Blogger's Silent Poetry Reading a la a Cuban-American

I learned this poem as a little girl growing up in Miami. My grandparents and my parents made sure that I was well aware of the rich cuban culture which they unfortunately had to leave behind. My cuban heritage has been a part of who I am my entire life and I feel blessed to be able to share a little piece of it with you all. This poem has always been one of my favorites. Thank you so much Gracie's Poppies for this wonderful idea.

Cultivo Una Rosa Blanca
por José Martí



Cultivo una rosa blanca
en Junio como Enero
para el amigo sincero
que me da su mano franca.
Y para el cruel que me arranca
el corazón con que vivo,
cardo ni ortiga cultivo;
cultivo la rosa blanca.

Translation:
I cultivate a white rose
In July as in January
For the sincere friend
Who gives me his hand frankly.
And for the cruel person who tears out
the heart with which I live,
I cultivate neither nettles nor thorns:
I cultivate a white rose.

I couldn't help myself!

Yeah, I finished them!

I finished the first pair of sock for 2006! Woo hoo. Ok so here they are:
I like these. I gave them to my coworker today and she seemed very excited. My friend who received these socks, was telling her how much she enjoyed wearing her socks over this past weekend, so that made me feel really good.

I do really like this pair even though they are just a simple stockinette stitch. These were made on US 3 (Lantern moon rosewood double points - a DREAM to work with) and Lion Brand Magic stripes in the brown-blue colorway. Just plain old 56 stitch socks with a simple 2X2 ribbed cuff at the top but, they work out well. I got the striping pretty well paired up, I can't seem to get up the nerve to make a pair of mismatched striping socks. They look adorable on everyone elses sites but, I am still chicken that they won't feel right to me. Sigh.

I haven't yet ventured into the patterned sock world but I just might have to make a pair of jaywalkers. I know that EVERYONE has made them already, but I think that they may be a pretty way to use up my koigu or my cherry tree hill. What do you all think? Of course, as soon as I finished up these I cast on for the shapely shawlette using this koigu. What do you all think? Isn't that going to be really pretty????? I will make sure to post progress photos. My friend Cheri from Sit 'n Knit completed it in 4 days! I have 8 until the beginning of Knitting Olympics! Whew, nothing like a little pressure, eh?