Beginning in the Middle

My church has a part of the service called "Joys and Concerns," where anyone can get up and talk (briefly) about what's going on in their lives. When I turned 45, I told the congregation that the first half of my life had been rough--very rough--and that I was hoping the second half would be better. Several older women came up to me after the service and assured me, with knowing looks, that it would be.

I decided at that birthday, now almost a year and a half past, that I wasn't going to wait to see. I was going to make it better. It's taken me that year-plus to define what this process would mean: in a word, it's learning. I'm an educator by trade and by calling, and what I love most is the learning that goes on in and around me. When I teach new courses or redesign old ones, I get so enthusiastic about what I'm learning and what I get to teach.

So in this blog, and in my second half, I'm actively bringing this learning to the rest of my life.

Last year, I learned how to eat. In January 2010, I joined WeightWatchers online, and I have lost about 50 pounds. I feel better and I look better, and I am even wearing some medium(!)-sized clothing. I haven't seen this weight in about ten or twelve years. I'm not done losing weight (and I'm sure I'll have more to say on the process later), but I believe I have spent a successful year learning about food and eating.

Now it's time for a new learning adventure. This year, I'm going to learn to knit the way I really want to. I already know how to put needles together and make articles of clothing. I've done afghans and shawls and baby blankets and scarves and hats and mittens and socks and sweaters and iPod cases. This year, I want to learn to design knitwear--to make truly customized pieces.

This blog is where I'm going to chronicle this learning adventure, including all the inevitable missteps and celebrations. Those of you who join me here, welcome!