The start of the Summer of Socks inspired me to finish the Heads Up socks last Sunday. I was going to show them to you a few days ago but saved them for today for a very special reason – which I’ll explain shortly.
As you may recall, the yarn was dyed by Scout after being inspired by Dale’s flagpole accident of last March. The colors are really wonderful and the bright yellow adds a great off-beat touch. One of the reddish browns reminded me of dried blood but I tried not to dwell on that too much.
Okay, so the reason I saved this post for today is because it’s Dale’s birthday. I don’t want to get all sappy (because yesterday’s post was sappy enough) but I can’t help but thinking that my husband came very close to not being around to celebrate this birthday. That accident shook both of us to the core and I look at these socks as a reminder of the frailty and uncertainty of life. It’s a big job for a pair of socks but I think they’re up to the challenge.
So with all of that in mind I took this photo. Dale is holding my Heads Up clad feet in this hands, symbolic of the fact that he holds my heart in his hands every day. I’m so blessed to have him for a husband. He’s kind and funny and dependable. He drives me crazy sometimes but the truth is that he’s absolutely perfect for me.
Won’t you all join me and wish him a happy birthday?
Julie Said,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DALE!
The socks are beautiful.
Paula Said,
Happy Birthday, Dale!
Kathy Said,
Happy Birthday to a great man and a wonderful friend.
sandy Said,
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Dale
Happy Birthday to you
Have a great day. sandy
DebbieB Said,
Happy Birthday, dude. You must be a really fantastic guy, ’cause Carole is sure nuts about you.
Norma Said,
Happy-happy Birthday, Dale!
Kelly Said,
awww Carole!!!
Happy Birthday Dale!!! The socks are beautiful!
Laura Said,
Happy Birthday to you!!!!
Wool Winder Said,
Happy Birthday to Dale! Wear the socks to the party and celebrate.
Jen in CT Said,
Happy Birthday, Dale!
debbi Said,
Hippo Birdes to you! Have a great one.
Karen Said,
Aww… Happy Birthday Dale!! I hope this one is the best one ever!
marianne Said,
A Very Happy Birthday, Dale! those are some great socks!
Beth Said,
Hope your special day is great, Dale. Happy birthday!
Robin in VA Said,
Happy Birthday Dale!! Hope you get a Birthday Pie all to yourself!!! The socks are beautiful, Scout’s the greatest.
(Funny how we have Hubby & Anniversary celebrations so close together)
Chris Said,
Happy Birthday, Dale! Have a great celebration, but stay away from flagpoles.
scoutj Said,
Oh they are great!!! And you made me giggle about the dried blood. I guess I did a good job then! lol
Happy Birthday Dale!
margene Said,
With happy tears in my eyes I wish Dale a wonderful year ahead and very Happy Birthday! You sure blew through that pair of socks!
Vicki Said,
Happy Birthday Dale!!
Knitnana Said,
Happy Birthday, Dale!
I’m wishing you many, many more years together!!!
(I want what you two have!!!)
(((hugs)))
Chery Said,
Hey, Dale, have a happy birthday! Love those socks, they are pretty.
Annie Said,
Happy Birthday, Dale!
Leah Said,
Such a great tribute!
Happy Birthday, Dale!!
Leslie Said,
Aw, I love the socks and the story–and I’m glad the story had a happy ending. Happy birthday, Dale!
Sara Said,
All of my good B-day vibes and wishes to you today. Have a lovely one!
Manise Said,
Happy Birthday to Dale the best festival Sherpa Dude!! Wishing you a great day!
You ripped through those socks girl and for good cause too.
anne Said,
a very happy birthday to you dale!
Carrie Said,
Happy Birthday Dale! Keep taking such good care of our Carole (and please stop freaking her out).
grace Said,
Happiest of Birthdays Dear Dale. Carole and I not only have our love of knitting in common but we both are totally enchanted by our wonderful husbands!!! Have a wonderful day and bask in her love!
dawn Said,
from another wife who daily thinks about how lucky she is to have married THE BEST MAN IN THE WORLD, i wish your BEST MAN IN THE WORLD a happy birthday.
Hillary Said,
Happy Birthday to Dale!
Amy Said,
Happy birthday, Dale–and many, many, many more!
claudia Said,
Happy 29th Birthday Dale!
jillian Said,
Happy, Happy Birthday Dale!
Cindy Said,
Lurker here, sounds like you have a great guy so here’s wishing him a very happy birthday and many more.
Cheryl S. Said,
Happy Birthday Dale! And hey, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of sappy!
Lucia Said,
Gimme a D!
Gimme an A!
Gimme an L!
Gimme an E!
What does that spell? Dale! I can’t hear you? DALE!
Happy birthday, Dale!
Lucia Said,
P.S. To paraphrase what you told me recently in a different context, if he never drives you crazy he’s not doing his job.
Sunflowerfairy Said,
Happy birthday, Dale!!
JessaLu Said,
Happy Birthday, Dale!!
)
Love the socks – oh and Carole? Would you quit making me misty before my 2nd cup of coffee? ;op
Katie K Said,
Have a very wonderful birthday, Dale!
MX Said,
Great socks, great husband, great sentiment!
sprite Said,
Happy birthday, Dale!
Beth S. Said,
*sniffle*
Gosh, that was sweet.
Happy Birthday to the man who was lucky enough to deserve you! 
Chris Said,
Happy birthday, Dale! Those are some fun socks, dried blood notwithstanding…
Mary Said,
Happy, happy Birthday to Dale!
kmkat Said,
Happy birthday, cuti–, er, Dale! (Only Carole is allowed to call you that.) Many, many more, and keep watching out for falling flagpoles.
~Kristie Said,
Happy Happy Happy Birthday Dale. If only I could send a voice greeting, I’d sing! Then again, be grateful I can’t send a voice greeting.
I’m sure most (if not all) of the socks in your drawer have stories to tell, but these socks should have their own special drawer all to themselves. They are beautiful to look at but have a beautiful reminder to live each day to the fullest.
Cookie Said,
Happy Birthday, Dale! ♥
They really are lovely socks, Carole.
Barbara-Kay Said,
Happy Birthday, Dale! I’m so glad you have a happy ending to this all, and are here to receive greetings!
Sylvia Said,
Drumroll, please! Fanfare!
Happy birthday to Dale!
Laurie Said,
Happy birthday, lucky guy.
Jan Said,
Happy happy birthday, Dale, and many more glorious years of your lucky coupleship!
Jessica Said,
Happy Birthday Dale!!
Hug your loved ones y’all.
suzanne Said,
HIPPO BIRD DAY, DALE!
You’re a cool dude.
Kim Said,
Happy Birthday Dale! What a beautiful post honoring your love for your husband
Cynthia Said,
Happy Birthday Dale! I hope you have a wonderful day! I am sure you are feeling equally lucky in the partner department – you guys have such a tremendous relationship which makes any special moment so much more so.
=Tamar Said,
Happy Birthday! (same day as my brother’s!)
Suzanne Said,
Happy Birthday Dale!
Judy Said,
Big Happy Birthday hug to Dale!!
Ann Said,
I’m late to the party, Dale, but Happy Birthday! (Birthdays should be all week long anyway.)
Debi Said,
What a beautiful tribute!
Happy belated birthday Dale!!
heather Said,
Happy birthday Dale (a bit late)!
Kristyn Said,
The socks and tribute are both beautiful.
A late happy birthday for my b-day twin Dale!
Emily Said,
Happy happy birthday, Dale! Several days late! But that just makes the fun last longer!