You can't see the cashier. She is shorter than the magazine rack. As I stood there, I noticed how the row next to me was moving more quickly. So I began paying attention to the sound of the scanner registering the woman's purchases. Beep... Long pause... Beep. Beep... Long pause... Beep. So I leaned over a bit, and noticed a diminutive hand reach out for more products. One at a time. Two at a time, pulling them closer like a small squirrel. Beep... Long pause... Beep. The customer looked back at me, then smiled sheepishly. She had coupons too. The man ahead of me had less than 10 items. Really, he could have done self-checkout. By the time he got to his turn, he was negotiating for which items he TRULY needed, and which he could compromise on. "IF THIS CAN OF SOUP IS NOT $1.10, I DO NOT NEED IT." But he was lying too, because after she scanned his items, he had the audacity to ask for cigarettes, the other reason he had chosen that line, which was right next to all them. He pointed to his cartons and described them 3 times. "No! TO THE RIGHT. N-No! TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT." "Hello Ma'am," she said to me as it was my turn. "Hi there." Beep... Long pause... Beep. Beep... Long pause... Beep. Beep... Long pause... Beep. Sweats, 3 in Large, 2 in XL, diabetic socks. Knit hats, a scarf. A Nightshirt. Slippers with grippers all disappeared into bags. Gifts for elderly folks at a local nursing home, to fill in for the angels that weren't selected this year. Gifts for unclaimed angels. Another positive shopping experience at the Big Box store.

Mom is now almost entirely housebound, and for numerous health reasons wears only tricot nightshirts. When she sits out on the back deck in nice weather, she can have a blanket on her lap and legs, but nothing in her wardrobe is comfortable for over her shoulders. I designed this in-the-round shawl for those times, to be lacy and easy to drape, hands-free. The measurements were a bit tricky but I think I've got it now. The yarn's a bit heavy but I fell in love with this unique colorway that reminds me of irises, one of Mom's favorite flowers that have a short blooming season. Yarn: Malabrigo Rios, 100% superwash merino, worsted weight. US 8 = 5mm needles. Color: Zarzmora. Typical of Rios, the three skeins are quite diverse: the first as above, the second - just a grapy purple and dullish greens, no blues at all; the third- a grapy purple rather than violet, and some teal and aqua! So four pattern repeats into that second skein, I started swapping in the third. (Details in project notes on Ravelry.) Ravelry pattern "Airy Cowl" - a yo-2Ktog-k1 stitch pattern