Marlene's Space
A journal of my life
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Dance Competition!
Friday, April 17, 2026
New (Modified) Taco Recipe
One of my sons found a new recipe he wanted to try... It wasn't in a cookbook...
But on You Tube!
Interesting... Why don't you make it for us?
So he did!
It was delicious!
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Knitting Patterns Now
My grandmother never used a pattern when knitting socks. She must have had some formula in her mind. She'd start - then hold a partially knit sock up against my foot to check the size... and adjust accordingly.
Likewise, when I was in university, my Polish landlady would knit a pullover for her son every winter as he grew - also without using a pattern.
I've knit garments for years - never without using a pattern. My mother did the same.
When and why did that switch from intuition to written patterns occur? I wonder.
Formerly, when the knitting "bug" "bit" - often in winter - I'd head to a yarn shop in search of a new knitting project, the pattern and the yarn.
How different things are now!
Now I find patterns online and purchase them - often directly from the designer. They arrive immediately on my Iphone - as a digital download. Then I print them up using my printer.
The process seems truly magical. I don't understand it.
Since I started downloading patterns, I've become a fan of certain knitwear designers in different parts of the world - checking out their latest collections on Instagram or Ravelry - just as I formerly used to check out patterns in magazines and pattern books in yarn shops. Then I had no idea who the designers were.
How different from what my mother and grandmother ever experienced!
I sometimes think how shocked they would be if they could see how things are done now!
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Happy Memories!
Family pets are part of our story...
Saying goodbye is hard.
They leave us with lots of memories!
A few weeks ago, we said goodbye to a cat member of our extended family.
Panda had been our daughter's pet for about 8 years before he fell ill.
Panda was a " rescue " cat...

What a character he was...
He loved catching food tossed at him and became a great catcher ; or exploring with joy and earnestness to find " hidden " food.
He was very independent...
His black and white coloring made him stand out...
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Delicious Outing
Later, we wandered into a German bakery for a few more treats to take home.
It's always fun to discover new cafes... and, of course, new bakeries!
Monday, April 13, 2026
Rainy Days Ahead
It's April...
Not what I want to see!
I have to remind myself that "April showers bring May flowers"...
Though they do make raking difficult. And I was hoping to rake my flower beds before the bugs arrive!
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Little Chipmunk
Our backyard fence is a favourite place for squirrels to sit in the sun...
But this is the first time I saw a chipmunk lounging there.
I enjoy looking out the window and seeing animals that share our neighbourhood...
I've seen foxes, skunks, rabbits, raccoons, groundhogs, wild turkeys, ducks, geese, crows and other birds - but, most commonly, squirrels of various sizes and colours.
On average, I see more wild animals than I see dogs and cats! (And I live in a city of more than a million people!) I consider that quite amazing!




































