Yarn Along #2

I'm taking part in Ginny's Yarn Along.

While celebrating Christmas with my family, my sisters were surprised when I didn't give them any hand-knitted gifts.  I made them each liquid soap instead and while they loved the soap, they were clearly disappointed that I hadn't knitted anything for them. I was surprised. I knew that they admired my knitting, but I thought that they weren't particularly impressed or interested in my hand knits. Not wanting to disappoint, I happily gave Kathy a recently finished Moebius cowl, but I didn't have another to gift to Esther.  A few weeks into the new year, I told her that I would knit her whatever she wanted and she asked for a pair of black fingerless mitts.  I'm ashamed to say that it took me a while to cast on, but I finally did and spent last week knitting a variation of these.  They're a bit on the narrow side (we sisters have long, slim hands) so I'd like to knit her another pair but, for now, she's happy.

I started a new non-fiction book called Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. On a recent drive to work one morning, I heard the author interviewed on NPR and was instantly fascinated by the thesis of her book. I've always known that I'm an introvert but typically that label has connoted a person who is shy, anti-social, and possibly even timid. But I've also always known that I'm fairly out-going, friendly, and not the least bit timid. 

In Quiet, Cain attempts to define who an introvert is:  she is someone who thinks before acting, who prefers the company of a few close friends rather than a large cocktail party, and at the end of the day, prefers to sit quietly with a good book.  For me, a quiet evening is not only a preference but a need. In my work, I engage with people all day long and it's wonderful. I'm energized by it, challenged by it, and grateful to know so many interesting people.  But once I leave campus and get into my car for my drive home, I revel in the thought of several hours in the company of my family, eating a home-cooked meal, reading my book, or catching up with my favorite shows.  This is the way I both relax and rejuvenate.  

I'm only about 1/4 of the way into the book, but already I'm hooked.  With so many people of influence in our society today who are larger than life, I'm so happy to be reading about the other side of this crazy celebrity-obsessed world we live in.  Remember, Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, and Frederic Chopin (to name only a few) were introverts.  I like that company!