Totall agree with Mae West's attitude. My delusions are long gone too, it's my health, contentment, and my old friends and some new ones that matter. It's the Hollow, and the dogs. As a matter of fact, I think I like being old better as I don't feel I have to be anything but me to anyone anytime. My stock answer these days is: I'm an old broad and happy .. leave me alone. My daughter seems to have the same attitude, grins, but she drops the old broad part, ROFL I love your sweaters, to have the ability to knit things is a gift I've never been able to master. A beautiful hand made sweater like this is a treasure, and anyone that gets one from should you know that.

Andrea, I only have time for a couple today, as I just got in and am knocked out; but I wanted to visit you before the holiday and this is a gem to add to the other one. When this went up I thought, yes! A perfect self portrait. As a design, it's very rich, with you and Fritz making a fine vertical/horizontal statement; and the combo of the pillow and thermometer and tall animal sculpture as verticals, in harmony with you; and the mirror with the snippet of a colored lampshade in it; and the touch of hue in the upper left corner (a plate maybe); and those bright red pants---are those the jeans you used in that 'Red Jeans' piece? (which I also loved, btw). And then there's the self portrait, you looking vivid and very happy, and beautiful. Yeah we show lines and reptilian features as we age (I'm bald too, which wasn't in the fine print in my contract), but beauty goes way beyond that. A great shot of you, and really ruddy too! Because you're out a lot, I assume---nice to see that. (I'm so pale I make clouds look dark.) As for the sweater, it looks really good---but I have to tell you, mohair makes me itch like crazy; while I have no problem with other wools. (I have some imported irish sweaters which are thicker than most sheep, and I adore them. In chicago, you need them.) But it's a fine job with whatever wool you had around...Really nice portrait on every level, Andrea, and a very special and sweet holiday to you! I'll be back for more after the holidays... (ps---I don't have time for others now, but you'll never do me wrong by putting up ol' Ludwig Van B...my teachers used to shove his face in mine, during lessons, to say "he's waaaaaaaatching!" I grew up terrified of that scowl. But his music is at the center of my soul, so any shots you have of the brilliant madman, I'm cool with! More after the holidays.)