So the kids are always asking me, "Why are all the parents in books written for kids dead? Or in jail? Or mentally incapacitated/kidnapped/mind-controlled/abducted by aliens/drug addicts/lost at sea/away at war/marionettes of the fascist regime/childlike hippie cult members?" To which I answer, "Because that's good fiction. And you forgot evil overlords."
But really. The answer is that good, responsible, available, eager-to-listen-and-make-sandwiches-with-the-crusts-cut-off parents are always meddling in their kids' business and therefore run the risk of swooping in and solving everything for our protagonist while s/he is busy unsticking the peanut butter from the roof of her/his mouth. And it's a rule of good fiction that the protagonist must solve his/her own problem.
Which is why I'd like to be able to write that I clawed my way out of the dragon's cave single-handedly, Sword of Reason strapped to my back, Dagger of Self-Confidence in my boot, Ninja Throwing Stars of I Kicked Anxiety's Ass tucked in my pockets. Because that would make for an exciting Return from Obscurity blog entry. But oh, no. Folks had to come swooping in and get all deus ex machina on my ass with their Elvis e-cards, emails, I've-been-there-too phone calls and referalls to good doctors and info on meds. And then there were the You Make My Day awards, the Christmas cards, the packages, and the just-checking-in messages left in the comments for months and months.
Seriously: Thank you to all of you for peeking your heads into the cave to check up on me, and the occasional lending of the Mace of Good Friendship and the Big Honkin' Battle Ax of Community.
This scarf brought me back to knitting. (Ravelry link.) So I have Larissa to thank for that. There's been knitting and smiling and blog reading and raveling and eating and working and loads and loads of other things that were absent during the dark days. For some reason, it's taken me forever to get back to blogging. But I haven't really felt complete for a while. And I think I know why. Somehow, I think pushing the "post" button below might do it for me. It's good to be back. Thank you, thank you, thank you for waiting.
yay! welcome back. lovely baby and scarf.
Posted by: emily | February 16, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Yay! You're back! Your baby is adorable, what a charming smile! Is that a 7th generation diaper? How do you like those, do they blowout for you? We used them exclusively until this past month because of too many blowouts, but I liked them so much despite that :(
Posted by: Allegra | February 16, 2008 at 12:12 PM
It's wonderful to see you back!
Posted by: Heather | February 16, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Yay! Welcome back.
Lovely scarf. And I may now have to try and work "Big Honkin' Battle Ax of Community" into a sentence this week.
Posted by: caro | February 16, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Welcome back! I'm a long time reader, infrequent commenter, and admirer of your blog. I'm glad you're working your way back.
Posted by: brenda | February 16, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Larissa's patterns never fail to inspire. I love your rendition, as I strongly applaud any and all non-sock sock yarn projects!
Posted by: Heather | February 16, 2008 at 12:33 PM
WOOOOOHOOOOO! Welcome back!
xoxo
Posted by: nikki | February 16, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Welcome Back! I'm a long time reader too, and I have looked forward to your comeback for months, and it was so nice to see a post from you in bloglines. Your baby is too adorable for words!
Posted by: Emily | February 16, 2008 at 12:47 PM
so glad to have you back!
Posted by: ann | February 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Yay! You're back!! {{runs up to you to give big hugs}} Glad to hear you're feeling better.
Posted by: Sharon | February 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM
yay! good to see you again. And my goodness...isn't the fricklet the cutest little chunk!?!
Posted by: Elli | February 16, 2008 at 12:55 PM
welcome back!
love the scarf and oooh, BABY! He's so handsome -- that smile! :)
Posted by: jess | February 16, 2008 at 01:00 PM
You've made my day! I'm very happy you're blogging again, and congratulations on coming through it all. Blue skies ahead!
Posted by: Darcie | February 16, 2008 at 01:13 PM
i'm so happy that you are "back", in all senses of the word!
i love the pop scarf, it's so cute!
Posted by: melissa | February 16, 2008 at 01:34 PM
welcome back, and congratulations on your courageous dragon battle.
Posted by: marnie | February 16, 2008 at 01:35 PM
{{hugs}} MMMMWAH!!! Missed you!
Posted by: brenda in toronto | February 16, 2008 at 02:16 PM
JUUUUUUUUUUUUUULIEEEEEEEFRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!
(To be read as soccer announcer calling a goal.)
Posted by: Ashley | February 16, 2008 at 02:22 PM
PS I love your scarf very very much.
Posted by: Ashley | February 16, 2008 at 02:23 PM
YAY! Welcome back! You were missed. :)
Posted by: Carrie | February 16, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Welcome back :)
Love the scarf!
Posted by: Stacey | February 16, 2008 at 02:37 PM
so good to see you. welcome back!
every protagonist has help, no matter the size of one's Sword of Reason or Dagger of Self-Confidence or Shield of Determination. one way or another, every one had help. it's how it should be.
cute scarf and cute baby.
Posted by: meowgirl | February 16, 2008 at 03:06 PM
The scarf is lovely and I really like the applique circles on it too, adds a bit of character. Nice to know that you survived the anxiety ride, been there done that although it does pop its head up occassionally. Your baby is just so adorable.
Posted by: sue | February 16, 2008 at 03:11 PM
You did kick some ass Lady!
Welcome back soldier.
I love seeing pics of your gorgeous handmade items...especially that last number. I bet he's really soft & snuggly on the neck! ;)
Yummy boy! (That little belly is just asking for a raspberry!!!!)
Posted by: Susan | February 16, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Great to have you back!
Awesome scarf! And fabulously adorable, chubby baby!
Posted by: Kirsten | February 16, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Hooray! There you are. I thought you'd be back eventually. I had faith. Whatever mechanism worked, I consider this a victory against the evil overlord. Well done, mama. Well done.
Posted by: The Feminist Mafia | February 16, 2008 at 03:24 PM