Last night I packed up my case of samples, all ready for Leeds – but this morning I woke up with a streaming cold. Most folk would probably neck a lemsip and soldier on, but as all of my post-stroke symptoms – and particularly my hearing – are much worse when I have an infection, this really isn’t an option for me. To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. So though there will be a launch today at Baa Ram Ewe, I will not be at it. My apologies to all of you who had made plans to meet me today – do please do go along to the shop in my absence to see my patterns and enjoy some festive cheer. Now I’m away back to my bed.
Edited to add: my sister is going to attend the launch event in my absence. Helen looks like me, sounds like me, knits like me, and, when a teenager, was, in fact coerced by me into pretending to be me on a number of occasions. No coercion this time, but I’m very grateful that she’s able to be there on my behalf. Thanks, Helen!
Kate, I really hope you get well soon. I’m a 17 year old and I don’t even feel like sitting up when I have a cold. Your strength baffles me. Good vibes from Brazil!
Oh, I am so sorry to read that you have to miss your launch. You are taking care of yourself which is the right thing to do. You are entitled to a bit of the “poor me”s, though.
Get better soon!
We are with you Kate even though you can’t be there. Hope you are getting well soon.
So sorry!! But probably still the best decision. Get well soon!
So sorry to hear this, Kate. Missing any trip to Yorkshire, let alone one that is for your own pattern launch, is not good. Stay warm and get well soon.
Get well soon!
Yes, you really do have to look after yourself. Being unwell will lower your seizure threshold. The epilepsy specialist told me that when I am ill, he wants me to go to bed and sleep. I think that was very good advice. If you aren’t sleeping, I hope you are resting. Best wishes
Glad your taking care of yourself. So sorry you can’t attend. It’s wonderful you have a sister to support you (jealous). My grandmother’s name was Helen and she was a fantastic knitter from Ireland.
One more thing… your bag of samples makes me heart swell. I want to crawl in with the sheep and the flowers.
Oh, I’m sorry you’re sick, and particularly on a day with other plans. I giggled after your description of you and your sister though – it sounds like my sisters! They look alike, talk alike, knit alike (at least, neither of them does), and have successfully impersonated the other as teenagers. Me, I’m the odd one out.
So sorry for your disappointment. Take care and get well soon Kate.
I want to dive into that sample bag. Any chance of a viewing in Scotland ?
You can’t be too careful – and what a joy that you have a sister who you can almost pass off as you! Get well soon xx
Those of us who have survived debilitating illness and are immune compromised know exactly what you are going through. No apologies necessary – in our situation, health care comes first. Sending positive thoughts your way….
Get well soon, Kate!
There’s probably a nice play on Radio 4 – snuggle up under a blanket. That’s what I’m going to do on a grey day like today. xx
Do take care
I do hope that someday you may do a launch in London so that I could come to that
I LOVE your posts, your articles and your patterns
Something to look forward to
feel better soon!
You are nothing without your health – sadly your body reminds you of that at the most inappropriate times. There is nothing you can do but ride it out and look after yourself. So, snuggle up with a good book, the radio and Bruce at your feet. Get well soon, Kate.
Take care and get well soon! Love. Verónica
I’m sorry that you will miss the launch, but your health has to come first! Take care of yourself and get well soon.
Get well soon Kate – and well done to your sister for helping out!!
That bag of samples looks utterly delicious! Sending lots of well-wishes and warm appreciation of your part in the wonderful wovember site.
Good choice, great disappointment notwithstanding. Taking care of one’s self is a form of gratitude . . . and you’ve done so well; why muck it up? Thanks for the lovely glimpse of piled woolies. By the way (for us Philadelphia folks), what exactly does it mean to “neck a lemsip?” Hot tea with lemon and a lace (are you allowed a thimbleful?). That’s what my mom always gave me.
be better soon, Kate
Be well! I wish I had a sister like that! A body double could definitely come in handy!
Kate, my mom always fed me chicken soup or hot tea with honey when I was sick. I would have loved to attend your launch, but I’m too far away. Glad you “twin” sister will take your place. Feel better soon.
all of our collective good wishes will have you better in no time! take care of yourself!
That looks like a bag of amazing goodies. Any plans to do something in Edinburgh (but, of course, hope you get better soon)?
Dang it all! Have some chicken soup and put a warm compress over your eyes and nose. Feel Better!!
What a b***er. Brain injury really does seem to affect so many aspects of life, doesn’t it. Hope your boys (human and animal) are looking after you, and that you feel better soon.
Kate. Your Sister did a grand job. I called in to touch, smell and drool over your hats and to dream of knitting Neepheid next year after attending the BRE workshop on knitting in colour at the end of Jan. I have only been knitting for a year and only came across your site two weeks ago. My ignorance makes me pretty fearless so I will conquer. By the way, I brought Norman to meet you. My carbon copy of Bruce. He was happy to stay in the car having spent the afternoon walking through horizontal rain. Maybe next time eh! Brenda, the cat (and therefore the head of this household), Norman, my partner Martin and I wish you a speedy recovery. Hopefully you will get to take the waters of Yorkshire sometime. Sue
Thank heaven for sisiters! My big sister and I used to pretend we were twins occasionally and I am sure she’d stand in for me on such an important event…
And a big congrats on your new formatting and activities- wonderful for more knitters to have access to your fabulous work : )
I feel for you. Since losing my health 10 years ago there have been all too many broken plans.
I hope it helps to know by taking care of yourself now you can take advantage of other opportunities as the open.
What a blow for you! I can only begin to imagine how frustrated you must have been. I am sending you some very very hot weather to keep you warm (36oC today) and a few licks from Woody who has just upended all my newly planted herb pots…..
Take care of yourself! Better to take it easy now than to be worse later because you didn’t. I’m glad you understand you limits, even though they can be aggravating and inconvenient. Take care,
I know what it’s like to have energy issues, and I hope you’re not feeling too down about it. As you know, it happens, and there’s nothing that can be done except to take it easy and rest. :) Hoping that you wake up in the morning feeling fine.
Too bad you can’t make it, but you have am awesome sister!
I learnt that lesson too,,, i am from the yorkshire area but nowadays knit and weave (and felt) in buenos aires… ho´pe you get better soon, and arent sisters just brilliant:)))
Feel better. I am sure your sister did a great job. Your work is lovely and your spirit is fearless.
Oh, it’s sorrowfully. Get well soon!
Rest well, I hope you feel better very soon. You are wise not to soldier on. So lovely reading all these comments, you are so well loved! How fantastic that your sister went in your place….. I look forward to your next blog post, when you have the energy. In the meantime I am downloading Deco and considering what will follow….. x
Hope you’re resting and drinking tea and knitting in your bed. Do show us pictures of Helen!
Love your edited to add, Lol!
I hope you are soon feeling better Kate.
Kate,
feel better soon!
Donna
What does Bruce do when you’re feeling poorly?
I’m sorry you are not well but I’m sure Helen will hold the fort beautifully!
I am so sorry you had to miss your launch and feel like crap, but you are doing the right thing. Rest up, try not to curse your body too much and have a hot toddy to make yourself feel better!
Please take care! Green onions do wonders….raw is best….miso soup is great too….
I’m sooooo very inspired by all that you do…..I’ve been knitting for 30 years….started in grade school…never brave enough to take on a Fair Isle pattern…..my New Year’s resolution is to work on your Paper Dolls sweater!
I’m sorry you had to miss your event! Feel better soon.
I hope you are feeling better, it was a shame you missed it. Your sister did a grand job and the samples of your patterns looked great. I now really want to give up on Christmas knitting and start on tortoise and hare gauntlets for me. I am also lucky enough to have a sister who knits so got her the peerie flooers patterns and yarn for her present. Get well soon and hopefully you can visit in 2012.
i know you’re not much of a god person, but this one, from the book of common prayer, has saved my bacon numberless times.
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring
forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I
am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still,
help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it
patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit
of Jesus. Amen.
Why do colds always happen when you really want to be somewhere?? Keep warm, get lots of rest and get well soon, I love your blog and your beautiful knitting.
Get better soon.
Warm wishes from NZ
Sisters are the best! I hope you feel better soon.
I am sure your sister did a great job just as sisters do!! Get well really soon, best wishes :)
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Thinking of you and hope you feel better soon. Good choice to take care of yourself, but I can understand how frustrating it is.
Take care.
I was just catching up on my RSS feed and saw this entry. Your mention of lemsip brought back so many memories for me. In the spring of 1987 I was an undergraduate and left the US for the first time to study in Oxford for 5 weeks. It was so magical and I felt as though I was living in a time outside of time — steeped in history, mysterious and modern all at once. The room where I slept seemed terribly chilly and I quickly caught a slight cold; thus my discovery of lemsip. It was horribly vile and I still remember the taste fondly.