The Life Aquatic
07/28/2010
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!
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!
Posted by: margene | 07/28/2010 at 03:45 PM
So with you on the water front! The scarf is lovely! Is it the Montego Bay pattern?
Posted by: Carol | 07/28/2010 at 05:40 PM
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.
Posted by: kmkat | 07/28/2010 at 10:32 PM
Pretty scarf. It can remind you of summer when it's cold outside! :)
Posted by: Marilyn | 07/29/2010 at 09:29 AM
It's beautiful! And I love the fringe!
Posted by: Lori on Little Traverse Bay | 07/29/2010 at 09:58 AM
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
Posted by: Cookie | 07/29/2010 at 05:29 PM