Letters
Letter from Paris: Hunkered
Dear friends,
I knew it was coming, of course I knew; but still the arrival of the Olympic Games has hit hard. I don’t wish to spoil anyone’s joy, please understand. Unfortunately for me, they mean only one thing: anxiety.
I live in what is considered central Paris, but the northern edge. My neighborhood is mostly quiet. Unlike some of my friends I am outside the dreaded “gray zones” where even residents have to scan a special QR code at checkpoints in order to access their own homes.
However, the overhead buzz of surveillance helicopters is continuous, and I cross paths with patrols of heavily armed security teams any time I leave the apartment.
My favorite walks and parks are inaccessible for the duration. Some of them are technically open, but to visit them means more checkpoints, miles of metal riot barriers, and more guns. Not what you would call relaxing.
As I cannot leave the city—I’m not rich enough for two weeks away, and work still must be done—I am hunkered down.
There are worse places to hunker. I love my workroom, and it needed a thorough going-over.
One thing about limited space, especially limited closet space: it keeps you honest. Am I really going to use the remaining half-yard of this fabric? How about that half-ball of bulky superwash? Is that inkle loom really going to come in handy someday? How many of those ten boxes of straight pins is one man likely to use what remains of his lifetime?
If the answer is no—or even maybe—whatever it is finds a new home. There is not enough room around here for maybe.
You want to know how ruthless I am? I gave away a knitting book. And it was a good knitting book.
There was also a sweater knit in a rather precious yarn—completely finished, never worn—that I at last admitted was too ill-fitting and too full of ugly pandemic memories for me to keep. It has now been unraveled…
…and the resulting balls are being wound into hanks so the yarn can be steamed (to take out the kinks) and go back into stash.
Before the steaming, though, came the important step of recreating outtakes from my mother’s senior portrait session in 1968.
The other balm for anxiety is, as I am sure you know, making things. For me, the two activities—cleaning and making—are closely linked. Sorting the stash and organizing the workroom have led me to rediscover projects in hibernation that need love and finishing, like the cuddly vest that lacks only two steeks and a bit of finishing…
…and the two knit-to-fit demonstration socks from the “Proportional Sock” series on Patreon that lack mates…
…the Indian cottons I bought ages ago, intending to make shirts…
…and the Edwardian embroidered linen cushion cover (bought at a brocante, an antiques market) that needs a back.
It’s entirely too evident that malaise and brain fog caused a serious backlog around here. Now it’s time to do something about it. And what better time to try than when I’m confined to quarters?
I must say, just looking at the tidier space and the pretty possibilities has me feeling much, much better. So does writing to you.
By the time of my next letter, all the fuss and brouhaha will be a memory, and I hope to be back in the Tuileries knitting under my favorite tree.
Until then, wherever you are, I hope what you’re making is helping you keep your calm in a bumpy world.
Cordialement,
Franklin
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Thank you for that. I am fed up of the Olympics too. Like you I understand the appeal and did once myself but knitting is keeping me going. I had been wondering how it would affect you. Xx.
Franklin – if I had known you could have escaped to rural Corrèze. You still can for a few days if you get cabin fever. I can pick up from Brive. Space to breathe. Think about it
So glad to read your letter. And happy to hear you are finding ways to avoid the noise! (They will be gone soon!)
The pictures of what you found in your closets are so pretty. Thank you for sharing them.
You are an inspiration Franklin.
I too have been sorting stash and enjoying the serendipity. My “hunkering” results from the 100+ degree temps in the DC area. AC is my friend, helping me complete the Artus shawl and a large blanket for my granddaughter who is off to college this month.
I too am hunkered down with the final rows of Artus shawl but in the 100s of the Pacific Northwest.
I assume the Paralympics won’t have quite such the same hype and won’t cause you as much stress. Glad you found a way to get through the hunkering with a positive outcome. Hugs
I feel for you. I knew the Games would cause disruption to Parisians but I had no idea it would be that bad. Your new-old projects are delightful especially the shirts
Gentle hugs, Franklin. I also felt better reading your letter. Who doesn’t have a backlog of the forgotten (or timeout) projects – my chicken needs a beak, for sure. But framed as a pile of opportunity… now that’s enlightening. As always, thank you for the glimpses of your workroom.
Thankyou for a glimpse of the real side of Paris during these Olympics. But boy are you shining to the world. Thankyou for a beautiful Olympics watch and keeping what is good in this world alive. A good cleanez of the stash opens new opportunities! The whole world is greatful to your city and it’s citizens at this horrific time.
Thank you Debi, well . It’s been so hot and humid to be outside so watching the Olympics is a great excuse to be inside. I’ve been knitting while I watch and have finished one sweater and half way through another.
Thank you for your comment.
This was inspiring. Thanks for sharing. I feel your need for the peace and quiet.
Those Indian cotton shirts are going to be AMAZING
In that photo, you look like you are scheming to sell me a rug.
I love your letters. This one really connected, a I’m facing a similar challenge. Moved in February and still facing a major reorganization of my yarn, fabrics, supplies. Hopefully, your letter will keep me company when I need encouragement. Thank you.
What an inspiring read!
Of course, it must be awful there with the extra security laid on. And the police there have the name of being as patient and friendly as the Spanish ones hahahaha….. I lived in Madrid for a few years and have bad memories of being manhandled by a Spanish policeman when I tried to leave my apartment block not knowing there was a bomb scare somewhere in the area.
Hunkering down is the best option… 35 in the shade here in Malta, so AC is my friend, till the next power cut comes. which it does, often, because of the overpopulation here. Insert very gallic shrug here.
Cleaning and making as salves for anxiety, absolutely. I’ve cleaned the fridge or cleared out a junk drawer to help me get through many stressful times. Now, I’ve just finished a project and have nothing to do with my hands, and it’s driving me mad….
Jane, I love what you wrote. Don’t forget about cleaning and clearing out e-waste too, if applicable. Getting rid of things on phone and computer is a good feeling.
“I hope what you’re making is helping you keep your calm in a bumpy world”
Indeed, it is!
Thank you Franklin! Your musings hit home. I too have hunkered down. Temp expected to rise to 112 today. Fire Smoke as been hazardous, overdid my right thumb (now healng). So cleaning and purging is it! Found pic of my closest friend and I from 20 years ago, with fake nose rings. It makes us both smile. Love Diane
Oh those Indian cottons! (sigh)
I’m one who loves the Olympics but only on TV, when I can see “up close and personal” and then tune it out when I need to, you know, work for a living.
I have on my list a purge of the stash (fabric, yarn, and even spinning fiber), but the worst thing just happened: one of those “keep it just in case” bits of leftover denim just came in useful.
“There is not enough room around here for maybe”. My new phrase of inspiration for my Wool Room ( less wool than you might think, more “maybe…”). Thank you. Hugs from Ontario
More hugs from Ontario…
There is TOO MUCH MAYBE around here, I fear… But, I have given some stash to an acquaintance who crochets like fury – making hats for the homeless.
I need to rehome even more stash; and, I will part with some lovely Colourmart Alpaca/Corriedale blend – to be given to a young man who’s asked for knitting lessons…because they are HIS colours, and will never be mine!
Small victories.
You see something good came out of it after all, tiding up and finding those forgotten treasures, soon you will be walking in the gorgeous parks
Thank you for such a lovely letter Franklin! I’m sorry that the Olympics are causing such disruption, but it’s good, isn’t it, to tackle the indoor tasks sometimes. 🙂 Since my husband died, I’ve been clearing out and redecorating and donating, and soon, SOON I will get to my craft room. LOL. I might even have to give away some knitting books, even if they are good ones. I have given away yarn, (gasp) to good causes and people who appreciate it, and my SABLE is looking more manageable. I wish I could come sit and knit with you in the beautiful gardens of Paris! Take care.
Always LOVE, LOVE, LOVE reading your notes, Franklin!! It is like having my own little magnifying glass into a treasure trove of inspiration, and experiencing another side of the world through your eyes…. and words. Always makes me smile. Thank you!!
Loved your letter and photos. The trouble with making one sock is that you then have to make another! or wear one of each and be a little different. My daughter and I were in Paris a number of years ago when gendarmes were in the streets with their guns making our choices of where we would wander less than pleasant. But, once in Paris, there is so much to see in any direction it did not affect our pleasure at being there. Love your choices of fabrics and can’t wait to see what progress you make in finishing them before the Olympics end.
It is a good idea to go through the stash once in a while – even if you’re just dusting it – but I think something else might be happening here: Second Sock Syndrome! You won’t get over it if you don’t get them knitted…
Thanks for the update, I was wondering what general life was like for the Parisians right now. Good luck with all your projects, you’ll have a wonderful feeling of accomplishment after the Olympics
Thank you for your inspiring letter. I always love reading your blogs. The Olympics are just not what they used to be. I do need a bit of straightening in my craft room but I’m in a bit of a fog. 100 degree Temps with the humidity here make it unbearable outside. Thank goodness for AC. I need to pull out all the ufo’s and get cracking.
Thank you! You’ve encouraged me to take on my workroom before upcoming knee replacement. Merci!
I haven’t done my annual summer “complete reorg of the stash” and I’m feeling it….
Am I ever going to make that bulky sweater? REally?
But then, where does the yarn go if I am not? That’s a hard one at present.
Either of those Indian cottons would make a lovely back for your cushion cover if you’re not in your shirt sewing era, and the two single socks would probably be very happy together as a pair if they are the same size and similar construction so they won’t feel weird if you wear them together. My daughter’s favorite winter boot socks are 2 Regia sample socks that a yarn shop owner friend gave me- identical size and pattern but wildly different colorways. Matchy-schmatchy, who cares as long as your feet are happy?!?
You are a gem!! Merci, thank you! I loved that picture of you and I am still smiling as I write this. You are such an awesome person; inside and out! Making lemonade and spring cleaning in the dead of summer is so inspiring! You feel like a friend I have never met…Au Revoir, mon ami.
Keep the Inkle Loom!!!! You will regret getting rid of it. I do!!!!!
Totally empathize.
Though never experienced a QR code to go home.
One more week to go …
(Though at least you know the difference between a certain type of religious painting and a bacchanal).
Thank you! Just what I needed to get pruning.
dawn
Dear Franklin,
I identify with your situation. Am so glad you have a very enjoyable, if not ideal, solution. Wishing you much happiness that you will be back in the Tuileries soon.
Love your letters! They always cheer me up, and make me want to move to Paris! You also made me feel motivated to go through all that knitting stuff that I have accumulated, some of which has become a drag on my creative psyche, so… thanks for that!
For decades I’ve thought that the Olympics were the best part of any election year. Thoroughly enjoying the games (the athletes are amazing, and I admire how they congratulate each other despite the competition), but mindful of the impact on the locals, so thanks for your involuntary contribution. (Dare I say you seem to be going for the gold in workroom archaeology?) Hunkered down in front of TV, and also tidying up files, desk, and getting some knitting in.
“Workroom archaeology “
Brilliant!
Well done
Good work
I may follow suit
Needed some inspiration and a little push
Thank you muchly
I am totally going to make a poster with the quote “There is not enough room around here for ‘maybe’.
the Olympics, but I would probably like it less it I was in your situation. It sounds like you are making the best of it, so enjoy! I always love to hear from you and your adventures in Paris.
It would be such fun to be there prowling through your projects and ignoring the games with you. 🙂
Lov it, and have the same problem except mine is much larger. Hard to let some of these things go but I must. I also love the Olympics and what Paris/France has done with it. Too bad that it is necessary for all the police protection. The world has completely gone nuts.
The turban suits you!!! I always enjoy your posts and photos.
Always look forward to your letters from Paris! They put a smile on my face.
I am in a similar curcumstance: I live in SD with an annual invasion of a half million motorcyclists for two weeks. Hunkering is required for stability in August. I was planning to do activities similar to yours, and your thoughts on culling have motivated me to get going with the organization plans. Who knows what gems I may find! Wishing you success with your projects.
We are halfway thru. Keep at it, there is only one more week!
Loved the arrival. Actually a little jealous that you live in Paris and you are in the midst of the Olympics. I am sure it can be trying. Loved the honesty about space and tough decisions. I need more discipline in that arena.
Thank you. Lying awake at 4:20 am I came upon this in my email folder. I thanked the sender, Deacon Gail, and I thank Franklin for putting a grin on my face in the wee hours of the morning.
How courageous of you to ax even the maybes!! Those UFO rediscoveries look lovely.
Having the Olympics in your lap is tough….like deliberately rerouting a bumper to bumper NYC traffic jam to your neighborhood. (There might be fewer guns in NYC!!!
May inner peace and rest be granted by your busy hands, Franklin…
It seems our lives are all about intent. To realized one of two does make a huge difference.
Your yarn looks like it loves hunkering down in Paris, too!
I, too, had a senior portrait in 1968. A skein of yarn on my head would have improved it dramatically!
❤️. I felt all of that.
Franklin, that unravelled yarn is gorgeous. What do you have in mind for it?
One of your many talents is taking a set of circumstances (feeling trapped in your apartment during the Olympics) and finding positive ways to use the situation. I’m not trapped, but I do have too much yarn in my stash and too many knitting tools I never use, and I need to hunker down and deal with the situation before I become even more overwhelmed with the muchness. You’ve inspired me! Merci!
Franklin —
THANK YOU! I deeply appreciate your humor in the face of the world coming to Paris! Furthermore, I have several, conservative, skeins of yarns purchased during the pandemic that need to be donated — let alone a couple of projects! Our them all because they are NOT bringing me joy!
Honestly, the images from Versailles for the equestrian events took my breath away! Talk about Chamber of Commerce moment — so be prepared more tourists to come post Olympics and Paralympics!
So, I will be amongst the crowds returning to my home country!
Au revoir et bientôt!
I think those socks would look great worn together!
I love unmatched socks and of course you could pull it off!
This bit of delight was the perfect thing to read while sipping an early morning mug of tea, thank you.
Dear Franklin-Bon jour! How lovely to wake to my first morning home from a hospital stay (last one 35 years ago) to find your article. My surgeon decided to Marie Kondo some of my now unneeded body parts along with a 25 cm stash of something (a ball of stress?) that I had been storing in the nether region. Of course I packed knitting for the hospital and didn’t knit a stitch and watch way too much of the Olympics. Do you know how long the 10,000 meter race takes to run?! So now I’m hunkering, healing, happy and home. Your columns always bring back wonderful memories of my only (so far) trip to Paris in 2016. I’m picturing the Luxembourg gardens right now. Merci.
Even you made a sweater that didn’t fit? That makes me feel better because I have as well.
Sigh! All those hours of knitting, wasted?
It’s always a pleasure reading about how and where you are! The whole world seems mobbed these days and those shaded corners where we can nestle knitting are true treasures.
You have a single sock? TWO single socks… In my world that equals a pair… You’re good to go.
I imagine Paris right now would be rather dreadful with the Olympics invading your zen moments of knitting in the tuilleries..gives me the vapours. I send you wishes for health & found wools & treasures found.
Franklin, you’re the best.
Love reading your posts!
M. Habit, the portrait is divine. It gives off very strong “ Alexander, The Man Who Knows” vibes. Google it, you’ll see.
Cheers to organizational therapy and restoration of your favorite Paris places. Begone, sporty invaders!
Hang in there!! All the crazed tourists will soon be gone and you can visit your favorite parks and shade trees once again.
Thanks for the inspiration to clear out a workroom. Mine has been a work in progress far too long. Time to break out a large shovel and get to it!! If only the temperature would drop so I could feel more energetic and enthused about anything. I’m taking small steps in between sitting in front of a fan and drinking cold beverages. Getting rid of some things, but it’s agony to give away a book.
This was a beautiful post that made me feel happy and inspired. Your recreation is adorable! Stay calm and cool and thanks for the kitty in a purple pantsuit!
Yes, hunkering seems to be going around this summer and locally, the reason is neither a pandemic (gratefully!) or an athletic competition. As others have written, here in So AZ, the culprits are the recurring heat domes and weeks on weeks of over 100 (F) degree temps. You’ll be out of your ‘cloistering’ before we’re past ours. Thankfully there is knitting, daily and plans and research for future knitting. Thanks for adding a smile and a chuckle to my day, Franklin.
My BF and I were in Paris a couple of weeks ago and experienced just some of the security shut downs you write about. It was surprising to see the patrols with guns and the barricades along the Seine making it too difficult for us to get near the Eiffel Tower and didn’t even try any museums. BUT I finally got to experience the city that has been on my bucket list since high school many, many years ago.
Hope you are having good health to enjoy this beautiful city for many years to come.
Thank you for the encouragement and incentive to purge. Tomorrow.
I wondered what it was like in Paris. Hopefully, you can get fresh air near your apartment. I detest crowds and avoid them as much as possible so I understand.
I still like watching the Olympics from my house on tv. Have no desire to see them live.
Thank you! Just what I needed!
Oh! thank goodness for your humor in a world that sometimes lacks too much! Bravo!
Please, the pillow first. It is gorgeous and deserves to be part of your decor.
I think I am in love with your mind and creatividad! Don’t ever lose your sense of humor.
The Peruvian,
Carmen
Ok, this might be the only month in my long adult life when I don’t envy the denizens of Paris. Maybe. Jury is still out.
That said, we have a spare room here in Alaska. Our glaciers are mostly in galloping retreat with global warming, and we now have a portable air conditioner for the bedroom, but today it’s raining buckets and topping out at 60F/16C. Will help surpress the summer wildland fires and give trees one more growth spurt before their cells begin considering autumn.
I wish you the very best. Hubby and I will look for you next year. The gentleman quietly knitting under a tree in the Tuileries. Thank you for your posts!
Reading your column, also helps keep me calm in a bumpy world. Thank you! With inspiration from you I’m off to tidy my space and maybe jumpstart my creative spirit.
Thank you!