We are in week two of homeschooling and my days have been really full, so I haven’t knit much on Mabel’s Puddle Duck, but I did finish a book! One of you recommended West with Giraffes recently (thank you, Theresa!) and I bought a copy when I saw how many other people were waiting in line for it at the library because I really wanted to read it. I tend to read slow paced books these days, but this one kept me up quite late for a few nights because I couldn’t put it down. After reading it, I was determined to meet some giraffes myself! I have mixed feelings about zoos because I find them somewhat depressing, but I have been wanting to take Mabel and Ambrose and decided it was time. The giraffes were the best part of our visit and Mabel fell in love, declaring giraffes to be her new favorite animal (replacing deer who were her favorite because they have such cute babies she told me). We visited the giraffes one last time before leaving and then I told Mabel we needed to wash our hands. She exclaimed that she didn’t want to because she didn’t want to wash off the giraffe slobber because she loved them so much. (Don’t worry. I insisted. She bought a giraffe stuffed animal with her long saved birthday money in place of saving the spit on her hands.)
After his adventure driving a box truck with a pair of giraffes in it across the Unites States, the main character in West with Giraffes (who shares a name with my grandfather, Woodrow Wilson-one of the reasons I wanted to read the book) ends up visiting them every day until the end of their lives. I think I understand. I smile every time I think about the giraffes we met.
p.s. After visiting with the giraffes in the area where we could feed them, we stopped to rest at some nearby picnic tables. I thought I must have misunderstood when I overheard someone saying that there was a giraffe in labor. Then I saw the hooves protruding from her backside!!! I couldn’t believe it! Were we going to witness the birth of a baby giraffe? I told God that he was really outdoing himself with this giraffe visit. Ultimately though, the zoo keepers ushered everyone out of the area and her into the barn to have her baby without an audience. I wasn’t too disappointed. It was probably more excitement than I needed. At least we saw the baby hooves! Ha!
p.p.s. I am planning to update my shop with the naturally dyed head scarves and another batch of calendula salve this Friday. I’m not sure what time yet, but I will aim for 12 pm ET and I will send out an email!
Hi, Could use some help. I’m working the puddle duck sweater a bit on a stumble. At row 7 where increases begin with kfb. One marker under each armhole and one in front and back.
Increase round
It says kfb, work in pattern to 1 st before marker, kfb, sm, kfb, work in pattern to last st, kfb 4 st increase.
There are 4 markers how is this completed. Any help would be appreciated. If I increase on all markers that would be 8 st increase.
I got to feed giraffes in South Africa and it was unforgettable! I’m curious to check out that book now.
Just ordered the book from the library and there is a waitlist. I love your book recommendations! And knitting too. I’ve made three Puddle Duck sweaters and shared the pattern with others! I have several skeins of your yarn and haven’t used them yet bc I just like looking at them!! You inspire me in so many ways!
What is the plant in the picture that has the pinkish purple berries. I am sure I should know it but I dont…and why are you harvesting the berries?
Giraffes are otherworldly. I had never been to a zoo until I was in college (I know I couldnt believe it either) and I remember being in awe of the SIZE of those animlas, giraffes, elephants, etc….I had never seen such big animals in my life. Its important to be reminded that the world is so much more than what we see on a daily basis, it helps stoke the curiosity…I will check out the book myself, I’ve never heard of it.
Peace be with you!
It’s called Amercian beautyberry/Callicarpa americana. I don’t do anything with the berries but the birds love them. Mabel picks them to play with, making pretend dye baths and things like that.
Many years ago, when my family was serving in Kathmandu, Nepal, we visited the zoo there. It was terribly depressing (as one would likely expect a zoological park in a developing nation to be), and also felt terribly unsafe. However, the highlight of the trip was witnessing both a wildebeest AND a Himalayan Blue Sheep give birth!
If you ever make a trip down here to NC, plan a visit to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. I share your mixed feelings about zoos, in general, but this zoo is wonderful. The giraffes are one of my favorites, too, and you can feed them there, as well. Love the not wanting to wash your hands sentiment. I was that way as a child, too. https://www.nczoo.org/
I can’t believe you got photos of the hooves! That’s amazing! I loved feeding giraffes too. I’m going to check out the book too 😊
That was a good book. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to a zoo that has giraffes.
I love Mabel’s love of giraffes! I’ll have to add that book to my to-read list.
I share your mixed feelings about zoos, but I’m happy it was such a good day for all of you.
Wait, your grandfather was Woodrow Wilson, as in the actual President, or just the same name? My closest connection was playing him in The Homeschool Hall of Fame put on by our homeschool group at age 9 so nothing so illustrious 😂. I did get to wear a snazzy fedora though…
Ha! No! He was named after him! I believe the story goes that my grandfather was nameless for a few days (or weeks?) and wasn’t named until Woodrow Wilson was elected.
I love this post. I love giraffes…and I live kind of near you so I’m off to figure out where you were because we have no giraffes in the DC zoo. Watching a baby be born is incredible. Not wanting to wash her hands is too fantastic. Thanks for sharing your beauty!!
This was at the Metro Richmond zoo!
I read “West With Giraffes “ last year and it continues to be one of my favorite reads. So glad you enjoyed it and got to visit your giraffes!
Wonderful experience for all of you. I especially enjoyed the not wanting to wash off the slower b/c Mabel loves the giraffes so much! 😘. I love their long blue tongues!!
Slobber