A Rectangle, a Snowflake and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Greetings friends! Welcome to another busy Wednesday at Crochet Nirvana.  Can you believe that there are just 82 days until Christmas? While that make seem like ample time, I am acutely aware of how quickly it races by!  And, despite my good intentions I am woefully ill-prepared for the gift-giving part of the season.  This week, in between work, family and my other crochet pursuits I have vowed to devote at least a portion of each day's crafting time to the holidays. 

A set of embellished towels is taking shape.  I originally thought that I would use individual mini squares across the bottom edge. Then I thought - I wonder what a long granny style rectangle would look like?  Since I wanted to try the yellow and white anyway I went ahead and made this piece.  John and I both like the way it looks, however I remain unconvinced that this is the color scheme to use.  What do you think of the white on white? I'm going to applique the rectangle to one end, and the squares to the other before I make my final decision.  I've never sewn a piece of crochet work to fabric.  I'd love to hear your suggestions or tips if you've done it already!!

I've had it in the back of my mind to make lace snowflakes to decorate the tree and to decorate presents.  It's been quite a while since I did any thread work (the bookmarks were last).  I really enjoy it, but it is tough on my already poor eyes!  Even with my bifocals perched on the edge of my nose I feel the strain after a while!  I need to remember to do this kind of work early in the day to take advantage of natural light.  Starting any new work after 10 PM is never a good idea and it accounts for the minimal amount of progress you see!  Hopefully I can steal some time before work to get this one done.  I'd like to get a batch together and then stiffen them with glue so they hang nicely. You can check out my tutorial here. I was surprised by how easy (and not messy!) it is to do!

Wednesday is book day!  That means I get to spread a little literary love!  Right now I'm reading a new release (July 2012) called Imperfect Bliss by Susan Fales-Hill.  Library Journal calls it "Chick lit with an intellectual streak." but I'm not sure that I'd agree. Really I don't know how I feel about this story that the jacket describes as "Reality TV - Jane Austen Style!" I'm only a few chapters in and I'm just getting to know everyone! 
Without a doubt I can tell you how I feel about this week's book in review ~ I Loved It!!  Keep reading to find out why!

A Surprising Story Brimming with Emotion and Flooded with Humanity

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Random House Publishing
July 24, 2012; 336 Pages

Harold is a simple man. He and his wife Maureen live a simple  life in a small English village. He has recently retired from the brewery where he worked, well always.  Maureen thinks that Harold is dull. Everything that he does irritates her just slightly. Predictably, the mail arrives just as it does everyday.  But this time there is something different among the bills and adverts. A letter has come for Harold from a woman he hasn't seen or heard from in twenty years.  Queenie Hennessey is gravely ill and has written to say goodbye.

Harold is surprised by the letter.  He hasn't even thought of Queenie in years. Regardless, proper English etiquette requires that he at least acknowledge her letter with one of his own.  Quickly Harold jots a few lines, and heads out to post the letter.  When he reaches the mailbox on the corner he finds that he's not quite ready to let the letter go.  He continues on from box to box venturing out of his neighborhood.  Then, following a chance encounter with a young girl in a convenience store Harold decides that he must deliver his message in person.  And, that he must walk nearly six hundred miles in order to do so.  Because, he believes as long as he keeps walking, Queenie Hennessy will keep on living.

And so begins the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Though he has forgotten to bring his mobile, is wearing yachting shoes (though he doesn't yacht) and has only a light sweater to keep him warm he embarks on a quest that will bring him to places he never imagined existed both physically and emotionally.  With each step he travels closer to Queenie, and to discovering the man that is buried beneath years of monotony. 

Harold and Maureen seem to be an average, normal couple who have settled into life.  But the truth is they have been together for so long that they have forgotten why they fell in love in the first place.  And then there's their son David.  He's something of an enigma but a source of friction non-the-less. As Harold walks he thinks. As Maureen waits she thinks. And there is so much for them to think about!

Along the way Harold happens upon a cast of characters that are as diverse as your imagination allows and so rich with personality that their stories seamlessly become Harold's. Everyone has something to offer. Some times it's food or shelter and others it's a bit of advice.  It is because of them that he is able to keep walking.  But what's even more interesting is what Harold gives them in return, and how these brief chance meetings have such an impact on each of them.

As I was reading and getting to know the characters I grew fond of them.  With every encounter that unfolded on the road I found myself holding my breath as I waited to see what happens next.  There are so many layers to this book. So many stories that the author has brilliantly blended together.  I didn't know if Harold would make it or if Queenie would live.  I wondered what Maureen was going to do when she realized that she really missed her husband. And what about David?  How did he fit into the story? Page by page, step by step they all are finding their way, and what started out as unlikely makes perfect sense by the end of the story.

Interesting, funny, charming, sad, curious, awkward, corny, scary, personal, heart warming, unexpected, delightful, offbeat, wonderful. These are just some of the words that I can use to describe this book.  It's quite different from anything I've read lately.  It's a human story that I was able to immerse myself in.  I don't know if you'll enjoy it as much as I did, but there's a good chance you will. Check out a copy at your library and see for yourself. You might end up taking your own unexpected journey!

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I have never seen such a delightful trailer for a book.  This one captures everything about the story perfectly. Please take a look if you have a moment (well 1:31) I bet it brings a smile to your face!

Well folks, that's about all for today!  To wrap things up I'm linking in with with this lovely group of bloggers. It's my first time visiting Ginger (Wow Me Wednesday) and Kara (Look What I Made) - who both have super creative blogs (take a peak!).  All these ladies have something special to offer and I'm so glad to be able to include my work.  I love seeing what others are doing and I always find something that I have to 'Pin' to my ever growing collection of boards!

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!  I hope you enjoyed your visit and come back again soon!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!