The Life Aquatic

Cue soundtrack . . .

Some people are renewed by mountain vistas; some by sunsets or skies; some by city skylines; and some by open expanses of prairie.  Me. . . I'm a water person.

Give me an ocean. . .

or Lake Michigan. . .

the little lake at my cottage. . .

or even a river. . .

and I am refreshed; inspired; renewed.

I'm not really sure why water has this effect on me.  I didn't grow up near any large bodies of water, and I didn't spend much time (if any) at oceans or lakes as I was growing up.  I did, though, spend lots and lots of time IN the water.  A different kind of water. . .

 

(This is Not Me.  This would be a great place to insert adorable-youth-swim-photo of myself. . . but my scanner still won't talk to my computer.)

I grew up swimming -- first age group AAU swimming and then high school swimming.  I still swim a few miles a week. . . to keep in shape.  I find swimming to be a relaxing way to exercise -- the water is soothing, cool, refreshing.  Maybe that's why water is so renewing to me.

 

Here's my confessional --  I am completely comfortable in water.  Pool water, that is!  I like clear, clean water.  I like chlorine.  I like being able to see the bottom of the pool.  I like the fact that the bottom of the pool is solid.  I like that. . . there are no "things" in the water.  In short, I like "blue" water.

 

"Green" water. . . ummmm. . . not so much. 

As much as I love to look at natural bodies of water, the simple truth is that. . . being IN oceans and lakes kind of . . . creeps me out!  I think it may be the perpetual pool swimmer in me, but I just don't like the mucky, shifting bottoms of oceans and lakes.  Or the "stuff" -- like weeds and other flora that gets stuck between your toes or tangles in your legs.  Or the fact that there are critters living in there -- and swimming with me!  I can sort of (sort of) handle the fish. . . and turtles. . . and bugs.  But recently I saw a muskrat swimming along in my lake . . . and, really, I've not been able to get back in the water.  I'll just stay in the boat. . . or on the dock. . . thankyouverymuch.

Which is a really long way of getting to the real point of my post today!  You see, I have just completed knitting a lovely little warm-weather scarf -- with yummy Sundara Fingering Silky Merino yarn . . . with the color-name "The Life Aquatic."

 

And it really DOES look like water!  Kind of blue-y green-y with random yellow highlights that look just like sun shining on the water surface.  (Here's my Ravelry link if you'd like details.)  Anyway, this yarn "sang" to me . . . like usual . . . as I was knitting away.  But it didn't settle on just one song.  Sometimes it sang annoying songs like "Under the Sea" (Little Mermaid) and "Baby Beluga" (Raffi).  Sometimes it sang songs I love, like "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" and "The River.  Thankfully, I squelched "Muskrat Love" as soon as it tried to break into my mind (following the unfortunate muskrat sighting last Saturday).  Finally, Bruce's "The River" won out in the soundtrack-of-my-mind. . . because the scarf is long and flowing . . . just like a river.

 

The Life Aquatic. . . is my kind of life.  Minus the muskrats, of course!

Comments

[margene]

How thankful am I you picked Bruce's song. It's one of my faves. The scarf is beautiful and the colors are very like water. Enjoy it!

[Carol]

So with you on the water front! The scarf is lovely! Is it the Montego Bay pattern?

[kmkat]

Beautiful! I recognized the Montego Bay pattern, but, but, but... you call it MINDLESS? That pattern kicked my butt several times around the block before I finally put in markers every 10 st; then I was able to keep it straight. Lace and I will never, ever be friends.

[Marilyn]

Pretty scarf. It can remind you of summer when it's cold outside! :)

[Lori on Little Traverse Bay]

It's beautiful! And I love the fringe!

[Cookie]

Wonderful photos and lovely knitting! I'm with you (even though I do not swim). Chlorine is our friend. Water with stuff living in it is just not for swimming or wading or whatever. Ick.

xo