Compartmentalizing

In Alexander McCall Smith's novel Love Over Scotland, one of the characters muses how a friend has become tiresome. This friend became an "enthusiastic jogger," placed 52nd in a big-city race, and could no longer hold a conversation that didn't involve long-winded discussions about running.

That passage in the book made me laugh. I recognized myself in the running-preoccupied friend. I try not to talk about running too much, but it's hard. I think about it a lot. I could say the same about knitting.

I don't want to give up blogging about either topic because writing about a thing helps me to think about the thing. Also, I need to keep a detailed running log because my memory is bad.

I've started another blog to keep track of my running. Mostly, it will be of no interest to anyone but me and maybe one other person. Still, knowing that anyone could read it will keep me motivated to proofread and practice the correct use of commas.

Now this blog can be devoted to more knitterly things.

Bugsy and I

The Oregon coast in winter is windy and wild. There are no crowds, so you have long stretches of emptyish beaches upon which to walk. You will freeze your face off, of course. That's part of the fun.

It can be quite a cheap getaway, too. A few weeks ago, while in Lincoln City, Ore., Don and I stayed at the rustically charming Anchor Inn. Like the sign says, it's $39 a night (during the off season) and included a hearty (though not heart healthy) hot breakfast of pancakes and sausages. It seemed like quite a bargain.

Our little cabin had a couch with sand in the cushions, a dog-themed decor and groovy beaded curtains behind which was the bedroom, or, as the innkeeper called it, the "love nest." The inn is, I think, a lovingly remodeled, former dump of a roadside motel.

I loved the lounge and bar, but unfortunately they are only open for special events. We missed the transgender fashion show that happened the night before we arrived, but I did meet this handsome character one morning.

Bugsy, for that was the name etched in his tags, was not shy about asking for what he wanted.

And, who could say "no" to a face like that? Who would dare to say "no" to jaws like that?

After saying "so long" to Bugsy, we headed over to Nestucca Bay Yarns. It is an organized store with a good selection of yarn. It was difficult to choose. I hovered around the Simply Shetland bins for a long while, but finally decided I could not leave town without 4 skeins of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in a very beautiful and oceanic teal.

If you're ever in Lincoln City, I highly recommend visiting both Bugsy and Nestucca Bay Yarns.