What Love Creates

My Father-in-Law Paul is 84, smart, sassy as all get out, and I just adore him. He’s also not in the greatest of health. He had a heart issue a couple years ago caused by him out living one of his heart valve replacements from a heart attack over 20 years ago. It was replaced and he’s recovering, but he is in his 80′s so he’s not recovering as fast as he did when he had the original replacements done which frustrates him to no end because he’s a stubborn old man who won’t admit that 20yrs makes a difference in that sort of thing.

Anyway, to make a long story short (too late, I know, I’m sorry).  My Father-In-Law has lost a lot of weight over the past couple of years and is always cold.  He bundles up in sweaters and keeps his dog on his lap but he only has a maltese so its not a very useful animal as far as warmth (or anything else IMNSHO) goes.

Visiting him this Christmas gave me an idea.  It is so hard to buy a present for someone that age.  There is so little that Paul needs or wants that we end up getting him the same gift certificate for the movie theater or play house every year.  This year however, I was watching him rub his legs trying to get them warm when I realized that he could really use an afghan, and as I had just learned to knit it would be the perfect gift because he would really appreciate something that had been made just for him.

So I found a pattern, consulted with my husband on color (he thought the afghan was a great idea) and here is the work in progress.

It’s a simple basket weave pattern using three shades of blue and will be about 5ft long, 4ft wide.  So far, its only about 2ft long so I’ve got a ways to go, but then it is also only February so I’ve also got time .

I feel pretty safe posting this online since while Paul does own a computer and does go online he really only goes to Matchbox and Hotwheels websites.  Heck, he only ever checks his email once a year.  LOL  However, if he does happen to stumble upon this blog post – Merry Christmas Paul Hertziger.  I love you, you stubborn old man!

Heather Hertziger blogs from her home in Watertown Wisconsin.  You can read more about her life here, and see some more of her work here, and here.