Love is gentle and kind. So long as there are people who believe that violence--a hit, a slap, a spank, a shout, a slur--is a good way to teach a child, there will never be peace. Violence teaches that terror and domination are an effective way to get people to do what you want. Love is gentle and kind. 

When I am feeling down, I walk among the birches and pines. Their quiet spirits soothe me, and I remember that there is more to life than this present moment--never mind what the current gurus say. I know some very old trees all covered in eyes. Oh, what they have seen! Drought and damp, storm and beetle; their heartwood is a satchel as surely as my soul. We carry it all with us don't we? But we can choose what we do with it. That is the really important thing.

Amy's hat was inspired by this one, which retails for $58.00. It cost me only $14.50 to knit one. I used Chic Knits Super Cupcake pattern, Berocco Vintage yarn in pumpkin, and a fur pom. I altered the gauge slightly by  using US 5 and 7 needles (I always use the magic loop method now for knitting hats). Emmeline wants me to make her a pink one with a white pom.