Adventures in Arabic start, Michelle knits, and fruitcake rules

So yesterday I broke out a notebook to start my Arabic practice in, and you see the pages cut from an old one, to get a fresh start.

It turns out this was the notebook I kept from Handsome Partner's last weeks, in home-based hospice,  to his death and all the tasks I had to do. 

So much official work, with reminders to myself to breathe, not feel everything had to happen at once. I hesitated before cutting out these pages, but decided I'd lived through them, managed it all, and could recycle the notes. 

Then on to practicing my first two alphabet letters, alef and nun. They're written differently depending on where they come in the word, immediate complications!  

But how beautiful even the wobbly first steps of a beginner look

And in case I get too tense about it, remember good old Mediocrates.

Meanwhile here's Michelle, wise lady, who took up knitting during the early pandemic

And upon her inviting people to share in her Twitter thread about what we've done for peace of mind lately, I found myself in a nice little three way with her and Sister M, my sock connection.

In case you are missing an awwwww factor, take a look at 

And keeping up my strength through all these feats, Southern fruitcake for afternoon tea, Yorkshire style, with a slice of sharp cheddar and tea. Wensleydale cheese, is the authentic choice, but I can't get that, so Vermont cheddar  steps in just fine. South meets North, lives happily ever after.

Happy day everyone! Any puzzling success yet? Clue: Roy Rogers.  

Life's one big puzzle, really. I thought I'd know everything by now, heh.