Decisions, Decisions

I was lucky enough to hear Jonah Lehrer (jonahlehrer.com) speak to a group of 150 businesspeople yesterday. His topic - the science of decision-making - revealed some of the most fascinating scientific discoveries I've ever heard.

Basically, there's a science to the way we make decisions - even those we think are totally random or determined by a "gut feeling." And, even better, we can train ourselves (and our children!) to understand the factors that go into decision-making and how, to some extent, to control them. Not only that, but there are contributing factors (like the ability to delay gratification) which can be determined as young as 18 months old. Children who can resist temptation at an early age (by distracting themselves) grow into the students who do better in school and the adults who flourish professionally.

Jonah's new book is called How We Decide - it's on the New York Times bestseller list, as was his first novel, Proust Was A Neuroscientist. The researcher who did the work with children is Walter Mischel.

If this sounds even remotely interesting to you, check it out... you'll be amazed.

And speaking of WHINE...

Greetings from Sister the Youngest, enjoying another fake spring day in Westchester County, NY.  While it is warm and beautiful here, I know the great weather is only fodder for complaints when it starts to rain (or snow) again tomorrow or the next day. But, despite the impending complaints, there's more to be thankful for today than just the sunshine... I reunited (digitally, at least) with an old friend on Facebook, who led to another I thought for sure I'd never find. While digging up the past is sometimes treacherous, what I unearthed today was worth the risk: confirmation that no matter how screwed up we were in high school, there's (usually) plenty of time and opportunity to improve.

Spindlecat Studios Stitch Marker/keeper

I have a weakness for great knitting "tools"...you know...cool little things that are either pretty, or just make the whole thing easier.

As I have just discovered how useful this particular item can be, I thought I'd share. As a little giftie with one of my orders, Kate from Spindlecatstudio sent me one of her stitchmarker/keepers. I thought "oh cool" and it sat in my knitting bag with the rest of my stuff.

Until I started working on my most recent WIP.....a Noro Stripe Clapotis. You know the part where you have to remove the marker at row 8 and add it back at row 6? This little doo dad makes it almost impossible to lose that little "lady in waiting."

It's a stitch marker that hangs from a hook instead of a closed circle. The body of the marker is a keeper for stitch markers not currently in use. I have it hanging from my knitting ...and when I get to row 6 in the repeat, my next marker is sitting there ready to go.


This is the space where I wanted to post the pic....but it kept coming out blurry....so here is a link to the actual item. Almost all of my favorite stitch markers are from this etsy shop...and this item is no exception. As I am prone to losing things....this marker has made my life much easier.

That's all for today. :)

You know what they say...

When you don't have something nice to say....come sit with us. I live in DC, my sisters live in NY....some say it's safer that way.

This is a welcome from Sister the Oldest. It's almost springtime in DC and the bulbs are coming up......and I am waiting to see how many of my pretties the rat bastard squirrels decided to dig up as snacks.

The little grey dog has made numerous calls to the Dept of Homeland Security about the issue, but they apparently have better things to worry about than the complaints of a Schnauzer.