is always great to see. I too am having a bit of a down on knitting but all is about to change as I have just bought some new patterns and yarn. I was supposed to be using up some of the stash but hey Ho wasn’t very inspired. Just donated to your run, I’ve had pancreatitis and it’s sooooo painful. Reckon if I get anything (God forbid) it’ll be that. Keep up the good work.
Thank you SO MUCH for your generous donation. And OUCH to the pancreatitis: may you never again know that pain. Enjoy your new patterns/yarn!!
The boys have been given so many packets of seeds this year, but with a new human seedling to look after, we haven’t managed to plant anything so far. May you have many delicious meals from yours xx
Your son is perfect and gorgeous. CONGRATULATIONS! May he bring love and laughter into your life every single day. Px
Thank you!
Oh Phill, the weather, we can chat for hours about The Weather. 60cm of snow, what! It’s a month behind here. My seeds are still indoors like yours. The husband of my friend died from it. One of the most agressive forms. Run, hun, run. We get there in the end. Proud of you. We should grow our own pesticides free food for sure. It’s in everything. In the US the people pee pesticides. Darn.
60cm of snow???!!!! Yikes, OK I’d better stop complaining about our mere dusting. May your garden soon warm up and spring into life (and your ponds thrive).
And yeah, pesticides are bad, bad, bad. The more you use, the more you’ll need.
I am so sorry that your friend lost her husband to that hideously cruel disease.
You’ve jollied me along through a tough year+ Phil, very happy to support your cause.
My lack of mojo is backwards. I’m knitting and sewing like a possessed thing, but struggling to get going in the garden. No idea why, I’m usually out there the moment the apocalyptic weather subsides. Hopefully I’ll get going before autumn arrives.
Yeah, the weather isn’t exactly helping anyone get outside right now! So I understand the wish to knit more than garden. But THANK YOU for your donation, seriously, and I’m sorry that you’ve had a tough year. Life is very unfair in where it throws its crap.
Good old British weather eh? How can we be blamed for talking about it so much when it throws so much at us. Very happy to support you my lovely. My Mum died of a horrible & rare cancer with dreadful survival rates too, so I can definitely relate to the need to highlight and raise money for this. Good luck with your epic run too!!
Sandra x
Phil; love, love, love your blog…. can’t say it better or more eloquent than some of the comments above, but you have kept me going for about the last 10 years. After all the
health crap I’ve been going thru (and some still happening) I feel fortunate that I have been
able to knit and crochet and quilt whenever I have the energy and feel bad when hearing
of others who can’t for whatever reason. That aside, I will send you whatever I can after
paying the bills in the beginning of June to support your run against cancer. Used to do the
2 Day Walk here on Long Island but have not been able for some time. Please don’t stop
doing exactly what you have been doing, you are an inspiration to more people than you
realize, and I truly feel that God is walking beside you wherever you go in your life. Thank
you for being there as said before, you are my inspiration. See you in June. Love, Anne
Fantastic to “see” you back! I really hope you are feeling better and looking after yourself. It takes longer than you think to get back any semblance of normality. P
I fear you may be right. But thank you.
i was glad to donate to your excellent cause. I work in a hospital that deals with pancreatic cancer/surgery/aftercare and the odds really aren’t good enough…thank you for spreading the word as well
This is such an inspiring story! I am so glad that you can find something to keep your mind off of breast cancer. The Scottish border sounds like a beautiful place, and I hope you can get there at some point in time. Knowing that this race will make a real difference for future people who have breast cancer is nice. Keep up the good work! Please visit my blog, https://www.tirunelveli.today/
Hello Phil. Your stained-glass window shawl (or is it a blanket?) is amazing – could you tell us where you found the pattern please?
Thanks
Thank you! The pattern is available here: https://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?prod_id=21741
I’m enjoying your writing immensely, although some news is sad. I am absolutely floored by the underwater picture! I keep scrolling back to it, a thing of beauty. Sometimes I think I need to devote more time to stranded knitting, then come across a lovely textured hat from Jennifer Myrick, and guess which gets on the needles right away. Not knowing you well, I’d feel awkward asking after your health, but I wish you the besr.